south west

The South West stretches from the Atlantic influenced area in the west, south of the Bordeaux region, to the Mediterranean influence to the South that provides a mild maritime climate, giving warm winters and cool summers.

The main rivers are the Dordogne, the Tarn and the Garonne. The soils are also very mixed, from the clay and gravel around Cahors to the more sandy areas to the South. Given all this there is a diverse range of grapes grown and wines produced, with the appellations including Bergerac, Buzet, Cahors, Jurancon and Côtes de Frontonnais.

This area shares similar grape varieties to the Bordeaux region, with Cabernet Sauvignan, Merlot and Cabernet Franc being the predominant reds and Ugni Blanc, Manseng, Colombard and Sauvignon the main whites.

There were about 95 producers growing organic/biodynamic wines on only 390 hectares in 2005.

We will be announcing our partners in this area over the next couple of months - come back and check them out!