Discover Southwest France, a Wildly Diverse Wine Region
Home to 300 varieties, the southwest France is the birthplace of the world’s most beloved grapes, such as Malbec and Cabernet Franc. But go even deeper and you’ll be immersed in a wildly diverse wine region. With 130 indigenous varieties and 42 appellations, wines of Southwest France open up a world of diversity for everyone to try.
A Place of Historical Importance
Natural borders delineate the region of Southwest France. The Atlantic Ocean sits to the west, while the high-altitude plateaus of the Massif Central line the east. Dordogne, home to the namesake river, forms the northern border, and the Pyrenees mountains stand majestically to the south. Within these boundaries exists a tapestry of soils, climates and terrains.
Thanks to its location, southwest France played an important role in the development of wine industries all over the globe. In the 12th century, Pope Alexander III anointed Santiago de Compostela as a holy village, and people from throughout Europe made a pilgrimage there. Southwest France became a busy thoroughfare for travelers, who, in turn, brought the grapes that the region’s abbeys and monasteries used for wine production to other parts of the continent.
As time went on, grapes made their way to other parts of the world and helped define faraway wine regions—just look at the success of Malbec (known as Côt) in Argentina, Tannat in Uruguay or Petit Manseng in Virginia.
The Number One French Region for Grape Diversity
Southwest France is the cradle of many of the world’s most well-known varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Tannat. However, many famous wines trace their lineage back to Southwest France. Cabernet Sauvignon—the most widely planted grape in the world—counts Cabernet Franc as a parent, as does Carménère, a flagship grape of Chile.
But throughout the centuries, southwest France also maintained a rich and varied landscape of local grapes. For a wine drinker looking to experience something new, southwest France offers an infinite lineup of exciting varieties. The aromas of Mauzac, a white variety, bring to mind green apples, and is a grape capable of making dry, sparkling and sweet wines. Fer Servadou, which produces structured reds, goes by various names (Braucol with Gaillac, Mansoi with Marcillac, Pinenc with Saint Mont and Madiran) throughout the region, each terroir-driven and unique as the terms themselves. The diversity of the region extends to wine styles as well. Fifty-five percent of wines from southwest France are white, 32% red and 15% rosé. Within these broad categories, one finds delectable sweet wines and sparkling options, too. In southwest France, there is a wine for every occasion and every moment.
A Leader in Sustainability
As the climate continues to change, the region is at the forefront of cutting-edge sustainability initiatives and research. Under the European Ecosphere wine project, Wines of Southwest France has partnered with 13 institutional, scientific, and professional organizations from throughout France, Spain, and Portugal to investigate agricultural solutions to climate impact. The region is home to one of the two pilot sites being studied, and scientists aim to understand how surrounding areas, such as forests and wetlands, can increase biodiversity.
On a more local level, the SO’DAPT project, launched in 2022, specifically focuses on the terroir of southwest France and aims to find adaptation strategies suited to the numerous climates throughout the region. Through this work, winegrowers can maintain the genetic diversity that thrives in the vineyards for centuries to come.
Finally, the region is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and is investigating ways to reduce emissions throughout the entire production process and supply chain.
Historical. Innovative. Wildly diverse. These qualities make southwest France the most thrilling wine region in the world. To learn more about the wines of southwest France, click HERE and explore the wines below.
Click on the below to learn more about Wines of Southwest France and their commitment to sustainability:
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Bertrand Gabriel Vigouroux
2020 Château de Mercuès Cuvée 6666
Bertrand Gabriel Vigouroux
2020 Château de Mercuès Cuvée 6666
Parcels planted with a high density of 6,666 vines per hectare (2,698 per acre) means this is a very concentrated wine. Produced only in top years, this wine’s density and powerful black fruits are impressive. It is rich, still structured, likely to be ready from 2026.
