Saint-Mont

France · AOC · Toulouse-Pyrenees

Styles

Natural factors

46 communes in the Gers, situated between the Pyrenees (~100 km to the south) and the Atlantic (~100 km to the west)
Three terroir types: argilo-calcareous molasse (east), marine Tertiary tawny sands (west), and colluvial gravel sheets (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Leached, acidic, low-fertility soils over tawny sands and gravel to the west; argilo-calcareous soils over molasse to the east
A foehn-type wind from the south, frequent in summer and early autumn, contributing to warm, dry conditions (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
A strong west-to-east rainfall gradient: from 1,000 mm/year down to 800 mm/year; valleys with asymmetric slopes (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Human factors

A revival from 1970 onwards of a vineyard based on local grape varieties: Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Fer (reds); Arrufiac, Courbu, Gros Manseng, and Petit Manseng (whites)

Product characteristics

Reds: red and black fruits, firm tannins, ageing potential — evolving toward candied fruits, spice, and oaky notes (barrel) (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Whites are highly aromatic, full-bodied, and well-balanced (Gros Manseng); rosés offer a lively finish with a good balance of richness and acidity

Terroir / wine link

Local humidity and deep soils favour Tannat N, Gros Manseng B, and Petit Manseng B, the dominant varieties well suited to these conditions

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