Comte Tolosan is a PGI title that covers wines produced in a large area of Southwestern France. The PGI basin encompasses 12 administrative dePartments and is home to a wide range of appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOC) such as Jurançon, Cahors and Armagnac. The IGP label provides a geographical classification for wines that are not classified for AOC level appellations due to Grape variety or winemaking style. The region is part of the Aquitaine basin - the plains that lie between the Pyrenees, the Massif Central and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
SpainLies to the south, and the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon lie to the east. The Gironde estuary and the famous vineyards of Bordeaux are to the North. Most of the PGI vineyards are located in the centre of the basin, along the course of the Garonne River. The ancient alluvial terraces provide the vines with a well-drained rocky environment, allowing for a good concentration of Flavours in the grapes and a Deep, healthy root system.
When asked which is the most exciting appellation in the Rhône, there’s one that currently springs to mind before all others: Tavel. I have to be honest with you: I don’t buy much rosé. So, given that Tavel is, according to The Oxford Companion to Wine, ‘one of France’s few all-rosé appellations,’ my response might be unexpected. The Oxford Companion is technically correct, of course – the wines made here are paler than a typical red wine. But compared to other rosés, that’s where the comparison ...
Bordeaux 2021 en primeur releases really picked up speed this week, and the launch of Ausone, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Canon, Montrose, Léoville Poyferré, Beychevelle and La Gaffelière in recent days – to name just a few – has given prospective buyers plenty to look at. Let’s not forget the debut for Lafite Rothschild 2021, too. Ausone, Canon and Pichon Comtesse 2021 Ausone is St-Emilion wine royalty, of course, and UK merchant Bordeaux Index quoted a release price of £6,000 (12x7 ...
Canada’s western province of British Columbia (BC), has approved six new sub-appellations for its most famous wine-growing region of Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan Valley is BC’s largest appellation – called Geographical Indications (GIs) in Canada. And from a standing start in 2015, it now has 11 sub-GIs following the recent ratification. The six new sub-GIs are: Summerland Valleys, Summerland Lakefront, Summerland Bench, East Kelowna Slopes, South Kelowna Slopes and Lake Country. They are now l ...
