FrenchDuck’s databank
Madiran

Finding wines such as Cotes Roannaises AC (Upper Loire), Collioure AC (Roussillon), Madirans from Chateau de Viella, Jurancons from Domaine Cauhapé and Pic St Loup from Chateau de Lastours was a pleasant surprise in the midst of the very English Cotswold village of Chipping Campden (Glos) at Bennetts Fine Wines.
Côtes Roannaises wines come from the area around Roanne (42 Loire, Rhône-Alpes) and are based on the Gamay grape - but with rather more intensity than found in Beaujolais.
Collioure AC is a small appellation almost on the Spanish border and takes its name from the pretty little port of Collioure (66 Pyrenees-Orientales, Languedoc-Roussillon). Predominantly red and rosé wines, these are made from grapes picked at the beginning of the harvest - the latter pickings being used to make the fortified Banyuls wines. Nearby the wines of Maury are based on the Grenache grape are also fortified dessert wines, some of which are matured in sealed glass “bonbons” (large demijohns) which are left out in the sun to mature - such as those at Mas Amiel (see photo above).
The shop also has (more predictably) an impressive array of top quality (and top price) Claret, Burgundy, Champagne and Port for its well-heeled locals and a good selection of New World wines.
The old-style shop is complemented by an excellent website (see www.bennettsfinewines.com), mail order service, nationwide delivery, bottles open for tasting in the shop every Saturday and a series of wine tasting events held throughout the winter.

Bennetts Fine Wines
High, Street, Chipping Campden, Glos GL55 6AG
T: 01386 840392 F:01386 840974

The winemakers of Madiran open their doors to all (portes ouvertes) to show off their wines (Madiran AC big hearty reds based on the Tannat grape, and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh AC whites) for the weekend. Everyone welcome - some cellars will have music and other diversions available to foster a welcoming atmosphere.
For more info contact the Maison des Vins de Madiran 65700 Madiran Tel : 05 62 31 90 67.
Key recommendations would be Domaine Berthoumieu at Viella, Chateau d’Aydie at Aydie.

Madiran wines have become better known recently through the work of Professor Roger Corder’s Book The Wine Diet which identified red wines from SW France, and Madiran in particuar. as having high amounts of polyphenols which are good for your heart.
Prof Corder has just published an updated version called The Red Wine Diet: “Drink wine every day and live a long and healthy life”

In the sleepy backwaters of the Hautes Pyrenees département the village and Appellation of Madiran (65 Hautes Pyrenees, Midi-Pyrenees) holds its annual wine festival organised by the impressively titled Syndicat de défense des vins du Madiran. These are robust red wines made predominantly from the Tannat grape.
The festival is held at 4 rue de l’Eglise, 65700 MADIRAN
tel : 05 62 31 90 67
fax : 05 62 31 90 79
This year may be busier than previously, due to the popularity of Dr Roger Corder’s book The Wine Diet which identified the wines of the South West (and Madiran in particular) as especially healthy due to the high concentration of polyphenols. Decanter magazine considered this book as “Quite possibly the most useful wine book published this year“. (A new version is to be published in September 2007 The Red Wine Diet

Jazz in Marciac, (32 Gers, Midi-Pyrenees)

This normally tranquil bastide town in deepest Gascony hosts a world-class Jazz festival during the first three weeks on August every year inaugurated by Wynton Marsalis who is also appearing this year along with others such as Madeleine Peyroux, Joe Cocker, Chuck Corea.

Although the summer season is the highlight, other concerts are held throughout the year.
See www.jazzinmarciac.com/
Tel: 33 (0)5 62 08 26 60

Nearby vineyards include Domaine de Lauroux and Producteurs Plaimont

Gers (32 Midi-Pyrenees) is a land rich in history (Three Musketeers), rolling countryside and home to Armagnac, Madiran, Côtes de St Mont and Côtes de Gascogne wines. It is predominantly quiet and rural with few major towns or through routes. Hence its weekly markets tend to be really good with lots of top quality local produce on sale - and a real atmosphere of deepest France. I can particularly recommend Nogara - where the Saturday market tends to take over the town, and Auch where the range of produce is impressive.

The information here is provided in good faith, but do bear in mind that some markets may not take place every week, and sometimes not at all outside the summer season. Its always best to check with the local tourist office - or with locals.

(more…)

Self-Catering Cottages and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in a listed 17th Century domaine in Gascony - 35 acres, lakes, pool and Spa
Ideal location for visiting Madiran, Jurancon, Côtes de St Mont, Côtes de Gascogne, Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne vineyards.
Situated just 10 minutes drive south of Auch (32 Gers, Midi-Pyrenees - see map), Peyloubère is classified as a ‘Monument Historique’ by virtue of the fact that it was the home of the Italian painter, Mario Cavaglieri for over forty years. Legacies of his ownership are the frescoed ceilings in many of the rooms of the Manoir, the graceful Italian garden and the relaxed, bohemian atmosphere of the Domaine.
T: 00 33 562 05 74 97
F: 00 33 562 05 75 39
E:Martin@Peyloubere.com
Address: Domaine de Peyloubère, 32550, Pavie, Le Gers.
Website: www.peyloubere.com

Chateau d’Aydie and the Laplace family are widely regarded as one of the foremost quality producers of Madiran. Frédéric Laplace was recognised as one of the pioneer winemakers - first to bottle Madiran wines and to sell them under his own name when the appellation was created in 1948 - when there was just 50 hectares of vineyard under production, compared to the 1650 hectares which now produce Madiran wines.

