Galloping Tortoise

Côtes de Gascogne

Gascony is the ultimate expression of rural, southwestern France. Vineyards stretch from the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Atlantic Coast. Food and wine are significant parts of the culture here, where locals reliably have a bottle of "Côtes de Gascogne" on the table during meals. These are usually white blends featuring Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc. They are typically light-bodied and dry with refreshing citrus and tropical fruit notes. Though red and rosé wines from this region are rare, those found are usually made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Tannat. IGP (Indication Géographique protégée) within France’s wine classification system focuses on controlling regional and geographical origin. The category is less restrictive than the AOC classification and gives winemakers to have more freedom with style and taste profile when creating wines.