Monbazillac
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Zone of 5 communes, between the Dordogne (north) and the Gardonnette (south), on terraces and hillsides of the left bank
- Eocene/Oligocene stratigraphy: molasses, Castillon limestone, Monbazillac limestone with silicified slabs (millstone grit)
- Three soil types: clay-calcareous at the base of slopes, thin calcareous soils on mid-slope, leached acidic soils over molasses at the summit
- Strong morphological asymmetry: very steep north-facing slope towards the Dordogne, plateau and gentle slope towards the Gardonnette to the south
- Oceanic climate with continental nuances (less rainfall, slightly cooler), with high humidity linked to the Dordogne river network
Human factors
- Harvest by successive manual tries (generally 3 passes) to follow botrytis development, a practice inherited from Benedictine monks in the 11th century
- AOC recognised on 15 May 1936, following legal disputes establishing the zone within the five current communes (ruling confirmed in 1935)
Product characteristics
- Golden colour that deepens with age; aromas of honey, acacia and peach, with hints of citrus and candied mirabelle plums (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Terroir / wine link
- North-facing exposure towards the Dordogne: prolonged morning humidity favouring botrytis, followed by afternoon sun, producing the most concentrated wines
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF)
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — IVBD — Vins de Bergerac & Duras