This area of the Dordogne is known as The Purple Périgord taken from
the colour of the grapes that produce some of France's most famous wines -
the full-bodied reds (Rouge) of Bergerac and the sweet white Monbazillacs.
The Wines of the
Bergerac Region
The vineyards of the Bergerac region consist of 13 Controlled
Appellations of Origin (AOC) areas confirming its diversity.
The wines produced can either be red or dry, semi-sweet, or sweet
whites.
| Red Wines
Red Bergerac - The production area for Red Bergerac
covers all districts with vineyards and stretches over the
hillsides and plateaus. Red Bergerac can be produced
from the entire vineyard area. Red Côtes
de Bergerac is made up of selections of the best wine in
the aforementioned area. Pécharmant -
The ideal soil for the production of Pécharmant forms a
semicircle stretching across four parishes to the northeast of
the town of Bergerac.
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| Dry White Wines
White Bergerac - Widely established on both banks of
the Dordogne, the soil producing White Bergerac stretches over
the plains bordering the river and some of the hillsides.
Montravel - Situated in the extreme western end of
the Department of the Dordogne, the Montravel soil is the
furthest away from the town of Bergerac and encompasses 14
parishes.
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| Semi-sweet White Wines
Côtes de Bergerac - These
wines are essentially produced from the Sémillon grape
variety coming from the entire vineyard area.
Haut-Montravel - Like the Côtes
de Montravel, these wines are produced at the extreme western
end of the Department, but specifically along the approaches
to the river.
Rosette - The Rosette wines are cultivated on the
sunny hillsides dominating the landscape to the north of the
town of Bergerac.
Côtes de Montravel - These
wines are slightly sweet and constitute the perfect transition
between Montravel (dry wine) and the Haut-Montravel (sweeter
in style).
Saussignac - This is a pocket-sized area dominating
the valley between the vineyards of Monbazillac and the first
AOC vineyards of Bordeaux.
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| Sweet White Wines
Monbazillac - The Monbazillac vineyards are situated
on the south bank of the Dordogne, facing the town of Bergerac
spreading over the hillsides facing north on terraces between
50 and 180 meters above sea level.
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| The Vineyards
Here are just a few of the vineyards located close to the property that
are definitely worth the visit. |
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| Château de Monbazillac |
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The Monbazillac wine is a vins
liquoreux (sweet dessert wine) that uses mostly Sémillon
grapes.
Although you can get a variety of other types of wines from the
Château and its cooperative - including
Bergerac reds. |
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| Château Le Bondieu |
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Located in St-Antoine-de-Breuilh, this vineyard has
been known for producing very fine reds in recent years.
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| Château Court-les-Muts |
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Located in Razac-de-Saussignac produces some very fine
moelleux wine. This vineyard also bottles some nice
reds and white AOC Bergerac. |
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| Château Tourdes Gendres |
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Located in Ribagnac is a very reputable vineyard with
excellent whites and reds.
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| Cloître de Récollets |
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In the middle of Bergerac. |
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| Domaine de Laulan |
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It was in 1974 that Gilbert Geoffroy bought the
Domaine de Laulan. Step by step he replanted the white wine vineyards
and increased their size to 30 hectares. In 1985 he introduced
stainless steel vats and controlled fermentation, and in 1988 he
started fermenting his best cuvees in oak barrels. For instance,
another white from the Domaine, Cuvee Emile Chariot, is an
outstanding Cotes de Duras with a textured vanilla complexity. This
is recognized as one of the top Domaines in the Duras area with Duc de Laulan is its best known.
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| Clos Les Côtes |
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In the Pécharmant region of Bergerac
wine which is renown for its AOC wines. This vineyard won
awards for its Pécharmant in 1992. |
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| Château de Tiregand |
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In Creysse (also in the Pécharmant
region), is best known for its fine white AOC Bergerac.
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