Pépites du Sud Ouest

The Southwest of France is an exceptional wine region, often overlooked, but full of delicious wines and unique appellations. Thanks to a diverse terroir, indigenous grape varieties, and ancestral expertise, the winemakers of the Southwest produce red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines that deserve a special place in your cellar.

Iconic Grape Varieties of the Southwest

• Malbec: The emblematic grape of the Cahors AOC, producing powerful and tannic red wines.
• Tannat: The main grape of the Madiran AOC, offering rich and structured red wines.
• Merlot: Often blended with Malbec or Tannat to create smooth and well-balanced wines.
• Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon: Ideal for fresh and aromatic white wines.
• Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng: Used for complex sweet and dry white wines.

Red, White, and Rosé Wines of the Southwest

• Red wines: Robust, with notes of dark fruits, pepper, and cedar.
• White wines: Fresh, with aromas of lemon, white flowers, and stone fruits.
• Rosé wines: Refreshing and fruity, perfect for summer meals.

Crémants and Sparkling Wines of the Southwest

Crémants de Gascogne are made using the traditional method, perfect for special occasions.

The Terroir and Craftsmanship of Southwest Winemakers

The terroir of the Southwest is rich and varied, with clay-limestone, schist, and gravelly-sandy soils. Winemakers often adopt sustainable, biodynamic, or organic viticulture practices.

Southwest Appellations: AOC and IGP

Appellations such as Cahors, Madiran, Bergerac, Gaillac, and Jurançon guarantee the authenticity and quality of the wines.

Discover Our Selection of Southwest Treasures

Whether you are a lover of bold red wines, fresh whites, or sweet wines, this region will captivate you. Explore our selection and savor exceptional wines.

Arrufiac, Petit Courbu, Manseng Noir: Under-the-Radar Grapes of Southwest France

In the Vic-Bilh hills, which also produce Madiran, the whites of the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation rely on grapes from the Adour basin. Among them, Arrufiac and Courbu already dominated these vineyards in the 16th century.

Today Petit Courbu is one of the main grapes of Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec, alongside Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng. The word “Pacherenc,” first used in the late 19th century, refers to vines planted in rows, “pacheras” in Gascon.

Madiran reds are changing too. Around Tannat, which must make up at least 60% of the blend, the rules approved in November 2025 add Manseng Noir to the secondary grapes.

Fer, also called Fer Servadou, has been grown there even longer: it was already planted, along with Cabernet Franc, when Tannat joined the vineyard in the 18th century. Farther east, in the Aveyron, it is the main grape of Marcillac, where it makes up at least 90% of each estate's vines.

Manseng Noir and Arrufiac: Your Questions on Lesser-Known Southwest France Wines

What is Manseng Noir?

Manseng Noir is a red grape rediscovered in the vineyards of the Pyrenees, and Madiran has allowed it as a secondary variety since November 2025. The previous version of the rules, from 2023, didn't list it.

What is Arrufiac?

Arrufiac is a white grape from Southwest France, allowed as a secondary variety in the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellation, in both its dry and sweet versions. In sweet Pacherenc, Petit Manseng remains the main grape; Arrufiac supports it along with Courbu, Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu and Sauvignon Blanc.

Where can you buy Southwest France wine gems direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Southwest France wine gems direct from the winemaker on Avenue des Vins. Each bottle is shipped by the producer who made it, with no middleman.

See also: White wines from Southwest - AOC Gaillac Wine - AOC Jurançon