Definition: South-West France (wines of)

The grape varieties are also very diverse: Abouriou, Arrufiac, Baroque, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colombard, Mauzac, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, etc.

Comprising a wide variety of appellations and small owners, this region produces wines that offer excellent value for money. There are 24 main appellations in this little-known region, grouped together within the Interprofessional Committee. Forming a veritable mosaic of tastes and colours, they share a thousand-year history, a deep attachment to their terroir, and, more recently, a strong commercial dynamism in France and abroad.

Among these appellations, which vary greatly in terms of vineyard area, a good half are classified as AOC. Those with an asterisk next to the area are classified as VDQS. We list them in geographical order from north to south, diagonally towards the west, with the area in hectares in brackets:

Bergeracois (9,822) - Côtes de Duras (1,730) - Entraygues and Fel wines* (22) - Estaing wines* (16) - Marcillac (190) - Cahors (4,300) - Côtes du Marmandais (1,370) - Coteaux du Quercy* (400) - Côtes de Millau* (60) - Buzet (1,900) - Côtes du Brulhois* (250) - Lavilledieu wines* (150) - Saint Sardos* (170) - Côtes du Frontonnais-Fronton (2,200) - Gaillac (3,000) - Tursan* (440) - Côtes de Saint-Mont* (1,050) - Madiran (1,300) - Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh (250) - Béarn and Béarn-Bellocq (217) - Jurançon (950) - Irouléguy (210).

Added to this is Armagnac (16,000), a vast area producing brandy, as well as Floc de Gascogne, which covers the same area.

The South-West also produces rustic, very pleasant Vins de Pays, such as those from the Côtes du Tarn, Terroirs Landais and Côtes de Gascogne, to name but a few.

The best Cahors, Madiran and Pécharmant wines are deep, intense reds, rich and tannic. Meanwhile, the high-quality Bergerac and Côtes du Frontonnais wines are light and fruity. The dry white wines are lively, light and tangy, while the sweet wines, similar to Sauternes, are very rich and voluptuous. These wines reach maturity between three and ten years on average.