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France Vineyard Visit

Bailliage of Nouvelle Aquitaine, France
Creysse, April 9, 2022

A wonderful time at Château de Tiregand
" a trip to the Pécharmant vineyard .. a few kilometres north-east of Bergerac "

Jacqueline Mazuel, Échanson Provincial, organised a trip to the Pécharmant vineyard in the Bergeracois region, a few kilometres north-east of Bergerac.

“The AOC [controlled designation of origin] dates back to 1946 and only relates to red wines; it covers barely 400 ha. The name comes from the Pech Armand, meaning Armand’s Hill - or Slope - where vines have been planted since the Middle Ages. The vineyard has been staggered down the slopes, thus enjoying great sun exposure but is also, unfortunately, very susceptible to spring frosts.

The subsoil is chalky, covered with clay and gravel, forming waterproof layers where iron, or “trans iron” builds up. The soil is sandy and studded with pebbles. The wines come from four varieties: mainly Cabernet-Sauvignon, as well as Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec (Cot).

In the past, these wines were known for being particularly tannic, “rustic” even, but new winemaking methods have made them lighter and more elegant, without losing their capacity for aging: between 10 and 15 years depending on the year.

It seemed to me that the best way to find out more was to go to the “beating heart” of the AOC: the Château de Tiregand, in Creysse, managed by Count François-Xavier de Saint-Exupéry, and owned jointly by him, his brother and his sister.

The name Tiregand came from Edward Tyregan, the biological son of King Henry III of England, back in the 13th century when “the English were harvesting Aquitaine’s grapes”. This period was followed by the Hundred Years’ War, and then the French Wars of Religion. The château was sold, resold, and finally bought by Comte César de la Panouse who started the renovation work that his son carried on, giving it its current appearance.

In the 20th century, it came into the hands of the last heir, who had just married Count François de Saint-Exupéry (a distant cousin of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry).

It was François-Xavier who welcomed us and told us about the estate and its wine. After some “spiritual nourishment” (as Alexandre Dumas referred to wine), we were treated to some actual nourishment, thanks to Thibault Boulogne, Chef at La Chartreuse de Bignac (one Michelin Plate), which is owned by Brigitte and Jean Louis Viargues.

Geneviève Groslière
Chargée de Missions

Vicenza, September 20, 2023

Welcome to a new local Bailliage

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