Saussignac AOC, Wine appellation in Dordogne, France
Saussignac AOC is a wine region in Dordogne that spans four communes and produces only sweet white dessert wines from Sémillon grapes. The vineyards take advantage of the natural conditions of the area to create wines with distinctive character.
The vineyards here trace their origins to monastic activities in the 9th century, with written records from the 11th century mentioning vines in a donation charter to Saint-Sylvain. Over the centuries, a combination of religious and later private management shaped the wine traditions.
French writer François Rabelais honored Saussignac wines in his work Pantagruel, reflecting their significance during his travels through the Périgord region.
Visitors can explore the wineries of this region and discover regional dishes like Périgord chicken or fish in sauce. The sweet wines here pair well with such meals and desserts.
The rules of this appellation prohibit chaptalization, meaning all sweetness comes naturally from grapes affected by the noble rot fungus Botrytis cinerea. This natural process is the key to the complex flavors of these wines.
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