IGP Côtes du Lot wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

I.G.P.

The Côtes du Lot protected geographical indication covers the entire Lot department in southwestern France. The vineyards spread across the causses du Quercy, limestone plateaus cut through by hillsides and valleys, concentrated mainly between the Lot and Dordogne rivers. The climate, marked by pronounced seasonal contrasts, favors good grape ripening while preserving freshness in the wines. Unlike the Cahors appellation d'origine contrôlée, located in the same department and built essentially around the côt (malbec) grape, the Côtes du Lot IGP authorizes every grape variety recognized on French soil, without varietal restriction. This freedom allows winegrowers in the Lot to blend local and international varieties, white and red alike, to craft still red, rosé and white wines that reflect the diversity of this vineyard on the edges of Quercy.

The wines of this appellation

Côtes du Lot red wines show a purple to violet hue of varying depth. Their aromatic profile, dominated by red fruit, comes with fermentation-derived notes that show best in their youth; they pair well with charcuterie, grilled meats and slow-cooked Quercy dishes such as confit or duck breast. The rosés display a deep color and generous fruity notes; their freshness makes them easy-drinking wines, suited to an aperitif or to summer fare such as composed salads and grilled fish. The whites offer a more pronounced aromatic complexity, moving from white flowers toward notes of pear and peach, evolving over time toward quince nuances; they match well with poultry, fish in sauce and Quercy goat cheeses such as Rocamadour.