Bergerac's vineyards
are an important heritage which have, over time, influenced
the architecture, the way of life of life and the very
mentality of the local population. The Bergeracois is
blessed with twelve wine appellations not to mention its
countryside and its people.
A stroll along the Wine Route is almost sure to engender
encounters with people impassioned by their work, enamored
of the region and happy to share their enthusiasm with those
keen to discover the Périgord. There are wine-makers whose
vineyards have been passed down from generation to
generation, others who fell in love with the area and never
moved away; there are Périgourdins born and bred and others
from far-flung climes. Now, however, all have devoted
themselves to Bergerac's excellent wines.
All are concerned with the quality of their production and
want their wine to be representative of their region - the
Périgord - which, although close to Bordeaux has, a strong,
individual identity of its own.
The amalgamation of geographical and climatic factors which
make up the local 'terroir' of Bergerac's wines are those of
a great and long-established wine-producing region. During
the English occupation, local vignerons were exempt from
taxes on wine in order to facilitate wine exports to England.
Henry III of England was happy to hand out safe-conducts to
ensure his personal supply of barrels of Bergerac wine, as
was Charles de Valois, Philip the Fair's brother.
As early as the fourteenth century, Bergerac barrels were -
exceptionally - granted the right to distinguish their
barrels with a griffin and a tower as a mark of recognition.
Later, with the reformation, Holland became virtually the
exclusive importer of Monbazillac.
Throughout history far-ranging exports have perpetuated the
nomadic tradition of Bergerac's wines: England, the Low
Countries, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg as well as
Japan, Barbados, China and Monserrat have all been steady
importers. Bergerac's wines can be found in the most
prestigious restaurants and on the tables of the rich and
famous across the world.
