Gascogne

Gascony wine thrives in a wild and beautiful landscape. With its hills dotted with cypress and pine trees, Gascony is often called "French Tuscany". The medieval towns are surrounded by vineyards, some of which date back to Roman times.

Gascogne - Wine between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean

The Côtes de Gascogne is dominated by the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees. To the east, the vineyards nestle against the foothills of the mighty Pyrenees, while to the west they extend to the Atlantic coast. Accordingly, the climatic conditions for Gascony wine are very different. 

In the coastal areas, the temperature-balancing Atlantic Ocean is clearly noticeable. The climate here is milder, but it rains more frequently. In the wine-growing areas at the foot of the Pyrenees, a continental climate predominates, with large temperature differences between day and night. The relatively long growing season in Gascony results in wines with concentrated aromas. Gascony is blessed with an ideal terroir for fruity, elegant and balanced white wines. So it is not surprising that 90% of the white wines grown here are white. The region is also famous for the Armagnac. White wines from Gascony form the basis for this French spirit. 

What varieties of grapes are used to make wine in Gascony?

In the Côtes de Gascogne, a total of around 12,000 hectares are mainly used to produce white wines. The vineyards in this area have a long history, dating back to Roman times. Gascony wines are mainly made from the local grape varieties Courbu, Gros Manseng, Arrufiac or Colombard, but internationally known grape varieties such as Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon are now also grown. White grape varieties account for about 90% of production. Today, about 60% of the IGP Côtes de Gascogne wines are exported.

The Syndicat des Producteurs de Vins de Pays Côtes de Gascogne defines the grape varieties that can be grown in Gascony.

Grape varieties for white wine from Gascony

• Colombard
• Courbu
• Arrufiac
• Gros Manseng
• Ugny Blanc
• Jurançon
• Len de l'El
• Muscadelle
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Sémillon

Grape varieties for Red and rosé wine from Gascony

• Abouriou
• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Duras
• Fer Servadou
• Malbec
• Merlot
• Négrette
• Blue Portuguese
• Tannat

How is the climate for wine in Gascony?

The Côtes de Gascogne region is a climatic transition area. The maritime influences of the Atlantic Ocean are still partly noticeable. East of Gers, however, the climate is more continental. In the east of Gascony, summers are warm and dry, while the areas near the coast experience higher rainfall.

On which soils does wine grow in Gascony?

The warmer and drier areas of eastern Gascony in particular have clayey and calcareous soils with a high water storage capacity. The soils of the coastal vineyards, on the other hand, are mainly loose and sandy with good drainage capacity.

What is Armagnac?

Armagnac is a Gascony brandy made from white wine with a protected designation of origin. In the Gers, Landes and Lot-et-Garonne départements, some 15,000 hectares of vineyards are authorised for the production of Armagnac. Unlike cognac, armagnac is distilled in a single distillation. It is then aged in oak barrels for 3 to 20 years. The production has a long tradition in the region. Written mention of the brandy is found in documents dating back to 1461. 

Recommendations for wine from Gascony

Fleur de d'Artagnan is a range of wines from the Plaimont winery that lives up to its name. Because d'Artagnan is the name of the bold, fourth musketeer. Fleur de d'Artagnan wines inspire with their fresh and genuine aromas and a distinct grape variety character. 

2019 Horgelus Blanc Côtes de Gascogne IGP is an excellent white wine from the young winemaker Yoan Le Menn. This fresh and fragrant wine, made from the Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc vines, displays the aromas of tropical fruits, citrus fruits and flowers with a fine acid structure.

Buy Gascony wines online at VINELLO

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