Wine Making
Viticulture
‘The pearl of Montravel‘
At Château Masburel harvesting is deliberately left late to ensure our grapes are ripe and concentrated, allowing the rich and complex flavours to develop.
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
The 'aristrocrat' of red grapes. Small berries, thick dark blue skins, lower tannin, late ripening, high acidity, lower alchol, long-lasting, blackcurrant flavour when ripe and 'herby' when unripe.
Merlot
The 'seductress' of red grapes. Large berries, thinner skins, lower tannin. Easy ripening, higher alcohol, low acidity. Rich velvety texture, soft, plummy and notes of spicy fruitcake.
Cabernet Franc
'The perfect partner' a blending variety. It sits between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium sized berries, tannins and acidity.
Malbec
It is known as Cot in the Gironde. Similar to Merlot, early ripening produces mouth filling and ripe blackberry flavour with a deep dark colour.
Sauvignon Blanc
It has medium acidity and very aromatic when ripe.
Sémillon
Deep golden colour, relatively low acidity, often citric, weightier and more alcoholic, waxy texture when ripe, tastes almost sweet even when dry.
Muscadelle
Late budding, early ripening, thin skinned, adds aromatic complexity when blended in small quantity.
Appellation Cotes de Bergerac.
Within the family of 13 Bergerac appellation wines, Côtes de Bergerac describes red wine produced under more exacting quality rules. Grape varieties allowed include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Although logically Côtes de Bergerac should indicate that the grapes were grown on the Cote (the ridge above the river valley), in fact Côtes de Bergerac can originate from anywhere in the Bergerac appellation as long as it meets the quality standards.
Appellation Montravel
The Montravel Appellation is situated between St Emilion to the West and Bergerac to the East. As part of the greater Aquitaine region in the South West of France, Montravel is on a plateau above the River Dordogne. Montravel enjoys a diversity of complex soils and the rolling plateau gives excellent drainage. Watering of vines is not allowed anywhere in France and good drainage is therefore essential.
When the greater Bergerac Appellation, of which Montravel is part, was formed in 1933, the authorities envisaged a “Premier Cru” designation for Montravel, because of its similarity to St Emilion and Pomerol. Although this was never formalised, Montravel does enjoy a reputation for the highest quality wines.
Until 2001, Montravel Appellation was exclusively for white wines, both dry and sweet. In 2001, permission was granted for an “Appellation Montravel” red wine, and it is produced under the strictest quality rules of any region in France.