Marcillac is an appellation for unique red wines made in a small area of the Aveyron department of South West France. Fer vines climb the steep hillsides in this small corner of France, giving rise to a spicy, aromatic red wine that responds well to barrel maturation.
The boundaries of the appellation fall within the southern Massif Central, a low mountain range that covers a large part of southern France. Marcillac wines can come from 11 communes around the village of Marcillac-Vallon. At one time, there were thousands of acres of vines in this area, but these dwindled until a resurgence in the late 20th Century. By 2008, 530 acres (215ha) of vines were planted in the Marcillac appellation, demonstrating the steady recovery of viticulture here.
Marcillac's vines sit on steep, terraced vineyard sites along the southern slopes of the rugged hills that surround the Vallon de Marcillac – a narrow, deep valley that bisects the area. Altitudes range between 1100-1600ft (350-500m) above sea level, which is optimum for ripening; the southerly exposure ensures excellent sunlight during the growing season, and the risk of frost present lower in the valley and higher on the hills is reduced. Dense forest and other forms of agriculture usually cover the northern sides of the hills.
On the terraced slopes, vineyards are planted on iron-rich limestone clays, which are known locally as les rougiers due to their reddish color. These soils have good water retention, and high levels of rainfall in the spring can provide enough water to hydrate vines throughout the warm, dry summers. The natural slope of the vineyard ensures that any excess water is efficiently drained away.
The overall climate in the Marcillac area is transitional, taking influence from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as a more continental influence from the Massif Central. Westerly winds bring rain from the ocean in spring, while in summer warm, dry winds from the south aid ripening. Strong winds during the autumn help to keep the vineyards dry, reducing disease pressure.
Marcillac AOC wines – recently promoted from VDQS – are made predominantly from Fer, or Mansois as it is known locally. This grape variety is found throughout the Sud-Ouest wine region, but Marcillac is its spiritual home: no other appellation uses Fer as the key grape variety. Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Prunelard are also allowed in the blend to tame Fer's tannic nature although, in practice, most Marcillac wines are 100 percent Fer.
Marcillac is isolated from the established winegrowing regions of the South West, but it is an up-and-coming area that is producing some increasingly respected wines. The Estaing and Entraygues - Le Fel regions are located just a short distance to the northeast of Marcillac, and are also showing signs of growth and increasing quality.
