Cahors AC wines
The wines of Cahors (Lot Valley, South West France) 
CAHORS has been a favourite of ours since the beginning of our interest in wine. The Lot, south of the more crowded Dordogne, is both dramatic and scenic - and the vineyards are very evident - along the valley west of the attractive town of Cahors and on the hillsides (causses) north and south of the river.
Its wines are very distinctive - quite different from Bordeaux or the Languedoc. Only red wine, it is traditionally tannic and plummy - probably better with food than by itself. However, recent vintages are succeeding in retaining depth of flavour with some wonderfully smooth attractive tannins. resulting in a wonderfully smooth big mouthful of wine, drinkable young but with good ageing potential.
A little history….The wine of Cahors is justly proud of its ancient lineage and renown. It was already spoken of during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian in the year 96AD.
The local poet Clement Marot often celebrated its qualities and the Bishop of Verdun, Saint Paul, wrote to Saint Didier, Bishop of Cahors (639-662), to thank him for the wine sent to him. Francis I graced his table with Cahors wine, and even planted a Cahors vine in the grounds of his chateau of Fontainebleau. It is only a few years ago that the last vine was pulled out of what was once known as the “King’s Vines”.
The Russian Orthodox church adopted it as its Communion Wine and the Tsar Peter the Great used to treat his very delicate stomach with Cahors wine. Indeed, if you visit Chateau Eugenie at Albas, you will see some old bottles on display with the name CAHORS in the Russian script.
2007 is going to be a great year for Cahors, as it sees the 700th Anniversary of the medieval fortified bridge (Pont Valentré) whichis one of its main attractions.
On a more mundane, but practical note, there is a new free Park-and-Ride service (Navette) from the south side of the river (Chartreux) to the town centre, which should ease some of the parking difficulties in the town.
And Cahors is now recognised as “une Ville d’Art et d’Historie” by the French Government, one of 130 sites across France recognised for the importance and quality of their heritage. The town is also active in protecting and restoring much of this heritage, by restricting traffic and encouraging restoration without turning the place into a theme park. As with so many towns like this, although the obvious attractions of the main boulevard, market, Catherdral and the river
are delightful, a bit of exploration on foot will yield some of the more interesting gems and snickleways in the heart of the medieval town.
Read more on this + more info + photos/maps …….
