Fronton AOC
The Côtes du Frontonnais are a wine region in southwest France (→ Sud -Ouest ). Named after the small town of Fronton growing area located 30 km north of Toulouse in the Haute- Garonne and Tarn -et -Garonne. The cultivated area in 2002 was approximately 2,021 ha, were produced 87 658 hl of red and rosé wines. The Côtes du Frontonnais unite the former VDQS areas Fronton and Villaudric. This name may therefore be appended to the name.
Soil and climate
The growing area is located between the Tarn and Garonne rivers that flow here almost parallel to the northwest. Created from deposits of the Tarn in Mindel, Würm and crack ice age plateau drops in several terraces east to Tarn back. The soil is loamy- sandy and partly strongly interspersed with stones. Due to lack of lime it can be described as sour.
The climate is characterized as almost everywhere in the southwest Atlantic, the proximity of the Mediterranean, however, is clearly felt. Thus, although dominated by westerly winds, but the summers are hot and dry. Most precipitation falls in the spring. An important role is played by the east wind föhnartige mosquito repellent, which can dry the vines in autumn and prevents the formation of noble rot.
Grape varieties and wines
The wine of the Frontonnais draws its character from the local grape variety Négrette. This provides a pronounced fruity, smooth red wine. Their share is between 50 and 70%. To give more structure to the wine, the Négrette is usually blended with other varieties such as Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon. Also Gamay is permitted. A typical Cotes du Frontonnais is prepared not for long storage. But he can certainly improve four to six years in the bottle. Longer ripening time in barriques need developed wines. However, these are among winemakers controversial, since they correspond neither to the local tradition still meet the character of Négrette. They are prepared mainly for marketing reasons.
The rose wines are obtained as a by-product of red wine Saignée production. You benefit from the low acidity of the Négrette. Some producers also grow white wine, this can only be sold as Vin de Pays but since they are not provided in the AOC Côtes du Frontonnais.
History
The viticulture in the region of Fronton probably dates back to antiquity, but certainly the early Middle Ages. In 1122 the Knights Templar received extensive lands at Fronton. Supposedly brought the Knights Templar from the island of Cyprus, the Négrette with. The viticulture reached its peak in the 18th century, when the wines were in favor of the Higher Regional Bordeaux ' discriminatory trade restrictions. In the 19th century a number of discontinued today varietals such Mauzac, Folle Blanche and merille was cultivated. The phylloxera crisis did not spare Fronton. In 1900 was around 8,000 hectares planted with vines, for the most part, however, to compensate with high-yield low quality varieties and hybrids, the yield losses. Cabernet, Syrah and Gamay were introduced only in the 20th century.
The decline of viticulture was stopped only after the Second World War. 1945 received the wines of Villaudric the status of a Vin de Qualité Supérieur Délimité ( VDQS ). In 1946, the cooperative was founded by Fronton, and a year later received the Fronton VDQS status. The severe frost of 1956 brought the wine again to the brink of ruin, as many vineyards had to be replanted. 1975 received the entire area the status of an Appellation d' Origine (AOC ) under the name Cotes du Frontonnais. The distinction between Fronton and Villaudric was gone with it. The was also the co-operative of Villaudric victim, she was forced to close in 1987. However, the historic rivalry between the two places remained - as some winemakers Villaudric the cooperative of Rabastens in the Tarn department joined that is in the cultivation of Gaillac.