Pacherenc du Vic Bilh

Located in the Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques departments, between two administrative regions (Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées), the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation area overlaps with that of Madiran and also falls within the Béarn appellation area.The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC was obtained by decree on July 10, 1948, and applies only to white wines produced in this terroir. 

The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation covers approximately 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 rounded colluvial pebbles, very stony, warm and dry, at the top of the hillsides; clay-limestone soils on hardened molasse and marsh or lake limestone at the base of the hillsides, and silty-clay soils that are sometimes poorly permeable. Within the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation area, clay and limestone soils are preferred for the red grape varieties that produce Madiran wine. Terroirs dominated by clay and silica favor white grape varieties, which produce the dry or sweet wines of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. The climate, predominantly oceanic, becomes more continental from the southwest to the northeast of the area.

The grape varieties mainly used for Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh wine are Arrufiat, Courbu, Gros and Petit Manseng, Sauvignon, and Sémillon. Two-thirds of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh wines are dry white wines, with the rest of the production consisting of sweet wines. The latter are not produced using the noble rot technique as in Bordeaux, but by allowing the grapes to lose water on the vine: passerillage. Among the production, Château Montus, Cave de Crouseilles and Château Bouscassé are particularly noteworthy.

Whether made from Sauvignon or Courbu grapes, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh delights the senses of those who taste it. This wine, originating in southwestern France, brings the sunshine it has enjoyed to your glass.

Sweet and dry Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wines are similar in many ways. On the palate, both have a certain roundness, although sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is more powerful. Visually, both wines have a golden color, with coppery hues in the case of sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bilh. The color of the dry Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wine is fairly uniform. Finally, on the nose, both wines have hints of honey, but the dry wine has more acidic nuances than the sweet wine.

Dry Pacherenc wine should be drunk young after purchase. Conversely, sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bihl can be aged in the cellar for up to 5 years for optimal tasting.

Whether you want to expand your collection of fine wines or serve them with a delicious meal, here are a few suggestions:

- Château Laffitte-Teston 2017 (dry)

- Château de Viella 1999 (sweet)

- Domaine Sergent 2018 (dry)

- Le clos de l'église 2016 (sweet)

Wines with the Pacherenc du Vic Bilh appellation can be served with both starters and desserts. Like all white wines, they pair beautifully with seafood and fish. But they can also be enjoyed with pork or poultry dishes. On the sweet side, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wine enhances tart desserts such as red fruit mousses or exotic fruit pastries.