French artwork de vivre is legendary – the artwork of dwelling properly, savouring the second, having fun with the fabulous delicacies and sipping the native wines. And there’s nowhere fairly like than a winery chambre d’hotes or gîte chateau keep in Bergerac wine nation to actually expertise the nice life.
Bergerac’s winemaking is a part of the wealthy tapestry of the Dordogne. Formed by centuries, the vines have been first planted in Roman instances, but it surely was the Center Ages that actually formed the future of the world when Bergerac wines have been despatched crusing down the Dordogne River to England the place they have been liked for his or her strong character. At the moment, that legacy continues in small, family-run estates just like the Chateau Masburel the place a gite and B&B sit inside a winery the place wine has been made since 1740.
Uncover the Chateau de Masburel
Bergerac is a wine lover’s dream come true, a area of 13 AOCs (appellation d’origine contrôlée) outlined by the terroir – a French phrase that defines the soil and local weather, amongst different issues, that give wine a particular style. And among the finest methods to essentially expertise the eagerness and craft of the winemakers is by staying within the coronary heart of a winery, the place your solely neighbours are birds and grapes.
At Chateau Masburel, inbuilt 1740 by Jean de Sambellie, Consul of Sainte-Foy to King Louis XV of France you’ll uncover among the area’s most interesting wines and revel in a tranquil keep. Within the morning mist rises over straight rows of verdant vines as you sip your morning espresso. Through the day, relaxation on the chateau or tour the native space – there’s a lot to see, and homeowners and hosts Chris Walker and Irma Lazickiene like to share their suggestions. Within the night sit in your terrace with a glass of one of many chateau’s award-winning wines – a wealthy and creamy white, or a wealthy pink like their Patte de l’Ours (Bear’s Paw), so known as because it’s a “highly effective pink wine that hits you want a bear’s paw, or a Merlot with a wealthy velvety texture, mushy, plummy and spicy fruitcake notes” says Chris, and watch the solar set over the vines.
Be a part of a tour with the homeowners and be taught in regards to the soils, the grapes, the barrel ageing. Style wine straight from the barrel and chat about natural strategies throughout a wine tasting.
Uncover the Bergerac space
Bergerac’s market (Wednesday and Saturday, and Friday in the summertime) is a feast for the senses with native merchandise galore from scrumptious saucisson to tangy goat’s cheese, sticky walnut tarts and stalls piled with contemporary fruit and sun-ripened greens. Wander the outdated city, go to the museums or take a experience on the river in a standard gabarre – a flat-bottomed boat.
Go to Monbazillac’s hilltop château, the half-timbered homes of Eymet, or the riverbanks at Limeuil. Take a picnic and a bottle of wine and settle beneath a fig tree, nowhere to be however right here.
Discover the medieval village of Issigeac and its architectural treasures, and Monpazier, a “mannequin” bastide of south-west France, one of many Dordogne-Périgord 10 “Most Lovely Villages in France”. Uncover the UNESCO listed abbey of Saint-Avit-Sénieur, and the Cistercian abbey of Cadouin, a masterpiece of extravagant Gothic artwork on the Manner of St. James. Head to historic Lalinde, the primary English fortified city within the Périgord with its canal, aqueducts and locks. Comply with the Bergerac wine route with round 100 vineyards, a lot of which you’ll be able to cease off at for a tasting together with the Maison de Vins de Monbazillac.
And relating to meals, you’re actually spoiled for alternative on this a part of France. “Near the chateau, the Cote Bastide is excellent with a really delectable menu and irresistible deserts,” says Irma. “And the Bucket’s Auberge Inn at Le Bourg is a should – bistro delicacies at its finest with traditional dishes and fabulous cocktails.”
Chris recommends Le Pressoir in close by Port-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt “Great native gastronomy, their magret de canard and foie gras de Perigord are the perfect. And in addition on this city, on a sunny day, a picnic with a bottle from our cellar, at Bardoulet’s Seashore adopted by a day enjoyable on the water’s edge is the right method to spend a day”.”
Artwork de vivre – a chateau keep in Bergerac wine nation
The Tapestry gite, a two-bedroomed cottage with Louis XVI type bedrooms sleeps as much as 4, whereas the chateau gives 4 B&B rooms, all en-suite, superbly furnished and air conditioned. Stone flooring cool underfoot, lovely décor, shade-giving shutters, lavender lined paths on the non-public property, and a lightweight breeze over the vines – a keep on the Chateau Masburel gives a bit nook of paradise in a winery hideaway.
Discover out extra and e book your keep: chateau-masburel.com
