Béarn AOC
Encyclopedia
Béarn is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
(AOC) for wine in South West France
. It is locateted in the area of intersection of three French departments: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
, Hautes-Pyrénées
and Gers
; and two regions: Aquitaine
and Midi-Pyrénées
. Some vineyards in the area of the Jurançon AOC can also produce red Béarn wine, and some in the area of the Madiran AOC may produce a rosé
Béarn. Wines made in the village of Bellocq
also carry the appellation Béarn-Bellocq.
and Bellocq
village.
, Viscount of Béarn
, built a fortress in Bellocq. This allowed for the construction of a bastide. The new inhabitants of the bastide contributed to the development of the vineyard. Crossing the vineyard on the Way of St. James
, pilgrims
making their way to Galicia or returning from their pilgrimage
popularised Béarn wine beyond regional borders.
, mother of Henry IV of France
, who was here on her land, particularly appreciated Béarn wine.
directed their wine trade to Northern Europe
.
status in 1951, and then AOC
in 1975. The Béarn-Bellocq AOC was created in 1991.
, where it is produced. Béarn itself is named after the people of the Bénéharnais, who occupied the area in Antiquity.
village, the nerve centre of the eponymous cooperative winery.
terraces and its pre-pyrenean hills, in the Jurançon and Madiran appellation areas.
. The land in Béarn-Bellocq consists of the Gave de Pau
terrraces and gravelly hills. This soil is highly permeable, which allows excess water to drain, but it is limited by its mediocre fertility. The land in Jurançon consists of pudding stones, flysch
and gravelly water table
s, all formed by the debris of fallen rocks from the Pyrenees, carried there by the gaves. The land in Madiran consists of limestone bank molasse
, nappe
s of pebbles, and boulbènes. These are fairly deteriorated, sedimentary rocks left from the rising Pyrenees
.
s"). The proximity of the Pyrenees has an influence on the local climate; the mountains block masses of rain clouds, resulting in foehn winds). Rainfall varies between 1300mm in Salies-de-Béarn to 1000mm in Madiran. This amount of rainfall justifies the choice of high-draining soils.
Since 1991, the Béarn-Bellocq AOC has been given to wines grown in Bellocq
, Lahontan
, Orthez
and Salies-de-Béarn
.
N, Cabernet Sauvignon
, Tannat
, Fer
, Manseng Noir and Courbu Noir. According to Guy Lavignac this region had its own grape varieties for centuries: Bouchy, Fer, Manseng Noir, Courbu and probably others not included in its appellation. In the 18th Century, the Tannat variety was introduced. It was allegedly a hybrid of Côt
and Pyrenean grapes. While the region's vineyards were being restored after a Phylloxera breakout, Cabernet Sauvignon was imported from Bordeaux. The Courbu and Manseng Noir grape varieties are today nothing more than relics of the past. Even so, they continue to be grown in a grape conservation. The conservation grows seven white grape varieties: Raffiat de Moncade, Petit Manseng
, Gros Manseng
, Pinenc, Sauvignon
, Camaralet de Lasseube and Lauzet
. These varieties are again very old, and differ greatly from one another. Raffiat de Moncade is rarely grown outside of Bellocq, where it is grown only in private collections. The Petit and Gros Manseng varieties were rediscovered in the 1960s and 1970s, and today are still planted a lot, all across Gascogne. The Pinenc, Lauzet and Camaralet varieties from the Lasseube commune are grown in very small quantities (a combined 0.26 ha in 2000), having been replaced by Sauvignon Blanc.
for any wine (though wines of the latter are only entitled to use it under the Béarn-Bellocq appellation). Reds and rosés account for the majority of Béarn's production. They are clean and light in taste, and should ideally be drunk within a year of their production. Dry whites are known under the name "Rousselet de Béarn".
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
(AOC) for wine in South West France
South West France (wine region)
South West France or in French Sud-Ouest, is a wine region in France covering several wine-producing areas situated respectively inland from, and south of, the wine region of Bordeaux...
. It is locateted in the area of intersection of three French departments: Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Pyrénées-Atlantiques is a department in the southwest of France which takes its name from the Pyrenees mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.- History :...
