Geography and landscape
Southwest France encompasses a wine-growing basin in 12 départements of the regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie, as well as in the department of Cantal. The vineyards lie between the Massif Central in the north-east, the Pyrenees in the south and the Basque Country in the west. Regional distinctions are made between the Haut-Pays in the Garonne catchment area and a zone at the foot of the Pyrenees.
Climate and soils
The Pyrenees vineyards are under Atlantic influence and are shaped by the proximity of the Pyrenees. In the central southwest, the Atlantic and the sometimes warm, dry autan have an effect. The northern areas around Lot and Aveyron have a more continental climate, with dry spells in summer. Vineyards are often located on terraces and slopes, improving drainage and exposure while reducing mist and haze. Documented soils include calcareous clay soils, Boulbènes, soils with rounded stones, clays, Fauve sands and calcareous soils derived from sandstone.
Grape varieties and wine styles
In the southwest, around 300 grape varieties are listed, including about 120 regional varieties. Important red grapes include Négrette, Duras, Tannat, Cot, Prunelard, Fer Servadou, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. For white varieties, Colombard, Mauzac, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Loin de l’œil, Folle Blanche, Ondenc and Sauvignon Blanc are of particular importance. The wine-growing basin produces red wines from around Malbec, Tannat, Duras, Fer Servadou, Prunelard and Négrette, as well as dry and sweet white wines, including those from Colombard and the Manseng varieties.
History and wine law
Pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela served as a historical route for the spread of Pyrenean grape varieties in the southwest. Since the 1970s and 1980s, the sector shifted from significant production of table wine and distillation material to AOC/AOP and Vin-de-Pays/IGP wines; this was accompanied by a restructuring of vineyard areas. Southwest France is a regional wine-growing basin with several protected designations of origin and includes AOC/AOP wines, IGP wines as well as wines without a geographical indication. Terrace vineyards are a documented form of cultivation. For the Irouléguy AOP, at least 4,000 vines per hectare are exemplary, along with specific spacing for terrace plots, various Guyot and cordon training systems and a vertical canopy wall. Continuous pressing is prohibited there; white and rosé wines must mature for at least until 1 January of the year following the harvest.
