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.
Mainly cultivated in the south-western part of France, white Jurançon is part of the Cognac and Armagnac grape varieties. It is not related to Jurançon Noir, even though it is quite similar. This grape variety comes from a cross with the white gouais and is in the process of disappearing. Its young leaves are bubbled and downy. The more mature ones have 5 lobes and a petiolar sinus. Jurançon Blanc has small, compact clusters and medium-sized berries. It is hardy and vigorous. Jurançon blanc is associated with an average budburst. This variety is upright. To avoid exhaustion, it is recommended to prune it short. Jurançon often suffers from gray mold, mildew and powdery mildew. Its maturity is early in the third period. In other words, this grape variety matures 20 days after Chasselas. The white wines obtained with white Jurançon are low in alcohol, acid and neutral. If they are distilled, the result is an eau de vie that is not very strong and not very marked.
white wines from the region of Pyrenées go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, shellfish or spicy food such as recipes of steamed pork chops, lobster and scallops on a bed of leeks or japanese curry.
On the nose in the region of Pyrenées often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, pepper or lime zest and sometimes also flavors of butterscotch, nectarine or toasty. In the mouth in the region of Pyrenées is a with a nice freshness.
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