Madiran

Located in the Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques departments, between two administrative regions (Aquitaine and Midi-Pyrénées), the Madiran appellation area overlaps with that of Pacherenc du Vic Bilh and also falls within the Béarn appellation area.  The Madiran AOC was obtained by decree on July 10, 1948, and applies only to red wines produced in this terroir. The Madiran vineyard covers approximately 1,400 hectares north of Pau.

Within the appellation, clay and limestone soils are preferred for the red grape varieties that produce Madiran red wine. Terroirs dominated by clay and silica favor white grape varieties, which produce the dry or sweet wines of Pacherenc. The characteristics of Madiran are fully expressed in the wines produced by Château Montus, Château Bouscassé, Domaine Berthoumieu, and Domaine Alain Brumont.

Produced in southwestern France, at the crossroads of the Gers, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and Hautes-Pyrénées departments, Madiran wines benefit from an ideal geographical location between the sea and the mountains. The vineyards of this appellation cover an area of 1,400 hectares, within a rich and varied terroir. Associated with Tannat, the emblematic grape variety of the AOC, Madiran is a very old wine, dark in color and vigorous on the palate, whose modern history is being written thanks to the commitment of bold and visionary winemakers.

Already produced in Gallo-Roman times, the vineyard developed in the 10th century thanks to religious congregations. On the road to Compostela, Madiran wines were already offered to pilgrims during their stops. In the 1890s, phylloxera damaged the vineyard, but it was reborn and continued to expand during the 20th century.

This historic wine is characterized by a rich and varied terroir: clay-limestone soils are stony and well-drained, ideal for wines with good aging potential; clay soils are light and well-drained, producing supple wines. A third type of soil, made up of rounded pebbles, provides an ideal terroir for Madiran wines.

An ancient grape variety that defines the region, Tannat is predominant in the vineyards of the Madiran AOC. Rich in anthocyanins and tannins, it gives Madiran red wine its power and structure. It can be blended with the two Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc), but the appellation requires that a Madiran wine contain at least 50% Tannat. 

The rest of the vineyard consists of Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, and to a much lesser extent Fer Servadou, one of the oldest grape varieties in the region, which has become rare today.

Over time, winegrowers working in the Madiran vineyards have adapted their winemaking methods to suit the specific characteristics of the wine. In order to better control the tannins, they are required to temper the wine by aging it for one year in the cellar before it can be sold. 

Producing wines from this appellation also requires mastery of barrel aging, sometimes over long periods. This results in softened tannins and Madiran wines with good aging potential (between 5 and 10 years).

Passionate about their land, certain owners have advanced the art of winegrowing by adapting to the constraints of their vineyards. In the early 1980s, Alain Brumont was a pioneer when he bought Château de Montus and brought prestige to a 100% Tannat Madiran wine. At the same time, he made the Château Bouscassé vineyard, a family estate, prosper by inventing new techniques that skillfully combine tradition and modernity. At Château d'Aydie, the Laplace family has adapted to the times while continuing to keep the spirit of Madiran wines alive.

Thanks to winegrowers' constant adaptation to the demands of their vineyards and their willingness to challenge traditional cultivation methods, many wines have achieved the same level of global renown as certain Bordeaux vintages. Following in the footsteps of Alain Brumont, other talented individuals are contributing to the success of this appellation, such as the Bortolussi sisters at Domaine Berthoumieu and Corinne Dousseau at the helm of Domaine Sergent.