Monbazillac AOC

The vineyards of Monbazillac is an enclave within the large area in the Bergerac wine region of Sud- Ouest in southwest France. The area enjoys since 15 May 1936 status of a Appellation d' Origine ( AOC short ). The vineyards cover more than 2,500 hectares and are located in the approved communities Colombier, Montbazillac Pomport, Rouffignac -de- Sigoulès and Saint- Laurent -des- Vignes.

The wine

The very long-lived dessert wine similar to Sauternes wines and is made from noble rot grapes of the varieties Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, which must be harvested by hand, blended. The sugar content of which before alcoholic fermentation must (→ Most weight) of at least 246 g / l. After fermentation, the wine must have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5 percent by volume have, and the residual sugar content is usually between 30-100 g / l

" Key d'or " called wines, if they have at least 15 volume percent alcohol after fermentation and are aged for at least three years. The Monbazillac can be enjoyed well with a blue cheese such as Bleu de Laqueuille or Bleu de Bresse because of its sweetness.

Provisions

Varieties

The variety is Sémillon with 72% of the area under vines Leitrebe the region. It gives the wine richness and sweetness. Sauvignon Blanc ( 15%) are the white wine and fruit race, while Muscadelle (13%) gives the Monbazillac the slight muscat bouquet. The percentages are of course different from winery to winery and may vary slightly from year to year. In addition, the Chenin Blanc, Ugni blanc Ondenc or may be grown. Their share, however, is limited to 10 %.

Growing conditions

The minimum planting density is 4000 vines per hectare. The distance between the rows of vines must not exceed 2.5 meters. The distance between two vines within a row is at least 80 centimeters.

The income limit is 40 hectoliters / hectare. As trellising of vines the goblet education are ( is called the local branch ) or the Guyot. The number of untreated eyes after winter pruning is max. 15 The height of the canopy is determined in function of the distance between the lines. Therefore, a sufficiently large number of sheets is guaranteed.

The number of dead or missing vines within a vineyard should not exceed the 20 % mark. The yield per hectare is reduced by the same percentage in this brand exceeded. The watering of the vines is prohibited.

Climate and soil

The region around Bergerac is subject to a strong oceanic influence, with mild winters. Particularly strong rainfall occurs in spring and late autumn. The summer, however, are mostly hot and dry. The weather is often stable until well into November. In the valley of the Dordogne often forms fog, which favors the formation of noble rot.

On the true left bank of the Dordogne freshwater limestone is embedded in Molassesand and marl. Together they form a veritable " Layer Cake ". In good water drainage, it provides good conditions for noble sweet white wines of Monbazillac and Saussignac.

History

In this area there were vineyards in the 11th century. The wine in the 14th century became known. A first highlight experienced the export efforts in the 18th century when Huguenots after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in the region of the Dordogne fled to Holland and bought up practically across the entire harvest for many years and imported to Holland. A native of Périgord famous diplomat and statesman Charles -Maurice de Talleyrand had the Monbazillac the Congress of Vienna serve.