Guyendac 2020

If you’re a fan of the stylish (and often pricey) white wines of Bordeaux, then you’re in for a real treat here. Just a short trip inland, Bergerac is home to “some of the best-value wine in France” (Decanter)—including elegant whites that give the Bordelaise a run for their money.

Crafted by renowned consultant Pascal Poussevin and talented winemaker Didier Grandeau, Guyendac takes its name from the ancient Guyenne region, where Bergerac once lay at the heart. It’s a classic, Bordeaux-style blend of racy Sauvignon Blanc (80%), honeyed Semillon (10%) and citrusy Muscadelle (10%).

Pascal and Didier pulled out all the stops for this sophisticated white. For starters, they harvested the grapes at night and cool fermented the wine, both techniques that ensure maximum freshness. They also aged the wine on its lees, which imparted a creamy complexity to the vibrant citrus, pineapple and fresh-cut grass characters. One sip, and you’ll see why judges at Gilbert & Gaillard, France’s most prestigious wine guide, awarded Guyendac a shiny gold medal.

One of our favorite French white discoveries in recent years—you’ve got to try it.