Wine_of_South_West

Wines of South West France

South West France, one of the oldest wine regions or Terroirs, in France, produces such vibrant, distinctive wines that Virgil and Horatius immortalized their praise for wines of France’s South West after the Romans first cultivated the vineyards there. The reason that South West France is the most diverse wine Terroir in France stems from the distinctive grape varieties that grow only in this region: Tannat, Manseng, Fer Servadou, Mérille and dozen of other varieties. Interested in <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000561&type=3&subid=0" >Green Wine</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000561&type=3&subid=0" >? The South West France region houses 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of vineyards with 6,000 winemakers who yield 3 percent of France’s total wine production:

South West Terroir: 270 million bottles, 88% red wine - 7% dry white wine - 3% rosé - 2% sweet white wine.
Most red wines from the South West of France are produced from <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000260&type=3&subid=0" >Cabernet Sauvignon</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000260&type=3&subid=0" >, Tannat, Merlot and Malbec. White grapes are primarily Sémillon, Sauvignon, Ugni Blanc and Manseng.

There are 7 appellations for wines produced in France’s South West region. France’s best known South West wines are Bergerac, Cahors, and Gaillac while Fronton, Madiran, Marcillac and Jurançon follow close behind.

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Gaillac and Buzet are among France’s oldest wines in the South West Terroir, with roots in Roman times. Gaillac is an exceptionally diverse wine because of the variety of grapes. Wine growers mainly use traditional grape varieties such as Ondenc, Len de l'el and Mauzac (whites), Fer, Duras and Braucol (reds). They also use typical grapes from Bordeaux towards the north and west, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Sauvignon, and Syrah and Muscadelle from the south for their higher-priced “Cuvées spéciales.” Still reasonably priced but delicious, try Mas d’Aurel 2002 or Mas d’Aurel ‘Cuvée Alexandra’ 2002. Marcillac produces powerful, spicy dark <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000238&type=3&subid=0" >red wines</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000238&type=3&subid=0" > from the Fer Sevradou variety.

Although traditional in the Gaillac region, the mauzac and len de l'el are unusual grapes even for the rest of France. These grapes provide the crispness that the Gaillac <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000239&type=3&subid=0" >white wines</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000239&type=3&subid=0" > are known for, the perfect wine for a summer evening! Try the sweet Mas d’Aurel Gaillac Doux or the dry Château Lastours Perlé or Château Lastours Blanc Sec.

Buzet vineyards, producing 90% <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000238&type=3&subid=0" >red wines</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000238&type=3&subid=0" >, were once demarcated in the Bordeaux Terroir, but the decree of 1909 (link) now demarcates the cru in the South West France region. Buzet wines, however, continue to produce from the yield of Bordeaux’s noble grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. My favorite is the Château Tournelles Cuvée Prestige 2002.

Bergerac is grown from the noble grapes <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000260&type=3&subid=0" >Cabernet Sauvignon</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000260&type=3&subid=0" > and <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000261&type=3&subid=0" >Merlot</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000261&type=3&subid=0" > as well as the local, traditional grapes Côt, Fer, and Mérille. The red Bergerac wines are typically blended with the noble grapes of <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000260&type=3&subid=0" >Cabernet Sauvignon</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000260&type=3&subid=0" > and <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000261&type=3&subid=0" >Merlot</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000261&type=3&subid=0" >. My favorites are Ch. T.des Gendres ‘Gloire de mon Père’ 2004 and Ch. Tour des Gendres Merlot 2004 Le Classique .Bergerac’s dry, nervous <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000239&type=3&subid=0" >white wines</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000239&type=3&subid=0" > like Ch. Petite Borie Sauv/sémillon/muscadelle are less popular but should not be overlooked after at least 2 years of aging.

The most popular variety of Madiran is Tannat, grown from the particular Tannat grape. Tannat has become so popular with its distinctive flavors that it is now considered the national grape of Uruguay Tannat (also called Tanat, Moustrou, Moustroun, Bordeleza Belcha, Harriague) has high levels of tannin which are typically blended and aged to soften their sharpness, yielding deep, dark-colored, fruity and full-bodied wines. Go for the Château d’Aydie 2001 and Odé d’Aydie 2001. You will often see Madiran described more poetically than other wines, with unique characteristics such as sensual, earthy, burly, bright, and massively opulent, although rough before it ages.

Trivia: I s the 2004 Laplace Madiran recommended?

King Henry IV was baptized with Jurançon: what more could you need to know about this golden wine? The exotic fruit and honey aroma makes the sweet wine a true nectar. The late harvested manseng grapes for the Jurançon wines yield one of the best classic French wines, and you don’t often find them mentioned on those starched shirt wine websites. Try Juran Sweet White Wine Cauhape - Quintessence Petit Manseng, Dom. Cauhapé ‘Symphonie de Novembre’ 2003, Château Castet 2003 or Domaine Cauhapé ‘Noblesse du Temps’ 2000. The color of the dry Jurançon (75% of all Jurançon) seems ethereal, best described as almost a clear green. The blanc de blanc (white from white) is fresh and aromatic, I always feel I should be sipping it in a hammock while dressed in flowing white garments…

Cahors, in my opinion, is the most interesting among the wines! comes from the famous malbec grape, although it is often blended with Merlot or Tannat. French laws require that Cahors wine be at least 70% malbec. They are so dark, that in less diplomatic times, it was called “the black wine of France.” Be careful not to purchase a Cahors that has not aged long enough; Cahors can age in the 'limousin' oak (link to page 2) barrels for even 10 years or more. I prefer the Cahors aged in Oak, recommending the Château Eugénie 2002 ( 90% Malbec ), Château du Cèdre 2004, Château de Chambert 2000, and Clos Triguedina 2000. If you prefer the Unoaked Cahors, try the Pigmentum 2004 (Vigouroux) ( Malbec), Château Hauterive 2002, Château Lafleur de Haute- Serre 2003, Le Petit Clos de Triguedina 2001, or Château Paillas 2002. Grand Crus is Cahors wine made of 100% Malbec grapes, more expensive than the others but an amazing experience! Try the Château du Cèdre ‘Le Cèdre ’ 2002, Château de Chambert ‘Orphée’ 2002, or Clos Triguedina ‘Prince Probus’ 2000 too. (That was a lot of recommendations—can you tell I like this one or what!)

The grapes for Monbazillac (or Montbazillac) sweet white wines await harvest until after the noble-rot sets in. The preferred Monbazillac vintages (2006, 2005, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990) are considered equal to Sauternes and Barsac, for example. Some age longer than 30 years, but with even 5 years, these rich, sweet wines intensify in color and character.

Read more on <a target='new' href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=1am5yH/M/1c&offerid=141136.10000302&type=3&subid=0" >other French wines</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=1am5yH/M/1c&bids=141136.10000302&type=3&subid=0" >, or wines from Cô tes du Rh ône!

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