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.
Jurançon noir is a grape variety that comes from the Agenais region in southwestern France. It is a cross between malbec and folle blanche. Although it is quite similar to the white Jurançon, it is not the black form of the latter. Its bunches are compact and short, medium-sized and cylindrical-conical. Its berries are spherical-ellipsoid in shape. They are attached to short pedicels that are warty and strong. The skin is dark black and has a strong bloom. This variety has an average budding time and is hardy, vigorous and fertile. It gives a regular production, but it must be pruned short so that it does not quickly become exhausted. It fears grey rot, mildew, drought and grape worms. Jurançon Noir makes common, slightly alcoholic and lightly colored wines. Vinified as a rosé, it produces fruity and lively wines.
red wines from the region of Pyrenées go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or spicy food such as recipes of pork shoulder with mustard, rack of lamb with antiboise sauce or dab with coconut milk.
On the nose in the region of Pyrenées often reveals types of flavors of cherry, cinnamon or blackberry and sometimes also flavors of black cherries, raspberry or black fruits. In the mouth in the region of Pyrenées is a powerful with a lot of tannins present in the mouth.
In the face of rising temperatures and more frequent droughts, what can wine producers do to adapt their viticultural practices? Catalan producer Torres, which has emerged during the past decade as one of the global wine sector’s leading pioneers in tackling climate change, is experimenting with a range of creative ideas. Planting vines at higher altitudes is one option. The company is investing in cooler vineyards high in the mountains of the region. They have planted vines in Tremp at 950m in ...
Decanter is excited to announce the debut of the world-renowned Decanter Fine Wine Encounter event in New York City, home to one of the most exciting wine scenes, on Saturday 18th June 2022. Tickets are now on sale. Join us in New York to taste, savour and enjoy outstanding fine wines and meet 50 of the world’s most prestigious producers for the Grand Tasting, each personally invited by Decanter. From London to Shanghai and now New York, this unique event will allow you to taste a wide range of ...
A methuselah of Romanée-Conti 1976 from Burgundy’s vaunted Domaine de la Romanée-Conti was among the highlights in a two-day series of Sotheby’s wine and spirits auctions in Hong Kong last weekend. The six-litre bottle sold for HK$1.25m (US$159,350), against a pre-sale estimate range of HK$1m to HK$1.4m. In a separate spirits auction, a single bottle of Yamazaki 35 Year Old Japanese whisky fetched HK$1m (US$127,440). Rare white Burgundy was also in-demand during the weekend event. Top lot in a f ...
