The South-West is a large territorial area of France, comprising the administrative regions of Aquitaine, Limousin and Midi-Pyrénées. However, as far as the French wine area is concerned, the South-West region is a little less clear-cut, as it excludes Bordeaux - a wine region so productive that it is de facto an area in its own right. The wines of the South West have a Long and eventful history. The local rivers play a key role, as they were the main trade routes to bring wines from traditional regions such as Cahors, Bergerac, Buzet and Gaillac to their markets.
The last Trading post before the wines left for the lucrative markets of Britain was the wine town and port of Bordeaux. Britain has been a historic trading partner for the region, which was nominally British for a period following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II of Britain. However, Bordeaux businessmen saw the wines in transit as competition for their own local products and took strong measures to ensure their financial security. The result is the French wine map we know today, with Bordeaux being promoted and the other wine regions of the South West struggling to gain recognition for the diversity and Character of their wines.
This history also explains why the Bordeaux Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc are now three of the best-known grape varieties in the world, while traditional South West grapes such as Fer Servadou, Len de l'El and Tannat are relatively unknown.
Fer or Fer Servadou, which means "easy to keep" in Occitan, or Mansois in Aveyron or Braucol in Gaillac, is a black grape variety grown in the southwest. It owes its name to its shoots and wood, which are "hard as iron", with medium-sized bunches and firm, juicy berries, and is characterized by its herbaceous taste (which is also found in Cabernet Franc). Iron is a grape variety resistant to frost and disease. Its buds come out late, but its growth accelerates and it matures quite quickly. For a good production, it prefers long pruning. Iron is used alone for the AOC Marcillac wines and in blends for the wines of the Gaillac, Madiran, Béarn and Fronton appellations. These wines have a deep colour, expressive tannins, they are round and fruity (blackcurrant, raspberry and green pepper...)
red wines from the region of Pyrenées go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or poultry such as recipes of barbecued prime rib with coarse salt, saddle of lamb stuffed with chicken breast and basil or baked chicken.
On the nose in the region of Pyrenées often reveals types of flavors of oaky, mint or marzipan and sometimes also flavors of pomegranate, savory or graphite. In the mouth in the region of Pyrenées is a powerful with a nice balance between acidity and tannins.
Sequence from the video « At the heart of the Mâcon terroir » which offer a stroll at the heart of the Mâcon terroir. It offers a focus on Mâcon-Vinzelles, one of the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation. Travel through the terroirs of the Mâcon appellation by watching the full video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF20y1aBZh8 Both are available in French and English. Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneW ...
Sequence from the video « At the heart of the Mâcon terroir » which offer a stroll at the heart of the Mâcon terroir. It offers a focus on Mâcon-Mancey, one of the 27 geographical denominations of the Mâcon appellation. Travel through the terroirs of the Mâcon appellation by watching the full video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF20y1aBZh8 Both are available in French and English. Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines Twitter: https://twitter.com/BourgogneWine ...
Kévin Tessieux, President of the appellation’s winegrower union, shares his perspective on the Saint-Véran appellation and tell us about the origin of its name. This video is taken from the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” program broadcasted in June 2021. Retrouvez-nous sur les réseaux sociaux : Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/VinsdeBourgogneofficiel Twitter : https://twitter.com/VinsdeBourgogne Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/vinsdebourgogne/ LinkedIn: https://www.li ...
