Fronton

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard extends across three geomorphological levels — the low, middle, and high terraces of the Tarn — formed from ancient alluvial deposits laid down on the Tertiary molasse substrate during the Quaternary glaciations.
• The low terrace sits at a mean altitude of 130 metres with heterogeneous soils blending silts, sands, and clays, while the high terrace reaches 200 metres with soils rich in gravels and pebbles derived from erosion.
• The soils are characterised by siliceous boulbènes, free of limestone and derived from alluvium of the Massif Central, as well as by clay-silt rougets containing up to 30% clay, and gravelly, pebbly graves.
• The geographical zone is spread across 20 communes shared between the départements of Haute-Garonne and Tarn-et-Garonne, with a generally flat landscape marked by gently rolling low hills.
• The oceanic climate, with Mediterranean influence, receives annual rainfall of between 650 and 700 millimetres with a spring peak, under westerly oceanic winds and the Autan, a warm, dry wind from the south-east.

• The vineyard was established as early as the beginning of the 12th century under the administration of the Order of the Hospitallers of Saint-Jean-de-Jérusalem, following a donation of 1122 attested by A. Escudier.
• The Négrette variety, formerly known as 'le négret', formed the basis of the plantings before the phylloxera crisis of 1878 and was widely replanted after grafting, despite its susceptibility to coulure and grey rot.

• On the palate, the red wines show aromas of red and black fruits, flowers, spices, and liquorice, with tannins that contribute structure and roundness with ageing.
• The rosé wines are distinguished by a colour ranging from lychee to raspberry according to the Centre du Rosé colour chart, depending on whether direct pressing or saignée is used.

• The poor, acidic soils, rich in metallic oxides, give the Négrette variety moderate vigour and ensure a natural regulation of yields, with optimal ripeness and an intense aromatic expression.
• The Autan advances budburst, flowering, and véraison, promotes the ripening of the grapes in late summer, and dries out the vines after August storms, limiting the development of fungal diseases.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 14 avril 2025, JORF 16 avril 2025
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — IVSO — Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest