Côtes de Gascogne IGP

APPELLATION CÔTES DE GASCOGNE

Shall We Taste?
In the glass

Dry White wine

A fresh, fruity, light wine!
Appearance: Pale to very pale yellow.
Nose: Citrus and exotic fruit aromas.
Palate: A fruity bouquet dominates, punctuated by tangy notes. When blended with the Gros Manseng grape variety, a sensation of sweetness emerges, bringing a certain roundness in the mouth.

Sweet White Wine

A brilliant blend of Petit and Gros Manseng.
Appearance: Dark yellow straw colour.
Nose: Aromas of white fruits, exotic fruits and acacia flower.
Palate: A very rich palette with aromas of peach, pear, pineapple, mango, in addition to notes of citrus and honey. The technique used to harvest sweet white wines in the Côte de Gascogne is called passerillage. The Petit and Gros Manseng grapes are harvested late and left to dry outdoors on racks. Sometimes, the grapes dry directly on the vine but without resulting in noble rot; contrary to the methods employed in other appellations producing sweet white wines.

Red wine

A light and crisp wine dominated by fruit.
Apearance: Wines of a rich and dark colour.
Nose: Dominant aromas of red and black fruits with a floral touch.
Palate: Beautiful roundness on the palate, aromas of red and candied fruits, assertive tannins due to the grapes.

Rosé wine

Remarkable freshness due to the historical expertise of the Gascons!
Appearance: Palette of colours from salmon pink to candy pink.
Nose: Aromas of red berries such as raspberry, redcurrant and violet.
Palate: Notable freshness and lightness. The flavours are varied, dominated by red fruits. Offers a certain roundness.
The rosé wines of Gascony benefit from an ideal climate to develop a whole range of aromas dominated by freshness due, among other things, to an early harvest. In terms of food and wine pairings, they can easily replace white wines.

Food & Wine Pairings
Which dishes go well with these wines?

Dry White Wine

Accompanies tapas and appetizers, grilled fish or fish in sauce. Enhance with smoked trout from the Pyrenees!

Rosé Wine

Tapas and appetizers, fish. Sublime also with a smoked trout from the Pyrenees.

Red wine

Choice red meat, sweet-and-sour cuisine or fruit-based desserts such as cherry and almond clafoutis.

Sweet Wine

They go wonderfully with foie gras, blue cheeses and spicy dishes.

TERROIRS AND VINEYARDS: WHAT ARE THE WINES AND ALCOHOLS OF GASCONY?

The South-West wine region is renowned for being a major producer of red wines. However, the Côtes de Gascogne IGP mainly makes white wines, accounting for over 80% of production. Known for its production of Armagnac, this region has only been making still wine since 1974. This year was marked by the creation of the "Vin de Pays des Côtes Gascogne" appellation in the Gers department. In 2004, this appellation was extended to the entire Armagnac production area. In 2009, the Côtes de Gascogne vins de pays are certified IGP, thus having to comply with a precise set of specifications. The Côtes de Gascogne vineyards are located in the same territory as Armagnac, mainly in the Gers, Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. The IGP covers three major terroirs, corresponding to the historical areas delimiting the origin of Armagnac:

Bas-Armagnac constitutes the most extensive part of the appellation and represents two thirds of the total area. Straddling the western part of the Gers and the south-eastern part of the Landes, this terroir is distinguished by its light soils, known as "sables-fauves". Present in places, the soils can be more composite and are then called "boulbènes". Perfect for growing vines, these soils are ideal for producing balanced and expressive white wines with fruity aromas. Less favourable for the production of red wines, these soils do however give them aromatic freshness. This terroir is also famous for its eaux-de-vie with prune aromas. Bordered to the west by the Landes forest, Bas-Armagnac enjoys a mild and temperate climate.

Ténarèze stretches between the south of Lot-et-Garonne and the north of Gers. Constituting the geographical heart of the Côtes de Gascogne, this terroir surrounds the town of Condom. Covering a third of the vineyard, the Ténarèze is mainly made up of limestone soils. It is characterised by clay-limestone formations, called Gondrin and Herret, sometimes topped by deposits mixed with limestone debris on the heights. This subsoil gives shallow clay-limestone soils known locally as "peyrusquets" or thicker and deeper soils known as "terreforts". The slopes, on the other hand, are made up of molasses, giving clay soils mixed with pebbles. This terroir is particularly favourable to the production of sturdy, full-bodied and tannic red wines. It is also renowned for its characterful and fragrant brandies.

Haut-Armagnac, located to the east, constitutes the smallest production area of the appellation. Nicknamed the White Armagnac, this terroir is characterised by its hills made up of marly limestone, topped by particularly clayey boulbènes with pebbles. The slopes of the hillsides, on the other hand, are mainly composed of molasses. Haut-Armagnac is also renowned for its red wines of character, quite similar to those made in Ténarèze. As for the white wines from this terroir, they are renowned for their balance and finesse.

These terroirs are subject to a temperate climate without extremes. This is due to the oceanic humidity, the Mediterranean sweetness provided by the east wind, and the continental influences. During the grape ripening period, the variations in temperature between day and night increase the aromatic potential of the berries. Since the arrival of the Côtes de Gascogne IGP, this vineyard, divided into three, produces still wines, mainly white wines (dry white wines and sweet white wines), but also red wines and rosé wines. This region also continues to produce the oldest known wine brandy in France, Armagnac.

