Description

Spread over twelve departments in the southwest quarter of France, the Sud-Ouest appellation has more than 6,000 farms for 57,500 hectares planted with vines. Of course, production differs greatly between the oceanic climates of the Atlantic Rim departments, while some other regions enjoy a Mediterranean influence. The soils also show a great diversity: red sands, pebbles, clay-limestone rocks, gravel, marl … The production of white wine represents only 20% of the local production. The winegrowers mainly use indigenous grape varieties such as Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Mauzac and Arrufiac, but there is also a good proportion of Sauvignon Blanc. Wines from the more southerly areas have denser, more ripe and perhaps less light aromas than those from more northerly farms. Apart from more specific appellations, the wines produced in the southwest are rather light and fruity, and are consumed with pleasure when they are rather young, quickly after the vintage.