Summary
This appellation is located in France, sits in sight of the Pyrenees ranges, and specialises in red wines made primarily from Tannat (50%-80%). This area experiences high rainfall mostly in the winter and spring. The Föhn wind contributes to dry, warm conditions helping to achieve full ripeness in grapes. Four large ridges provide steep south facing clay-limestone slopes for high quality grapes and ageable wines. Flatter areas with clay loam soils contribute to less structured wines for earlier consumption. Grapes are often de-stemmed for tannin management. The practice of micro-oxygenation was developed here by Patrick Ducournau to soften the wine's structure, and is now widely practised throughout global wine regions. 80% of production is sold in France, with exports increasing.