In Bordeaux's shadow, South West is making an unheralded high quality wine production like Cahors, Monbazillac or Madiran wines.
South of Bordeaux, the vast South West area covers the regions of Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées and Limousin. This wine region consists of two distinct zones.
The adjacent regions of Bordeaux have their vineyards spreading along the Dordogne River. The vines benefit from a tempered climate similar to their famous neighbour without the oceanic influence. Bergerac produces good white and red wines using Bordeaux grape varieties.
Major appellations in South West
AOC Monbazillac is well-known thanks to its excellent sweet wines made from botrytised grapes. Montravel is the appellation producing the best white wines of Dordogne. Pecharmant's red wine has recently earned its AOC statuts.
The typical South West wines are from the more southern and eastern regions. AOC Cahors is situated on the Upper Lot Valley, east of Bordeaux. In the past, the appellation was known for its «black wine», a very tannic vin de garde. The most common variety is Malbec which has to dominate the blend production. Southeast of Bordeaux, Côtes de Gascogne IGP produces light white wines using the same varieties as Armagnac.
AOC Madiran is further south near the Pyrenees and makes excellent red wines dominated by Tannat.
In AOC Jurançon, the wineries make dry and sweet white wines using the grape variety Petit Manseng.
Main grape varieties in South West France
Also called Auxerrois and Cot, Malbec is blended with Merlot and Tannat to make the famous Cahors wines. They are easily identifiable by their dark robe, strong tannins and intense flavors of black fruits. They are always matured in oak and have a great ageing potential. Cahors red wines reveal with age cedar and earthy notes.
Tannat, a tannic and colourful grape, is the key variety in Madiran wines. They have concentrated aromas of dark fruits and rounded ripped tannins.
Petit Manseng is a acid grape used to make Jurançon's white wines. The fruit is not botrytised (touched by noble rot) but is dried in the vineyard. Jurançon wines are fruity with an intense flavor of apricot and grapefruit, and rare notes of young oak.
Some recommended producers in South West
Château du Cèdre, Clos Triguedina and Montus are some of the most important wineries in South West France.