, Hautes-Pyrénées
Hautes-Pyrénées
Hautes-Pyrénées is a department in southwestern France. It is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.-History:...
and Gers
Gers
The Gers is a department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in the southwest of France named after the Gers River.Inhabitants are called les Gersois or Gersoises.-History:...
; and two regions: Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
and Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées
Midi-Pyrénées is the largest region of metropolitan France by area, larger than the Netherlands or Denmark.Midi-Pyrénées has no historical or geographical unity...
. Some vineyards in the area of the Jurançon AOC can also produce red Béarn wine, and some in the area of the Madiran AOC may produce a rosé
Rosé
A rosé is a type of wine that has some of the color typical of a red wine, but only enough to turn it pink. The pink color can range from a pale orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grapes and wine making techniques.- Production techniques :There are three major ways to produce rosé...
Béarn. Wines made in the village of Bellocq
Bellocq
Bellocq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
also carry the appellation Béarn-Bellocq.
Pre-History and Antiquity
During the Roman colonisation, a vineyard was planted on the hillsides between Salies-de-BéarnSalies-de-Béarn
Salies-de-Béarn is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.The name comes from its naturally occurring saline water...
and Bellocq
Bellocq
Bellocq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
village.
The Middle Ages
Gaston VII de MontcadaGaston VII of Béarn
Gaston VII de Montcada , called Froissard, was the twentieth Viscount of Béarn from 1229. He was the son and heir of William II Raymond and Garsenda, daughter of Alfonso II of Provence and Garsenda of Forcalquier...
, Viscount of Béarn
Viscounts of Béarn
The viscounts of Béarn were the rulers of a former province of France, located in the Pyrenees mountains and in the plain at their feet, in southwest France...
, built a fortress in Bellocq. This allowed for the construction of a bastide. The new inhabitants of the bastide contributed to the development of the vineyard. Crossing the vineyard on the Way of St. James
Way of St. James
The Way of St. James or St. James' Way is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried....
, pilgrims
Pilgrims
Pilgrims , or Pilgrim Fathers , is a name commonly applied to early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States...
making their way to Galicia or returning from their pilgrimage
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
popularised Béarn wine beyond regional borders.
Renaissance
Jeanne d'AlbretJeanne III of Navarre
Jeanne d'Albret , also known as Jeanne III or Joan III, was the queen regnant of Navarre from 1555 to 1572. She married Antoine de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme, and was the mother of Henry of Bourbon, who became King of Navarre and of France as Henry IV, the first Bourbon king...
, mother of Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
, who was here on her land, particularly appreciated Béarn wine.
The Modern Period
In the 17th Century, Béarnais protestants who exiled to Holland and EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
directed their wine trade to Northern Europe
Northern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
.
Recent history
The appellation gained VDQSVDQS
Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure , usually abbreviated as VDQS, is the second highest category of French wine, below Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée in rank, but above Vin de pays . VDQS is sometimes written as AOVDQS, with AO standing for Appellation d'Origine...
status in 1951, and then AOC
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
in 1975. The Béarn-Bellocq AOC was created in 1991.
Etymology
The Béarn AOC takes its name from the former province BéarnBéarn
Béarn is one of the traditional provinces of France, located in the Pyrenees mountains and in the plain at their feet, in southwest France. Along with the three Basque provinces of Soule, Lower Navarre, and Labourd, the principality of Bidache, as well as small parts of Gascony, it forms in the...
, where it is produced. Béarn itself is named after the people of the Bénéharnais, who occupied the area in Antiquity.
Geography
The Béarn wine region is scattered over different areas. Béarn wine can be made in three geographically distinct zones. The appellation area defined for the Madiran AOC can yield Madiran wine, red wine, white Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, and rosé Béarn. The appellation area defined for the Jurançon AOC can yield white Jurançon, and red and white Béarn. The third area was defined especially for the Béarn AOC, even including a precise geographic area for Béarn-Bellocq. The latter owes its name to BellocqBellocq
Bellocq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
village, the nerve centre of the eponymous cooperative winery.