The whole venture is very much a family affair - the three grandsons and granddaughter of Frédéric run the estate between them - Francois in charge of the business side; Jean-Luc is in charge of wine-making; Bernard manages the vines; and Marie presides over the office, whilst their father Pierre is in semi-retirement but still very much involved.

In his new book “The New France: A Complete Guide to Contemporary French Wine (Mitchell Beazley Wine Guides)” Andrew Jefford says of Chateau d’Aydie “Everything is impeccably clean, minutely organised, deeply considered, exhaustively refined…. a range of model Madirans”

It is always a sure sign of excellent wines when the top restaurants in the region include them on the wine list.
Madiran has been in the headlines recently due to a new book by Richard Corder “The Wine Diet“, which extolls the health-giving benefits of the Madiran wines from South West France.

We imported 2 superb Madirans from Chateau d’Aydie and a couple of excellent Vins de Pays. The key difference between the Madirans is the percentage of the Tannat grape used.
The top cuvée is the Chateau d’Aydie - made from 100% Tannat grapes - a “grand vin” - greater power and energy with considerable fruit character (blackberries and blackcurrants), with hints of mushroom and tobacco. Aged in new oak for 12 months. (The 2001 vintage was recommended in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2003. “..intense and complex nose…fruit, menthol and woodsmoke..well balanced flavours mingled with vanilla and toast.“)
The next cuvée is Madiran AC Odé d’Aydie where the proportion of the Tannat grape is 80%. The Odé d’Aydie is made from top quality vines and aged partly in new oak barrels and partly in large oak vats. This produces a “sweeter” and richer wine than more basic Madirans, with suggestions of plums and tobacco. (Recommended in the Guide Hachette des Vins 2002. “”elegant in its deep, bright blackness, the Odé d’Aydie leaves in its trail intensely smoky aromas, fragrances of vanilla and menthol, notes of balsam…full-bodied, velvety and structured.”)
The Vins de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne carry the label “Aramis” indicative of their origin in 3 Musketeers country, and are excellent quality easy-drinking wines.
See map

Domaine Berthomieu is a small domaine (26 hectares) in the village of Viella, in the north of the Madiran appellation. The domaine has been in the family since 1850 and Didier Barré is the 6th generation to own and run the domaine. Didier is a real enthusiast, passionate about his wines and respectful of the traditional character of the wine. We are proud to feature his wines which offer tremendous character and style, some of the best in the appellation.
The domaine has two different plots - one on a pebbly, clay plateau to the west of the village facing south towards the Pyrenees, and the other a gravelly slope facing south east to the east of the village.
Many of the vines on the estate are between 40 and 100 years old. These older vines yield fewer grapes, but their long roots will extract more mineral character and trace elements.

The domaine also produces some fine white wines - Pacherenc du Vic Bilh AC - sweet and dry. Both wines are made from very old vines (over 50 years old) and are delicately oaked, using local grape varieties such as Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu.

Madiran AC Domaine Berthoumieu Cuvée Charles de Batz
GOLD MEDAL + TANNAT TROPHY + GREAT VALUE AWARD in the INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2004.
Madiran can be a bit tough when young, but this top cuvée made from older vines (more than 50 years old) with 90% Tannat and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new oak barrels is rich and smooth - with tannins which are gentle and generous. Intensely inky black colour, fat and generous tannins, spicy with hints of elderberry, plums and cocoa and tobacco.
“In this Tannat-dominated blend, the typically chunky tannins are interwoven with flavours and scents of black damsons, flowers, blueberries and creosote! Round, textured and concentrated with a long finish”. Don’t be put off by the “creosote” mention - it is the pure fruit concentration and mellow tannins which make this a real blockbuster, and although it is clearly a “BIG” wine, it is gentle with your mouth and tastebuds.
And to top it all - this wine also gets a GOOD VALUE RED award.
Charles de Batz was the real soldier who was immortalised as d’Artagnan - one of the Three Musketeers of Alexandre Dumas’ novels. This area was the home of the musketeers under the reign of Louis XIV.

