People interested in the Lot region of France will enjoy Michael S Sanders's books: "Families Of The Vine" and "From Here You Can't See Paris". The first is a portrait of three Cahors winemaking families; the second is a portrait Les Arques, of a small village in the Lot region struggling to survive, and the restaurant which has rescued it from the fate of its neighbors.
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I have enjoyed Cahors wines and sampled them with almost religious devotion ever since visiting the Lot region 22 years ago. I have drunk only one Argentinian malbec that came close - and it was from a pair of French producers. I agree that the designation Cahors should stand alone, and proudly so. The best Cahors are cellarable and fully develop with age (true of all good wines). Tip #1: A good Cahors goes splendidly with roast duck or cassoulet. #2: Go visit the Lot region around the hillside town of St-Cirq-la-Popie, a beautiful village where André Breton spent the last years of his life.
I love Cahors and their wines, and have visited the region on several occasions, as recently as last year. There are many traditional producers that have made, and continue to make, very good wines, including one fairly unkown producer we visited on a whim last year. On the other hand, I have tried wines from some of the "new wave" producers mentioned here, and have been disappointed. Maybe I'll try again.
As to this: "it has sought to model itself on Argentina, which has achieved great success making ripe, fruity malbecs" I guess some producers have done that, although I haven't tasted many. The one we visited last year put the word "Malbec" on the label, undoubtedly for marketing reasons, but it tasted nothing like Argentine Malbec (fortunately). When I mentioned that, the woman was somewhat dismissive of Argentine Malbec.
Cahors - what a rich and historic wine region. The gorgeous and elegant Malbecs of Chateau Lagrézette and the visionary behind them: Alain Dominique Perrin - presents a beautiful story of passion and vision. His iconic wine Le Pigeonnier Malbec - born from a single vineyard on the third terrace - celebrates 20 vintages this year.
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I realize the focus is on new producers, but it seems wrong to not give a mention to Georges Vigoroux.
In 1971, Cahors achieved AOC status, and the canny Georges Vigouroux celebrated by replanting his 165 acres with new vines.
Vigouroux, depending upon who you talk to, is either the savior of Cahors or Satan incarnate. For centuries, the red grape of Cahors was identified either as “Cot” or as “Auxerrois.” The name “Malbec” wasn't used. No one seems to know for sure, but I'd put my money on Georges Vigouroux as the first vigneron in Cahors to put “Malbec” on his label. I first saw “Rosé of Malbec” on a wine from his Pigmentum line in 2004. The following year, “Malbec” appeared on his Château de Haute-Serre” label. Today, of course, the vignerons of Cahors and those of Mendoza actually have a joint-marketing agreement to promote Malbec, and Vigouroux looks just as prophetic as he did in 1971. He has quite an empire these days, including a chain of retail stores under the “Atrium” name. Château de Haute-Serre is his flagship property, now under the direction of his son, Bertrand-Gabriel Vigouroux.
In 1971, Cahors achieved AOC status, and the canny Georges Vigouroux celebrated by replanting his 165 acres with new vines.
Vigouroux, depending upon who you talk to, is either the savior of Cahors or Satan incarnate. For centuries, the red grape of Cahors was identified either as “Cot” or as “Auxerrois.” The name “Malbec” wasn't used. No one seems to know for sure, but I'd put my money on Georges Vigouroux as the first vigneron in Cahors to put “Malbec” on his label. I first saw “Rosé of Malbec” on a wine from his Pigmentum line in 2004. The following year, “Malbec” appeared on his Château de Haute-Serre” label. Today, of course, the vignerons of Cahors and those of Mendoza actually have a joint-marketing agreement to promote Malbec, and Vigouroux looks just as prophetic as he did in 1971. He has quite an empire these days, including a chain of retail stores under the “Atrium” name. Château de Haute-Serre is his flagship property, now under the direction of his son, Bertrand-Gabriel Vigouroux.
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Hello? I've been drinking good Cahors for 30+ years! A great value will now be ruined by too much publicity. Don't tell anyone about the cheeeeeeese!
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Well at least Eric didn't write much about traditional producers. Maybe those will stay affordable.
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The fractured limestone: after that you lost me
Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyards located down the road from you in Davenport would be able to explain to you the significance of "fractured limestone" in viticulture.
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How wonderful. As someone who loves French wines I am so looking forward to tasting these wonderful wines.
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Great grape wines have been products of France for decades. But few, including myself, knows the wine history of Cahors in France.
It is amazing to learn that people from Chile and Argentine are setting up wineries in the region to produce good wines. That is an international efforts and great cultural exchanges. We might say it's an act of reciprocal.
I am looking forward to test the products in my local markets.
It is amazing to learn that people from Chile and Argentine are setting up wineries in the region to produce good wines. That is an international efforts and great cultural exchanges. We might say it's an act of reciprocal.
I am looking forward to test the products in my local markets.
5
As a good friend of the Sigaud family, I'm very happy to help you introduce Cahors wines to Taiwan.