Orography
This wine region occupies the gaveGave (stem)
The French word gave is a generic name referring to torrential rivers, in the west side of the Pyrenees. In the central part of the Pyrenees, the name neste has the same function....
terraces and its pre-pyrenean hills, in the Jurançon and Madiran appellation areas.
Geology
The land is essentially composed of sandy-clay soils that date back to the last Ice Age, which lie on a clay and gravel substrate dating back to the Pliocene EpochPliocene
The Pliocene Epoch is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 2.588 million years before present. It is the second and youngest epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch...
. The land in Béarn-Bellocq consists of the Gave de Pau
Gave de Pau
The Gave de Pau is a river of south-western France and a left tributary of the Adour. It takes its name from the city Pau, through which it flows. The river is in length, and its source is at the Cirque de Gavarnie in the Pyrenees mountains....
terrraces and gravelly hills. This soil is highly permeable, which allows excess water to drain, but it is limited by its mediocre fertility. The land in Jurançon consists of pudding stones, flysch
Flysch
Flysch is a sequence of sedimentary rocks that is deposited in a deep marine facies in the foreland basin of a developing orogen. Flysch is typically deposited during an early stage of the orogenesis. When the orogen evolves the foreland basin becomes shallower and molasse is deposited on top of...
and gravelly water table
Water table
The water table is the level at which the submarine pressure is far from atmospheric pressure. It may be conveniently visualized as the 'surface' of the subsurface materials that are saturated with groundwater in a given vicinity. However, saturated conditions may extend above the water table as...
s, all formed by the debris of fallen rocks from the Pyrenees, carried there by the gaves. The land in Madiran consists of limestone bank molasse
Molasse
The term "molasse" refers to the sandstones, shales and conglomerates formed as terrestrial or shallow marine deposits in front of rising mountain chains. The molasse is deposited in a foreland basin, especially on top of flysch, for example that left from the rising Alps, or erosion in the Himalaya...
, nappe
Nappe
In geology, a nappe is a large sheetlike body of rock that has been moved more than or 5 km from its original position. Nappes form during continental plate collisions, when folds are sheared so much that they fold back over on themselves and break apart. The resulting structure is a...
s of pebbles, and boulbènes. These are fairly deteriorated, sedimentary rocks left from the rising Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
.
Climate
Temperate Oceanic climate with warm, sunny autumns ("Indian SummerIndian summer
An Indian summer is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in the autumn. It refers to a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost...
s"). The proximity of the Pyrenees has an influence on the local climate; the mountains block masses of rain clouds, resulting in foehn winds). Rainfall varies between 1300mm in Salies-de-Béarn to 1000mm in Madiran. This amount of rainfall justifies the choice of high-draining soils.
Overview
Béarn's appellation areas comprise of Béarn-Bellocq, and wines that cannot be labelled as Jurançon or Madiran. They cover 259 ha stretching over 74 communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 6 of the Hautes-Pyrénées and 3 of the Gers.- Pyrénées-Atlantiques: AbosAbos, Pyrénées-AtlantiquesAbos is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in Aquitaine in south-western France. It is surrounded by the communes of: Bésingrand to the north, Tarsacq to the east, Pardies to the west, and Parbayse to the southwest-References:*...
, ArbusArbus, Pyrénées-AtlantiquesArbus is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Arricau-BordesArricau-BordesArricau-Bordes is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, ArrosèsArrosèsArrosès is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, ArtiguelouveArtiguelouveArtiguelouve is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, AubertinAubertinAubertin is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département in south-western France.-References:*...
