The greatest undiscovered French Wine?
Cahors wine dates back to the introduction of vines into the
Quercy region by the Romans around 2000 years ago.
The original cépage of Cahors is based on malbec produced
exclusively in the Vallée du Lot. The Cahors appellation permits a
maximum of 30% of 2 other grapes, the merlot and the tannat The great fun of wine buying is to visit the producer,
taste everything in sight and buy a box or two. It's
astonishing how big the differences can be within the wines
of one producer and from vineyard to vineyard. Even within
the same vintage. Don't be surprised if the winegrowers
don't have all their recent vintages; they sell out much
faster than the shops. Some better wines of Cahors that we managed to taste (so far)
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Château de Eugénie
Jean & Claude
Couture
Rivière Haute
46140 Albas
Tel: 0565 30 73 51
Fax: 0565 20 19 81
www.chateaueugenie.com
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This one was personally recommended by the plumber after
first emptying one of ours (and then driving home). He did
bring us an even better bottle in return. (See next entry)
That's how it goes in France. |
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Château Raynal
Monique & Claude Raynal
Le Bournaguet
46090 Trespoux-Rassiels
Tel: 0565 35 18 97
Fax: 0565 35 38 87 |
Try to find their 2000 vintage. Really
worthwhile. |
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Domaine de Chantelle
Brunet & fils
Chantelle5
46140 Caillac
Tel: 0565 20 04 66
Fax: 0565 30 79 72 |
The
owner is happy to show you around and explain the slow, low
temperature process
used for Cahors wines. Strongly recommended by the locals.
You can also buy a splendid "en vrac" wine for less than
€2/litre if you can handle 11 litres and bottle it yourself.
You can buy kiwi fruit
too, since they are also grown here in large quantities.
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Château Lagrezette
Alain-Dominique Perrin
Lagrezette
46140 Caillac
Tel: 0565 20 07 42
Fax: 0565 20 06 95
www.chateau-lagrezette.tm.fr
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LaGrezette is a beautifully restored
chateau and there are nice (shortish) walks marked through
the area. The wines are highly rated but also well promoted
and not cheap. (See
article)
We like the rosé (3 litre tube ca. €14). |
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Château La Caminade
Ressès & fils
Château La Caminade
46140 Parnac
Tel: 0565 30 73 05
Fax: 0565 20 17 04
www.chateau-caminade.com
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Another favourite of the locals. Not yet
tested. |
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Château du Cèdre
Pascal & Jean-Marc Verhaeghe
Bru
46700 Vire-sur-Lot
Tel: 0565 36 53 87
Fax: 0565 24 64 36 |
Not
cheap but depth and power, and amazingly good whites too.
Often quoted as the best of the Cahors wines. Definitely
worth the journey |
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Château Nozières
Maradenne-Guitard
Bru
46700 Vire-sur-Lot
Tel: 0565 36 52 73
Fax: 0565 36 50 62 |
Very good
red and rosé.
The "Elegance" is 100% malbec, made by the slow, low
temperature process commonly used in the Cahors region.
The "Ch. Nozieres" contains 20% merlot and is NOT aged in
oak. |
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Château de Mercuès
Georges Vigouroux
46090 Mercuès
Tel: 0565 20 09 20
Fax: 0565 20 09 20
www.g-vigouroux.fr
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You can also stay in
this top class hotel/restaurant, but the price isn't cheap.
We didn't, but check the website for "bargain weekends".
We drive past a couple of times a week; and that's
exactly what we do. Not the sort of place to go wine
tasting. |
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Le Pimpant de Gaudou
Ch. de Gaudou
46700 Vire sur Lot
Tel : 05.65.36.52.93
Fax : 05.65.36.53.60
www.chateaudegaudou.com
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Bargain time. Really
delicious, easy drinking Cahors wine from a top Chateau.
Try to find it; worth the effort.
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A complete listing of AOC Cahors Vignerons
Click
here for the
complete listing
including the name of
the Domaine or Chateau, address and contact details.
The list is
grouped by region and village
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