Chateau Grand Peyrot

On a bed of oysters of the tertiary era... Part of the greater Bordeaux region and situated 50 km from the city of Bordeaux along the right bank of the Garonne River, Grand Peyrot vineyard produces a luscious A.O.C. wine ("Appellation d'Origine Controlée") described as liquid gold in a bottle. The soil is composed of chalky clay, a result of fossilized oysters dating back to the first tertiary era, blended to the alluvial clay of the Garonne River. This composite is particularly prone to growing great luscious wines.

Grand Peyrot is made from 90 % Semillon, 10 % Sauvignon and a touch of Muscadelle. While Sauvignon mostly brings the flavours, Semillon is particularly suited to the "pourriture noble" (noble rot). The noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) is a parasitic fungus or mold that affects grapes. In some climates, the grapes develop gray rot and spoil, while in other areas the action of the botrytis results in luscious late-harvest elixirs. Botrytis must have the perfect weather conditions of high humidity followed by drying in order to develop properly. Morning mist associated with sunshine and a breeze occurs every year along the banks of the Garonne River, during the month of October. It mellows the Semillon grapes to the core, making them richly roasted, while the color turns golden. Harvesting is done by band. Repeated sortings are necessary to select the grapes that are adequately ripe. The annual harvest is about 90 barrels equivalent to 25,000 "Frontignan" bottles (75 cl).

Bottled after two years of maturation in oak barrels or vats the Grand Peyrot wine gets fully mature after its third year. It will last 10 years in average. Best vintages such as 1982 (Gold Medal), 1989 and 1990 have cellar potential of 25 years, possibly longer.

When and How to taste a Château Grand Peyrot Château Grand Peyrot is best tasting when served cool (8-12 oC). It is therefore recommended to arrange for cooling the wine prior to serving, particularly during the summer. A fairly large tulip-shaped glass with stem is best to enable the bouquet to concentrate at the vent. A large glass half filled is preferable to a small glass filled to the top. The eye-catching golden colour of the wine will conspire with the bouquet diffusing from the glass for the delight of the taster. Richness, velvet, fullness and length of an indefinable number of sensations form a unique symphony of flavours and savours. Ample and generous the Grand Peyrot wine presents a sappy character with a shade of honey and preserved apricots. It's a great classic, delightful to the palate. Depending on the time of the day and food accommodated, Grand Peyrot provides different kinds of sensations, always giving perfect feelings. Succulent as an aperitive with salty snacks, with cantaloupe or with choice fish (turbot, sole and salmon) Grand Peyrot develops its utmost with goose liver. As traditional among Sainte-Croix-du-Mont's households, it will brightly accommodate white meats, game, poultry (roast chicken, roast duck, guinea-fowl and pheasant), and cheese. Sipping a glass of Grand Peyrot with roquefort cheese, walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds is a truly delightful experience.

Century on Century... the Commanderie Dating from the Middle Age the Commanderie du Bontemps of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont continues to this day to ensure the quality of the wine and spread its high reputation worldwide. The commanderie is a council of wine-growers who have carried the praise of the vineyard through the centuries. Based on experience spending day after day in the heart of their soil, from generation to generation they have achieved to put their traditions into harmony. Far from being an enclosed society the Bontemps calls upon all men and women who can help the reputation of the wine and enhance its ideal of quality. During the ditferent fairs and meetings which are held yearly, new "Commandeurs d'Honneur" join the council to add to the prestige of the wine of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.. According to the custom "in any place and before everyone", the Commanderie presents, celebrates and upholds the wine of Sainte Croix du Mont. It brings happiness, spirituality and skill to its members, fostering faith in the earth and respect of tradition, in other words the deep feeling of belonging to the great brotherhood of man.