, AubousAubousAubous is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Aurions-IdernesAurions-IdernesAurions-Idernes is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, AydieAydieAydie is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Baigts-de-BéarnBaigts-de-BéarnBaigts-de-Béarn is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, BellocqBellocqBellocq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, BérenxBérenxBérenx is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, BétracqBétracqBétracq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, BosdarrosBosdarrosBosdarros is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Burosse-MendousseBurosse-MendousseBurosse-Mendousse is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, CadillonCadillonCadillon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, CardesseCardesseCardesse is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Carresse, CastagnèdeCastagnède, Pyrénées-AtlantiquesCastagnède is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, CastetpugonCastetpugonCastetpugon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, CastillonCastillon (Canton of Lembeye)Castillon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
(Canton of LembeyeLembeyeLembeye is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
), Conchez-de-BéarnConchez-de-BéarnConchez-de-Béarn is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Corbère-AbèresCorbère-AbèresCorbère-Abères is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, CrouseillesCrouseillesCrouseilles is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, CuqueronCuqueronCuqueron is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, DiusseDiusseDiusse is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, EscurèsEscurèsEscurès is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, EstialescqEstialescqEstialescq is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Gan, GayonGayonGayon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, GelosGelosGelos is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Haut-de-BosdarrosHaut-de-BosdarrosHaut-de-Bosdarros is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, L'Hôpital-d'OrionL'Hôpital-d'OrionL'Hôpital-d'Orion is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, JurançonJurançonJurançon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-See also:*Jurançon AOC, a wine from this commune*Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department-References:*...
, LacommandeLacommandeLacommande is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LagorLagorLagor is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LahontanLahontan, Pyrénées-AtlantiquesLahontan is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LahourcadeLahourcadeLahourcade is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-Neighbouring Communes:*North: Lagor, Mourenx and Noguères*East: Pardies*South-East: Monein*South-West: Lucq-de-Béarn-Administration:...
, LaroinLaroinLaroin is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LasserreLasserre, Pyrénées-AtlantiquesLasserre is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LasseubeLasseubeLasseube is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LasseubetatLasseubetatLasseubetat is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LembeyeLembeyeLembeye is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Lespielle-Germenaud-Lannegrasse, Lucq-de-BéarnLucq-de-BéarnLucq-de-Béarn is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Mascaraàs-HaronMascaraàs-HaronMascaraàs-Haron is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Mazères-LezonsMazères-LezonsMazères-Lezons is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Moncaup, MonclaMonclaMoncla is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, MoneinMoneinMonein is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-Neighbouring Communes:*North: Lahourcade and Pardies*West: Lucq-de-Béarn and Cardesse*South: Estialescq and Lasseube...
, MonpezatMonpezatMonpezat is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.The Labésiau brook crosses the commune, on its way to the River Gabas.-See also:*French wine*Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department*Montpezat...
, Mont-DisseMont-DisseMont-Disse is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, MourenxMourenxMourenx is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, NarcastetNarcastetNarcastet is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Ogenne-CamptortOgenne-CamptortOgenne-Camptort is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, OraàsOraàsOraàs is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, OrthezOrthezOrthez is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It lies 40 km NW of Pau on the Southern railway to Bayonne. The town also encompasses the small village of Sainte-Suzanne thus residents of the town are called either Orthéziens or Sainte-Suzannais...
, ParbayseParbayseParbayse is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, PortetPortetPortet is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, PuyoôPuyoôPuyoô is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-Geography:The town is situated on the Gave de Pau, a river running through the region, and some of the river's tributaries, including the streams of Lataillard, Espérance and Loulié...
, RamousRamousRamous is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, RontignonRontignonRontignon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Saint-FaustSaint-FaustSaint-Faust is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-Population:-References:*...
, Saint-Jean-PoudgeSaint-Jean-PoudgeSaint-Jean-Poudge is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Sainte-Suzanne, Salies-de-BéarnSalies-de-BéarnSalies-de-Béarn is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.The name comes from its naturally occurring saline water...
, Salles-MongiscardSalles-MongiscardSalles-Mongiscard is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, SauveladeSauveladeSauvelade is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Séméacq-BlachonSéméacq-BlachonSéméacq-Blachon is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Tadousse-UssauTadousse-UssauTadousse-Ussau is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Taron-Sadirac-ViellenaveTaron-Sadirac-ViellenaveTaron-Sadirac-Viellenave is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, UzosUzosUzos is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, VialerVialerVialer is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, VielleségureVielleségureVielleségure is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*... - Hautes-Pyrénées Castelnau-Rivière-BasseCastelnau-Rivière-BasseCastelnau-Rivière-Basse is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France. The commune shares its name with the village that lies within its boundaries....
, HagedetHagedetHagedet is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.-References:*...
, LascazèresLascazèresLascazères is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.-References:*...
, MadiranMadiranMadiran is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.It is the centre of a wine producing area.-Madiran wine:Wine is produced around Madiran under three Appellations d'Origine Contrôlées : Madiran for powerful red wines primarily from the grape variety Tannat, Pacherenc du...
, Saint-LanneSaint-LanneSaint-Lanne is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.-References:*...
et SoublecauseSoublecauseSoublecause is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.-References:*...
. - Gers Cannet, Maumusson-LaguianMaumusson-LaguianMaumusson-Laguian is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Viella.
Since 1991, the Béarn-Bellocq AOC has been given to wines grown in Bellocq
Bellocq
Bellocq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Lahontan
Lahontan, Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Lahontan is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
, Orthez
Orthez
Orthez is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.It lies 40 km NW of Pau on the Southern railway to Bayonne. The town also encompasses the small village of Sainte-Suzanne thus residents of the town are called either Orthéziens or Sainte-Suzannais...
and Salies-de-Béarn
Salies-de-Béarn
Salies-de-Béarn is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.The name comes from its naturally occurring saline water...
.
Grape Varieties
Six red varieties are used: Cabernet FrancCabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
N, Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, Tannat
Tannat
Tannat is a red wine grape, historically grown in South West France in the Madiran AOC and is now one of the most prominent grapes in Uruguay, where it is considered the "national grape". It is also grown in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Peru, and in Italy's Puglia region where it is used as a...
, Fer
Fer
Fer is a red French wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France and is most notable for its role in the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wines of Gaillac, Marcillac and Béarn but can also be found as minor component in the wines of Madiran, Cabardès and Bergerac...
, Manseng Noir and Courbu Noir. According to Guy Lavignac this region had its own grape varieties for centuries: Bouchy, Fer, Manseng Noir, Courbu and probably others not included in its appellation. In the 18th Century, the Tannat variety was introduced. It was allegedly a hybrid of Côt
COT
-Beds:* A camp bed, a simple, temporary and portable bed* A baby's infant bed* See cot side for beds with raised sides-Transportation:* Car of Tomorrow, a new car design by NASCAR* Cottingley railway station, National Rail station code COT...
and Pyrenean grapes. While the region's vineyards were being restored after a Phylloxera breakout, Cabernet Sauvignon was imported from Bordeaux. The Courbu and Manseng Noir grape varieties are today nothing more than relics of the past. Even so, they continue to be grown in a grape conservation. The conservation grows seven white grape varieties: Raffiat de Moncade, Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng
Petit Manseng is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France. It produces the highest quality wine of any grape in the Manseng family. The name is derived from its small, thick skin berries. Coupled with the small yields of the grapevine, most Petit Manseng farmers...
, Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in South West France, and is part of the Manseng family. It produces dry wines in the Jurançon and Béarn regions of Southwest France...
, Pinenc, Sauvignon
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
, Camaralet de Lasseube and Lauzet
Lauzet
Lauzet is a white French wine grape variety that is permitted in the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wines of the Jurançon region. For most of the 20th century its numbers have been declining and today the grape is near extinction.-Synonyms:...
. These varieties are again very old, and differ greatly from one another. Raffiat de Moncade is rarely grown outside of Bellocq, where it is grown only in private collections. The Petit and Gros Manseng varieties were rediscovered in the 1960s and 1970s, and today are still planted a lot, all across Gascogne. The Pinenc, Lauzet and Camaralet varieties from the Lasseube commune are grown in very small quantities (a combined 0.26 ha in 2000), having been replaced by Sauvignon Blanc.
Cultural Methods
Vines are grown en hautain, a regional method in which they are grown around trees so that fruit is produced high up. Only taille longue trees are allowed for this process.Terroir and Wines
Wines from all three zones can use the Béarn appellation; Jurançon for its red wines, Madiran for its rosés, and BellocqBellocq
Bellocq is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.-References:*...
for any wine (though wines of the latter are only entitled to use it under the Béarn-Bellocq appellation). Reds and rosés account for the majority of Béarn's production. They are clean and light in taste, and should ideally be drunk within a year of their production. Dry whites are known under the name "Rousselet de Béarn".