Madiran

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The geographical area lies to the south and west of the Adour, on the southern foothills of the Pyrenees, with a relief of five major parallel ridges oriented broadly north–south.
• The appellation area covers 37 communes spread across three contiguous departments: Pyrénées Atlantiques, Hautes Pyrénées, and Gers.
• At the end of summer and in autumn, a warm, dry southerly wind of the foehn type blows on average one day in three across the geographical area.
• The ridges of the Madirannais are composed mainly of molasse dating from the Tertiary, continental deposits resulting from the erosion of the Pyrenees formed predominantly of marls and a few discontinuous limestone beds.
• Soils fall into two main types: clay-limestone soils developed on the molasse on the western slopes, and acid leached soils known as boulbènes on the gentle slopes and plateaux, often moist and deep except where enriched with gravels or pebbles.

• The monastery of Madiran, founded in 1030 by monks from the abbey of Marcilhac-sur-Célé, marks the beginning of the true structuring of the vineyard, whose local renown was ensured by pilgrims on the route to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• In the eighteenth century, Tannat, a deeply coloured and tannic variety, joined Fer and Bouchy (Cabernet franc) already long established in the area, in response to demand from Pyrenean and Caribbean markets.
• The term 'Madiran' designating red wines is first recorded in 1744, and the PDO was recognised by decree in 1948 with a production area almost identical to that of today.
• Notarial records from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries show a viticultural practice already close to the current one, with vines planted in rows, a density of around 4,000 vines per hectare, and high trellis training.

• The wines are marked by aromas of red and black fruits that lend freshness and fruitiness, evolving towards complex notes of candied fruits and spices.
• On the palate, these wines combine roundness and richness while retaining a fresh finish, with good ageing potential thanks to their structure.
• Destemming is mandatory and the wines undergo ageing until 15 April of the year following the harvest, these techniques allowing the tannins to soften before commercial release.

• The slopes of the hillsides drain excess rainwater and, when well-oriented, provide greater sunshine and higher temperatures that are beneficial for the ripening of the grapes.
• Tannat, a vigorous and fairly late-ripening variety that is susceptible to grey rot, finds in this area climatic conditions that allow it to reach full ripeness without difficulty.

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 26 novembre 2025, JORF 29 novembre 2025
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — Syndicat de Madiran et Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh