Wine of the Week – Wines of Southwest France

The wines of Southwest France share a unique group of geographic influences from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pyrenees, to the Mediterranean. These cross influences help shape honest, rustic wines that happen also to be heart healthy.
We were introduced to five, ranging in price from $11.99 to $25.99. Our favorites of the five were the “Les Rials,” mis en Bouteile au Domaine de la Chanade. With pale straw color and salty,grapefruit and tropical flavors, it reflects the influence of proximity to the ocean.
Of all five, our number one favorite was the Aydie Madiran 2012.
Tannat is the native grape of Madiran and this wine is well balanced, rich and full bodied. Chateau Aydie has been making wine for three generations. This wine is ripe, chewy and has been called “brutish and feral”! It’s around 14.5% ABV. We agree with those who’ve called Tannat “magic in a bottle.”