In fact, the French were housed at the Chateau de Beynac during the Hundred Year War, while the British were just across the river at Chateau Castelnaud, making the history of this place crucial. It contains artifacts from various eras, including rare 15th-century frescoes. Chateau de Beynac: An excursion to the Dordogne Valley would not have been complete without stopping at the Château de Beynac, which offers breathtaking views of the river and neighboring castles.Here are a few of Périgord’s most famous castles: You might even be able to catch a castle festival or a medieval reenactment while you’re there if you’re lucky. On-site restaurants, cafes, and gift shops are available in some cases. Many of Périgord’s castles are open to the public. Périgord (or Dordogne if you prefer) is known for its numerous castles, hence the nickname of the “Land of 1001 Castles.” There are hundreds of castles to choose from for a visit back in time, each with its distinct history and appeal. (As long as you are healthy and can stand for 1 hour this activity is available for anyone above 6 years old.) A simply breathtaking experience that should be on anyone’s bucket list. From above, at sunset or sunrise, you will see the river Dordogne snake through the magical valley along with some mighty fortresses picking through the forest. The best way to take in the countryside’s beauty is from a hot air ballon that floats gently through the sky. These picturesque villages are packed with historical sites, churches, and castles. Some of the most popular villages include Sarlat-la-Cadenat, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Rocamadour (just outside Dordogne region) and La Roque-Gageac. There are plenty of villages to visit throughout the region, each with its unique charm. The Dordogne Valley is the perfect spot to explore French culture and history. The valley that surrounds the river is a truly magical area known for its stunning landscapes composed of lush forests, rolling hills and imposing cliffs. The Dordogne Valley & Its Magical Landscapeĭordogne is built around the river of the same name. All but two of its 15 communes are also covered by two appellations for sweet white wines: Côtes de Montravel and Haut-Montravel.1. The Montravel appellation has been in place since 2001, and has different winemaking and viticultural stipulations to the much larger Bergerac AOC. In general, this makes for a dense, soft red wine with some aging capabilities. The red wines themselves must be a blend of a minimum of two of these varieties, of which one must be Merlot. Other principal varieties allowed here are Malbec/Cot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Montravel Rouge is predominantly Merlot (the variety makes up at least half of all plantings in Montravel). The relatively rare Ondenc is also allowed, albeit in a minor role (it cannot comprise more than ten percent of any vineyard). Montravel Blan c must be made up of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris and/or Muscadelle, making a vibrant, minerally white wine.Īt least two of these grapes must be present in any white wine, and must account for at least half of the wine. This is particularly important for Montravel's white wines, which make up the majority of wines made under the AOC. Ripening is slowed as a result, allowing the grapes to develop flavor compounds. The high content of water in the soil has a thermal effect as well, bringing a cooling influence to the vines during the warm, dry summers. The mild spring and autumn seasons extend the growing season by encouraging an earlier budbreak and a later leaf fall. The vineyards of Montravel have a maritime climate with less seasonal variation than more inland areas. This generally takes the form of clay or silt in the vineyards, storing water during the rainy springs to hydrate vines throughout the summer. The soil here is alluvial, deposited over time by the Dordogne river, and is marked by its high content of limestone. Terroir in the area is not dissimilar to that of the right bank of Bordeaux, although there are some climatic and geological differences. The Dordogne river flowing itself flows along the southern extremities of Montravel and the Landais forest covers the land to the north and east. Indeed, if travelling from east from Saint-Emilion, the Montravel appellation begins only only 16 kilometres (10 miles) away, with the commune of Lamothe-Montravel, just across the Gironde-Dordogne boundary. Red wines are predominantly Merlot, while the dry white wines are largely composed of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The permitted grape varieties betray the location of the region on the very outskirts of Bordeaux. While the overall area is substantial, it ecompasses under 250 hectares (610 acres) of vineyard land that dots the region's low, rolling topography. Estate vineyards of Chateau Puy Servain - a prominent producer of wine in Montravel | ©Chateau Puy Servain
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