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Béarn AOC

April 10, 2024

Béarn is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for wine in South West France. It is located 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.

Appellation: Béarn and Béarn-bellocq
Classification: AOC
Year of Classification: 1975 for Béarn AOC
1991 for Béarn-Bellocq AOC
Country: France
Location: South West
Department: Béarn
Climate: Oceanic
Soil: Gravelly-Clayey, Sandy-Clayey, Sandstone-Clayey
Plantation Area: 259 ha
Wineries: 2 Cooperatives and 28 Independent Winemakers
Grape Varieties: Red
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat
White
Raffiat de Moncade, Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng.
Wines: Red, Rosé and White
Volume of Production: 13470 hl
Yield: 50 hl/ha

History edit

Pre-history and antiquity edit

During the Roman colonisation, a vineyard was planted on the hillsides between Salies-de-Béarn and Bellocq village.[1]

The Middle Ages edit

Gaston VII de Montcada, 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.[2]

Renaissance edit

Jeanne d'Albret, mother of Henry IV of France, who was here on her land, particularly appreciated Béarn wine.[2]

The modern period edit

In the 17th century, Béarnais protestants who exiled to Holland and England directed their wine trade to Northern Europe.[1]

Recent history edit

The appellation gained VDQS status in 1951, and then AOC in 1975. The Béarn-Bellocq AOC was created in 1991.

Etymology edit

The Béarn AOC takes its name from the former province Béarn, where it is produced. Béarn itself is named after the people of the Bénéharnais, who occupied the area in Antiquity.

Geography edit

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 Bellocq village, the nerve centre of the eponymous cooperative winery.

Orography edit

This wine region occupies the gave terraces and its Pre-Pyrenean hills, in the Jurançon and Madiran appellation areas.

Geology edit

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 Epoch. The land in Béarn-Bellocq consists of the Gave de Pau terraces 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 puddingstones, flysch and gravelly water tables, all formed by the debris of fallen rocks from the Pyrenees, carried there by the Gave de Pau. The land in Madiran consists of limestone bank molasse, nappes of pebbles, and boulbènes. These are fairly deteriorated, sedimentary rocks left from the rising Pyrenees.

Climate edit

Temperate Oceanic climate with warm, sunny autumns ("Indian Summers").[3] 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.

Wine region edit

Overview edit

Béarn's appellation areas consist of Béarn-Bellocq, and wines that cannot be labelled as Jurançon or Madiran. They cover 259 ha[4] stretching over 74 communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 6 the Hautes-Pyrénées and 3 of the Gers.

Since 1991, the Béarn-Bellocq AOC has been given to wines grown in Bellocq, Lahontan, Orthez and Salies-de-Béarn.

Grape varieties edit

Six red varieties are used: Cabernet Franc N,[5] Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Fer, Manseng Noir and Courbu Noir.[4] According to Guy Lavignac[6] this region had its own grape varieties for centuries: Bouchy, Fer, Manseng Noir, Courbu and probably others not included in its appellation.[7] 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,[8] 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.

Cultural methods edit

Vines are grown en hautain,[9] 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 edit

Wines from all three zones can use the Béarn appellation; Jurançon for its red wines, Madiran for its rosés, and Bellocq 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".[9]

Cultivation structure edit

Two cooperatives and twenty-eight independent wineries are responsible for the area's wine production.[4]

Wine type and gastronomy edit

 
Béarn AOC – Poule au Pot rosé

Red Béarn wines clear the nose with notes of dark berry fruits (blueberry, cherry and blackcurrant). They should be drunk between two and five years after bottling. These reds are traditionally served with grilled or stewed meat, poultry, duck, game, and croûte fleurie cheeses[4] (cheeses with a white or golden mould). Béarn rosés have an aroma of small red fruits and should be drunk young. They are traditionally served with charcuterie, mixed salads and grills.[4] Moelleux and dry whites production is less mainstream. The Moelleux complements foie gras, herby cream cheeses and desserts. The dry whites can be drunk as an aperitif or with hors d'oeuvres, fish, and shellfish, and should be served at 8–10 °C.[10]

Marketing edit

The AOC produces 52.8 hl of white wine, 7343.86 hl of red wine and 6072.68 hl of rosé.[4]

See also edit

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ a b . Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  2. ^ a b Les vins de Bellocq
  3. ^ Vins du Sud-Ouest
  4. ^ a b c d e f Béarn AOC
  5. ^ Cabernet Franc is locally called "Bouchy" (Michel Mastrojanni, 1982).
  6. ^ Guy Lavignac, Cépages du sud-ouest, 2000 ans d'histoire (Grape Varieties of the South-West, 2000 years of history),
  7. ^ Historical, Genetic and Ampelographical study of the grape varieties of the Pyrenean-Atlantiques.[dead link]
  8. ^ Raffiat de Moncade (aka Rousselet)
  9. ^ a b Michel Mastrojanni (1982)
  10. ^

Bibliography edit

  • Benoît France (2002). Grand Atlas des Vignobles de France. Paris: Édition Solar. ISBN 2-263-03242-8.
  • Michel Mastrojanni (1982). Le grand Livre des vins de France. Paris: Édition Solar. ISBN 2-263-00592-7.
  • Paul Strang (1997). Vins du Sud-Ouest. Rodez: Édition du Rouergue. ISBN 2-84156-054-6.
  • Guy Lavignac (2001). Cépages du sud-ouest, 2000 ans d'histoire. Éditions du Rouergue. ISBN 2-84156-289-1.

External links edit

April 10, 2024
béarn, béarn, appellation, origine, contrôlée, wine, south, west, france, located, area, intersection, three, french, departments, pyrénées, atlantiques, hautes, pyrénées, gers, regions, aquitaine, midi, pyrénées, some, vineyards, area, jurançon, also, produce. Bearn is an Appellation d Origine Controlee AOC for wine in South West France It is located in the area of intersection of three French departments Pyrenees Atlantiques Hautes Pyrenees and Gers and two regions Aquitaine and Midi Pyrenees Some vineyards in the area of the Jurancon AOC can also produce red Bearn wine and some in the area of the Madiran AOC may produce a rose Bearn Wines made in the village of Bellocq also carry the appellation Bearn Bellocq Appellation Bearn and Bearn bellocqClassification AOCYear of Classification 1975 for Bearn AOC1991 for Bearn Bellocq AOCCountry FranceLocation South WestDepartment BearnClimate OceanicSoil Gravelly Clayey Sandy Clayey Sandstone ClayeyPlantation Area 259 haWineries 2 Cooperatives and 28 Independent WinemakersGrape Varieties RedCabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon and TannatWhiteRaffiat de Moncade Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng Wines Red Rose and WhiteVolume of Production 13470 hlYield 50 hl haContents 1 History 1 1 Pre history and antiquity 1 2 The Middle Ages 1 3 Renaissance 1 4 The modern period 1 5 Recent history 2 Etymology 3 Geography 3 1 Orography 3 2 Geology 3 3 Climate 4 Wine region 4 1 Overview 4 2 Grape varieties 4 3 Cultural methods 4 4 Terroir and wines 4 5 Cultivation structure 4 6 Wine type and gastronomy 4 7 Marketing 5 See also 6 Notes and references 7 Bibliography 8 External linksHistory editPre history and antiquity edit During the Roman colonisation a vineyard was planted on the hillsides between Salies de Bearn and Bellocq village 1 The Middle Ages edit Gaston VII de Montcada Viscount of Bearn 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 Bearn wine beyond regional borders 2 Renaissance edit Jeanne d Albret mother of Henry IV of France who was here on her land particularly appreciated Bearn wine 2 The modern period edit In the 17th century Bearnais protestants who exiled to Holland and England directed their wine trade to Northern Europe 1 Recent history edit The appellation gained VDQS status in 1951 and then AOC in 1975 The Bearn Bellocq AOC was created in 1991 Etymology editThe Bearn AOC takes its name from the former province Bearn where it is produced Bearn itself is named after the people of the Beneharnais who occupied the area in Antiquity Geography editThe Bearn wine region is scattered over different areas Bearn 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 rose Bearn The appellation area defined for the Jurancon AOC can yield white Jurancon and red and white Bearn The third area was defined especially for the Bearn AOC even including a precise geographic area for Bearn Bellocq The latter owes its name to Bellocq village the nerve centre of the eponymous cooperative winery Orography edit This wine region occupies the gave terraces and its Pre Pyrenean hills in the Jurancon and Madiran appellation areas Geology edit 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 Epoch The land in Bearn Bellocq consists of the Gave de Pau terraces 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 Jurancon consists of puddingstones flysch and gravelly water tables all formed by the debris of fallen rocks from the Pyrenees carried there by the Gave de Pau The land in Madiran consists of limestone bank molasse nappes of pebbles and boulbenes These are fairly deteriorated sedimentary rocks left from the rising Pyrenees Climate edit Temperate Oceanic climate with warm sunny autumns Indian Summers 3 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 Bearn to 1000mm in Madiran This amount of rainfall justifies the choice of high draining soils Wine region editOverview edit Bearn s appellation areas consist of Bearn Bellocq