Cotes de Millau

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The Sud-Ouest wine-growing region

The Côtes-de-Millau are a small wine-growing region in the Aveyron department in southwest France (→ Sud-Ouest ). The area of ​​the appellation ( VDQS ) comprises the locations of 17 municipalities in the valley of the Tarn river in the vicinity of the town of Millau that are suitable for quality viticulture . On a total of 60 hectares of cultivation area mainly red wine , but also rosé and dry white wine are produced. In 2002 the production was 1,854 hectoliters.

Soil and climate

The Côtes-de-Millau begin at the southwestern exit of the Gorges du Tarn and extend over around 80 kilometers of river to the west. The vineyards are located on climatically favorable southern slopes in the narrow valley of the Tarn. The barren soil consists of limestone, partly mixed with marl . The climate is dominated by continental regions. Of all the wine-growing regions in the Massif Central , the Côtes-de-Millau are subject to the strongest Mediterranean influences. Very dry summers are particularly typical.

Grape varieties and wines

The set of vines shows certain parallels to the Gaillac growing area further downstream. All wines must be cuvées of several grape varieties . The main types of red wine are Gamay and Syrah , each of which must occupy at least 30% of the tillage. Fer Servadou , Duras and Cabernet Sauvignon are permitted as complementary varieties , with the proportion of the latter limited to 20%. Traditionally prepared red wines are characterized by intense aromas of red fruits. Bottle aging gives them spicier notes and a certain sustainability.

A minimum of 50% Gamay is required in rosé wine. At least some of the rosé must be obtained using the saignée method. Its intense fruit with hints of violets is characteristic . The dry white wines are made from Chenin Blanc and Mauzac . With their apple-like aroma, they are similar to the Entraygues wines produced in the same department .

In addition to the VDQS wines, country wines ( Vin de Pays de l'Aveyron ) are also produced. The name Vin de Pays des Côtes du Tarn , however, is reserved for the wines of the neighboring department of Tarn .

history

Viticulture also has a long tradition in the upper Tarn valley. The fortress town of Compeyre has extensive natural cellars in which the wine barrels were stored. The conquest of the Protestant fortress by Cardinal Richelieu's troops in 1633 marked the decline of viticulture. The construction of the railroad, which connected the region directly with Paris and the export ports, brought a certain boost . In 1850 the area under vines was 15,000 hectares and the annual production was 500,000 hectoliters. The phylloxera invasion at the end of the 19th century led to the rapid destruction of the vineyards on the difficult-to-work steep slopes . In order to get production going again quickly and to meet the increasing demand for ordinary wines, poorer locations in the valley floor were mainly planted with hybrid vines . The high-quality steep slopes, on the other hand, fell victim to the labor shortage as a result of the world wars and the subsequent rural exodus. The heavy frost of 1956 almost meant the end of viticulture in the upper valley of the Tarn. Its renaissance is the work of a few committed winemakers who replanted abandoned steep slopes with high quality grape varieties. In 1980 they founded a cooperative that today vinifies the yield of 100 hectares of vineyards. With the receipt of the status of a Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure ( VDQS ), the Côtes de Millau were officially recognized as a wine-growing region again in 1994.

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