Monbazillac stands as one of the most iconic sweet wine appellations in the world. It is the ultimate sweet wine. And this famous, elegant wine is made in vineyards situated in the Bergerac wine region in the Dordogne that span 2320 hectares and produce 7.5 million bottles a year.

Grapes grown in this wine region are picked by hand in a series of harvests to produce balanced, fruity sweet wine with a golden robe that deepens into amber as it matures. On the nose, Monbazillac is a complex wine that reveals a mix of honey and candied citrus (lemon, grapefruit), floral notes of acacia, and hints of apricot, fig, plum, and peach, layered with a touch of gingerbread spice.

But what makes Monzaillac the ultimate sweet wine? Noble Rot is a form of grey fungus affecting wine grapes. Noble rot requires moist conditions followed by drier ones to make the grapes partially ripe. This is the point where the infestation happens. Only a small area of the slopes that sweep down to the River Dordogne, near Bergerac airport, in the Monbazillac region, provide the perfect growing conditions for this very special fungus. The mist that rises from the river plays an important part in the life of noble rot. Grapes picked here at the right time produce the sweet, white Monbazillac wine.

Monbazillac is often thought of as a winter wine served with foie gras at Christmas time. And that is certainly true. But, as the end of year festivites come to an end and many restaurants take a well-earned break in January, people often turn to entertaining at home and the French will continue to serve Monbazillac wine in the same way or with the dessert course.

Monbazillac is also popular in the summer served, for example, with delicious ripe melon and a blue or goat’s cheese as a starter.

If you would like to read more about Monbazillac and other wines made in the Bergerac region, you may be interested in my little cookery book, The Little Dordogne Kitchen. Along with a presentation of Bergerac wines, the book presents local food with recipes and wine pairing recommendations. Available in several outlets in the town of Eymet as well as on Amazon.