Pacherenc Du Vic-Bilh AOC
The area also produces sweet and dry white wine and sparkling wine under the two appellations Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec, which cover the same area as Madiran AOC. The main grape varieties for the dry wine are Courbu and Petit Manseng, which together must make up at least 60%, and neither of which may exceed 80%. Accessory grape varieties (up to 40%) are Arrufiac, Gros Manseng and Sauvignon blanc, with Sauvignon blanc being limited to a maximum of 10%. The proportions of grape varieties allowed have been modified in recent years, with the most recent changes being implented in 2005. Previously, a certain proportion of Arrufiac was prescribed, and Sémillon was allowed.
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec, which are dry white wines, must be made from grapes with a minimum potential alcohol level of 11%, and contain no more than 3 grams per liter of residual sugar.
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, without the "Sec" (dry) designation, is reserved for semi-sweet and sweet wines and must be made from manually harvested grapes with a minimum potential alcohol level of 12%, and contain a minimum of 35 grams per liter of residual sugar. High-end sweet Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh wines are usually made from dried grapes.
Dry Pacherencs are uncious and exotic, the Laplace family are known for their special Pacherencs. The sweet wines vary from the gently sweet to the very rich almost Sauternes like. However, whereas Sauternes rely on the development of botrytis, Pacherencs are picked late and not usually subject to 'noble rot'. Chateau Barrejat and Alain Brumont's Brumaire and Frimaire are amongst the best examples.
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