Appellation Pacherenc du Vic Bilh

From the heart of the Madiran and our Madiran winemakers comes the wonderful Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh sweet white wines. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is characterized by its aromatic richness, pronounced acidity and less sugar (than Sauternes) which allows it to maintain balance and freshness in these superb wines. It is distinctly different to Sauternes in that the grapes are not affected by botrytis because the climate is not sufficiently humid. The grapes are left late to shrivel and concentrate the flavours.

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Typically there are three pickings at the end of the season, in late October, late November and late December. The wines from each picking are richer and more intense than the former.

While red wine is truly King within the Madiran, excellent dry and sweet white wine is also produced. Two types of Pacherenc white wines are made.

• A lively and fruity dry Pacherenc white that would most closely be described as like a Sauvignon Blanc.
• The stunning late harvest sweet Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is made to have with Foies Gras, pate, terrine, parfait, blue and strong sheep milk cheeses, fresh fruit and desserts. These sweet wines are primarily made of Manseng (Petit & Gros) grown in the heart of the Madiran and sometimes blended with a little Petit Curbu.

Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is definitely a different kind of lifestyle, one to be enjoyed in the many ways it matches with food.  Wine lovers can make their choice of a lighter fresh early picking Pacherenc through to the power and richness of the last harvested beauties with their visibly deeper golden hue.