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Gaillac has had vineyards since before the birth of Christ, making it one of the oldest wine growing regions in France. Large developments took place in 972 with the arrival of the Benedictine monks who founded an abbay in the town of St. Michel. Laws were established regarding the quality of wines from Gaillac in 1271, and in 1938, the white wines of the region were granted AOC status. In 1970, this guarantee of quality was extended to Gaillac's reds and roses.
The Gaillac region covers about 2,000 hectacres and is located about an hour drive northeast of Toulouse. The vineyards lie between the beautiful hilltop town of Cordes and Albi, the home of Toulouse-Lautrec. The left bank of the Tarn River tends to be planted with red varietals, which are more suited to its gravelly soil. The right bank of the river contains higher proportions of limestone and granite in their subsoils, which is more conducive to white varietals.
Gaillac uses a blend of traditional and highly original grapes. Fer Servadou, known locally as Braucol and as Mansois in Marcillac, is the mainstay red grape. This is normally supplemented White wines, like the reds, are normally a blend of unique and mainstream grapes. This initial category comprises Mauzac, Ondenc and Len de l'El, while the latter includes Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. These wines are best drunk in their youth and normally display apple and floral notes. Gaillac's most renowned producers are Robert and Bernard Plageoles who own the Domaine des Tres Cantous or three hearths. Their vineyards comprise 37 acres. The Plageoles are committed to using Gaillac's obscure varietals rather than better known and more accessible varietals. Like most producers in Gaillac, they make a sparkling wine, several dry white wines, a couple red wines, and a number of sweet wines. In addition, they also make a vin de voile -- somewhat similar to a vin jaune from Jura.
Muscadelle: A late-harvest dessert wine that has about 110 g of residual sugar per liter. It is very rich on the nose, with full-bodied notes of apple, apricot, quince, a floral component and a finishing citrus zing. The relatively low acidity makes this irresistable for short term drinking. Want to buy? Copyright © 2008 Charles Neal Selections |
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A wide variety of wines are made in Gaillac, which makes its style somewhat difficult to pin down. There are red wines, nouveau wines, white wines, sparkling wines, dessert wines, and vin jaune type oxidized wines.
by Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Negrette, Merlot, Gamay and/or Duras. Their resultant wines tend to be bursting with fruit in their youth; as they age, they develop subtle spice notes.