Boundaries: Southwestern region
is bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate: Significantly varied
but largely a maritime climate with the Atlantic Ocean to the West
and the Mediterranean Sea to the Southeast with cool summers and
warm winters.
Soil: Cahors- gravelly clay, Cotes
de Duras and Tursan- sandy soils.
Appellations: Bergerac, Buzet,
Cahors, Cotes de Duras, Cotes du Marmandais, Gaillac, Jurancon,
Madiran, Marcillac, Monbazillac, Montravel, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh,
Pecharmant and Tursan (***other small appellations are also in the
Southwest region).
Production: 32,400 acres (13,000
ha) 220 million bottles.
The Southwest region of France grows similar grape
varities as Bordeaux as well as a variety of grapes that are used
no where else in the world. Bergerac is an appellation that grows
similar grapes as Bordeaux and its history reflects the fact. Bergerac
once had the repitation for wines long before Medoc and was left out
of the classification of the Bordeaux region.
On the other end of the spectrum is Gaillic, Cohors,
Irouleguy and other appellations that grow local varieties of grapes
that no other area on earth produces. These are largely unimpressionable
wines compared to their neighbors. The red wines are tannic and rugged,
designed for the local hearty beef stews.
The appellation of Bergerac excell in wines that
compare to Bordeaux with more attractive pricing. Other appellations
producing good-quality wines are the white wine appellation of Monbazillac
and more expensive wines from Saussignac and Pecharmant.
