Fronton

France · AOC · Toulouse-Pyrenees

Styles

Natural factors

Vineyard spread across 3 levels of alluvial terraces of the Tarn (low ~130 m, middle 130–160 m, high ~200 m), of Quaternary age
Three distinct soil types: boulbènes (silty-sandy), rougets (clay-silt) and graves (surface gravel with clay subsoil)
Alluvium from the Massif Central, silica-rich and limestone-free; the upper terrace is enriched with gravels and pebbles through erosion of fine particles
Zone spread across 20 communes in the départements of Haute-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne, roughly twenty kilometres north of Toulouse

Human factors

As early as the 12th century, 8 sworn inspectors (prud'hommes) verified grape ripeness annually, and the harvest date was announced by the town crier
Négrette N, the historic backbone of the blend, proved prone to coulure after post-phylloxera grafting (1878) and is complemented by later-ripening varieties to offset its lack of acidity

Product characteristics

Reds: aromas of fruit, flowers, spice and liquorice; tannins that round out with age, enjoyable young and suitable for cellaring
Rosés: fruity aromas, low acidity, colour ranging from lychee to raspberry depending on whether direct pressing or saignée is used

Terroir / wine link

Poor, acidic soils rich in metal oxides keep négrette's vigour in check, ensuring optimal ripeness and intense aromatic expression

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.