LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
Welcome to Loupiac, a French AOC that makes amazing, sweet white wines in Bordeaux! Each year, they produce 1.25 million litres of wine that showcase the best of their terroir and know-how.
You'll find Loupiac 30 kilometres southeast of Bordeaux city, within Entre-Deux-Mers, and next to the right bank of the Garonne River. The three main grapes used here are Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Thanks to noble rot, the wines are wonderfully sweet.
The name Loupiac comes from the Latin word for wolf - Lupus. People have been making wine here since the 13th century, and some say even the Romans grew grapes here. While everyone knows Sauternes next door, Loupiac has been quietly making great, sweet wines for just as long.
Picture 344 hectares of vineyards on rolling hills within Entre Deux Mers and right across from Sauternes and Barsac. The mix of clay and limestone in the soil is perfect for making sweet wines that really stand out.
The vineyards sit between 50 and 100 meters high, with nice warm summers and mild winters. It's just right for growing grapes that make great wine.
The soil here is special. It's a mix of gravel and chalky clay that drains well and gives the vines all the minerals they need.
The morning mists from the river work with the hills to create perfect conditions for noble rot, which helps make the grapes sweet while maintaining their natural acidity.
Like everywhere else, climate change is making things tricky. Winemakers must be clever about picking their grapes and dealing with the weather.
Being next to famous Sauternes is both good and bad. But smart producers are showing wine lovers that they can get equally good wines from Loupiac, often for less money.
Today's winemakers are mixing old wisdom with new ideas. They're trying sustainable practices and organic farming. Some are using new techniques to make their wines even better while keeping what makes Loupiac special. Wine fans around the world are starting to notice the difference.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
The vineyards within Loupiac follow the natural curves of the hills, rising from the river's edge. This setup helps water drain and ensures sun exposure. The climate is perfect, too: warm summers and mild winters. The river adds its own magic by creating morning fog that helps develop noble rot, which makes these sweet wines special.
Here's where you should go to really get to know Loupiac:
The weather in Loupiac plays a key role in making its sweet wines special. The region gets warm summers and mild winters, but the real star is the Garonne River.
In fall, the river sends morning mists over the vineyards. These mists help grow noble rot (botrytis cinerea) - a friendly fungus that slowly dries the grapes, making them sweeter and more flavorful. Throughout the year, steady rainfall keeps the vines healthy and happy, helping them grow great grapes season after season.
Want to see Loupiac at its best? Come during harvest time, between late September and early November. You'll catch all the action - from grape picking to noble rot developing on the vines. The weather is perfect this time of year - warm days for walking through vineyards and cool nights that make wine tasting even more enjoyable. Many wineries offer special harvest activities where you can meet the winemakers and try new wines.
Fall also dresses up the vineyards in beautiful autumn colours, turning every view into something special. It's the perfect time to learn about and taste what makes Loupiac wines unique.
Wines produced within the Loupiac appellation are something special. Made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle, sometimes even adding a touch of Sauvignon Gris, these wines shine like liquid gold in your glass. Take a sip, and you'll taste ripe candied and tropical fruit, honey, and just a hint of gingerbread that, coupled with a good acidity (without leading to a nervy edge), makes you want to keep coming back for more.
What makes these wines really stand out? It's all about noble rot (or botrytis cinerea if you want to get fancy). When morning fog rolls in from the Garonne River, it helps this special kind of rot grow on the grapes. It makes the grapes extra sweet while keeping their fresh taste. In addition, these wines are rich and full-bodied, something that makes them stand out from other sweet wines.
The winemakers here are like artists. They pick each grape by hand, making several trips through the vineyard to get only the best ones. Add in the special mix of clay and limestone in the soil, plus the different heights of the vineyards, and you get wines that really show off where they come from.
Right across from Sauternes, Loupiac is full of great places to visit. You'll find both traditional wineries and newer ones experimenting with fresh new ideas. Each one helps you understand what makes Loupiac wines different.
Visiting Loupiac is about more than just drinking wine. You can walk through the vineyards, learn how noble rot works its magic, and taste different wines. If you come during harvest festivals or wine fairs, you can meet the winemakers and try lots of wines with local food.
These wines make good food taste even better. They're perfect with foie gras, but they also make fish dishes more interesting and bring out the best in strong cheeses. Got dessert? Try them with berry tarts or tropical fruit - you won't be disappointed. In addition, there are some unconventional food pairings that you cannot miss, like spicy dishes or savoury sausages.
Want the full Loupiac experience? Stay a while. Choose from cozy bed-and-breakfasts or nice hotels near the vineyards. Many places offer special deals that include wine tours and meals with local dishes paired with Loupiac wines - it's the best way to really get to know this special wine region.
Three special grapes—Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle —make Loupiac's sweet wines stand out. Thanks to the perfect mix of weather and soil in the area, each grape brings something unique to these wines.
Wines produced within the Loupiac appellation are something special. Made from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle, sometimes even adding a touch of Sauvignon Gris, these wines shine like liquid gold in your glass. Take a sip, and you'll taste ripe candied and tropical fruit, honey, and just a hint of gingerbread that, coupled with a good acidity (without leading to a nervy edge), makes you want to keep coming back for more.
What makes these wines really stand out? It's all about noble rot (or botrytis cinerea if you want to get fancy). When morning fog rolls in from the Garonne River, it helps this special kind of rot grow on the grapes. It makes the grapes extra sweet while keeping their fresh taste. In addition, these wines are rich and full-bodied, something that makes them stand out from other sweet wines.
The winemakers here are like artists. They pick each grape by hand, making several trips through the vineyard to get only the best ones. Add in the special mix of clay and limestone in the soil, plus the different heights of the vineyards, and you get wines that really show off where they come from.
Right across from Sauternes, Loupiac is full of great places to visit. You'll find both traditional wineries and newer ones experimenting with fresh new ideas. Each one helps you understand what makes Loupiac wines different.
Visiting Loupiac is about more than just drinking wine. You can walk through the vineyards, learn how noble rot works its magic, and taste different wines. If you come during harvest festivals or wine fairs, you can meet the winemakers and try lots of wines with local food.
These wines make good food taste even better. They're perfect with foie gras, but they also make fish dishes more interesting and bring out the best in strong cheeses. Got dessert? Try them with berry tarts or tropical fruit - you won't be disappointed. In addition, there are some unconventional food pairings that you cannot miss, like spicy dishes or savoury sausages.
Want the full Loupiac experience? Stay a while. Choose from cozy bed-and-breakfasts or nice hotels near the vineyards. Many places offer special deals that include wine tours and meals with local dishes paired with Loupiac wines - it's the best way to really get to know this special wine region.
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