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Pacherenc du Vic Bilh

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Pacherenc du Vic Bilh
Located in the Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, between two administrative regions (Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées), the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation area merges with that of Madiran and is also part of the Béarn appellation area. ThePacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC was granted by decree on July 10, 1948, and applies only to white wines made from this terroir. 
The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation covers around 1,400 hectares north of Pau.

The vineyards of the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation are planted on three types of soil: siliceous soils on colluvial pebbles, very stony, hot and dry, at the top of the slopes; clay-limestone soils on indurated molasse and palustrine or lacustrine limestone, at the base of the slopes; silty-clay soils, sometimes with low permeability. Within the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation zone, clay and limestone soils are preferred for the red grape varieties that make Madiran wine. Soils dominated by clay and silica favor white grape varieties, which produce the dry or sweet wines of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. The climate is predominantly oceanic, continentalizing from the southwest to the northeast of the area.

The main grape varieties used to make Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh are Arrufiat, Courbu, Gros and Petit Manseng, Sauvignon and Sémillon. Two-thirds of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh wines are dry whites, with the remainder being sweet wines. The latter are not produced using the noble rot technique, as in Bordeaux, but through the loss of water from the standing grapes: passerillage. Particularly noteworthy among these wines are those produced by Château Montus, Cave de Crouseilles and Château Bouscassé.

Whether made from Sauvignon or Courbu grapes, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh flatters the senses. This wine from south-western France transmits the sunshine it has enjoyed to your glass.

Differences and similarities between Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wine and dry Pacherenc du Vic Bihl wine

Pacherenc du Vic Bilh sweet and dry wines are similar in many ways. On the palate, both have a certain roundness, although the sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is more powerful. Visually, both wines have a golden color, with copper hues for the Pacherenc du Vic Bilh moelleux. The color of the dry Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is rather uniform. On the nose, both wines have a hint of honey, but the dry wine has a more acidic background than the sweet wine.

When to drink this wine

Dry Pacherenc wines are best drunk young. On the other hand, sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bihl should be aged in the cellar for up to 5 years, for better tasting.

Some good bottles of Pacherenc wine to buy

Whether to add to your collection of fine wines or to serve with a good meal, here are a few suggestions:
- Château Laffitte-Teston de 2017 (dry)
- Château de Viella 1999 (sweet)
- Domaine Sergent 2018 (dry)
- Le clos de l'église 2016 (mellow)

What dishes should Pacherenc du Vic Bilh be served with?

Wines with the Pacherenc du Vic Bilh appellation can be served as starters or desserts. Like all white wines, they are the perfect accompaniment to seafood and fish. But they can also be drunk with pork or poultry dishes. On the sweet side, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wines are ideal with tangy desserts such as red fruit mousses or exotic fruit pastries.

More information on the Pacherenc du Vic Bilh

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Discover our selection of the best producers of Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wines

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Château Montus - Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh 2019

16,5/20 Jancis Robinson

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93/100 RVF

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92+/100 Robert Parker

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92/100 Vinous

petit courbu
complex
cheeses

"Quite simply, a great white (Le Guide RVF 2025)".

"It reminds me of Graves - the combination of oak, malolactic fermentation and citrus. Full-bodied but not heavy, oaky but not chaotic. Complex and succulent, with long, persistent fruit on the finish. A real find! Certainly a little mysterious from the point of view of appellation and grape variety." (Jancis Robinson 2024)

Château Bouscassé - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Brumaire 2012 (Liquoreux - 50 cl)

16/20 Bettane & Desseauve

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90/100 RVF

petit manseng
freshness
concentrate
candied fruit
foie gras

"Great richness of grapes through extensive passerillage, at the cost of a touch of volatility on the nose, sumptuous texture and aftertaste, a wine of great character, for fine occasions." (Le Guide Bettane + Desseauve)

Château Bouscassé - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Vendémiaire 2018 (Liquoreux - 50cl)

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4/5 (2 reviews)

90/100 James Suckling

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90/100 Decanter

(Notes vintage 2017)
petit manseng
aromatic
exotic fruits
foie gras
liquoreux

Dominated by aromas of candied dried fruit, with hints of exotic fruit and honey on the nose, Vendémiaire 2018 is full-bodied and unctuous on the palate, full of gourmet goodness and lingering aromatic power. A festive liquid to match with foie gras terrine or exotic desserts ...

Alain Brumont - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Le Blanc d'Alain Brumont 2022

petit courbu
freshness
elegant
ample

The Blanc d'Alain Brumont 2022 presents aromas of exotic fruits and white flowers on the nose. On the palate, the attack is fresh and sustained by good tension, while retaining volume and roundness, for a long, elegant finish.

