AOP Cahors

AOP Cahors in a nutshell

AOP Cahors, located in southwestern France, is a historic appellation renowned for its powerful, elegant red wines. Once dubbed the "black wine" because of its dark, intense color, Cahors wine embodies the excellence of the Malbec grape, also known locally as "Côt".

These vineyards, planted on the terraces of the Lot valley, benefit from ideal conditions for producing high-quality organic wines. Cahors winegrowers, attached to their terroir, combine ancestral know-how with modern, environmentally-friendly practices to create authentic, expressive wines.

The Cahors vineyards are located on the terraces of the Lot valley, and benefit from ideal conditions for producing high-quality organic wines.

Organic Cahors wines seduce with their aromatic depth, fine tannins and remarkable ageing potential. Whether paired with meat dishes, cheeses or savored on their own, Cahors wines offer a unique taste experience, blending tradition and modernity.

Organic Cahors Wines.

The Cahors PDO vineyards cover around 4,000 hectares in the Lot department, along the Lot valley between Cahors and Puy-l'Évêque. This territory is marked by great geological diversity, spread over three main types of terroir:

Valley terraces: These alluvial soils, located close to the River Lot, are rich and deep, offering supple, fruity wines.

Les causses calcaires: Located on the plateaus, these lean, stony soils produce more complex, powerful and structured wines, perfect for aging.

Intermediate hillsides: Between terraces and plateaus, these soils offer a balance between power and finesse, producing elegant, harmonious wines.

The climate of Cahors, a semi-continental type with oceanic influences, is ideal for growing Malbec. Warm summers and mild autumns favor optimal ripening of the grapes, while the proximity of the Lot river limits extreme temperature variations.

This unique terroir, combined with respectful viticultural practices, enables organic Cahors wines to express all the richness and depth of their region of origin.

Malbec, also known as "Côt" or "Auxerrois" in the region, is the emblematic grape variety of the Cahors PDO. It accounts for at least 70% of the appellation's blends, often complemented by Merlot and Tannat, which bring roundness and structure. Malbec stands out for its ability to produce intense red wines, with a deep, dark, almost black color and exceptional aromatic richness. Organic Cahors wines made from Malbec reveal aromas of black fruits, such as blackberry and blackcurrant, accompanied by notes of licorice, violets and sometimes cocoa or leather after a few years' cellaring. This grape variety is also renowned for its powerful yet elegant tannins, which give the wines remarkable structure and excellent ageing potential. As they age, Malbec wines gain in complexity, developing tertiary aromas of undergrowth, truffle and spice.

Thanks to the diversity of Cahors terroirs, Malbec can express its full personality, offering wines that are sometimes fruity and accessible, sometimes powerful and cut out for ageing. The organic wines of Cahors, produced with respect for the soil and the environment, sublimate this unique grape variety, which has become a global benchmark.

The Cahors PDO is renowned for its red wines, which come in a variety of styles depending on terroir and winemaking practices. All these wines share a strong identity: the aromatic intensity, depth and tannic richness characteristic of Malbec.

Fruity, accessible wines:

Originating from alluvial terraces, these wines are dominated by aromas of fresh red and black fruits, such as cherry and blackberry. On the palate, they are supple and round, with a lovely freshness. These easy-drinking wines are perfect for drinking young, and pair well with simple dishes such as grilled meats or charcuterie.

Complex, elegant wines:

Grown on intermediate slopes, these wines offer a balance of fruitiness, freshness and tannic structure. Ripe fruit aromas mingle with floral and spicy notes. These wines lend themselves to medium ageing and pair well with more elaborate dishes, such as meats in sauce or roast poultry.

Powerful, long-keeping wines:

Produced on limestone causses, these wines are intense and concentrated, with firm tannins and great aromatic complexity. They reveal notes of blackcurrant, licorice, truffle and cocoa, evolving over time to aromas of undergrowth and leather. These wines can be kept for several decades, and are ideal accompaniments to rich dishes, such as game, duck breast or truffled dishes.

Discover the superb organic wines from Château Combel la Serre, Château du Cèdre, Mas del Périé and Château Haut-Montplaisir!