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© Bertrand Rieger
© Bertrand Rieger
© Jean-Marc Barrère
©LoicMazalrey
“Nowadays I live in Bergerac but I spent my childhood
and adolescence in the peaceful village of Monbazillac
where my parents are winegrowers.They produce white
Monbazillac and red Bergerac wines at the Château
Les Maules. I grew up in a winegrowing environment and
I believe it shaped my personality.You need enthusiasm,
hard work, perseverance… just like for running! I know
every hillside, each path among the vines, every plot in
the vineyards, because this is where I started to run. I return
to Monbazillac as often as I can, to relax and restore my
energy after training sessions or races. I even allow myself
the odd glass of wine to keep my palate alive! I haven’t
ruled out the idea of coming back here one day to work
in the wine business.”
According to tradition, back in the Xth century, the monks
of the Priory of Saint-Martin-de-Bergerac neglected
their grapevines long enough to allow
botrytis cinerea
to develop.This is the fungus that produces the “noble
rot” which has made Monbazillac’s wine famous.A story
is told about a visitor to the Vatican in times gone by,
who was introduced as a middle-class gentleman from
Bergerac; to which the pope allegedly responded “Ah
Bergerac, near Monbazillac, I believe!”
“Working the vine
takes endurance”
YohanDurand,
long andmiddle distance running champion
Weary Monks
Do not visit Bergerac without going for a tasting session in
one of the local wineries where Monbazillac sweet wine is
produced! This beverage is an aromatic full-bodiedwine with
honeyed, fruity yet spicy flavours. It’s made from a blend of
three grape varieties (Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon),
grown by some 100 winegrowers in vineyards that stretch
over8,000acres.Thegrapesarehandpickedandonlyoverripe
grapes showing “noble rot” are harvested. Monbazillac can be
enjoyed as an aperitif; it’s a perfect match for foie gras, blue-
veined cheese or alternatively, a delicately flavoured dessert.
Savour the World’s most
Renowned Liqueur Wine
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
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24+1VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD
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