and wines that cannot be labelled as Jurancon or Madiran They cover 259 ha 4 stretching over 74 communes of the Pyrenees Atlantiques 6 the Hautes Pyrenees and 3 of the Gers Pyrenees Atlantiques Abos Arbus Arricau Bordes Arroses Artiguelouve Aubertin Aubous Aurions Idernes Aydie Baigts de Bearn Bellocq Berenx Betracq Bosdarros Burosse Mendousse Cadillon Cardesse Carresse Castagnede Castetpugon Castillon Canton of Lembeye Conchez de Bearn Corbere Aberes Crouseilles Cuqueron Diusse Escures Estialescq Gan Gayon Gelos Haut de Bosdarros L Hopital d Orion Jurancon Lacommande Lagor Lahontan Lahourcade Laroin Lasserre Lasseube Lasseubetat Lembeye Lespielle Germenaud Lannegrasse Lucq de Bearn Mascaraas Haron Mazeres Lezons Moncaup Moncla Monein Monpezat Mont Disse Mourenx Narcastet Ogenne Camptort Oraas Orthez Parbayse Portet Puyoo Ramous Rontignon Saint Faust Saint Jean Poudge Sainte Suzanne Salies de Bearn Salles Mongiscard Sauvelade Semeacq Blachon Tadousse Ussau Taron Sadirac Viellenave Uzos Vialer Viellesegure Hautes Pyrenees Castelnau Riviere Basse Hagedet Lascazeres Madiran Saint Lanne et Soublecause Gers Cannet Maumusson Laguian Viella Since 1991 the Bearn Bellocq AOC has been given to wines grown in Bellocq Lahontan Orthez and Salies de Bearn Grape varieties edit Six red varieties are used Cabernet Franc N 5 Cabernet Sauvignon Tannat Fer Manseng Noir and Courbu Noir 4 According to Guy Lavignac 6 this region had its own grape varieties for centuries Bouchy Fer Manseng Noir Courbu and probably others not included in its appellation 7 In the 18th century the Tannat variety was introduced It was allegedly a hybrid of 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 8 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 Cultural methods edit Vines are grown en hautain 9 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 edit Wines from all three zones can use the Bearn appellation Jurancon for its red wines Madiran for its roses and Bellocq for any wine though wines of the latter are only entitled to use it under the Bearn Bellocq appellation Reds and roses account for the majority of Bearn 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 Bearn 9 Cultivation structure edit Two cooperatives and twenty eight independent wineries are responsible for the area s wine production 4 Wine type and gastronomy edit nbsp Bearn AOC Poule au Pot roseRed Bearn wines clear the nose with notes of dark berry fruits blueberry cherry and blackcurrant They should be drunk between two and five years after bottling These reds are traditionally served with grilled or stewed meat poultry duck game and croute fleurie cheeses 4 cheeses with a white or golden mould Bearn roses have an aroma of small red fruits and should be drunk young They are traditionally served with charcuterie mixed salads and grills 4 Moelleux and dry whites production is less mainstream The Moelleux complements foie gras herby cream cheeses and desserts The dry whites can be drunk as an aperitif or with hors d oeuvres fish and shellfish and should be served at 8 10 C 10 Marketing edit The AOC produces 52 8 hl of white wine 7343 86 hl of red wine and 6072 68 hl of rose 4 See also editJurancon AOC Madiran AOC Notes and references edit a b Bearn Bellocq vins du Piemont Archived from the original on 29 August 2008 Retrieved 19 March 2010 a b Les vins de Bellocq Vins du Sud Ouest a b c d e f Bearn AOC Cabernet Franc is locally called Bouchy Michel Mastrojanni 1982 Guy Lavignac Cepages du sud ouest 2000 ans d histoire Grape Varieties of the South West 2000 years of history Historical Genetic and Ampelographical study of the grape varieties of the Pyrenean Atlantiques dead link Raffiat de Moncade aka Rousselet a b Michel Mastrojanni 1982 Bearn Bellocq AOCBibliography editBenoit France 2002 Grand Atlas des Vignobles de France Paris Edition Solar ISBN 2 263 03242 8 Michel Mastrojanni 1982 Le grand Livre des vins de France Paris Edition Solar ISBN 2 263 00592 7 Paul Strang 1997 Vins du Sud Ouest Rodez Edition du Rouergue ISBN 2 84156 054 6 Guy Lavignac 2001 Cepages du sud ouest 2000 ans d histoire Editions du Rouergue ISBN 2 84156 289 1 External links editDecree of 2 February 1998 relating to the Bearn AOC Wines of the South West Archived 20 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bearn AOC amp oldid 1164049146, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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