Definition: Madiran AOC

It is one of the wines with the strongest personality in the South-West. Pyrenees region. Production area located south-east of Mont-de-Marsan, facing south towards the Pyrenees, within the municipalities of the Gers, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées departments. These communes also produce the Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh appellation. Classified as an AOC in 1948. Area under production: nearly 1,400 hectares. Black grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Servadou and Tannat (at least 40% and at most 60%). Vinified as: red exclusively. Many estates are experimenting with new oak and Cabernet Franc is gaining ground. It can be kept for 4 to 10 years, or even longer, depending on the vintage. Pyrenean winegrowers like to say that Madiran is a wine "that knows how to wear a beret", alluding to its virile vigour. Ideal serving temperature: between 16 and 17°C. Remember to aerate it beforehand by decanting it. Enjoy with: veal Nivernaise, cassoulet, duck breast, goose confit with white bean mousse, Catalan-style partridge, flambéed woodcock, Basque-style shoulder of lamb, wood pigeon salmis, grilled beef or chicken stew.