Côtes De Gascogne Wine Region Guide

Cotes de Gascogne lies just across the Bordeaux wine region that extends towards the border of Spain. The region has strict regulations for the production of wines to meet the standards. Vins de Pays Côtes de Gascogne is IGP that was founded in 1979 housing three AOC regions-  Armagnac, Madiran, and St-Mont and is the fourth largest generic wine-selling region in entire France. The region encompasses 12000 hectares of vineyards that cover all the area in the Gers Department and some parts of Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. This amazing wine region has been producing exceptional wines since Roman times. The Gascony region is breathtaking with picturesque rolling hills with maritime pine and Cyprus trees. The vineyards and medieval hilltop towns will obviously draw your attention. 

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Cotes De Gascogne!

Where is the Cotes De Gascogne wine region?

Cotes De Gascogne wine region is located in the Gers Department in Southwest France region. The region lies between Bordeaux and the border of Spain covering around 12000 hectares of vines. Cotes De Gascogne wine region is one of the oldest wine-growing districts of France. The region lies just west of the city of Toulouse. The vineyards are bordered on the east by the Pyrenees mountain range and on the west by the Atlantic coast. The region is home to some of the best wines you can buy. The region currently exports more than 60% of total production to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. 

History of the Cotes De Gascogne wine region

Gascony is well-known for its pastoral beauty, delectable cuisine, medieval buildings, and glacial pace of life. Cotes De Gascogne wine region area encompasses all of Gers and some areas in the Landes and Lot et-Garonne. The region is centered around the city of Auch which was one of the significant administrative departments during the Roman times. The region is one of the unspoiled and timeless parts of Europe. 

The terroir and geography of the Cotes De Gascogne wine region

The terrain of Cotes de Gascogne is characterized by rolling hills around the city of Auch that extend towards the Atlantic Ocean. The region is huge which is why there is a variation in soil, climate, and elevation across the region. The western part of the region is heavily influenced by the Atlantic ocean with mild summers and wet springs. These parts are composed of sandy alluvial soils that have good drainage. The Eastern part of the region is blessed with a continental climate with warm summers that have less rainfall. This area has clay and limestone-based soil which helps retain water. 

Popular grape varieties from the Cotes De Gascogne wine region

The region predominantly produces white grape varietals including local specialties like Courbu, Gros Manseng, and Colombard. International varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also planted in Cotes De Gascogne. Tannat, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon are among the red varieties that account for less than 10% of total production.

Food to pair with Cotes De Gascogne wine 

Shellfish

Shellfish are a type of seafood that includes crustaceans and mollusks. Shellfish can be either wild or farmed. The most common types of shellfish include clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. The word “shellfish” can also be used to refer to any marine animal with a shell, including sea urchins and snails. 

Shellfish dishes are very popular in the United States. They are usually served as appetizers or main dishes. The most popular shellfish dish is lobster. Lobster is served in many different ways, for example, boiled, steamed, fried, and grilled. Lobster can be found all over the world but it is mainly sold in Maine and Massachusetts in the US. Lobster season starts from June to November every year as they are caught during this time period only. It is also important to mention that lobsters shed their shells every few years so they can grow bigger which means that you need to buy them live or fresh if you want to enjoy a good experience of eating them.

Roast chicken

Roast chicken is a dish that has been popular in the United States for a long time. It is typically cooked with the whole bird, though sometimes other cuts of meat are used as well.

The dish has many variations in different countries and cultures, but it is always roasted in an oven for a long period of time. The flavor and texture of the meat vary depending on how it is cooked and what ingredients are used. Roasting is a cooking method in which food is cooked in an oven at a high temperature. Roasting uses dry heat and a relatively low cooking temperature. This is in contrast to grilling, which uses direct, radiant heat from below and higher temperatures.

Roasted chicken can be served as part of the main dish or as an accompaniment to another food item, such as potatoes or rice.

Blanquette of veal

This is a French dish that is made of veal that is cooked in white wine and stock, with onions, carrots, and celery. The ingredients are then puréed together to form a thick sauce. A veal dish that is traditionally served with a white sauce and vegetables. This French dish is a veal stew that is traditionally made with a white sauce and vegetables. The veal is slowly cooked in the sauce for hours to ensure the meat becomes tender. The dish is served with rice or potatoes, buttered green beans, and sometimes slices of lemon.

Places to visit in the Cotes De Gascogne wine region

Cathedral Saint-Luperc in Eauze

Cathedral Saint-Luperc sits atop a hill in the middle of town, sculpting the picturesque silhouette of Éauze. Built from 1463 to 1591, this cathedral, which later became a church, was destroyed during religious wars and rebuilt until the 18th century. Although there were older churches and a monastery dedicated to Saint-Luperc as early as the 10th century, nothing is known about these earlier structures. The current church was erected in this place by Abbot Jean Marre in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Under the Second Empire, Jean Marre, the originator of the Saint-Luperc church, which he desired to be as opulent as a cathedral, got the honorary title of the cathedral, a title which it has preserved symbolically till now. The cathedral of Saint-Luperc d'Éauze was the earliest Flamboyant Gothic structure in Gascony, influencing the minor Armagnac churches. It measures 50.60 m long, 18 m broad, and 21.65 m high, making it majestic in its slenderness. 

Condom Cathedral (Cathedral Saint-Pierre)

Condom, a market town in the Gers department in southwest France, is home to the cathedral Saint-Pierre. Condom Cathedral is said to be built in 1282 on the ruins of an older church. Its construction lasted until 1480, and its 18,000 square meters of painted frescoes make it Europe's largest painted cathedral. It is located in the town center and on one of the pilgrim paths leading to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle. The current Saint-Pierre Cathedral is the second to be erected in this place; the original was demolished in 1368, and a new cathedral was built over the next 32 years. Other artworks and carved capital stones may be seen throughout Condom Cathedral, as well as a small 19th-century organ and a statue of Saint Peter.

Frequently asked questions about Cotes De Gascogne