Better known for its superb foie gras and other regional delicacies than for its wines, the southwestern French region of Dordogne is also a quiet powerhouse in winemaking. While wine collectors and luxury wine tasters tend to flock to nearby Bordeaux or St-Emilion for its ultra-prestigious grands crus, Dordogne wines offer quiet but real refinement, with a distinctive character and superb history that’s all their own. Keep reading to learn how our private, exclusive wine tours of Dordogne allow you to experience the region in all its rustic charm and authenticity, while unlocking its luxurious secrets.
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While some wine lovers find the more familiar Montbazillac sweet white wine– also produced in the Bergerac region– to be a tad too rich, the appellation of Saussignac is appreciated for its more delicately balanced fortified whites. Produced by only around 15 vineyards, many of which carry out entirely-organic production, Saussignac whites are produced with Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon grapes, and offer a good compromise between sweetness and acidity. The better examples also feature some delicious, intensely floral noses and notes.
Some examples of prestigious local producers include Chateau Le Payral , another family-owned organic winery whose Saussignac wines are aged for 12-18 months in oak barrels to allow for an ideally balanced fermentation; owners Thierry and Isabelle Daulhiac also produce noteworthy dry Bergerac AOC whites and reds.
Another Saussignac producer worth paying a visit to on your private tour of the region is Chateau Defayolle, a winery standing on medieval grounds which produces an excellent version of this distinctive fortified white, as well as very fine red and dry white Bergerac AOC wines. They also offer one of the region’s rare sparkling whites: a “Blanc de Blancs” made with 100% Semillon grapes and featuring notes of grapefruit. You may even consider staying at the charming Chateau, which offers discreet yet luxurious rooms on rustic grounds.
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