Alsace
Armagnac
Bergerac

Wine Tours of the BERGERAC Region of France

The Bergerac wine region while being seven ‘regions’ it is easily experienced from one accommodation base as it has a good road system in all directions with numerous roads servicing the various grape growing areas. While an established “La Route des Vins” with signage is throughout the region, it is designed more to allow you to see vineyards rather than taste wine in wineries. We would recommend for your first day that you either visit a local tourist office, or one of the better caves in the region. Better still is to take advantage of local knowledge and contacts and book for one or more days tour. As a number of wineries are by appointment only.

A ONE DAY TOUR—Saussignac/Monbazillac, Bergerac

	This one tour in the AOC Saussignac/Monbazillac regions of Bergerac took in: HAUTE GARRIGUE Wild Earth Vineyards— an organic vineyard Chateau de Malfourat—a vineyard tasting A picnic lunch Chateau de MONBAZILLAC—a castle with class! Cave Monbazillac—a local wine co-op. Domaine Maye de BOUYE—vin de Monbazillac producer

Vineyard Selection

		Chateau Haute Garrigue Wild Earth Vineyards Contact: Sean & Caroline Feely Tel./fax +33(0)553 227271 E-mail: info@wildearthvineyards.com www.wildearthvineyards.com 24240 Saussignac, France The 10 ha vineyard is run on organic principles. They produce in their onsite winery a dry Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend; a Sauvignon blanc; Rose and Merlot, plus a limited edition Saussignac AOC Moelleux—semi sweet white. We tasted all the presently available range. Chateau Haute Garrigue Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Delicate coloured wine with a nose of limes and floral tones, good palate with gooseberries, apples and peaches. Chateau Haute Garrigue Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Carries more colour than the blend with a nice body. Aromas of wild flowers and gooseberries with a zesty mineral finish. A lively wine in the a true Sauvignon Blanc style. Chateau Haute Garrigue Saussignac AOC Moelleux 2000 A signature wine of the Saussignac region and this is a fine example. A delightful clear golden wine with fresh honeysuckle on the nose and a honey finish. Ideal with Foie Gras, or with desserts and chocolate. Chateau Haute Garrigue Merlot 2006 A nose of liquorices with a palate of ripe berries and well-structured tannins. Great with game and beef.
		Château Le Payral LE BOURG 24240 RAZAC DE SAUSSIGNAC Contact: Isabelle and Thierry DAULHIAC Tel : 05.53.22.38.07 Fax : 05.53.27.99.81 Email : daulhiac.thierry@wanadoo.fr Website : http://chateaulepayral.over-blog.com Château Le Payral is a small family-run vineyard which covers 15 hillside hectares in the Bergerac and Saussignac Appellations d’Origine Contrôlée. Thierry and Isabelle Daulhiac, along with Paul and Emilien, are the current owners. In 1992 Thierry inherited the vineyard from his father who had, in turn, inherited it from his father. Chateau Le Payral Bergerac Sec A blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon and 5% Muscadelle with aromas of exotic fruits, white peaches and a fresh, grassy character. The palate is long with a full-bodied structure supporting the peachy, citrus fruit, and complemented by a dry finish. Chateau Le Payral Rouge Bergerac A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot this wine is spicy, with rich, soft, red berry fruits aromas. The palate has generous ripe fruit and a pepper-herby tone, while a fine structure lends finesse and elegance. Chateau Le Payral CUVEE MARIE JEANNE Saussignac A blend of 70% Semillon, 15% Muscadelle and 15% Sauvignon Blanc with a rich and honeyed nose with floral and slight apricot aromas. Apricots and honey can be found on the palate, with a sensual, silky texture and very fine balance. An award winning wine.
		Domaine Maye de Bouye 24240 Rouffignac de Sigoules near Bergerac Contact: Philip & Corinne Couture Tel/fax 05 53 58 3816 E-mail: domaine.maye.de.bouye@wanadoo.fr A third generation vineyard, Domaine Maye de Bouye is 25 ha, being 10 ha white grapes and 15 ha red grapes. The whites are structured for Monbazillac being Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc & Muscadelle. While the reds are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The owner and winemaker, Philip Couture and his charming wife, Corinne (speaks English and French), offer excellent wines including Monbazillac ’02,’03 & ‘04; a semi-sweet Moelleux ’04; a Rouge ’02 to ’05 plus a oak aged ’03; Sauvignon Blanc ’05 and a Rose’06. All excellent wines and we particularly enjoyed the Monbazillac and the Sauvignon Blanc.
		Le Cave de Monbazillac www.chateau-monbazillac.com Route d'Eymet-Mont-de-Marsan Tel. 05 53 63 65 06 Fax: 05 53 63 65 09 24240 MONBAZILLAC We try to include a regional cave as they offer ease of selection and wide range of wines from their cooperative member vineyards. This is an exceptional cave and well worth a visit. Excellent video presentation of wine region. While they specialise in Monbazillac sweet white wines, they also have a number of reds and we tasted the: Marquis de Chanterac Pecharmant 2005 A typical Pecharmant Red—medium reds colour and body, pleasant nose of ripe berry fruits, great flavours of raspberries, and black currants with a smooth pleasant finish. Chateau Pion Bergerac 2003 A smooth big red reflecting a good year in the Bergerac wine region giving plenty of colour and great spicy flavours with careful use of oak. Highly recommended.
		La Closerie du Chateau du Brie MONBAZILLAC Produced by the Lyee Viticole de Bergerac, a viticulture training establishment, with cellars just down the road from Chateau Monbazillac, where you will be most welcome to visit. La Closerie du Chateau du Brie 2003 Bergerac We were particularly impressed by the ‘03 Bergerac which is produced from the traditional Bergerac blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Cabernet Franc and Malbec and oak aging. Deep red in colour, extensive nose of black currants, good front palate with tones of old leather and smooth tannins—a typical Merlot dominated Bergerac Red.
		Chateau Pech la Calevie 24240 POMPORT Chateau Pech la Calevie Monbazillac 2005 Only one word of the this 13.5% Monbazillac “delicious” - a floral bouquet with mouth filling tastes of ripe fruits, apricots, melons, and peaches with a delicate finish of honey.