THE MOST CULTIVATED GRAPE VARIETIES

Thanks to the diversity of the Armagnac soils, the Côtes de Gascogne IGP wines are particularly varied. These nectars also owe their diversity and richness to the multitude of grape varieties that can be used to make them. Indeed, more than 40 varieties of grapes are authorized under this appellation. However, some grape varieties, white or red, are much more cultivated than others.

COLOMBARD, UGNI BLANC, GROS MANSENG, SAUVIGNON AND FOLLE BLANCHE: THE WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES

The Côtes de Gascogne IGP is renowned for its dry white wines with a particularly aromatic expression. Nectars combining vivacity and lightness! This appellation also produces sweet white wines, both delicate and gourmet. Different grape varieties are grown for their production:

Colombard: a typically oceanic grape variety, Colombard flourishes fully in Gascony, its favourite land. Making up half of the white grape varieties in the Gascony vineyards, this variety is used as the basis for dry white wine blends. Giving lively and refreshing wines, it is characterised by its explosive aromatic bouquet combining citrus aromas (grapefruit, lemon) and notes of exotic fruits (pineapple, mango, passion fruit).
Ugni Blanc: this grape variety has long been used to make Armagnac. Blended with Colombard, it has since been grown for the production of dry white Côtes de Gascogne. This variety has very large bunches and golden yellow berries. It gives off floral notes, dominated by aromas of violets and acacia flowers, thus nuancing the aromatic power of the Colombard.
Gros Manseng: originating from the South West of France, Gros Manseng is used to make sweet and mellow white wines in Côtes de Gascogne. Combined with Ugni Blanc and Colombard, it brings structure and notes of quince and apricot to the blends. Offering a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, this variety gives the wines a remarkable freshness.
Sauvignon: in Côtes de Gascogne IGP, Sauvignon produces particularly aromatic white wines. It is combined with Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Gros Manseng to bring complexity and roundness to the wines.
Folle Blanche: of Charente origin, Folle Blanche was previously used mainly for the production of Armagnac brandy. Entering the blends of white Côtes de Gascogne, this grape variety brings a light acidity, a lot of minerality and aromas of white flowers.

TANNAT, MERLOT, CABERNET SAUVIGNON: THE RED GRAPE VARIETIES

Supple, intense and fruity, the red wines of the Côtes de Gascogne express the characteristics of the soils that bear them to perfection. As for the rosé wines of the region, they are full of charm and freshness. The following grape varieties are generally used for their production:

Tannat: this grape variety gives the red wines of Côtes de Gascogne a beautiful purple colour. Developing blackberry and blackcurrant aromas, Tannat gives these nectars a particular tannic structure.
Merlot: used mainly in blending, this variety brings spicy notes and black fruit aromas (blackberry and cherry) to the red and rosé wines of Côtes de Gascogne. Merlot also gives power and roundness to these nectars.
Cabernet Sauvignon: this variety brings aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and violet to the red and rosé wines of Côtes de Gascogne. Cabernet Sauvignon produces red cuvées that are not very tannic and supple.

UBY, TARIQUET, HORGELUS, PELLEHAUT: THE FLAGSHIP ESTATES OF CÔTES DE GASCOGNE

The wines of the Côtes de Gascogne owe their quality to the terroir and climate of the region. However, these nectars are also the fruit of the know-how and constant quest for quality of renowned wine estates. Some of them are renowned for producing excellent wines and are among the leading estates in Côtes de Gascogne:

Domaine Uby: cultivating vines on the hillsides of Gascony for over a century, this family estate is the source of some of the best-known Côtes de Gascogne IGP wines. Certified Viticulture Raisonnée Contrôlée (controlled responsible winegrowing), the vineyard is mostly planted with local white grape varieties. Run by the Morel family, Domaine Uby is renowned for its fruity, fresh and aromatic wines. Wines of pleasure and conviviality in the image of Gascony!
Domaine Tariquet: devoted to the production of Armagnac until 1982, this estate, managed by the family Grassa since 1912, also makes white wines and rosé wines. The winery's white wines combine elegance, freshness, finesse and fruitiness. With its over 1,000 hectares of vineyards in the Gers, Domaine Tariquet is among the largest winegrowing operations in France.

Domaine Horgelus: located on the sunny hillsides of Gascony, in Montréal-du-Gers, Domaine Horgelus belongs to the Menn family. The vineyard extends over approximately 90 hectares. At Domaine Horgelus, the aim is to produce fresh and fruity wines. To achieve this, the owners pay particular attention to preserving the wines' aromas by reducing the oxidation of the musts and wines as much as possible (grape harvest from 3am to 11am to take advantage of the morning freshness).
Domaine Pellehaut: belonging to a family of winegrowers from Armagnac, the estate's vineyard is set at an altitude of 180 metres, on the slopes of the Château de Pellehaut. Within this certified High Environmental Value level 3 operation, respect for natural balance and ancestral methods is the watchword. A constant quest for quality and innovation as well as scientific rigour are also at the heart of the working spirit within this estate. Cultivating no less than 15 white and red grape varieties, Domaine Pellehaut mainly produces blended wines.