The epic story of the Côtes de Saint-Mont vineyards began in the fourth century BC, when the first plants were imported by the Greeks. It is thus one of the oldest vineyards in France. Then one witnessed an important development from 1050 with the founding of the Saint-Mont Abbey by Benedictine monks. The monks were particularly interested by an area already colonised by the vine. The ‘crus’ developed and these ‘fine wines from Gascony’ were exported to the United Kingdom as early as the 14th century. Today the appellation Côtes de Saint-Mont stretches over 49 villages in the Gers. Wines are considered as ‘discovery wines’ or ‘terroir wines’ and are experiencing a promising revival. As far back as the 11th Century the arrival of Benedictine monks (from the Abbey de Marcillac in Burgundy) helped to improve the wines of the area, and being on one of the roads to Santiago de Compostella they quickly acquired a reputation
In the heart of Gascony (Gascogne) the landscape is of gently rolling hills with good soil and exposure to the sun. The climate is gentle and ideal for maturing grapes in late season.
VDQS is the abbreviation for VIN DÉLIMITÉ DE QUALITÉ SUPERIEURE - a classification which is slightly more generous than full Appellation Controllée (AC) status. As such it is a guarantee that the wines come from a small specific geographical area, and must contain certain minimum percentages of specified grape varieties (usually traditional to the area), and hence conform broadly to a particular style, However, there is more flexibility for the winemaker in yields and the addition of other grape varieties in the blend. We like to think of them mainly as Very Delicious Quaffing Selections, but are also capable of producing some really fine and serious wines. This is another example of the French classification system becoming less relevant, as all three wines which we stock from the Côtes de St Mont are much better than many other wines we have tasted which are classified as “Appellation Controllée!

PRODUCTEURS PLAIMONT. We generally prefer to work with smaller individual domaines, but the Plaimont co-operative is streets ahead of other co-ops - producing excellent and distinctive wines of consistent quality at keen prices. It has had the benefit of good management and leadership, which has ensured that, unlike many co-operatives, it does not work at the comfort level of the weakest members. Instead it has been visionary and innovative, and most importantly places the highest emphasis on wine quality.

Gascony map

The epic story of the Côtes de Saint-Mont vineyards began in the fourth century BC, when the first plants were imported by the Greeks. It is thus one of the oldest vineyards in France. Then one witnessed an important development from 1050 with the founding of the Saint-Mont Abbey by Benedictine monks. The monks were particularly interested by an area already colonised by the vine. The ‘crus’ developed and these ‘fine wines from Gascony’ were exported to the United Kingdom as early as the 14th century. Today the appellation Côtes de Saint-Mont stretches over 49 villages in the Gers. Wines are considered as ‘discovery wines’ or ‘terroir wines’ and are experiencing a promising revival. As far back as the 11th Century the arrival of Benedictine monks (from the Abbey de Marcillac in Burgundy) helped to improve the wines of the area, and being on one of the roads to Santiago de Compostella they quickly acquired a reputation

In the heart of Gascony (Gascogne) the landscape is of gently rolling hills with good soil and exposure to the sun. The climate is gentle and ideal for maturing grapes in late season. VDQS is the abbreviation for VIN DÉLIMITÉ DE QUALITÉ SUPERIEURE - a classification which is slightly more generous than full Appellation Controllée (AC) status. As such it is a guarantee that the wines come from a small specific geographical area, and must contain certain minimum percentages of specified grape varieties (usually traditional to the area), and hence conform broadly to a particular style, However, there is more flexibility for the winemaker in yields and the addition of other grape varieties in the blend. We like to think of them mainly as Very Delicious Quaffing Selections, but are also capable of producing some really fine and serious wines. This is another example of the French classification system becoming less relevant, as all three wines which we stock from the Côtes de St Mont are much better than many other wines we have tasted which are classified as “Appellation Controllée! PRODUCTEURS PLAIMONT. We generally prefer to work with smaller individual domaines, but the Plaimont co-operative is streets ahead of other co-ops - producing excellent and distinctive wines of consistent quality at keen prices. It has had the benefit of good management and leadership, which has ensured that, unlike many co-operatives, it does not work at the comfort level of the weakest members. Instead it has been visionary and innovative, and most importantly places the highest emphasis on wine quality. At the moment this is the only co-operative with which we work. PLAIMONT is a concocted word made from the towns of Plaisance, Aignan, and St Mont, the 3 caves (cellars) of the co-operative. Floc de Gascogne are all produced in this region   Côtes de St Mont, Les Vignes Rétrouvées (dry white)   Côtes de St Mont VDQS, Les Vignes Retrouvees (red)   Côtes de St Mont VDQS,Chateau de Sabazan 1998 (red)   Côtes de Gascogne (Vins de Pays) wines also come from this area   See our new selection of duck and goose products from the South West - foie gras, confits, cassoulet   Hachette Vacances: South West France and the Dordogne Hachette Vacances: South West France and the Dordogne - save 20% on this book CLICK HERE

The New France by Andrew Jefford Save 20%. Andrew Jefford has travelled extensively in each of France’s 14 wine regions to investigate the personalities and producers who have masterminded the resurgence of the French wine industry. His views support our own assertion that France is producing some classy wines, often from beyond the traditionally high profile and expensive “fine” wine regions.CLICK HERE

Our selected books on France, French wine, French food and maps & guides  

PEYLOUBERE - ACCOMODATION - SW FRANCE PEYLOUBERE - Gers, South West France Self-Catering Cottages and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in a listed 17th Century domaine in Gascony - 35 acres, lakes, pool and Spa Ideal location for visiting Madiran, Jurancon, Côtes de St Mont, Côtes de Gascogne, Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne vineyards