South West France (wine region)
The wine region of Sud- Ouest summarizes the regions of southwest France with the exception of Bordeaux. Administratively, it is the regions of Midi- Pyrénées and Aquitaine, geographically it is the catchment area of the rivers Dordogne, Garonne and Adour. From the perspective of Bordeaux is an increase of the " Oberland " (skin pays ). The regions taken together comprise 14,700 ha with an annual production of 650,000 hectoliters of quality wine (AOC ).
Wine-growing areas
Aveyron
In the relatively harsh climate of the Massif Central, the wine has to be sustained in a particularly favored south-facing slopes. With nearly 160 hectares of vineyards Marcillac is the only AOC region in the department of Aveyron. It brings fruity red wines on the basis of the designated there as Mansoi Fer Servadou. Even smaller are VDQS areas of Côtes de Millau (47 ha red), Vins d' Entraygues et du Fel (21 ha, in red and white) and Vins d' Estaing (14 ha, in red and white).
Béarn
Bergerac
The vineyards of Bergerac in the Perigord region and are adjacent to the Bordeaux. The general appellation Bergerac covers the whole area of about 90 communities, on the on 6876 ha of red wine and rosé wines and on 2960 ha of white wine is produced. Wines that meet the increasing demands on natural alcoholic strength and maximum yield, Côtes de Bergerac is allowed to call. In addition to the general appellation is in the region of Bergerac still, the following appellations refer to highlighted sections:
- Pecharmant means in the local dialect charming mountain. On 409 acres exclusively red wines from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown. Thanks to improved techniques Kelter excellent red wines with good potential are prepared for storage here.
- Mont Ravel, known as white wine area, it may also sell its red wines as AOC since 2001. 378 ha area under surface
- Rosette, here just created 80,000 bottles of wine and is thus very rare.
- Saussignac, on 98 ha produces fine dessert wines, called moelleux
- Montbazillac here great sweet wines in the style of Sauternes are produced. The quality depends on the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). 2500 ha of vineyards are available.
Cahors
In Cahors is used along with Merlot and Tannat as Leitrebe the Malbec. In the 19th century, this wine was regarded as the greatest competition of Bordeaux, and in the meantime try some holdings with success, to connect to this tradition.
Cahors has the status of an AOC since 1971. Wine, however, has been cultivated for the occupation by the Romans around 50 BC. Pope John XXII. was near his official residence from Avignon manage the layers of the Châteauneuf -du -Pape by winemaker of Cahors. In the heyday of approximately 20,000 ha were planted with vines. The infestation of phylloxera and severe frosts in 1956 ensured for almost from the wine industry. Since then, the stocks were again carefully extended and mainly planted in the meanders of the river Lot. Today ( in 2002) are again 4450 ha of vineyards available.
Côtes -de- Duras, Côtes du Marmandais, Buzet
The Côtes -de- Duras are the natural extension of the Bordeaux region of Entre -Deux- Mers. Being so close to Bordeaux you will find the same grape varieties here. Be at 2009 ha since the recognition of the AOC priority now developed good dry and sweet white wines in 1937. The quality of the red and rosé wines has also achieved very good level.
Strong parallels to Bordeaux also have the wines of the south in the department of Lot- et- Garonne located Appellation Côtes du Marmandais.
In the AOC ( since 1973) Buzet is almost exclusively produced in 1996 ha of red wine, although white and rosé are allowed.
Côtes -du- Frontonnais
The red and rosé wines of the Côtes- du- Frontonnais with the centers Fronton and Villaudric is something like the house wine of the city of Toulouse. He gives the red Négrette its pronounced fruity character. The area under cultivation is 2200 ha
Gaillac
The vineyards of Gaillac, located on the River Tarn in the same department. Similar to Cahors, this area is equal distance from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Since 1938 there is an AOC for white wines, since 1970, red and rosé wines were included. A total of 3730 ha of vineyards are planted in this appellation, 73 municipalities share this stock. Indigenous grape varieties play a major role: the basis for white wines is either the Mauzac or Len de l' El, in the reds flow Duras and the Braucol called Fer Servadou a.
Gascogne
The wine region of Gascogne has a protected designation of origin, predominantly located in the Gers and partly in Landes, Lot -et -Garonne, it produces:
- Armagnac, a brandy (brandy )
- Côtes de Gascogne, mainly classed as Vin de Pays white country wine
- Floc de Gascogne, an aperitif
Irouleguy
In the far south-west France is growing at the foot of the Pyrenees, the red Irouleguy, the wine of the French Basque country.
Jurançon
The Jurançon is a classy, durable white wine, which can be vinified dry or sweet.
Madiran or Pacherenc du Vic - Bilh
In Madiran dominates the Tannat vine that produces powerful, tannin red wines with a long shelf life. In the year 2002 1410 ha were planted with the red varieties. The Tannat is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc.
The white wines of the same area hot Pacherenc du Vic - Bilh and are pressed from the grape varieties Arrufiac, Petit and Gros Manseng, Courbu, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The wines are very rich in various flavors such as almond, hazelnut and tropical fruits and are usually eaten in the dry form as aperitif wine. In addition, sweet wines are grown.
Tursan
In the area Tursan (27 villages, 280 hectares of vineyards ) drinkable red wines are produced, which have good quality and good value for money. However, specialty Tursan is a white wine grape variety from the local Baroque. Tursan has the status of a VDQS.