Saussignac AOC

The appellation Saussignac is nestled in the vineyards of Bergerac wine-growing region of Sud -Ouest. Although the French poet Francois Rabelais already (1494-1553) had the wine of Saussignac set in his most famous work Gargantua and Pantagruel Pantagruel by the main actor a monument Saussignac gained the status of Appellation d' Origine only on 28 April 1982. The vineyards within the communities Gageac -et- Rouillac, Monestier, Razac de Saussignac and the eponymous municipality Saussignac include a maximum of 100 hectares of vineyards. In 2005, the production was only 771 hectoliters for declared 49 hectares. In general, the yield per hectare is up to 30 hl / ha.

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.

The wine

Since 2005 are approved as varieties for white wine only Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The provision requires that the must contains at least 196 grams of sugar per liter ( → Most weight). The Saussignac is always sweet; the residual sugar is at least 18 g / l Under good conditions, it is characterized by noble rot. He must be prepared exclusively from overripe, hand-picked grapes. The income must not exceed 50 hectoliters per hectare. The wines may be marketed earlier than six months after the harvest. The rich wine has aromas of acacia and peach. You can store it in about three to eight years and should enjoy it at a drinking temperature of between eight and ten degrees Celsius.

Provisions

Varieties

The variety Sémillon is the Leitrebe the region. It gives the wine richness and sweetness. Sauvignon Blanc ( or Gris Sauvignon ) are the white wine and fruit race, while Muscadelle the Saussignac gives the light 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 5,000 vines per hectare. The distance between two vines within a row is at least 90 centimeters. 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. 10 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.