Cahors is one of the oldest wine-growing areas in France. In the Middle Ages the region produced far more wine – and of a higher quality – than neighboring Bordeaux. Cahors exported more than three times its current annual production to England alone. At the end of the 19th C, the phylloxera completely wiped out most local wine-growers. Luckily, new vines were imported from Argentina (who had initially imported them from us!) and since the 1970s, Cahors has once more become established as a fine, quality wine. It is generally much less expensive than its better-known Bordeaux neighbor. It is the only region in France which has successfully grown the Malbec grape. The Black Wine of Cahors has its own Appellation Controllee.
Listed below are a few wineries we like and a Google Map of wineries nearby. In all cases please try to make an appointment before you go. NOTE: YOU ARE NOT IN NAPA VALLEY. You will likely be taking a family member away from work to serve you a taste. Please be respectful of their time.
- Le Clos d’un Jour, where they have started storing wine in earthen jars Veronique et Stephane Azemar, Duravel, email: s.azemar@wanadoo.fr
- Olt Cave Cooperative Les COTES D’OLT SUD – try “Impernal.” WWW.COTESOLT.COM – When on the Agen-Cahors road (D653), follow ‘Floressas??? sign just after Tournon d’Agenais; between small towns Saux and St Matré.
- Chateau Chambert, Floressas Tel: +33 (0) 5 65 31 95 75, Monday to Friday: 9:00AM – 12:30PM and 2:00PM – 5:30PM, Saturday: 10:00 – 12:30PM and 3:00PM – 5:30PM
- Clos de Gamot Winery http://www.snooth.com/winery/clos-de-gamot/#ixzz128CV0C2o
- Chateau les Croisilles –http://www.chateaulescroisille.fr/AN/portrait.html
Families of the Vine Wine Tour
One of our favorite books to read before you visit is Families of the Vine, a well-written non-fiction account of three family wineries nearby. The author follows the wine’s path from vine to barrel to glass. He captures a way of life that existed before global marketing. He shows the winemakers in the family-owned, family-run vineyards and describes the pathos of the harvest during the drought-ridden year of 2003. He even explains how barrels are made. Laced throughout this solid, affectionate portrait are unusual insights showing us that a knowledge of wine really can’t be imparted by experts. It takes firsthand experience and time. In Families of the Vine, we are introduced to
- Yves & Martine Jouffreau-Hermann of Clos de Gamot, a vineyard in Prayssac dating from 1610 and whose signature wine is considered the quintessential expression of red Cahors. http://www.epicuria.fr/clos-de-gamot and Read more: http://www.snooth.com/winery/clos-de-gamot/#ixzz128CV0C2o
- Jean-Luc Baldès of Clos Triguedina in Puy-l’Eveque. He is the prodigal son who returned to the family vineyard after studying in Bordeaux. http://www.thewinedoctor.com/southwest/triguedina.shtml
- Finally, there is Philippe Bernède of Clos la Coutale in Vire sur Lot. He favors fast cars and producing a more international (read: softer, fruitier) style of red wine. e-mail: info@coutale.com and http://closlacoutale.com/contact_en.html
Design your own Wine Tour in Lot with this comprehensive list and map of wineries.