Domaine Berthoumieu - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh La Fé 2021 (sec)

Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5

3.7/5 (3 reviews)

88/100 Wine Enthusiast

spicy
rich
good acidity
oysters and seafood

"Gros Manseng and a touch of the rare Arrufiac have produced a rich wine, full of spice, honey and balanced citrus acidity. The wine is fresh, despite its weight and concentration. It needs a little aging, so drink from 2023." (Wine Enthusiast 2022)

Château Bouscassé - Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Les Jardins Philosophiques 2017

Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5Rated 4/5

4/5 (18 reviews)

91/100 James Suckling

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88/100 Wine Enthusiast

(2016 vintage notes)
salt
exotic fruits
fish
unique

Les Jardins Philosophiques 2017 has a fine nose, freshness and vivacity, with a bouquet of meadow flowers. This is a dashing, fresh and aromatic wine. Mineral and very fruity, the palate is fat and unctuous. This cuvée is an ideal accompaniment to any meal, perfectly suited to seafood and fish...

Château d'Aydie - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh 2021 (Moelleux - 50cl)

Wine rated 4.2/5Wine rated 4.2/5Wine rated 4.2/5Wine rated 4.2/5Wine rated 4.2/5

4.2/5 (5 reviews)

92/100 A. Larsson

petit manseng
fruity
honeyed notes
terrine of truffled semi-cooked foie gras
soft
ready to drink

"Bright, brilliant straw color. Floral notes with hints of fresh quince, pear, honey and lemongrass. The palate has an elegant texture and nicely combines sweetness with lively acidity, pleasing with juicy young fruit and a long, crisp finish." (Andreas Larsson)

Château d'Aydie - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Odé d'Aydie 2021 (Sec)

Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5Rated 3.7/5

3.7/5 (3 reviews)

93/100 A. Larsson

(2019 vintage notes)
vivid
complex
citrus
aromatic
figs with foie gras and honey

Powerful and complex on the nose, with notes of lemon and grapefruit, and hints of white and exotic fruits, Odé d'Aydie 2020 (dry) has a lively freshness on the palate, with notes of bitter almond and a long, aromatic finish. A full-bodied, gourmet wine!

Domaine Sergent - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh 2021 (sec)

Wine rated 3.4/5Wine rated 3.4/5Wine rated 3.4/5Wine rated 3.4/5Wine rated 3.4/5

3.4/5 (5 reviews)

Médaille d'Argent Concours Paris

balanced
exotic fruits
aperitif

Sergent's Pacherenc du Vic Bilh sec 2021 offers a fresh nose of exotic fruit with hints of vanilla. As aromatic as the nose, the palate is enriched by citrus notes on the finish, with excellent balance. Try this cuvée with a poulet au pot!

Château Montus - Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh 2015

Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5Wine rated 4.3/5

4.3/5 (3 reviews)

92/100 Wine Enthusiast

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90/100 RVF

courbu
complex
foie gras
ready to drink

"It's impressive how slowly Petit Courbu ages. Still rich in fruit, this wine is just beginning to ripen, bringing bitter almonds to broaden the fruit and acidity. The wine is now ready to drink. (Wine Enthusiast 2022). Enjoy with foie gras or Roquefort soufflé...

Alain Brumont - Torus 2018 (Doux)

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3/5 (1 review)

aperitif
soft

"Sweet and greedy

A subtle alchemy blending the typical grape varieties of the South-West, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng, Torus blanc doux comes from the best terroirs of the two pearls of the Brumont vineyards: Montus and Bouscassé. A sweet wine with an open nose of exotic scents (pineapple, lychee...) and a fresh, well-balanced palate thanks to the liveliness of the two grape varieties, it's a gourmet delight!

Alain Brumont - Torus 2015 (Sec)

Wine rated 3.6/5Wine rated 3.6/5Wine rated 3.6/5Wine rated 3.6/5Wine rated 3.6/5

3.6/5 (10 reviews)

The dry white Cuvée Torus is made from a selection of vines less than 15 years old, on the finest terroirs of Montus and Bouscassé, displaying a pedigree of great quality. A wine of great freshness, with notes of citrus fruit (lemon, orange...) and vivacity. An immediate pleasure!

Domaine Berthoumieu - Les Pierres de Grès 2018

Wine rated 2.6/5Wine rated 2.6/5Wine rated 2.6/5Wine rated 2.6/5Wine rated 2.6/5

2.6/5 (5 reviews)

14,5/20 Bettane & Desseauve

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2*Étoiles Hachette

(Notes vintage 2017)

This fresh, fruity white presents subtle notes of citrus, exotic fruit and acacia. The attack is fresh and ample, with a beautiful harmony of flavors. The estate's hallmark is to be found in the complexity and accessibility of each cuvée.

Domaine Berthoumieu - Charles de Batz Vendange d'Octobre 2015 (Doux)

Charles de Batz Vendange d'Octobre distils richness and complexity on the nose, blending aromas of exotic fruit and white peach. A sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bihl with an elegant, well-constructed palate and a persistent freshness on the finish. The perfect companion for fruity aperitifs and desserts...

Château Bouscassé - Les Jardins de Bouscassé 2011

Wine rated 3.2/5Wine rated 3.2/5Wine rated 3.2/5Wine rated 3.2/5Wine rated 3.2/5

3.2/5 (9 reviews)

15/20 RVF

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14/20 Bettane & Desseauve

The cuvée Les Jardins de Bouscassé offers finesse, freshness and vivacity, developing a bouquet of meadow flowers on the nose. A dashing white, fresh and aromatic on the palate, mineral and very fruity, fat and unctuous, to accompany an entire meal...