Special feature on wine producing regions: Southwest France
About Southwest France Wines
Compared to more famous regions such as Bordeaux and Burgundy, wines from Southwest France are less well known.
The wine-producing region of Aquitaine, located in southwestern France, is distinguished as "Southwest France" except for "Bordeaux", which has historically been heavily influenced by the UK. As it is originally part of the same region as Bordeaux, it is not only comparable in geography and climate, but also an attractive wine-producing region with many indigenous varieties remaining.
Wines from Southwest France have often been overshadowed by the famous nearby wine region of Bordeaux, but in recent years they have begun to attract attention thanks to the unique variety of wines they produce, including sparkling, rosé, sweet and dark wines.
- Southwest French wine highlights
- Mavie Southwest France Wine Producers
- Southwest France and its gourmet delights
- Recommended South-West France
Southwest French wine highlights
Southwest France has a warm, marine climate.
2. A producer of high-quality brandyIn the southwest of France lies Gascony, the birthplace of the luxury brandy Armagnac.
3. Southwest wines with distinctive personalitiesThe southwest also offers wines with distinctive character, such as the black wines of Cahors and the sweet Jurançon wines from the foothills of the Pyrenees.
1. Climate of Southwest France
The southwest region has a warm marine climate and receives relatively high amounts of rain.
The temperature never rose too high in summer, which was not suitable for growing wine grapes, which prefer sun and dryness. Therefore, the technology of distilling wine to make brandy developed.
2. A producer of high-quality brandy
Armagnac is a distilled spirit made in Armagnac, located in the central region of Gascony in southwestern France. It is a famous luxury brandy along with Cognac.
The region is divided into three main producing areas based on the geology of the soil: "Bas Armagnac" in the west, which has highly acidic clay-sandy soil; "Armagnac-Ténarèze" in the central area, which has clay-limestone soil; and "Haut Armagnac" in the east and south, which has limestone soil.
3. Southwest wines with distinctive personalities
In southwestern France, a variety of wines are produced in addition to the high-quality brandy Armagnac from the Gascon region.
Cahors produces a type of red wine known as " black wine ." As the name suggests, it is so rich in polyphenols that you cannot see through the glass, and is characterized by its deep color and satisfying flavor.
In the rolling hills at the foot of the Pyrenees, a sweet wine called " Jurançon " is produced. By using grapes that are harvested late (vendange tardive) to remove moisture and increase sugar content, a sweet to very sweet wine is produced.
Other famous wines include Madiran red wine and Monbazillac noble rot wine.
Mavie, Southwest France producer
Barrow family/Southwest France, France
Barrow family
Gascony is the birthplace of D'Artagnan, the protagonist of "The Three Musketeers." The Barrault family, located near the town of Auze, famous as the "capital of Armagnac," produces not only wine but also Armagnac.
Gascony has a relatively humid maritime climate compared to other grape-growing regions, making it difficult to control grape diseases caused by humidity. Even in this harsh environment where there are almost no organic farmers, Mr. Barraud and his team are proud to take on the challenge of making organic wine.
Be sure to try the Gascon Quatre Cépages, a clean, dry white wine made from four different types of grapes, or the Armagnac that was started by the previous owner, Damien.
>>Go to the Barrow family wine list
Enjoy Southwest French wines and gourmet food
Southwest France is known as a region with great food.
The Périgord region is famous for producing foie gras and truffles. The southwest region is also home to many other famous ingredients, including Roquefort, which is famous in Japan as one of the world's three great blue cheeses.
There is also a wide variety of desserts. The Pyrenees are famous for their cone-shaped baked confectionery called Gâteau à la Broche, which is a unique cake that is indispensable at weddings. There is also Pastis Gascon, which is a type of apple pie made of apples wrapped in a thin crust.
Recommended Southwest French Wines
If you want a refreshing dry white
・Product number: 60001
・Producer: Barrow family
(France, Southwest France)
・Food that goes well with it: Vegetable appetizers (marinated dishes, salads, etc.), tofu appetizers, etc.
As the name "Quatre Cépages (Four Varieties)" suggests, this wine is a blend of four types of grapes: Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Gros Manseng, and Sauvignon, resulting in a taste that allows you to enjoy the aroma of fruit and herbs as well as a fresh acidity. This organic wine is best enjoyed chilled.
A modern, dry Armagnac
・Product number: 60004
・Producer: Barrow family
(France, Southwest France)
・Food pairing: Recommended as an after-dinner drink, or in cocktails such as French highballs
This organic Armagnac has a gentle and refreshing floral scent. It has a dry and simple taste, so it is recommended to drink it straight as an after-dinner drink, or mix it with soda and add lemon as a French highball.
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