Steeped in a winemaking history spanning several millennia, the South-West region stands out for its red wines with highly diverse profiles but a unique character. With 16 AOCs (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) and 11 PGIs (Protected Geographical Indication), the vineyard indeed stretches across a vast territory full of unique features.
In this article, we will dive into the very heart of this richness and explore the red wines of the region. So, get ready for a journey full of discovery: grape varieties, appellations, terroirs, and gastronomy will all be covered here for your utmost enjoyment!
History of the South-West Vineyard
The South-West vineyard is one of the oldest in France. It was established as early as the Roman conquest and developed from the Middle Ages under the impetus of the monasteries. In fact, the first written records about it are owed to monks during the 9th century.
Three centuries later, in 1189, Pope Alexander III consecrated Santiago de Compostela as a holy city. Due to its location, the South-West region logically became an important crossing point for believers traveling between northern Europe and Spain. Many monasteries were thus created during this period, with monks also developing several vineyards.
Another significant event occurred for the South-West vineyard at the end of the 19th century. Phylloxera, a type of aphid that arrived in Europe from the United States, then ravaged the entire European vineyard. Local plantations were no exception and were almost completely wiped out during this painful episode. Fortunately, the tenacity and love for the land of subsequent generations allowed it to gradually be reborn.
Today, the South-West is a true paradise for wine lovers. Long overshadowed by its Bordeaux neighbor, the last few decades have also marked a strong emancipation of the region as well as a real assertion of its unique characteristics.
Red grape varieties and appellations of the South-West
Located on one side between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central, and on the other between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the South-West vineyard spans 12 departments and evolves on very diverse soils and under varied climates.
To find your way, it is therefore necessary to distinguish several sub-regions within this vast territory of 55,000 hectares of vines, producing 70% red wine, 20% white wine and 10% rosé.
The Bergerac Area
Extending the Bordeaux vineyard to the east, the Bergerac area is separated from it only by purely administrative boundaries that do not correspond to any geological reality. For a long time, this wine region lived in the shadow of Bordeaux. It is gradually emancipating itself thanks to the dynamism of the new generation, even though the grape varieties are very similar between the two vineyards.
The most common grapes are indeed Merlot (the majority), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc as well as Malbec. Other less renowned grape varieties are also planted, such as Mérille, Fer Servadou, or even Périgord.
The red wine appellations here are Bergerac, Côte de Bergerac, Pécharmant, Montravel and Côtes de Duras. If we add to this the AOCs dedicated to whites or sweet wines (Monbazillac, Rosette, Saussignac, etc.), the whole covers nearly 10 000 hectares.
The Garonne Valley
Very close to Bergerac further south, this part of the vineyard is located mainly in the department of Lot-et-Garonne and has a grape composition very similar to Bergerac.
The appellations here are Brulhois, Buzet, Côtes du Marmandais and cover just under 4 000 hectares.
The Haut Pays
Located a little further east inland, the Haut-Pays vineyard has a distinctly different identity from the previous two. Indeed, the red grape varieties here vary depending on the appellations.
In Cahors, Malbec is king and may be accompanied by Merlot and Tannat. In the AOC Fronton, Négrette is the star. In Gaillac, Duras, Fer Servadou (or Braucol), and Syrah are used.
In the Coteaux de Quercy, Cabernet Franc is the majority, complemented by Malbec, Merlot, Tannat, and sometimes even Gamay. Finally, the small AOC Saint-Sardos mainly uses Syrah, complemented by Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
The Pyrenean Foothills
At the far South-West of the vineyard, sometimes bordering the Spanish border and influenced by the mountains, this wine area includes renowned appellations for red wines such as Madiran and Irouléguy. Other AOCs such as Tursan or Saint-Mont are also worth a visit.
Here, the main grape variety is Tannat. This variety can also be blended with others such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, or Fer Servadou.
Styles of red wines from the South-West
Given the incredible diversity of appellations, grape varieties, and terroirs in the South-West vineyard, it is extremely complex to summarize in a few lines the styles of wines produced in the region.
Nevertheless, to facilitate general understanding, we will describe here the main styles of red wines from the appellations with the highest reputation in the region.
- Bergerac and Côtes de Bergerac : Made from Merlot and the two Cabernets, the red wines of Bergerac are often produced in a simple, fruity style, and offer very good value for money. Côtes-de-Bergerac wines, on the other hand, often offer more aromatic depth, intensity, and structure.
- Côtes de Duras, Brulhois, Buzet, Côtes du Marmandais : The wines from these appellations also offer very good value for money. The vast majority of production is carried out by cooperative wineries. Once again, pleasure is guaranteed with simple, yet balanced and enjoyable wines.
- Fronton : The originality of this appellation clearly lies in its main grape variety: Négrette. The red wines here are straightforward and develop notes of black and red fruits as well as fine spicy touches. Pleasure and simplicity, once again!
- Cahors : In the past, Cahors and its famous Malbec embodied powerful, intense, and robust wines. While this style still exists, the new generation is breaking the mold to offer more digestible and elegant wines with fine tannins. Here you will find wines for friends focused on fruit as well as great wines for aging!
- Gaillac : Brucol, Duras, Prunelart, and Syrah are the main grape varieties of this appellation. Most red cuvées develop notes of red and black fruits with a touch of spice. Simple and fruity.
- Madiran & Irouléguy : Paradise for Tannat, these appellations produce complex red wines with massive tannins. There is real ambition among the winemakers here, and although there are some affordable cuvées, the terroirs are of very high quality, allowing the production of great wines.
What to eat with red wines from the South-West ?
Once again, it is difficult to summarize in a few lines all the possible food pairings with red wines from the South-West. However, in order to simplify and get to the point, we offer you here a few suggestions.
Thus, for wines focused on fruit and pleasure such as those from Bergerac or Fronton, great pairings can be made with poultry in sauce or charcuterie boards. You can even imagine pairings with certain cheeses (Rocamadour, Pélardon, Ossau-Iraty, etc.) for the lightest wines!
Conversely, robust and tannic bottles such as those from Madiran, Irouléguy, or Côtes-de-Bergerac will pair better with local cuisine such as cassoulet and duck confit. Grilled meats such as lamb and beef or even game are also excellent ideas.
In any case, be careful not to serve the region's red wines too warm! A serving temperature between 16-18°C will indeed be ideal to preserve all their freshness.
Cassoulet, a dish to pair with powerful and tannic wines
As you may have realized through this reading, the red wines of the South-West form a fascinating mosaic of flavors, stories, and terroirs. From the power of Madiran to the elegance of Frontonnais, each appellation makes a unique contribution to the regional whole.
The indigenous grape varieties cultivated under varied climates indeed give rise to wines of great diversity, allowing in particular delicious gastronomic pairings.
So, let go of your preconceptions and set off to discover the fabulous red wines of the South-West! And if you would like to discover the region's white wines, feel free to read our other article Discovering the white wines of the South-West !
Finally, if you need advice, La Cave Éclairée will be happy to help you!
