Vin de Pays (VDP), the French national equivalent of PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) at the European level, is a quality category of French wines, positioned between Vin de Table (VDT) and Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). This layer of the French appellation system was initially introduced in September 1968 by the INAO, the official appellation authority. It underwent several early revisions in the 1970s, followed by substantial changes in September 2000 and again in 2009, when all existing VDT titles were automatically registered with the European Union as PGI. Producers retain the choice of using either the VDP or PGI titles on their labels, or both - in the form "IGP-Vin de Pays".
There are now more than 150 VDP/IGP titles, mainly covering the southern third of France. The "Vin de Pays" level is intended to benefit both consumers and wine producers. It allows consumers to know clearly where a wine comes from, while producers are empowered to produce wine outside the constraints of traditional AOC laws. The most obvious freedoms are the higher yields allowed and a more comprehensive list of permitted Grape varieties.
Lauzet is a Béarnese grape variety, part of the AOC of Béarn and Jurançon. This variety almost disappeared at the end of the 1980s. At that time, it only occupied a small cultivated area of 1 hectare in all. With the genetic diversity and the multiple plantings that have been carried out, it was able to reach, in 1994, 4 ha. The bunches and berries of Lauzet are all small. As a Pyrenean variety, it has a median lobe. The plant has a fairly early budburst, which takes place one week after Chasselas. As for its maturity, it is of the third period. This variety is fertile and somewhat vigorous, and is slightly susceptible to grey rot. Lauzet produces a wine of average quality. When it is vinified dry, it has adequate acidity. It gives off aromas of fruit and spices. It is often blended with other Pyrenean white grape varieties.
wines from the region of Vin de Pays go well with generally quite well with dishes of beef, lamb or game (deer, venison) such as recipes of bernard's potée, chaouia lamb or confit sausages.
