Appellation for white wine in the region of south-west France, identical to the Madiran appellation (red wine). In the past, white wine and red wine were produced under the joint AOC Vic-Bilh. The Gascon dialect name derives from the vine training "Piquets-en-rangs" (stakes in rows), in which the vines are raised on high stakes. Vic-Bilh" (Vieux Pays = Old Country) is the name given to the local hills. The name thus means "stakes in a row from the Vic-Bilh hills". The vineyards cover 300 hectares of vines in the departments of Gers (3 communes), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (28) and Hautes-Pyrénées (6). There is an oceanic climate with hot summers, dry sunny autumns and relatively mild winters. The deep yellow, long-lasting white wine with aromas of candied fruit and honey is blended from the autochthonous main varieties Courbu Blanc, Petit Courbu, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng (at least 60%, max. 80% per variety), as well as Ruffiat (Arrufiac) and max. 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Two thirds of it is produced moelleux (semi-sweet to sweet) and one third sec (dry) (for the dry version, the AOC designation Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh sec applies).
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen