From November 2010, two new themes emerged:

«Food and wine pairing» *

«The history of wines of Bergerac» **

These new themes are centered on training sessions for tasting, but also aim to  establish a dialogue with the public and professionals.

They include:

• Conferences with historians
• Themed meals offering wine and food pairing in partnership with local chefs
• Meetings with winemakers 
• A research project gathering historical information on Bergerac wines in particular over the period 1850/1970

*Food and Wine Pairing

The theme of Food and Wine Pairing started December 4, 2010 with a meal at the restaurant Tour des Vents at Monbazillac with recipes prepared by Marie Rougier and a course on the alliance of food and wine. It was followed by four meetings between January and April.

The purpose of the training course was to familiarise participants with the basics of taste and to feel more comfortable to choose, serve, combine the food and wine, or even to dare to make surprising alliances. 

After the first course, participants have practical work to do at home. Recipes are provided, as well as sheets of wines selected and proposed by the Maison des Vins. The aim is to experience different pairings at home and then to compare these experiences with other participants.

Taste is also a rich cultural exchange because associations that may seem totally inappropriate to you may well suit someone else. On the three following courses, fish pairings, meat pairings and finally cheese and dessert pairings are studied. 

To attend the session on the food and wine pairing, it is best to be familiar with the wines of Bergerac and / or have completed the first cycle "Discover the wines of Bergerac" proposed by the School of oenophiles.

**History of the wines of Bergerac

Bergerac wines have a rich history, that you gradually discover when you're not native. The Dordogne, the barges, relations with Holland, with the Place de Bordeaux (the square where the powerful Bordeaux wine merchants operate)  .... 

Over the years, we realise the importance to the past of three key items: 

• The river 
• Access to the ocean to support the region 
• The role of religion 

This theme starts with a collection of information from growers and other professionals in the Bergerac wine world (men and women, active or retired), over the period 1850/1980. The aim is to present to the public this complex transition phase for French viticulture and for  Bergerac in particular. What was the vineyard like before the arrival of phylloxera? What happened with the advent of the railway? What impact did the creation of the AOC have on the region? What role was played by the cooperatives? We are looking for writings, stories, photos, movies, in order to develop an exhibition on this subject. Lectures will also be offered on the different periods that have marked the history of the Bergerac vineyards. 

Anyone interested in this subject can get in touch with Isabelle Roberty either by sending a message via the contact form of this website or by phone: 0679010137/0553916511.