Bergerac

The right to the Bergerac, Bergerac sec, Côtes-de-Bergerac and Côtes-de-Bergerac moelleux appellations d'origine contrôlée was granted by the decree of September 11, 1936 to Bergerac red or white wines produced in the Bergerac district, in accordance with an area defined by the INAO.

The Bergerac vineyards are crossed from east to west by the Dordogne River and watered by a number of its tributaries. Geologically, the region's outcrops are essentially Tertiary and Quaternary in age. Bergerac 's vineyards stretch across sun-drenched hillsides (boulbènes and the limestone terreforts of the Monbazillac hillsides) and plateaus (Tertiary limestone plateaus and Quaternary gravels) on both banks of the Dordogne. The surface area of Bergerac vineyards in production is around 13,000 hectares, all Bergerac A.O.C. wines combined, including 7,500 hectares for Bergerac red A.O.C. wines and 5,500 hectares for Bergerac white A.O.C. wines.
The grape varieties used for red Bergerac wine are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and, to a lesser extent, Côt or Malbec, and more rarely Fer Servadou, Mérille or Périgord. For Bergerac white wine , the grape varieties used are Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and, in very small proportions, Ondenc and Chenin blanc. Ugni blanc is an accessory grape variety (maximum 25%). The percentage of Sauvignon in the vineyard must be at least equal to that of Ugni blanc if the latter is present. For all Bergerac A.O.C. wines, at least two grape varieties must be blended together. The qualities of the appellation can be fully appreciated, thanks in particular to the vintages offered by Château Tour des Gendres, Château Moulin Caresse and Domaine de L'Ancienne Cure.