Discovering the
SOUTHWEST
An exceptional wine-growing region
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Discovering the
An exceptional wine-growing region
Terraced, undulating or inlaid, the wine-growing landscapes of the South-West are remarkable witnesses to human activity, both in terms of the mark they leave on the land and the cultural traditions associated with them: as such, they fall into the category of cultural landscapes.
The vineyards of the South-West comprise 16 PDO and 11 PGI denominations, spread over 6 basins. There is also a regional PGI, Comté Tolosan.
300 grape varieties are listed in the South-West, including 120 indigenous varieties. These are the legacy of the particular geography of the vineyards, centuries of selection through the work of men, and migratory flows on the roads to Compostela.
The wealth of autochthonous grape varieties in the South-West represents an exceptional reservoir of viticultural biodiversity, guaranteeing good adaptation to climate change.
Over the centuries, the wonders of nature have been complemented by an exceptional cultural heritage, whether it be recognized as aUNESCO World Heritage Site: the Gavarnie cirque, the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela, the Larzac causse, the prehistoric caves of the Vézère valley, the Episcopal city, etc. of Albi.
Listed as a historical monument: the Vigne de Sarragachies in the Gers, with its Pôle d’Excellence Rurale “Vignes et Patrimoine en Gascogne” (“Vines and Heritage in Gascony “). Or linked to the history of towns, such as Cahors, the town of art and history that gave its name to the vineyard, or Conques, whose vineyards are part of the town’s history. the destiny of the Marcillac vineyard was linked to the monks of Conques and the notables of Rodez, counts of Rouergue.
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