Contents
Buzet is one of the wine appellations of the South-West region. It is produced in the Agen region, between the Garonne to the east and the Landes to the west. The vineyard’s production is 72% red, 25% rosé and 3% white. Buzet has held the French AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) label since 1973, as well as the European PDO (protected designation of origin) label.
Buzet, a wine from the “high Bordeaux region
The Buzet vineyards are sometimes referred to as the “Haut-Pays bordelais” (Bordeaux Highlands), due to their strong historical ties with the city of Bordeaux. After a difficult period in the 1880s when the phylloxera pest ravaged the vines, the vineyard bounced back in the 1950s, thanks to its growers. Today, more than ever, our aim is to sublimate the richness of this terroir.
Buzet is world-renowned thanks to its cooperative winery. Winegrowers wishing to use the Buzet name must comply with a number of criteria, including : per hectare, a minimum concentration of 4,000 vines, a maximum yield of 55 hectolitres per hectare, and an alcohol content alcohol content for red and rosé wines between 10% and 13%, and for white wines between 9.5% and 12.5%.
The Buzet vineyards enjoy an exceptional climate
Between woods and fields in a landscape of molassic hillsides and limestone outcrops that polish up as you climb up to the Garonne, the vineyard extends over 27 communes covering some 1,800 hectares. It lies to the south of Bergerac and Duras and to the west of Agen. The slopes are mineral-filled, gravelly soils made of limestone and clay. This is a good thing for water accumulation and filtering, enabling the production of wines that are colorful and full-bodied, but also fresh and lively with long acidity and fine, subtle aromas.
With more sun exposure than the national average but less rainfall, the summer months are hot and guarantee the vines considerable sunshine, ensuring that the grapes ripen properly at harvest time (one of the essential criteria for this AOC). Conversely, spring is wet and winter rather cool. So despite a wide climatic range, rainfall is not overabundant.
Buzet is a fruity, silky wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are the main grape varieties used to make Buzet red. Sauvignon, Semillon and Muscadelle form the basis of white wines.
The red wine is distinguished by its ruby color for the youngest wines, with vivid purple highlights. for the best vintages. Buzet rosé, on the other hand, is more of a gray or dark rosé. White wine, on the other hand, is characterized by a very light yellowish color, enhanced by green echoes when young. This luster migrates to a pale yellow with age.
On the nose, Buzet red is quite composite. Blackberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, prunes and other black and red fruits are present right from the start. While Buzet has spent most of its time in barrels, hints of cocoa, vanilla and coffee are emerging. With age, animal nuances appear. Rosé wines reveal intense aromas of blackcurrant buds and mint, while white wines bring out the full flavour of the fruit. a refreshing touch.
At the palacethe red is silky, abundant and intense. Similarly, Buzet is pleasant on the palate, with crisp, fruity notes in the younger wines. Rosé wines are fruitier, more delicate and fresher. The white is equally fresh, but also airy, with citrus notes and the long finish of Semillon.
The Buzet red has an ageing potential of ten years, although it is a delicious wine to be enjoyed within the first three years.. Rosés and whites are best drunk young.
A glass of Buzet is the perfect accompaniment to meats.
Comparable to some Bordeaux AOCs, Buzet red is the perfect accompaniment to game, roast lamb, duck breast, duck confit or osso buco Milanese. Buzet rosé is ideal as an aperitif or with charcuterie. White Buzet is a subtle match for seafood, grilled lobster, chipirons, pibales or pissaladière.
Ideally, a red Buzet should be enjoyed at a temperature of 16°C. Whites and rosés are best served chilled, between 8 and 10°C.
2005, an exceptional year for Buzet
Buzet reds and rosés were awarded the distinction of exceptional vintages in 2000 and 2005, as well as great vintages in 1975, 1978, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1995 and 1998. Buzet blanc was recognized as an exceptional vintage in 1988, 1990 and 2005, and as an excellent vintage in 1983, 1985 and 1989.
A Buzet estate that respects nature
Domaine du Pech
Founded in 1978 in the commune of Sainte-Colombe-en-Bruilhois, this Buzet wine estate is located in south-western France in the Buzet AOC region. The estate’s vineyards cover almost 13 hectares. No chemicals are used at any stage of wine production. The profound respect for nature and the grape means that the wines produced on the estate are a model of biodynamic viticulture.
