Wines from the Southwest

The wine-growing region of southwestern France is a mosaic of small, ancient vineyards. As early as the 1st century, Prince Probus lent his name to a vineyard in Cahors. Winegrowers in southwestern France benefited from the English presence in Aquitaine, but remained in the shadow of Bordeaux for a long time, suffering in particular from a lack of transport links. It was not until the 1970s that a new impetus was given to production in the Southwest and its reputation.

The vineyards of southwestern France cover a total of 70,000 hectares of vines, spread over four main regions: Guyenne, Gascony, the Haut-Pays, which includes the Garonne, Lot, and Tarn regions, and finally the Pyrenees. The diversity of the terroirs is reflected in the variety of renowned appellations, such as Madiran, Pécharmant, Cahors, Pacherec du Vic Bilh, Monbazillac, Comte Tolosan Bergerac, Buzet, Fronton, Côtes de Gascogne, and Gaillac. The climate of the Southwest is oceanic, with Mediterranean influences for the terroirs located furthest to the east. Some vineyards in the Southwest are also subject to the effects of mountainous terrain.

What characterizes the wines of the Southwest is the use of old indigenous grape varieties or varieties that are rare elsewhere, such as Abouriou, Cot, Ondenc, Duras, Fer Servadou, Négrette, l'En de l'El, Tannat, Manseng, Courbu, Lauzet, Camaralet, etc. Professionals are trying to organize themselves in order to preserve traditional grape varieties and regulate the arrival of new plants. Some appellations in the Southwest produce wines in all three colors, and even sparkling wines such as Gaillac, while others are dedicated to white or red wines only, and to complicate matters, they sometimes overlap in the field.  Wine lovers, however, can rejoice in this vast range, which is open in its diversity, supported by its originality, and assertive in its character.

Discover the estates of the Southwest region: Uby, Tariquet, Montus, Combel la Serre, Tour des Gendres, Ancienne Cure, Aydie.

For more information, visit the official website of the wines of the Southwest region.