Wine & the Dordogne
Posted by: Dan Carney on 20 July 2010
Greetings from France!
During our holiday, we were hoping to visit some vineyards; taste some good wine, have a good time (rhyme?!).
Anyway, do any of the resident Wine connoisseurs know of any good places to visit, located in the Dordogne?
Many thanks,
Dan
During our holiday, we were hoping to visit some vineyards; taste some good wine, have a good time (rhyme?!).
Anyway, do any of the resident Wine connoisseurs know of any good places to visit, located in the Dordogne?
Many thanks,
Dan
Posted on: 20 July 2010 by rodwsmith
Dan
Depends where - it's a long river!
You have at the one end St Emilion which is Bordeaux, ache-ingly pretty (but touristy as a village) and stuffed full of wine-names you probably wouldn't wish to afford, many of whom wouldn't want to sell to you anyway. But there are exceptions.
At the other end you are probably in Bergerac country. Hugely pretty but not fantastically famous for the quality of its wines.
Around Bergerac the Château de Monbazillac is worth a visit. The view is better than the wine, frankly, but the view is very beautiful indeed. L'Imparfait in the town is a very good restaurant and you can sit under the parasols outside. In Montravel there is the Château Michel de Montaigne where you can see where the great eponymous essayist lived as well as try the wine.
I would recommend tasting at the Domaine du Haut Pecharmant and Chateau de Tiregand in Pecharmant. From the very helpful Maison du Vin in Bergerac you can pick up a detailed booklet of all the winemakers who are open for visits, their details and opening hours.
David Fourtout's wines at Clos des Verdots and the Domaine de L'Ancienne Cure at Colombier on the Agen road a few miles south of Bergerac, not far from the picture postcard town of Issigeac, are both worth seeking out.
You can just about get to Cahors there and back in a day - which is worth it - let me know as there are some serious wine places there, as well as an exquisite town, but it's further than St Emilion, so only if you like driving.
Something to be going on with. Hope it's not too hot for you, it's getting unbearable here (touched 40°C today).
Bonnes vacances
Rod
Depends where - it's a long river!
You have at the one end St Emilion which is Bordeaux, ache-ingly pretty (but touristy as a village) and stuffed full of wine-names you probably wouldn't wish to afford, many of whom wouldn't want to sell to you anyway. But there are exceptions.
At the other end you are probably in Bergerac country. Hugely pretty but not fantastically famous for the quality of its wines.
Around Bergerac the Château de Monbazillac is worth a visit. The view is better than the wine, frankly, but the view is very beautiful indeed. L'Imparfait in the town is a very good restaurant and you can sit under the parasols outside. In Montravel there is the Château Michel de Montaigne where you can see where the great eponymous essayist lived as well as try the wine.
I would recommend tasting at the Domaine du Haut Pecharmant and Chateau de Tiregand in Pecharmant. From the very helpful Maison du Vin in Bergerac you can pick up a detailed booklet of all the winemakers who are open for visits, their details and opening hours.
David Fourtout's wines at Clos des Verdots and the Domaine de L'Ancienne Cure at Colombier on the Agen road a few miles south of Bergerac, not far from the picture postcard town of Issigeac, are both worth seeking out.
You can just about get to Cahors there and back in a day - which is worth it - let me know as there are some serious wine places there, as well as an exquisite town, but it's further than St Emilion, so only if you like driving.
Something to be going on with. Hope it's not too hot for you, it's getting unbearable here (touched 40°C today).
Bonnes vacances
Rod
Posted on: 21 July 2010 by MilesSmiles
Rod,
thanks for sharing your wine knowledge with us. Some of my favorite wines are from St Emilion but I'm not at all familiar with wines from Bergerac.
Dan, enjoy your trip.
Cheers ... Oliver
thanks for sharing your wine knowledge with us. Some of my favorite wines are from St Emilion but I'm not at all familiar with wines from Bergerac.
Dan, enjoy your trip.
Cheers ... Oliver
Posted on: 21 July 2010 by Dan Carney
Rod,
Many, many thanks for sharing your knowledge.
We are based in the village of Lusignac - one hour from Bergerac, so your suggestions are all very reachable.
Château de Monbazillac was on our list, so to speak, but I think we'll try Domaine du Haut Pecharmant, as you suggest.
My fiancee was given a case of 1988 Domaine du Haut Pecharmant for her 21st birthday from her parents (1988 being her birth year), which was a fantastic wine.
I'll let you know how we get on!
Thanks again,
Dan
P.S. The temperature hit 35C today, but we had a thunder and lightening storm last night, and now it's raining...
Many, many thanks for sharing your knowledge.
We are based in the village of Lusignac - one hour from Bergerac, so your suggestions are all very reachable.
Château de Monbazillac was on our list, so to speak, but I think we'll try Domaine du Haut Pecharmant, as you suggest.
My fiancee was given a case of 1988 Domaine du Haut Pecharmant for her 21st birthday from her parents (1988 being her birth year), which was a fantastic wine.
I'll let you know how we get on!
Thanks again,
Dan
P.S. The temperature hit 35C today, but we had a thunder and lightening storm last night, and now it's raining...