Dry, sweet or luscious, these are wines of character that require us to devote a special moment to them, a moment that is entirely reserved for them.
Wines with character for special moments
With 242 million bottles of white wine per year, the production of the South-West France conceals unsuspected aromatic treasures. The production of white wines represents 64% of the IGP of the South-West and 26% of the AOC of the South-West.
However far apart they may be in this vast territory, these different appellations of the South-West each have one thing in common, which is their personality. Climates, soils, grape varieties, the wines produced here have very strong and diverse styles and characters.
There is no such thing as a typical white wine from the South-West. Indeed, the extent of this region presents a multitude of appellations ranging from dry white wines (Jurançon, Côtes de Bergerac, Irouleguy) to sweeter wines (sweet Jurançon, Bergerac, Gaillac, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh) and luscious wines such as Monbazillac and Saussignac.
The South-West is also known for its specialities such as foie gras, duck confit, lamprey, Bayonne ham... In this wine region of France where gastronomic richness flourish, all tastes are united! So travel quickly to the heart of this region for a wonder of the taste buds at a small price and taste these wines of pure pleasure!
Dry, sweet or luscious, these are wines of character that require a special moment reserved for them... Something to savour for a festive season!
There is only one rule for these white wines from the South-West: serve well chilled, between 8° and 12°C.
A complex mosaic of terroirs
The vineyards of the South-West are not the most uniform in France! The wine map is a complex mosaic. It is a variety of landscapes, terroirs and soils that make up this vast territory stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Massif Central, bordered by the Pyrenees and criss-crossed by the Garonne and its tributaries. In white wine production, we can distinguish :
- The Bergeracois: Located in the south of the Dordogne department, this territory includes only AOC wines: Bergerac, Bergerac sec, Côtes de Bergerac, Monbazillac, Montravel, Rosette, Saussignac. In this valley of the Dordogne, the region is divided into two distinct soil types: sand and gravel to the north and clay and limestone to the south.
- The Haut Pays: A landscape marked by a succession of secret gorges and welcoming valleys, with vineyards stretching along the Garonne (Marmandais, Buzet, Brulhois, Frontannais), the Tarn (Gaillac) and the Lot (Cahors). They include the main AOC: Cahors, Gaillac, Buzet, Côtes de Marmandais, Côtes de Duras. On trouve des sols à la fois argilo-calcaires sur les pentes et coteaux, des graves dans la région du Buzet, des alluvions dans les vallées, des calcaires à Cahors. Soumis à des climats plus contrastés, carrefour d'influences atlantiques et continentales, ces vignobles offrent une culture des cépages variés.
- The Pyrénées: In this region, white wines are produced in AOC Irouleguy, Jurançon, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, and to a lesser extent Béarn (light, straightforward wines to be drunk young). Clay, sandstone, marl or sandy soils are found in the Béarn, heavy soils in the Jurançonnais and clay-siliceous soils towards Madiran. In this part of the Aquitaine basin, which is open to Atlantic influences, the climate is oceanic, humid and mild. The autumns are bright and warm, favouring over-ripening of the grapes and late harvests.
Main white grape varieties of South-West France: Arrufiac, Baroque, Chenin, Colombard, Courbu Blanc, Petit Courbu, Loin de l'œil, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Mauzac, Muscadelle, Ondenc, Sauvginon, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc.
Dry white wines of South-West France
Most white wines from the South-West are lively, light, fresh and elegant. With a delicate bouquet ranging from white flowers to citrus and even exotic fruits. They are perfect to open as an aperitif or to accompany a cheese platter.
The dry Jurançon sec is a racy, lively and light wine with a light green colour and golden highlights. It is a fresh wine with floral aromas, to be drunk young as an aperitif or with fish and shellfish.
A wine from the Basque country, Irouleguy is a vigorous white wine produced on sloping hillsides. They assert themselves with dishes spiced with Espelette pepper.
Situated to the west of the Bergerac vineyards and bordering on Bordeaux, the Montravel region has long been renowned for its dry white wines. They express a very characteristic minerality.
The dry Gaillac sec wines express all their vivacity with their typical notes of green apples.
Buzet produces a dry white wine made from Muscadelle, Sauvignon and Sémillon. A perfect wine with savoury tarts.
Pacherenc du Vic Bilh sec, Bergerac sec, Côtes de Bergerac, IGP Comté Tolosan in Cahors... White wines are becoming increasingly important in the South-West. Remarkable also for their production, the local white wines, like the Côtes de Gascogne, give free rein to innovation and we are grad about that!
