Irouléguy

Irouleguy is a commune in the department of Pyrénées- Atlantiques in the Aquitaine region. The 9.38 km ² large municipality is part of the French Basque country; the Basque spelling of the name is Irulegi. Irouleguy has 341 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) and lies at an altitude of about 266 m, about 50 km south-east of Bayonne.

Wine region Irouleguy

On the slopes of the 812 m high hill named Jara vineyards were already created in the 3rd century. But it was the monks of Roncesvalles Monastery, systematized viticulture in the 12th century and the product offered to travelers and pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela.

His climax knew the wine-growing region in the 18th century, when the wines from the port of Bayonne were exported to Germany, England and the Netherlands. In the 19th century, phylloxera destroyed most of the vineyards, the surfaces were not replanted again due to the rural exodus. The appeal was to the 1950s almost given up completely. 1953 first initiatives were launched for a new beginning, with the maintenance of the status of a Appellation d' Origine ( short AOC ) were rewarded on 29 October 1970.

The vineyard is located at the foot of Ibañeta Pass, leading over Roncesvalles to Spain, spread over slopes of Saint- Etienne- de Baïgorry, Saint -Jean -Pied -de-Port and Bidarray. The surfaces are protected from cold north winds. 65 % of the 185 acre tract consists of terraced units.

For red and rosé grape varieties Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat (Basque Axeria ) are (Basque Bordeleza ), approved. For white wines Courbu (Basque Xuri Zerratia ) and Gros Manseng may (Basque Ixiriota Xuri ) are used. A total of approximately 55,000 hectoliters of wine are produced.

The full-bodied fragrant rose wines should be at a temperature of 10 - 12 ° C to be enjoyed a barbecue plate or fish. The red wines accompany at 16 - 18 ° C a roast, venison and a cheese plate. The serving temperature of white wines is at 8 - 10 ° C.