AOC Madiran wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

A.O.C./A.O.P.

Madiran stretches across three departments: Gers, Hautes-Pyrenees and Pyrenees-Atlantiques, embracing 36 towns and villages (27 in Pyrenees-Atlantiques, 6 in Hautes-Pyrenees and 3 in Gers). It shares the same area as the Pacherenc du Vic Bilh appellation where the soils are siliceous clay and calcareous clay. The nearby Atlantic has a moderating influence on the climate, making it slightly milder and wetter.

Grape varieties: Vins rouges, rosés : cabernet franc, cabernet-sauvignon, tannat. Vins blancs secs : courbu, manseng

The wines of this appellation

AC Madiran is a red wine only appellation where the primary varietal is Tannat. With their dense, extremely deep garnet-red colour, Madiran wines are rich in tannins, powerful, robust and well-constituted. They have an outstanding capacity to age though as young wines they can be harsh, particularly when Tannat is the mainstay of the blend. Principal aromas are black fruit, roasted coffee and spices. Food pairings include duck confit or breast, meat served with a sauce, lamb and ewe milk cheeses.