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Les vins de Cahors et du Quercy
The PDO Wine of Cahors
Imbued with excellence and richness, the wines of Cahors owe their fame in no way to chance. They are the fruit of ancestral know-how of the winegrowers of the region allied to an ideal geographical location. From the limestone causses to the terraces of alluvial deposits in the Lot valley, the vineyard benefits from a remarkable climate and late seasons. It is from this geographical diversity and its different grape varieties that each wine of Cahors draws its aromatic nuances, so quick to initiate the palate to travel.
The main grape of the appellation, the Malbec, represents 70% of the grape varieties. Added to this, the Merlot and Tannat give a tannic wine, ample in the mouth and with a deep ruby color. The more than 4 hectares of the appellation are cultivated with care by nearly 250 individual cellars and a cooperative cellar.
Cahors, Malbec: an exceptional vineyard
AOP Coteaux du Quercy
Straddling two departments: Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne, the AOP Coteaux du Quercy includes 38 municipalities between the South of Cahors and the North of Montauban. It is on these clay-limestone soils and under a climate with a double influence (oceanic and Mediterranean) that the wines of the AOP Coteaux du Quercy flourish.
The main grape varieties of the appellation are cabernet franc (40 to 60%), the Merlot, the auxerrois, tannat and Gamay. Their personality and finesse allow harmonious alliances with local gastronomy. The AOP Coteaux du Quercy extends over 200 hectares, i.e. 50 winegrowers divided into 1 cooperative cellar, 1 agricultural college and 19 private cellars. Les Vins des Coteaux du Quercy also has a brotherhood that promotes and defends its wines.
The wines of the Coteaux du Quercy AOP
Did you know?
If the term “harvest” refers to the action of harvesting the grapes, its plural version corresponds to the harvest period.
Harvest time
On the PDO Cahors, it is from mid-September until October that this harvest season extends. Unless there is a request for exemption, it is the harvest ban, decreed by the prefect, which gives the green light to the winegrowers to launch the machines through the vines.
Make way for viti-practice
For the technique, two schools exist: mechanical or manual harvesting.
Harvesting by hand involves several stations. First, the cutters pick the bunches. Then, the porters collect everything to take it to the tractor trailers. The drivers of the latter finally transport everything to the sorting tables where the de-stemming work will begin.
The harvesting machine is designed in such a shape that it passes over the rows of vines to harvest the fruits. The vines are shaken in its path and the bunches of grapes are collected from the belts of the machine, to end up in its vats. Once these have been filled, all that remains is to empty everything into the trailer, destined for the sorting tables.
After destemming, which consists of separating the fruit from the bunches, the vinification process begins. After a stay in vats for about ten days when the first fermentation begins, the fruit is pressed to release the juice. The reds then leave for a second fermentation. Then follows the period of aging in vats, barrels or tuns. The wine will remain there for a period chosen by the winemaker, depending on the expected results.
Want to test?
The Federation of Independent Winegrowers and its member winegrowers have set up the Harvester for a Day operation!
During this participatory event, the winemaker takes you to the vineyards for 2 hours of harvesting. Back at the estate, you will witness the transformation of fruit into wine. Then comes the time of tasting. At the end of this real experience, you have the opportunity to eat directly at the estate, during a winegrower's meal.
Vineyards & Discoveries label
Created in 2009, the national Vignobles & Découvertes label rewards territories committed to the development of wine tourism. It is the guarantee of carefully selected activities and places, to make it easier for you to prepare your stay in the vineyard, for a weekend or a few days. Thus, the hotels, cellars, restaurants, monuments, agencies and tourist offices, events and other labeled activities undertake to send you the keys to the vineyard. This label is issued for a period of 3 years by Atout France.
Two destinations have this label on the territory:
- vineyard of Cahors in the Lot Valley
- Quercy vineyard
The vineyard destination of Cahors in the Lot Valley
Labeled Vineyards & Discoveries since 2013, the Vineyards destination of Cahors in the Lot Valley extends over the 45 municipalities making up the territory of the AOP Cahors, or nearly 4 hectares. It's from Catus in Villesèque and Soturac in Arcambal, which is staged the diversity of the soils giving their own signature to the wines. Between causses and valleys, the vineyard has always been intimately linked to the river Lot. From these terroirs and know-how are born identity and striking landscapes, available to you since the points of view located on the slopes or boats still sailing on the Lot.
Rich in its constructions, tools and viticultural know-how, but also in its natural and taste heritage, the vineyard will delight you, whether you are in love with old stones or gastronomy.
Culture lovers will appreciate the presence of the Grand Site Occitanie “ Cahors – Vallée du Lot” with its three large emblematic hearts, two of which are located directly on the territory of the AOP: Cahors, City of Art and History, and Puy-l'Eveque, perched medieval city, but also Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France to the east of the vineyard.
The many dedicated festivities and the tasting of quality local products will allow you to discover the wine of Cahors otherwise.
The Quercy vineyard destination
The Quercy vineyard, straddling the departments of Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne, has also become a wine tourism destination labeled “ Vineyards & Discoveries » in 2019. The territory of the AOP Coteaux du Quercy includes 38 municipalities between the South of Cahors and the North of Montauban. It is the heart of the South-West that beats in this area between the Aveyron Valley and the Causses du Lot, crossed by the road to Santiago de Compostela.
On this territory crossed by plains, hillsides and vineyards, Quercy is both a natural region and a melting pot of human experiences where nature and heritage come together. The accents of the terroir rhyme with hospitality and the pleasures of the table where the wine finds its place with accuracy and balance. In the heart of the South-West, it is a territory marked by the traditions, passion of his women and his men, the wealth of its land...
