FrenchDuck’s databank

Englishwoman Patricia Atkinson at Close d’Yvigne has established a name for herself as a writer and a successful winemaker in the Bergerac (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) - see The Ripening Sun: One Woman and the Creation of a Vineyard and La Belle Saison. However in addition she also has 2 rather grand gites (villas) in the midst of the vines at Gageac et Rouillac (see map).
There are 2 substantial properties available - Le Tabardy which can sleep up to 12 people and Madame Cholet’s Perigord Farmhouse which sleeps up to 8. Both are extremely spacious and well-appointed with large swimming pool.
Situated in the heart of the Bergerac vineyards (which also include Monbazillac, Saussignac, Pecharmant and other appellations) near the Dordogne river with plenty of interesting villages and countryside, there is plenty to see, do, eat (Perigord cuisine) and drink. Even the vineyards and attractive village of St Emilion is only just over an hour away.
For more details see www.cdywine.com

see map

The Domaine de Lauroux at Manciet (32 Gers, Midi-Pyrenees) is run by English couple Nick and Karen Kitchener, who also make wines and Floc de Gascogne on their 19 hectare vineyard in the Bas Armagnac region.
Their Armagnacs are made from 100% Ugni Blanc grapes grown on silica clay soils on slopes and plateaux in the gently undulating countryside of deepest Gascony. Here the climate is Oceanic (from the Atlantic), but tempered by the Landes Forest to the west and the Pyrenees mountains to the south.

Armagnacs are created slowly using traditional methods of continuous distillation in an “alambic” still. In autumn the Ugni Blanc grapes are harvested and fermented into wine which is then distilled on the domaine in November or December in the wood-fired still.

After distillation the “eaux de vie”, which is colourless is kept in new oak barrels or the first few years of ageing - it is at this stage that the Armagnac gains its colour. The spirit is still in its fiery youth but already has aromatic, fruity scents including pear and prune. Once it has absorbed the tannins from the wood it is placed in older barrels to develop complexity and extra sweetness arriving at a perfect state of blance between the tannins, aromas and alcohol. Ageing can last for decades and required enormous patience - only time can do the work.

During ageing a partial evaporation takes place - typically 0.5% vol.alc per year - known in Gascony as “the angels’ share”. As the ageing process continues the alcohol decreases progressively by evaporation and the spirit takes on a fine amber, then mahogany colour.

Armagnac does not age further in the bottle, and can be enjoyed immediately after purchase. The bottle sould be kept upright so that the alcohol does not affect the cork.

The domaine has a range of Armagnacs available:-
VSOP
10 ans (10 years aged)
Hors d’Age (literally “without age” but means at least 10 years ageing)
15 Ans (15 years aged)
25 Ans Special Edition (25 years aged)
Plus individual vintages including
1929, 1937, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972. 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982. 1983, 1985, 1986. 1987, 1990
For tasting notes and info on the Domaine de Lauroux’s 1967 and 15 year old Armagnacs see www.frenchduck.com

For more info on Domaine de Laroux - see www.lauroux.com
For more info on Armagnac (in french) see www.armagnac.org
For hints on tasting Armagnac see www.renchduck.co.uk

Market days in departement 24 - Dordogne, Aquitaine.
Based on local info - please check beforehand. Some markets only operate in the Summer months
* indicates irregular pattern - i.e not necessarily every week.

Audrix :- Saturday*

Beaumont :- Tuesday, Saturday

Belves :- Wednesday pm*, Saturday

Bergerac - Naillac :- Sunday
Bergerac - place de la Madeleine :- Friday
Bergerac - place des 2 Conils :- Wednesday
Bergerac - place du Marche :- Wednesday, Saturday
Bergerac - place Gambetta :- Wednesday, Saturday

