South West France Gets Back to Its Roots

Indigenous Grapes Drive Interest In Ancient Wine Region

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. wine market has tended to focus narrowly on relatively few grape varietals in recent decades. But, while there's much enjoyment to be had from the familiar likes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and other popular names, increasing consumer engagement with and curiosity about wine has led to demand for a wider choice of varietals in the market. The South West region of France, with its long winemaking history and expansive array of indigenous grape varietals—as well as wine styles, from dry reds and whites to sweet and sparkling wines—is at the forefront of addressing this demand.

The winemakers of South West France, championed by the South West France Wine Trade Council, or Interprofession des Vins du Sud Ouest (IVSO) and the French Chamber of Agriculture, have been instrumental in identifying, preserving and replanting the traditional grapes of the region—many of which were nearly wiped out by phylloxera—through the science of ampelography, the field of botany concerned with identification and classification of grapevines. Taking the lead from these regional bodies, research by winemakers like Robert Plageoles of Domaines Plageoles in Gaillac and André Dubosc of Producteurs Plaimont has helped rescue rare grapes such as Loin de L’Oeil, Mauzac, Ondenc, Prunelard, Arrufiac, and Pinenc from obscurity. Such work has underscored the wealth of little-known indigenous varietals the South West has to offer to the adventurous contemporary wine consumer as part of its unique viticultural heritage.

Here are just a few key facts about the 5 main indigenous grapes of the South West, where wine has been made since the days of the ancient Romans:

--The Tannat grape is one of the South West's hallmarks, prominent in the red wines of Madiran, Saint Mont and Irouléguy. Tannat's allure has only increased with the discovery in recent years of its uniquely high levels of antioxidant polyphenols and the heart-healthy compound procyanadin.

--The Négrette grape has quite a history, commonly believed to have been brought back from Cyprus to France by knights fighting in the Crusades. More recently, ampelographists (scientists who study the description and identification of wine varieties) are confirming that the variety is indigenous to the South West region. It is a cross of prunelard and a still unknown variety. Négrette is the premiere red wine grape of the Fronton region, where it's commonly blended with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah to produce both red (70%) and rosé (30%) wines.

--Colombard is a staple of the Gascony region’s white wines. Often blended with Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc or Gros Manseng, it’s well-suited to the sunny and warm climate of the region, where conditions produce ample sugar to balance its strong acidity, resulting in fresh, crisp wines with tropical aromas and flavors.

--The Petit and Gros Manseng varietals are well known for producing the lovely dry whites of the Jurançon and Pacherenc regions, and were a favorite of the French poet Colette, who referred to them as séduction du vert galant, or “the seductive green gallant.” But, the Manseng family is also an integral component in the sweet wines of Pacherenc de Vic Bilh, often likened to Sauternes, but of a less syrupy and more palate-cleansing character.

--Although much of the wine world associates Malbec with Argentina, it is actually an indigenous French variety, and the signature grape of the Cahors, Lot and Quercy regions of the South West, where it is known as Auxerrois, or Côt Noir, and produces robust, fruit-forward red wines.

The traditional South West grapes mentioned above only scratch the surface of what undiscovered gems the region offers to the increasingly discerning and ever-curious U.S. wine consumer. What's more, the excellent price-to-quality ratio that is a South West trademark enhances the region's allure and expands the opportunity for consumers to experiment with new varietals without breaking the bank.

About IVSO

The official wine-trade organization of the region, the Interprofession des Vins du Sud Ouest (IVSO) is charged with the protection and promotion of its 18 PDO and 20 PGI wines, both in France and in key export markets. Its duties include maintaining strict quality controls for the benefit of the consumer as well as the organization of both economic studies and collective communication activities to benefit the region’s more than 5,000 winemakers.