Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh

Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, defiantly gascon name for tangy white wines made in the madiran region mainly from a mixture of intensely local grape varieties courbu, petit courbu, gros manseng, and petit manseng. The deep yellow wine can be either dry or more probably sweet, depending on the vintage, and tastes like a slightly more alcoholic (thanks to Petit Courbu) version of jurançon, which is made further south. By 2012, 270 ha/667 acres were dedicated to this keenly priced wine, which may be picked as late as December. The sweet wines, made from passerillé grapes, can last ten years or so in bottle. The Plaimont co-operative has access to some excellent fruit.