When one thinks of the Southwest, the wines of Bergerac naturally come to mind. Nestled in the heart of the Dordogne, this appellation is indeed brimming with viticultural treasures just waiting for one thing : to be discovered !
Are you a fan of powerful or fruity red wines ? Do you enjoy gourmet whites or perhaps fresh rosés ? The AOC Bergerac certainly has something to entice you ! Let's not waste any more time and dive together into the history, terroirs, and secrets of this appellation.
History of the AOC Bergerac
As is the case for many French wine regions, the first traces of viticulture in the Bergerac region date back to the Roman era, probably around the 1st century BC.
The town of Vesunna (modern-day Périgueux), located near Bergerac, was an important commercial crossroads at the time. The Romans planted vines there, taking advantage of a temperate climate and varied soils. At that time, however, viticulture was not as developed as it would become later, and it coexisted with other agricultural crops.
During the Middle Ages, the vineyard experienced significant growth in the region, largely thanks to the monasteries. The monks indeed played a major role in structuring the vineyards around the abbeys and improved the techniques of wine cultivation and production, making the beverage an important component of religious and social life. At the same time, the local lords also encouraged production on their estates.
The Bergerac vineyard, thanks to its proximity to the Dordogne, benefited from easy access to the waterways from that time, allowing wines to be transported to Bordeaux and beyond.The Dordogne thus became an essential commercial artery for the distribution of wines from the southwest, notably towards England and Flanders.
The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) marked a turning point in the history of the Bergerac vineyard. During the English domination over the Aquitaine region, the English developed a strong taste for Bordeaux wine, which they called "claret". The wines of Bergerac, although geographically close, however, struggled to compete with the Bordeaux production which already enjoyed a solid international reputation.
However, the winemakers of Bergerac were able to take advantage of the trade exchanges between Gascony and England, and their wine began to be exported via the port of Bordeaux.However, the Bordeaux authorities imposed strict restrictions on the trade of their wines, which could only be shipped after the sale of Bordeaux wines. This hindered the development of the Bergerac vineyard, which remained in the shadow of its neighbor for many years.
The Hundred Years' War had a considerable impact on the marketing of Bergerac wines
From the 16th century onwards, and despite the commercial dominance of Bordeaux, the Bergerac vineyard experienced progressive expansion. Trade with the Netherlands and England resumed more regularly, and Bergerac winemakers began to diversify by producing red, white, and sweet wines.Thanks to their increasing quality, the local vintages then began to make a place for themselves in European courts.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the viticulture of Bergerac continued its development. However, the 19th century was marked by several major crises, namely the powdery mildew crisis in the 1850s and the phylloxera crisis starting in 1878, which largely destroyed European vineyards, including that of Bergerac.
Nevertheless, each crisis brought its share of opportunities, and these allowed for a profound restructuring of the vineyard over several decades.
Finally, in 1936, it was the crowning achievement : the AOC Bergerac was officially created, placing it among the oldest in France. The regional vineyard benefited from this enthusiasm, and many other appellations like Côtes de Bergerac (1936), Monbazillac (1937), or Pécharmant (1946) emerged in the following years.
Today, the AOC Bergerac and Côtes de Bergerac cover 7 000 hectares spread over 93 communes. The entire Bergerac vineyard (with appellations like Pécharmant, Saussignac, Monbazillac, or even Côtes de Duras, etc.) covers more than 11 000 hectares.
Climates and soils of the AOC Bergerac
Located in the Dordogne Valley, the Bergerac vineyard benefits from an ideal temperate oceanic climate for viticulture. Winters are rather mild, summers are warm, and humidity is maintained by the marine winds from the Atlantic.
This combination of climatic factors allows the grapes of the region to ripen slowly, thus developing complex and balanced aromas.
As for the soils of this vast vineyard, they are even more varied than the climate ! You will indeed find here mostly limestone soils, but also gravelly and stony soils, clay-siliceous (sand and quartz) or even alluvial terroirs (sand, silt, clay, etc.)
Finally, from a grape variety perspective, Merlot (more than 30% of the vineyard) dominates for the reds, accompanied by the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.In white, the Sémillon and Sauvignon represent the majority of the plantations, accompanied by Muscadelle as well as other minor grape varieties like Chardonnay or Chenin.
