Saint-Sardos

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard is planted on the ancient alluvial terraces of the Garonne, deposited over the Tertiary molasse bedrock during the successive glaciations of the Quaternary.
• These terraces reach almost 300 metres in altitude and descend in successive steps down to the river's low plain, which lies at 100 metres above sea level.
• The ancient alluvions are characterised by their high content of siliceous elements, gravels, and sands, and by the absence of limestone, while the molasse hillsides display brown clay-limestone soils.
• The geographical zone benefits from an oceanic climate with Mediterranean influence, with mean annual rainfall oscillating between 650 and 700 millimetres and a significant peak in spring.
• The prevailing winds are oceanic westerlies, which bring cloud formations and precipitation, while the Autan wind, less frequent, is a warm, dry wind arriving from the south-east.

• The Abbey of Grandselve, founded in 1114 at Bouillac and affiliated with the Cistercian order, was the origin of the development of local viticulture.
• In 1850, 4,600 hectares of vines were planted on the territory of Saint-Sardos, before phylloxera struck the region in 1876.
• The cooperative cellar of Saint-Sardos was established in 1955, and despite the severe frosts of 1956 the producers rehabilitated their vineyard in pursuit of a quality product.

• The red wines are produced from an original blend, unique in France, combining Syrah and Tannat as the principal varieties, giving them a distinctive character.
• The red wines display a deep colour with spiced, floral, fruity, and liquorice aromas contributed by the Syrah, combined with blackcurrant notes contributed by the Tannat.
• Rich in tannins, the red wines have a structure that gives them good ageing potential, and élevage brings additional roundness before release to market.
• The rosé wines display a bright pink colour with fruity and floral notes on the nose, and a lively finish on the palate that makes them balanced and harmonious wines.

• The Autan wind can blow strongly at the end of summer, favouring grape ripeness and 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 4 novembre 2011, JORF 8 novembre 2011
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — IVSO — Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest