Bergerac AOC

The appellation (also Bergeracois) is named after the town of the same name to the east of Bordeaux. With over 12,000 hectares of vineyards, it is the largest wine-growing region in south-west France. Viticulture is practised in around 90 of the 133 municipalities. They are located in the south-east of the Dordogne department along the river of the same name. The independent appellations of Monbazillac, Montravel (with sub-appellations Côtes de Montravel and Haut-Montravel), Pécharmant, Rosette and Saussignac are enclaves within this huge area.

History

Viticulture was already practised here by the Romans in the 1st century and reached its peak in the Middle Ages thanks to the Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries. At that time, Bergerac, together with other areas, was known as Haut-Pays (Upper Pays ). For centuries, Bergerac was in competition with its "big brother" Bordeaux and was also fought against by unfair means. Bergerac wines had to be shipped via the port of Bordeaux and small barrels were prescribed for the smaller neighbour. As the duty was calculated according to the number of barrels rather than the volume, this made exports more difficult, but wine from Bergerac nevertheless became world famous at the time. One prominent connoisseur was the Prussian King Frederick II the Great (1712-1786).

After the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between England and France in the battle for the French mainland (including Aquitaine with Bordeaux as well as Normandy and Burgundy), the Dutch wine trade dominated and for two centuries, sweet wine was promoted as a result. The vineyards were around three times as large back then.

Climate, soils & grape varieties

The oceanic climate is characterised by heavy rainfall in spring and late autumn, hot and dry summers and mild winters. The frequent fog in the Dordogne valley favours the formation of botrytis. North of Bergerac, the soils on the right bank of the river consist of gravel-sand sediments on a limestone base and, further downstream, limestone with red clay. On the left bank, limestone with clay predominates. Important red wine varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec (Cot), Fer and Mérille; important white wine varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle, Ondenc, Chenin Blanc and Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano).

Wines

There are two different appellation designations for the red, rosé and white wines. The reason for this is not the terroir, as one might think from the term "Côtes", but rather the different types of wine. Bergerac produces fruity wines that can be drunk young. The storable Côtes de Bergerac wines are subject to stricter conditions with lower yields and higher alcohol content.

The designation Côtes de Bergerac moelleux only applies to sweet white wines made from dried grapes. Well-known producers in Bergerac are Château Bélingard, Château Court-les-Muts, Château de la Colline, Château de la Mallevieille, Château du Bloy, Château Grinou, Château la Plante, Château le Mayne, Château le Raz, Château Tour des Gendres, Clos d'Yvigne, Domaine Constant, Domaine de la Jaubertie, Domaine de Richard and Domaine Grand Maison.

Map: By Cyril5555 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link