AOC Loupiac

History of the AOC Loupiac Appellation

On the right bank of the Garonne, opposite the Sauternes appellation, lies the Loupiac vineyard, which dates back to Roman times. In 1936, the AOC Loupiac was established to highlight these sweet white wines. Over time, AOC Loupiac wines have gained a special reputation for their quality, mainly due to the "noble rot," which gives these sweet wines exceptional richness and complexity.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Loupiac Appellation

Climate: The influence of the Garonne River is crucial in the AOC Loupiac. The morning mists, followed by warm sunny afternoons during autumn, encourage the development of noble rot, essential for producing sweet wines.
Soils: The soils in the Bordeaux region of AOC Loupiac are primarily clay-limestone, which has excellent water retention capacity, beneficial to the vines and white wine production in the appellation.

Iconic Grape Varieties of AOC Loupiac

In the Bordeaux region, the iconic grape variety of AOC Loupiac is, of course, Sémillon. Although other varieties such as Sauvignon and Muscadelle are also used, Sémillon dominates the vineyards. This grape gives the white wine its characteristic fruity notes, richness, and exceptional aging potential.

Style of AOC Loupiac Wine

Appearance: AOC Loupiac white wine has a golden hue, often intense and bright.

Nose: The aromas of AOC Loupiac white wine are generous, with notes of candied fruits, apricot, honey, resin, and sometimes citrus zest.

Palate: On the palate, AOC Loupiac white wine is opulent, with a lovely acidity that balances the sweetness. The flavors echo the aromas, with a long finish.

Serving temperature: 10°C-12°C (50°F-54°F)

Aging potential: Loupiac white wines can be enjoyed young to appreciate their fresh fruity character, but they also have excellent aging potential, sometimes lasting several decades for the best vintages.

Best Food and Wine Pairings with AOC Loupiac Wine

Here are some ideas for dishes and recipes to pair with a beautiful bottle of white wine from a château or domain in Bordeaux, AOC Loupiac:

• Duck foie gras
• Roquefort and walnut toast
• Puff pastry with Fourme d'Ambert and figs
• Chicken supreme with cream
• Honey-glazed duck
• Roasted and caramelized peaches
• Blue-veined cheeses like Roquefort

Frequently asked questions about Loupiac wine

What is the difference between Loupiac and Sauternes?

The two vineyards face each other across the Garonne, a few kilometres apart, and work with the same raw material: botrytised grapes, picked by hand in several successive passes. Sauternes sits on the left bank, Loupiac on the right. The difference is one of style and reputation: Loupiac is generally lighter and more delicate, less opulent than a Sauternes, and costs a fraction of the price. It is what people choose when they know the style and would rather not pay for the name.

Is Loupiac a medium-sweet or a fully sweet wine?

Fully sweet, in the strict sense. The appellation rules require a minimum of 45 grams of sugar per litre, which is exactly the threshold above which a wine stops being medium-sweet. It belongs in the same family as Sauternes or Monbazillac, which you will find across our range of sweet and dessert wines.

When should Loupiac be served during a meal?

Three moments work, and dessert is only one of them. As an aperitif on a Roquefort toast it is a genuine surprise. With foie gras it is the classic match, and Loupiac's acidity cuts through the richness better than a heavier sweet wine does. At the end of the meal it suits a yellow-fruit tart or roasted peaches. Chocolate is the one thing to avoid, as it flattens the apricot and honey notes. For more on cheese pairings, blue-veined styles remain its closest allies.

Why does Loupiac cost more than a dry white Bordeaux?

Because far less of it comes off the same area of vines. The grapes are picked by hand, plot by plot, with pickers returning several times to the same rows to take only the berries touched by noble rot. A botrytised grape has lost much of its water, so it takes considerably more fruit to fill a bottle. And if the autumn turns wet, the crop can be lost outright.