Sweet white wines of South-West France
The vinification of sweet wines is made from late harvested or botrytised grapes. Small yielding Petit Manseng, with its notes of honey and exotic fruits, is a high quality grape variety for sweet wines. It is often blended with Gros Manseng, which also knows how to impose its aromatic brilliance. Thanks to their high sugar concentration, these wines age well. From starters to desserts, they are the best allies for festive meals!
The sweet Jurançon moelleux is no doubt one of the best known. Thanks to the hot and dry wind which causes the passerillage (grapes to shrivel on the vine and resulting in the concentration of sugar), it has a good ageing potential. The sweet Jurançon can be aged for several decades. When late harvested, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Courbu give a great golden amber wine, deliciously aromatic. Very long on the palate, it is appreciated for its aromas of honey, candied fruit, white flowers and spices. A bottle that works wonders with foie gras or an excellent Roquefort. More mature, it develops notes of grilled almonds and truffles. Astonishing! Without hesitation, this is a wine to put in the cellar and open for the festivities!
Lively and fruity, Bergerac moelleux sweet wines are finely flavoured aperitif wines. Simple and straightforward wines that are very affordable and are a sure bet to accompany fruity desserts.
The vineyards of Bergerac, give us with the Rosette AOC a great sweet white wine. A blend of at least one of the three grape varieties that are Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle. This elegant wine is best drunk young and shows great affinity for the rich and distinguished cuisine of the Périgord and elsewhere. It pairs well with porcini mushrooms and truffles.
Pacherenc du Vic Bilh sweet wines reach an interesting mellowness. They ensure freshness and pleasure without a dominant sweetness. Delicately perfumed, they lack neither body nor power. A typical wine that goes well with fruity desserts (desserts with little sugar such as fruit salads and lemon tarts).
Sweet white wines from south-west france
Do you love the sweet white wines of the South-West? Premières Grives from Tariquet, Gros et Petit Manseng from Uby, Le Bal des Papillons from domaine de L'Horgelus and Larmes Célestes from Bouscasse are some of your favourites? Here is the selection you need!
Luscious sweet white wines of South-West France
Lusciously sweet white wines are distinguished from sweet white wines by their higher sugar content (minimum sugar content of 45 g/l and no upper limit). Based on Sémillon and Muscadelle, these wines share an opulent and deep profile. Great sweet white wines with honey aromas and a full body.
Among them the Saussignac from a blend of Muscadelle, Sémillon, Sauvignon, Ondenc and Chenin. A tender and elegant wine with sugar and acidity in perfect balance.
Monbazillac is a classic lusciously sweet wine that acquires finesse over time. Late harvested, the grapes benefit from the effects of a micro-climate favourable to the appearance of noble rot due to the Botritys Cinerea fungus. This gives the wine a roasted aroma comparable to Sauternes in the Bordeaux region, such as Château Yquem. Straw-coloured with golden hues, deep and unctuous, low in acidity, powerful and long on the palate, these wines sublimate the palate with a broad aromatic palette of honey, hazelnut, acacia flower, peach and mirabelle plum.
They can age for a very long time. Remarkable bottles! They go wonderfully with foie gras, chicken with creamy mushroom sauce, blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton) or even desserts with cooked fruits. Remember to reserve some bottles for Christmas or New Year's Eve!
IGP white wines with protected geographical indication
In addition to the AOCs, the wines from the South-West also include the increasingly recognised vins de pays (IGP), such as the white wines of the Côtes de Gascogne. These are without doubt the most exported French white wines in the world!
A dry white Côtes de Gascogne is a young wine that surprises with its harmonious balance between acidity and roundness. With remarkable aromatic power, they are surprisingly complex and naturally fresh: hints of citrus fruits, stone fruits (peach, apricot) and exotic fruits (passion fruit, pineapple). The full expression of the traditional grape varieties (Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Manseng). They seem light, but have a strong personality through their powerful aromas! Ideal for aperitif!
The sweet Côtes de Gascogne white wines are made with the magical blend of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng harvested late for their high sugar concentration. With notes of quince, honey, stone fruits (peach) and exotic fruits (pineapple), they offer a great balance between acidity and sweetness. Fleshy on the palate, they are ideal for the cheese board.
Have a great tasting!
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