The Dordogne is one of the beautiful rivers of South Western France. For centuries the vineyards in this region have played second fiddle to those in the more famous and politically powerful Bordeaux region. In fact the Dordogne river flows into the Garrone inside the boundaries of the Bordeaux. This article though deals just with the vineyards and wineries in the region designated as being from the Dordogne region.
Over the past decade or so some of the lesser regions of France have started coming out of their shell. The wines reflect a slightly more continental climate, warmer summers and colder winters compared to the more maritime Bordeaux.
Bergerac Appellation
The majority of the Dodogne department is covered by the catch-all appellation of Bergerac. Within this region Cotes de Bergerac, which denotes a dry red wine, made from Merlot and Cabernets varieties. Some Bergerac Rose is also made and white under the name of Bergerac Sec. Cotes de Bergerac Moelleux is the name given to sweet white wines from the region.
Dordogne's Famous Sweet Wine
In the centre of the region is the appellation of Monbazillac, the best known wine of the region. The sumptuous sweet botrytised wines have for centuries been exported to Holland but their fame has spread much wider. They are made with the varieties Semillon, Sauvignon blanc and Muscadelle. The wines are comparable in style, and in some opinions quality, to Sauternes from the nearby Bordeaux region. Monbazallic wines owe much to the influence of Muscadelle and the presence of the Botrytis fungus inducing "noble rot" in some vintages. They can be drunk when young, or allowed to develop a distinctly mellow nuttiness with age.
Restaurants in Dordogne will serve you a regional meal featuring foie gras, a salad dressed with local walnut oil, confit of duck and creme brulee. A glass of Monbazillac wine is served at the start of the meal to accompany the foie gras.
Other Appellations in the Dordogne Wine Region
Saussignac is a small appellation just to the west of Monbazillac and it uses similar varieties to that appellation. The emphasis in Saussignac is on traditional methods such as hand picking and relying on natural sweetness. Over the past decade or so the the fortunes of the region have been lifted by the efforts of vineyards such as Clos d'Yvigne.
In the western half of the Dordogne department lie the three appellations of Montravel, Haut Montravel and Cotes de Montarvel. These regions abut the nearby Bordeaux region. They all specialize in white wines. The name Montravel indicates a dry white wine made chiefly from Semillon, the Cotes de Montravel name is for a moelleux or semi sweet wine and Haut Montravel refers to a very sweet white wine.
Pecharmant and Rossette are two appellations to the east and west of the city of Bergerac respectively. Pecharmant wines are red blends with the emphasis on the Merlot variety. They are regarded as being suitable for aging. Rossette overlaps the Pecharmant zone and is used for sweet white wines. It is an appellation that seems to be fading away.
Visiting the Dordogne Region
The landscapes in this region are among the most beautiful in France. The Dordogne River cuts an attractive gorge through the limestone plateau. There are many limestone caves; some have prehistoric paintings like at Lascaux, others contain beautiful stalactites and stalactites. You can also find hundreds of castles from the medieval and Renaissance times.
Dordogne has an enviable reputation for cuisine, especially for its products related to ducks and geese, such as foie gras. It is one of the renowned areas for truffles. No wonder it is one the main areas for British immigration into France.
You can find out more about grape varieties used in various French wine regions using De Longs Wine Grape Varietal Table.
See this article for other wine regions in South West France.
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