Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh

France · AOC · Toulouse-Pyrenees

Styles

Natural factors

An area covering 37 communes across 3 départements: Pyrénées-Atlantiques (28), Hautes-Pyrénées (6), and Gers (3).
Relief shaped by 5 ridges ('échines') oriented north–south, formed from Tertiary molasse derived from Pyrenean erosion.
Ridge crests feature an alluvial sheet of pebbles beneath thick aeolian silts; pebbles outcrop and colluviate along plateau edges. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mild, humid oceanic climate; a southerly fœhn-type wind blows on approximately one day in three during late summer and autumn.

Human factors

'Pacherenc' derives from vine-training in rows ('Pacheras' in Gascon dialect); the AOP was recognised in 1948 following a petition by the growers' association founded in 1936.

Product characteristics

Dry whites: aromas of white, exotic, or floral fruits; balanced acidity and body. Sweet whites made by passerillage and successive selective pickings. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sweet wines can develop notes of candied fruit and honey; minimum ageing until 15 March following the harvest.

Terroir / wine link

The southerly autumn wind enables passerillage of the grapes under favourable sanitary conditions.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.