Cotes du Tarn is an IGP title covering wines that come from the northern half of the Tarn administrative department in South-West France. The IGP, along with the larger Comte Tolosan IGP, exists to cover wines that fall outside of the region’s Gaillac AOC appellation, whether stylistically or geographically.
The catchment area of the Cotes du Tarn IGP lies along the alluvial plains surrounding the Tarn river, stretching up into the southwestern foothills of the Massif Central mountains. Here, the rivers have eroded the soft limestone, creating a landscape with myriad alluvial terraces that make for good vineyard sites. The IGP has two further geographical indicators which may appear on the bottle if the wine has been made to certain specifications: Cunac and Cabanes.
© Wikimedia/Adrien Béron
A transitional oceanic climate is felt in the Cotes du Tarn area, which lies between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Mild, rainy winters and springs provide hydration to the vineyards, while hot, dry summers are good for developing concentration in the grapes. Westerly winds from the Atlantic dominate, but warm, dry winds from the Mediterranean are often felt as well. These winds, as well as cooling vineyards, help to reduce pressure from diseases such as mildew by keeping the canopies moving.
Fertile, well-drained soils are a feature of the land surrounding the river Tarn. These soils, rich in limestone, have some thermal properties and reflect stored heat back onto the vines at night, keeping the berries warm and aiding ripening.
Cotes du Tarn IGP wines are most often red, made from the local Duras and Fer Souvadou grape varieties as well as Gamay and Syrah. White wines are usually dry and light, made from Sauvignon Blanc or Mauzac.
The area associated with the Cotes du Tarn IGP was previously covered by the Vin de Pays des Cotes du Tarn designation. However, the Vin de Pays category was renamed in 2009 to Indication Géographique Protégée, a move that aligns the labeling standards of France and the European Union.
