Saint-Sardos
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Accessory grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Vineyard planted on ancient alluvial terraces of the Garonne, deposited over a Tertiary molasse substrate during Quaternary glaciations.
- Alluvial soils free of limestone and rich in siliceous material; the molasse hillsides offer a counterpoint of brown clay-limestone soils.
- Landscape of dissected plateaus ranging from 100 m to nearly 300 m in altitude, with steeply sloping hillsides and highly varied aspects.
- Oceanic climate with Mediterranean influence; the vent d'Autan, a warm, dry south-easterly wind, accelerates ripening and reduces the risk of fungal disease.
- The appellation covers 23 communes spread across the south-west of Tarn-et-Garonne and the north-west of Haute-Garonne, on the left bank of the Garonne.
Human factors
- The Abbaye de Grand-Selve (founded 1114) developed local viticulture from the 13th century onwards, maintaining a cellar holding 200 barrels in Bordeaux.
- Following the phylloxera crisis (1876) and the frosts of 1956, experimental selection of grape varieties matched to climate and soils ultimately led to VDQS status in 2005.
Product characteristics
- Red wines: deep colour, with spicy, floral, and fruity aromas, liquorice (Syrah), blackcurrant (Tannat), rich in tannins, with good ageing potential.
- Rosé wines: bright pink colour, fruity and floral notes on the nose, a lively finish, well-balanced and harmonious.
Terroir / wine link
- The vent d'Autan accelerates budburst, flowering, and véraison, promotes full ripeness, and limits the incidence of fungal disease.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
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