Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Wine Regions of the Garonne

In the SW France, the River Garonne has a mixed history in more ways than one! The Garonne has been dismissed as a useful but charmless working river. That is a very harsh view! Here are some great vineyards to visit. Lets start with a great favourite: Cahors!

Cahors is once again a regional wine to be reckoned with, and one that, in the right hands, has the character and distinctiveness now often absent in the wines that dominate the international market. A glass of good Cahors is a bit like a time machine that can transport the consumer back down the centuries.

WORTH A VISIT

GAILLAC
Domaine des Très Cantous / Domaine Roucou-Cantemerle
Bernard Plageoles has taken over winemaking duties from his legendary father, Robert, but the wines from these two domaines just get better. The Vin d’Autan is one of France’s great sweet wines, and the unique Vin de Voile is reminiscent of fino sherry. Try the 100% prunelart too. 05.63.33.90.40. website

Domaine de La Ramaye
Six generations of winemakers have preceded oenologist Michel Issaly at his small vineyard near Gaillac. Try his Vin de l’Oubli and his prunelart and braucol blend Le Grand Tertre. Connoisseurs of sweet wines should not miss the Quintescence Grains par Grains.
05.63.57.06.64. website


FRONTON
Château La Colombière
Founded by Baron François de Driesen in 1983, the domaine is now run by his daughter Diane and her husband Philippe Cauvin. The négrette grape reaches its apotheosis in the wine they call Tradition. 05.61.82.44.05. website

CAHORS
Clos Triguedina
Wine has been made at Triguedina for several centuries, and Jean-Luc Baldès continues the tradition of strong, dark wines that proclaim the Cahors heritage. Probus is his flagship wine, using 100% old-vine malbec. A sweet white made from chenin blanc is called Vin de Lune, but moonshine it’s not. 05.65.21.30.81. website

Château de Lagrézette
In 1980, Alain-Dominique Perrin, then CEO of Cartier, and his wife Marie-Thérèse bought Lagrézette. They completely restored its historic castle, revamped the vineyards and the chai, and Lagrézette is now a showcase for Cahors. Their top wines: Cuvée Dame Honneur and the limited-production Le Pigeonnier. 05.65.20.07.42. website

Complete Article: Originally published in the May 2011 issue of France Today

Posted via email from FRANCE facts about

No comments:

Post a Comment