Bergerac wines

The south-west of France is well known for its wines – perhaps above all for the red wines produced in the Bordeaux / Medoc / Saint-Emilion regions. A little to the east of these world-famous wine regions  in the Dordogne department around Bergerac there are also some well known wines produced which deserve your attention.

In total there are 13 wines listed as ‘appellations’ in Bergerac, from seven different regions. A brief guide to these is shown below:

Pécharmant wine

Red wines with a very distinctive flavour and strong aroma originating from the soil in which they are grown that incorporates clay, sand and gravel. The Pecharmant wines use a mix of grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot Noir.

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Bandol wine

Bandol is a popular harbour town on the French Riviera, with an extra attraction – the wines for which it is very well known.

After exploring Bandol itself and before venturing out to experience the rest of the of the Var, be sure to tour the vineyards. For anyone accustomed to the glitzy tasting rooms of Napa filled with expensive glassware and expansive displays of wine-related do-dads, it will be an experience to remember.

Here, in most cases, you will follow a simple rustic sign to a modest house or barn where, after ringing a bell, you will be welcomed into a simple tasting room, by the proprietor or a member of the family who will offer you generous pours of whatever wines suit your fancy.

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Truffle markets

If you come to the south of France looking for traditional markets you won’t be disappointed. Almost every town has a weekly traditional market offering fresh produce – fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat etc wheer the pleasure of just looking at the products available is almost as great as enjoying them later.

If these aren’t enough head to one of the larger towns – Marseille, for example, as well as the large market in the harbour, has numerous markets relying in part on easy transport links with north Africa.

There are also various speciality markets – port towns will usually have a fish market etc. During the winter there is another type of speciality market that takes place across much of southern France – the market for black truffles.

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