📍 Bergeracois

Bergeracois is a wine area in the valley of the Dordogne river, upstream of Bordeaux, in south-western France. It is a historic region, part of Périgord. Nearby appellation names include Bergerac, Côtes de Bergerac, Montravel, Côtes de Montravel, Haut-Montravel, Pécharmant, Saussignac and Monbazillac.

The link to Bordeaux is clear: the same grapes. Reds use Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, whites use Sémillon and Sauvignon. Monbazillac is especially known, a sweet white wine from grapes affected by noble rot. Pécharmant is a dense red, and Saussignac is also a sweet white. A small appellation, Rosette, makes off-dry white wine.

Bergeracois lies in south-western France and is close in style to neighbouring Bordeaux, but it is usually cheaper and less famous. Rivers and hills create varied soils, from limestone to clay and gravel. For those seeking Bordeaux-style wines it is an interesting alternative. The name comes from the town of Bergerac on the Dordogne river.