South West of France

The South-West of France has always been a very productive wine region, whose internal commercial activity was favored by its own river network. For trade with foreign countries, however, the closest center was the port of Bordeaux, access to which was hindered by the ability of Bordeaux businessmen to create a system and control the market, feeling threatened by competition: for this reason the grapes from South-West France, Fer Servadou, Len de l'El and Tannat, and the wines produced by them, took a back seat compared to the more famous varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc today. topographical variety of soils and climates. There are important variations in altitude, especially for vineyards such as Iroulegay and Bearn located on the steep slopes in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Close to the rivers Garonne, Dordogne, Lot and Tarn, clayey, sandy and gravelly soils of alluvial origin are frequently found. The climate of the areas closest to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea is of a maritime type while the inland areas benefit from hot and dry summers due to a more continental climate. The range of wines produced is very varied and includes the sweet wines of Jurançon and Monbazillac, the tannic and full-bodied reds of Cahors and Madiran, the sparkling wines of Gaillac, and many other dry whites and red wines that roughly recall the style of Bordeaux. Today, the port of Bordeaux being no longer vital for its trade routes, the South-West of France can make known the character and diversity of its wines all over the world.