Biron :- Wednesday*

Bouzic :- Tuesday eve*

Brantome :- Tuesday*, Friday

Cadouin :- Monday pm*

Domme :- Thursday

Eymet :- Thursday, Tuesday eve*

Issigeac :- Sunday

Le Bugue :- Tuesday, Saturday

Le Buisson-de-Cadouin :- Friday

Les Eyzies-de-Tayac :- Monday

Marquay :- Sunday*

Meyrals :- Thursday, Saturday eve*

Monpazier :- Thursday

Perigueux :- Wednesday, Saturday

Piegut-Pluviers :- Wednesday

Riberac :- Tuesday*, Friday

Salignac :- Tuesday*, Friday pm*

Sarlat-la-Caneda :- Wednesday, Saturday

Siorac-en-Perigord :- Wednesday

St-Amand-de-Coly :- Tuesday eve

St-Aulaye :- Saturday

St-Cyprien :- Sunday

Ste-Alvere :- Saturday*

St-Front-de-Pradoux :- Sunday*

St-Genies :- Sunday

St-Georges-de-Montclard :- Friday eve*

St-Julien-de-Lampon :- Thursday

St-Martial-de-Nabirat :- Thursday eve*

Thenon :- Tuesday

Thiviers :- Tuesday*, Saturday

Vezac :- Monday*

Cotes du Marmandais, 47 Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine (see map)
The Cotes du Marmandais is one of a number of small appellations south of Bergerac and east of Bordeaux, which major on the Bordeaux grape varieties, and which tend to be dominated by large co-operatives.
Whilst historically co-operatives have not always produced the best of wines, the situation is a little different where the co-op is the dominant producer, as here in Marmande. As such the co-op becomes the guardian of the appellation’s reputation and has a vested interest in producing good signature wines as well as bulk plonk. The Caves du Marmandais at Cocumont is one such example.
The appellation is based around the town of Marmande between Agen and Bordeaux on the Garonne (and A62 autoroute). Marmande is probably better known for its large “beef” tomatoes, but it does also produce some very decent wines, albeit not particularly distinctive.
Originally there were 2 co-ops, Cocumont and Beaupuy, one based on the south (or left) bank of the Garonne, the other on the north (right) bank. These merged a few years ago in the Cave du Marmandais.
The red and rose wines are based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot to a maximum of 75% of the blend. The balance must be made up with the local variety of Abouriou or Fer, or alternatively Gamay or Syrah. For white wines: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, Ugni Blanc.
From the Co-op there is a wide range of good value wines - the best in our opinion being the Tap de Perbos - an oak-aged red with real finesse and power. Rick Stein in Rick Stein’s French Odyssey stocked up on wines from this co-op.

There are some independent producers who are gaining a decent reputation - e.g. Chateau de Beaulieu at Saint-Sauveur de Meilhan - see www.chateaudebeaulieu.net - available from www.southdownscellars.co.uk

A name gaining a great reputation and reviews from Jancis Robinson and others is Elian da Ros/Clos Baquey at Cocumont - stocked by Adnams (always a good indicator).

For more info on the Cave du Marmandais see www.origine-marmandais.fr

Domaine Berthomieu is a small domaine (26 hectares) in the village of Viella, in the north of the Madiran appellation. The domaine has been in the family since 1850 and Didier Barré is the 6th generation to own and run the domaine. Didier is a real enthusiast, passionate about his wines and respectful of the traditional character of the wine. We are proud to feature his wines which offer tremendous character and style, some of the best in the appellation.
The domaine has two different plots - one on a pebbly, clay plateau to the west of the village facing south towards the Pyrenees, and the other a gravelly slope facing south east to the east of the village.
Many of the vines on the estate are between 40 and 100 years old. These older vines yield fewer grapes, but their long roots will extract more mineral character and trace elements.

The domaine also produces some fine white wines - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh AC - sweet and dry. Both wines are made from very old vines (over 50 years old) and are delicately oaked, using local grape varieties such as Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu.

Madiran AC Domaine Berthoumieu Cuvée Charles de Batz
GOLD MEDAL + TANNAT TROPHY + GREAT VALUE AWARD in the INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2004.
Madiran can be a bit tough when young, but this top cuvée made from older vines (more than 50 years old) with 90% Tannat and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new oak barrels is rich and smooth - with tannins which are gentle and generous. Intensely inky black colour, fat and generous tannins, spicy with hints of elderberry, plums and cocoa and tobacco.
“In this Tannat-dominated blend, the typically chunky tannins are interwoven with flavours and scents of black damsons, flowers, blueberries and creosote! Round, textured and concentrated with a long finish”. Don’t be put off by the “creosote” mention - it is the pure fruit concentration and mellow tannins which make this a real blockbuster, and although it is clearly a “BIG” wine, it is gentle with your mouth and tastebuds.
And to top it all - this wine also gets a GOOD VALUE RED award.
Charles de Batz was the real soldier who was immortalised as d’Artagnan - one of the Three Musketeers of Alexandre Dumas’ novels. This area was the home of the musketeers under the reign of Louis XIV.

Isabelle & Noe Rouballay own and run this charming small domaine in southern Touraine on a plateau between the Loire and Cher rivers at Oisly SEE MAP

This family run domaine is totally focussed on producing quality wines. They adhere to the TERRA VITIS approach, which whilst not truly organic, is a system which minimises the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, with a view to ensuring that the soil and “terroir” remain healthy and productive for future harvests and generations. Two-thirds of their production is for white wines (i.e. Sauvignon)

The Loire Valley is often over-looked for good quality wines, but this is changing as some of the better winemakers are really concentrating on good quality, small yields and careful vinification. The climate here is more influenced by the continent rather than the Atlantic Ocean compared to the rest of the Loire Valley, and hence is often a little warmer and drier.
Sauvignon Blanc is the star grape variety in this region, but very good reds are also produced.
TOURAINE SAUVIGNON AC - Domaine Octavie
The combination of soil and climate make this region especially good for Sauvignon Blanc. Being cooler than wine regions further south means that good crisp, full-flavoured Sauvignon can be made, but without excessive acidity which can sometimes spoil these wines. (The area is close to the classic Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé areas, which arguably produce the best northern hemisphere Sauvignons, albeit at a price.) This wine from Domaine Octavie is delightful - dry, fresh, clean flavours with well-balanced acidity. On the nose it is quite complex and aromatic - grassy, gooseberry tones.

TOURAINE AC Cuvee Fragrance, Domaine Octavie
Despite a relatively cool climate, the region (and this domaine) can also produce good reds, which tend to be less tannic than wines from further south in France. As always it is a matter of choosing the right grape varieties which have the potential to produce wonderful wines.
This cuvée is a very successful blend of Gamay (immediate and accessible fruitiness), Cabernet Franc (the red Loire grape - raspberry, earthy tones) and Cot (also known as Auxerrois or Malbec) which brings body and structure to the wine. Skilled blending by Noe Rouballay yields a lovely fruity, classy red with lots of upfront fruit, yet satisfyingly long in the mouth. Great with cold meats, pasta etc.
CONTACT -
Isabelle & Noe Rouballay, Domaine Octavie, 41700 OISLY SEE MAP
TÉL : 02.54.79.54.57 FAX : 02.54.79.65.20
www.domaineoctavie.com