Cellar Selection
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$52
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Clos d’Audhuy
2021 Clos d’Audhuy
Clos d’Audhuy
2021 Clos d’Audhuy
This is an impressively dense wine. Its cedar and black-truffle aromas and bold black-fruit tannins are full, rich and concentrated. The wine has layers of acidity, structure, showing great potential. Drink from 2026. Organic.
Cellar Selection
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$30
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Château Laffitte Teston
2020 Vieilles Vignes
Château Laffitte Teston
2020 Vieilles Vignes
Wood-aged, old-vine Tannat gives a powerful wine. Vanilla and licorice aromas, rich tannins and dense black fruits all reinforce the wine’s solid texture. With its dry core still intact, the wine needs much more time. Drink from 2027.
Editor’s Choice
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$25
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Château Famaey
2022 Cuvée X
Château Famaey
2022 Cuvée X
Fruit from old vines goes into this dense and concentrated wine with toast aromas. Rich and succulent black fruits, and youthful tannins all show the wine’s potential. Drink from 2027.
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$32
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Château de la Jaubertie
2020 Mirabelle
Château de la Jaubertie
2020 Mirabelle
Long wood aging of the best fruit from this estate has given a richly perfumed and generously textured wine. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate as juicy black-currant fruits and a layer of tannins come together. Drink from 2025. Organic.
Editor’s Choice
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$22
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Domaine l’Ancienne Cure
2021 Jour de Fruit
Domaine l’Ancienne Cure
2021 Jour de Fruit
This wine, with its honey and orange-marmalade aromas, is rich in botrytis. The wine’s sweetness is balanced by a streak of acidity, giving freshness to this rich wine. Drink this fine blend of 90% Sémillon and 10% Muscadelle from 2026. Organic.
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$29
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Domaine Sarrabelle
2018 In Vinum
Domaine Sarrabelle
2018 In Vinum
After aging in wood, part of the blend went into amphora with good long term results. The wine has mature vanilla and black-fruit aromas. It is richly polished, with secondary flavors developing against the black plum and mushroom flavors. Drink now.
Editor’s Choice
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$45
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Château Moulin Caresse
2020 Magie d’Automne
Château Moulin Caresse
2020 Magie d’Automne
From vineyards on the slope that runs east from Saint-Émilion and Castillon, this wine is richly structured. Unlike its western neighbors, the blend includes 30% Malbec. With its black-pepper aroma and layers of spicy black fruit, the wine should age further. Drink from 2025.
Editor’s Choice
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$25
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Famille Laplace
2022 Odé d’Aydie
Famille Laplace
2022 Odé d’Aydie
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is the appellation where limited quantity white wine is produced in the same area as Madiran. This wine, with its hint of honey aromas and fresh acidity, is delicious. Fresh sliced apple flavors and a touch of yellow fruit are crisp and light. Drink now.
Editor’s Choice
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$25
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Vignobles Boissonneau
2021 Domaine des Gais Les Geais Abouriou
Vignobles Boissonneau
2021 Domaine des Gais Les Geais Abouriou
This 6th-generation estate run by Pascal and Nicolas Boissonneau has delved into the Abouriou variety, which was only recently rescued from extinction. The wine, with its spice and black-currant aromas, is light, juicy and fruity. With its layers of acidity and red fruit flavors, the wine is still young. Drink from 2025. Organic.
Best Buy
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$20
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Château Flotis
2020 Si Noire
Château Flotis
2020 Si Noire
From the best vineyards of the estate, this wine has ripe red fruit and licorice aromas. Naturally fermented in concrete tank then aged in old oak barrels, the black fruit is still firm, with layers of toast and black pepper flavors. The tannins need to soften, so drink from 2026.
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$23
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Domaine Tariquet
2023 Amplitude
Domaine Tariquet
2023 Amplitude
Although this is a dry wine, the Gros Manseng gives it a deliciously perfumed character, a honeysuckle aroma and tangy kiwi acidity. It is a ripe wine, vibrant and ready to drink from 2025.
Editor’s Choice
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$21
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