The wines of the AOC Bergerac
The AOC Bergerac is distinguished by its ability to produce wines with varied profiles. Indeed, red, white, rosé, as well as sweet and dessert wines can be produced within the vineyard! This diversity, reflecting the richness of the region's terroirs, is a boon for enthusiasts.
Let's discover together what each type of wine has to offer you !
The red wines of the AOC Bergerac
Did you know that red wines represent about 60% of the production of the AOC Bergerac?
These wines are the result of a careful blend of at least two grape varieties, among which we mainly find Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec (Cot). Other minor grape varieties like Fer Servadou or Mérille are sometimes used.
If, historically, the red wines of Bergerac have a reputation for being tannic and powerful wines, a new generation of winemakers is gradually changing the codes by producing cuvées with delicate tannins, more focused on freshness and finesse.
Thus, depending on the producer and the chosen terroir, you can have very different wines from a structural point of view during your tasting. Nevertheless, you will often find within the red wines of the appellation aromas of red and black fruits such as redcurrant, blackcurrant, or morello cherry, as well as spicy notes like pepper and sometimes woody profiles.
The red wines of Bergerac reveal intense aromas of ripe red fruits
The white wines of the AOC Bergerac
The white wines of Bergerac represent about 30% of the appellation's production and are distinguished by their varied aromatic profiles, ranging from dry and lively whites to sweet and luscious whites.
Mainly made from Sauvignon, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grape varieties, the dry white wines are characterized by their liveliness and a rich aromatic palette. Citrus, white flowers, stone fruits, and even spicy notes will delight your taste buds here.Their balanced structure, their gourmandise, and their freshness make them essential in the French wine landscape.
The sweet or semi-sweet wines of Bergerac, on the other hand, are made from the same grape varieties and are either produced from a late harvest (passerillage) or thanks to the presence of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea fungus). Here, the enthusiast can savor aromas of yellow fruits, candied peach, butter, or even honey... quite a program !
White wine from Bergerac, offering delicate aromas of yellow fruits.
The rosé wines of the AOC Bergerac
The rosés of Bergerac represent approximately 10% of the production of the appellation. Made from the same grape varieties as the reds, they are light, fruity, and offer aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, citrus, and white-fleshed fruits, all enhanced by a delicate minerality.This is the kind of wine you like to have on hand for sunny days, to enjoy without moderation (or almost) !
So, what tempts you the most? Red, rosé, or white? The AOC Bergerac surely has a wine that matches your desires!
The rosés of Bergerac are perfect for friendly and sunny moments
What to eat with a Bergerac wine?
Do you have a Bergerac wine in your cellar and wonder what to enjoy it with? Look no further, here are some ideas that will make your mouth water!
- The powerful reds of Bergerac are perfect to accompany grilled red meats or a duck breast.Serve these robust wines at a temperature of 16-18°C to reveal their full aromatic richness.
- Looking for a lighter red? Choose a fruity red wine from the region with delightful notes of red fruits. These cuvées pair perfectly with roasted poultry or a charcuterie board. Enjoy slightly chilled, around 14-16°C, to appreciate all its delicacy.
- Prefer rosés? Their freshness and delicate red fruit aromas make them perfect companions for your summer barbecues, a langoustine risotto, or a mixed salad.These cuvées are also the ideal choice for aperitifs with friends ! Here, we recommend a temperature between 8 and 10°C to enhance their minerality.
- For the dry whites from Bergerac, pairing them with seafood, grilled fish, or vegetarian dishes like an asparagus salad or avocado tartare will be ideal. Their well-balanced acidity and deliciousness will perfectly complement these dishes. We recommend serving them at around 10-12°C to make the most of them.
- Finally, with the soft and sweet wines, one can perfectly imagine a pan-seared foie gras, blue-veined cheeses (Roquefort), or even fruit tarts (apple, apricot, pear, etc.)... a true delight in prospect ! To temper the perception of sugar on our palates, a serving temperature around 8-10°C will be ideal here.
What are the best wines of the AOC Bergerac?
Are you looking to discover the best of the AOC Bergerac ? The Domaine Albert de Conti is an essential reference and a true favorite ! Renowned for their expertise, Guillaume, Yann, and Paul take pride in producing wines that evoke finesse and indulgence.
Whether it's for their fruity or structured reds, their indulgent whites, or their delicious Pet’Nat, each bottle from the domain is a true pleasure to taste !
Did this article make you want to discover the wines of the AOC Bergerac ? Don't wait any longer ! Visit our website
