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South West
Wines from the South-West of France
have often been confused with
Bordeaux
wines.
But one must not conclude that those wines are of a lower
quality. Virgil and Horatius have praised wines from South
West high and sometimes low!
South West of France wine information
Find all the information on South West wine region
in one page
South West of France geography
/ Map of
South West
Geography, weather, main
cities, population, local interests, etc
Wine
making in South West
Vineyards, soil, wine production, grapes in South West of
France
Wines of South West
Specific information about 5 appellations in South West:
Cahors - Jurançon - Madiran - Bergerac - Monbazillac
| Red Wine | White Wine |
|
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot Tannat Malbec
|
Sauvignon Sémillon Ugni Blanc Colombard Petit Manseng Gros Manseng Muscadelle Clairette |
Between the Bordeaux region and the Pyrénées, the South-West is a traditional wine region, probably even oldest than its neighbor.
Wines from the South-West have often been confused with Bordeaux wines. But one must not conclude that those wines are of a lower quality. Virgil and Horatius have praised wines from South West high and sometimes low!
Nowadays wines from South West are of excellent quality for the value and should be recommended because of their unique personality based on local history and traditions.
South West of France region information:
Wedged between the Bordeaux region and the Pyrénées mountains, the South-West of France is exceptionally sunny during the summer.
The Midi-Pyrénées region (where wines from South West of France are coming from) is the biggest french region, bigger than Belgium, Switzerland or Holland.
From the Pyrénées mountains to the Massif Central on the East and the Atlantic Ocean on the West, Midi-Pyrénées is a very beautiful region of mountains and plateaux, lakes and rivers, as diverse as the wines from South West of France
South West Wine Making
South West of
France is the most diverse wine region in France. It is also one of the oldest.
Many grape varieties grow only in this region: Tannat, Manseng, Fer Servadou,
Mérille and dozen of other varieties.
Wines from the South-West have often
been confused with
Bordeaux
wines, which caused a lot of problems at the beginning of
the century when the area of Bordeaux production was
delimited.
The history and the diversity result in
unfashionable wines with a lot of personality. Tannic full-body red
wine in Madiran,
sweet viscous of Monbazillac,
intense red Cahors or
aromatic dry Jurançon. The
wines from South West of France have plenty of things to offer to
any wine lovers.
The main grapes in South West of France are
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Tannat, Merlot and Malbec for red wine. The main white grapes are
Sémillon, Sauvignon, Ugni Blanc and Manseng.
Wines from South West of France
The best known terroirs in South West of France are:
Cahors
Grapes are harvested in the Lot and in the Bergerac, around the town of Cahors. It is a very powerful red wine, often harsh when it is young but remarkable after a few years in bottle.
Côtes de Buzet
Produced in the Lot et Garonne, the Buzet is a red VDQS wine, fruity, light and supple.
Monbazillac
Among the best sweet wines, Monbazillac, just like Sauternes and Barsac, must wait for noble-rot before being harvested. Certain years those wines can compare with the models of the type.
Monbazillac are very attractive and flow like gold. With age their colour intensifies and they develop their characteristics.
Gaillac
The sweet Gaillac, drunk soon after the harvest must be distinguished from the Appellation Controlée which is a light white wine. Gaillac also produces sparkling wines and red wine.
Nowadays Gaillac vinegrowers do no more need the appellation Bordeaux, the quality of their wine is sufficient in itself.
Madiran
In the middle of a region which only produces white wine, Madiran is a sanctuary.
The vinegrowers produce a red wine dotted of a particular character. It is elaborated from quality grape-varieties such as Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. But the most popular variety is Tannat, a typical grape from the aera. Tonic, Madiran keeps very long.Other regions: Alsace - Burgundy - Bordeaux - Champagne - Loire - Provence - Cote Du Rhone - Languedoc - Corsica