Coteaux du Quercy is an appellation for red and rosé wines that come from an area between Gaillac and Cahors in southwest France. The style of wines made here varies and depends on the particular intention of the winemaker, but in general, Coteaux du Quercy wines are rich and perfumed, made predominantly from Cabernet Franc.
The vineyard zone stretches across the Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne departments, about 100 miles (160km) southeast of the Bordeaux wine region. Quercy is the name of a historic former administrative province of France, whose main cities were Cahors and Montauban. Grapegrowing has been undertaken in this part of France for centuries, started mostly by monks in the Middle Ages.
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Coteaux du Quercy's viticultural area is located around 120 miles (190km) from both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, so while it has a predominantly continental climate, it also benefits from slight moderating maritime influences. The winters are certainly colder here than in areas closer to the coast, such as Bordeaux or Corbieres but the sunshine levels and summer temperatures are correspondingly high, providing an excellent growing season and highly concentrated wines.
This climatic suitability is helped along by warm southerly winds that are felt throughout the Coteaux du Quercy vineyards. These winds are particularly strong in late summer when grapes are ripening, and provide an important drying influence after the storms, which are common at this time of year. These winds help to reduce disease pressure in the vineyard, as mildew can easily develop when there is a damp, humid microclimate within the canopy.
The key vineyard sites for Quercy's wines are roughly divided into two categories. Those located on the limestone plateaux of the area (known as the Causses) produce more tannic, longer-lived wines, while those situated on the more gravelly slopes between the plateaux and the rivers turn out more approachable, fruitier wines. The different blends of grape varieties also have a significant impact on the resulting wine styles.
While Cabernet Franc is dominant in Coteaux du Quercy wines, several other grape varieties must be employed in the blend. These may be chosen from Merlot, which gives a soft, supple character to the wines, or Tannat and Cot (Malbec), which contribute a meatier, more tannic character. Gamay may also be employed in the wines, although in small quantities. The vast majority of Coteaux du Quercy wines are red, although rosé wines make up about 20 percent of production.
