Definition: Frontonnais AOC (coteaux-du-)

Appellation of the Haut Pays region in Languedoc, which became Fronton AOC in 2005. Production area located 25 km north of Toulouse, straddling the department of Tarn-et-Garonne for 11 municipalities and Haute-Garonne for 9 municipalities. The communes of Bouloc, Fronton, Villaudric, Villematier, Villemur-sur-Tarn and Villeneuve-Lès-Bouloc are entitled to use the Côtes du Frontonnais-Villaudric appellation. Classified as an AOC in 1975. Area under production: nearly 1,830 hectares. White grape varieties: Mauvais; black grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Côt, Fer, Gamay, Mérille, Négresse (minimum 50% and maximum 70%) and Syrah. A very small proportion is vinified as rosé, with the majority being red. It can be kept: rosé should be drunk young; red can be kept for up to 10 years. Ideal serving temperature: between 8 and 10°C for rosé; between 15 and 16°C for red. Pairings: rosé with fish, white meat or charcuterie, with or without raw vegetables; red with Castelnaudary cassoulet.