Comté Tolosan

The Comté Tolosan PGI is a regional PGI covering a dozen departments in south-western France. The Comté Tolosan PGI uses the same specifications as the Vin de Pays du Comté Tolosan appellation, initially recognized in 1982. The Comté Tolosan PGI can be supplemented by one of the following specific appellations: "Bigorre", "Coteaux et Terrasses de Montauban", "Pyrénées-Atlantiques", "Tarn-et-Garonne", "Haute-Garonne" or "Cantal".

The Comté Tolosan protected geographical indication is reserved for still red, rosé and white wines, quality red, rosé and white sparkling wines and wines made from overripe white grapes. Most of the vineyards are planted on the tertiary sedimentary soils of the Aquitaine basin and on the ancient alluvium of the quaternary terraces deposited by the hydrographic network. The climate of the Comté Tolosan PGI is temperate oceanic, characterized by mild, rainy winters and cool, relatively humid summers. This influence diminishes to the east, where it is influenced by the Mediterranean climate. The grape varieties used for Comté Tolosan wines are all those authorized for wine production. However, the main grape varieties used are Cabernet Sauvignon, Duras, Fer Servadou, Cot, Negrette, Syrah and Tannat for red wines. The white wines of the Comté Tolosan PGI use Chardonnay, Colombard, Muscadelle, Petit Manseng, Sémillon or L'Uni blanc.

Of course, as the Comté Tolosan PGI covers a vast region, the diversity of wines from this appellation is immense. However, the wines offered by Château Plaisance and Domaine Alain Brumont are particularly noteworthy.

Vin de pays comte tolosan represents around 3,600 hectares of vineyards. These vast hectares of fertile land for comte tolosan wine production are spread over several departments in the southwest region:

- Ariege, 

- Aveyron, 

- Gers, 

- Lot, 

- Lot-et-Garonne, 

- Haute-Garonne, 

- Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 

- Hautes-Pyrénées, 

- Tarn, 

- Tarn-et-Garonne, 

- Landes 

The production of wines represented under the igp comte tolosan is equivalent to a yield of 270,000 hectoliters per year. The comte tolosan igp was formalized in 2009. Prior to this date, Comte Tolosan wines were recognized under the appellation Vin de Pays du Comte Tolosan. This appellation was created in 1982. Since the ip comte tolosan denomination, it has been completed according to the viticultural origin of the comte tolosan wine. The following denominations represent all igp comte tolosan wines:

- Bigorre,

- Coteaux et Terrasses de Montauban,

- Pyrénées-Atlantiques,

- Tarn-et-Garonne,

- Haute-Garonne,

- Cantal

The vast vineyards of the appellation igp comte tolosan are characterized by their very specific soils, identified among other igps. The various hectares of land in the vineyards producing comte tolosan wines are composed of sedimentary soils. The vineyards, which stretch across several départements, are bordered by the well-known Pyrenean mountains and massifs, the Massif Central, the Atlantic Ocean and the upper Garonne basin. The Aquitaine and Pyrenean regions enjoy a temperate, oceanic climate. Winters are mild and rainy, favoring the development of vines, which then enjoy cool, wet summers.

Characteristics of igp comte tolosan wines

The grape varieties of the Comte Tolosan appellation are used to make a variety of wines, including red, rosé and white. The white wines (Chardonnay, Sémillon, Muscadelle) produced mainly in the Gers region have floral and fruity flavors. Red and rosé wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Duras, Negrette) have a fruitier nose. Rosés are particularly fruity, giving a very pleasant sensation of freshness on the palate.

Wine tasting

Comte Tolosan red wines are ideal with meat dishes such as cassoulet or truffade. Rosé wines go very well with charcuterie, such as rillettes. White wines are perfect with cheeses like Rocamadour, but can also be enjoyed with vegetables.