Pacherenc du Vic Bilh
South-West FrancePacherenc du Vic Bilh is a white wine known for its diversity. It is first recognized for its sweet whites, but has also diversified with dry whites highly appreciated for their freshness and aromatic complexity. To understand the differences between these two wine styles, here is some information on their production and characteristics.
Sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is an intense, balanced, and sweet wine. The grapes used are harvested after a passerillage process, which consists of allowing the grape berries to concentrate sugar while retaining their acidity, which ensures freshness. This natural enrichment is made possible by leaf removal at the grape clusters. The sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bilh harvest is late and carried out in multiple passes, taking place from mid-November through December 31st to benefit from sunlight as long as possible.
Dry Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is a more confidential and surprising wine. It is characterized by its freshness and fruity notes. The harvest takes place in early September, at the same time as Madiran. Dry Pacherenc comes from hills facing west, while sweet wines picked at over-ripeness prefer south-facing slopes.
Sweet Pacherenc stands out for its golden and copper-tinged, brilliant color. It offers a nose of preserved fruits, pear, apple, quince, honey and spices, with an ample and balanced palate. The finish is lively. It is a full-bodied and powerful white wine that develops in richness in perfect equilibrium. It is ideally served at 8°C and pairs well with cheeses and both sweet and savory dishes such as Roquefort, foie gras, fruit salads, morel risotto, and coconut panna cotta.
Pacherenc du Vic Bilh is made from local grape varieties, similar to those of Jurançon. To qualify for its AOC designation, it must be produced from a minimum of 60 to 80 percent Petit or Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu, and may also be blended with a minority variety such as Arrufiac.
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