Montravel
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- 15 communes on a plateau dissected by the valleys of the Estrop and the Lidoire, bounded by the Dordogne to the south and the Landais forest to the north (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Substratum: 'astéries' limestone (Oligocene) to the west, argillaceous facies to the east, overlain by the molasses of 'l'agenais' (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- To the north, 'Sables et graviers du Périgord': lenticular deposits originating from the Massif Central, alternating coarse sands/gravels and silty clays
- Oceanic climate (~100 km from the Atlantic): mild springs and autumns, early budburst, late leaf fall, abundant rainfall in May (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Human factors
- Montravel rouge was only recognised as an AOC in 2001, the question of red wines having been sidestepped as early as the Bergerac tribunal and then ignored in 1943 (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Product characteristics
- Dry whites: exotic aromas, freshness and minerality; fruit-forward and floral styles versus mineral expressions (flint), capable of 2–3 years' ageing
- Reds: deep colour, black fruits with lightly toasted nuances evolving toward spice; ripe, fine tannins, fruit-driven when young but acquiring breed with cellaring
Terroir / wine link
- Clay-limestone soils over 'astéries' limestone (the same parent rock as Saint-Émilion) promote drainage and optimal ripeness of the grapes
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 11 octobre 2011, JORF 13 octobre 2011,
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — IVBD — Vins de Bergerac & Duras