The wines and alcohol of Aveyron

The Aveyron vineyards are spread across the valleys of the Tarn , the Lot and the Dourdou. The vine seeks the sun and flourishes on the most exposed slopes : it is still chilly for its little vines! There are five AOPs in Aveyron. Like the other vineyards in the neighboring departments, that of Aveyron is very old , dating from the time when each family had its own small plot of vines (called a " barène ") for its personal consumption. From the time when this knowledge of viticulture was passed on simply and naturally. It is believed to have been planted by the Romans. Today, the main grape variety is Mansois, it is rustic , almost wild... Like the lands that receive it! The wine of Aveyron is mostly red, a little pink but almost not white. It is north of Rodez and around Millau that the vineyards are mainly located. It is in Marcillac, Rodez and Millau that you will find the most wine tourism sites.

Millau is surrounded by cultivated land, including vineyards

AOP Marcillac

It is at 20 km from Rodez, at medium altitude, that the vines take the sun , their feet in the " rougiers ". The soils here are rich in iron oxides, they are red and magnificent. In 1965, after 1000 years of existence, the vines in Marcillac were given a reprieve, but the winegrowers did not hear it that way and fought to create terraces and dust off these plots. In 1990 they were rewarded for their efforts by the protection of an AOP. 20 years later, this tannic and rustic wine is still there, it seduces with its aromas of tangy red fruits. You will enjoy it with Tripous, Aligot, local cheeses or local meats. It is a wine that is not exported much, bring back a few bottles to introduce to your friends!

AOP Estaing

It is perched on the slopes of the Lot valley, it is a very small production area (one of the smallest in France!) dating from the 10th century, which offers a round and pleasant red wine, and a white with aromas of honey and dry at the same time.

AOP Entraygues-le-Fel

Do you have to be a bit of an acrobat to cultivate a vineyard on these steep plots? The Lot and Truyère Valleys are below, they tickle the vines, which, unable to fall, have no choice but to grow upwards! The wines are fragrant and with mineral flavors, could this be due to the schist and granite soil? This AOP is only cultivated on 20 hectares, a little gem!

AOP Côtes de Millau

Along the upper Tarn valley, on the rocks of the causses, within a radius of 30 km around Millau, the vine grows! The climate is moderate, rather arid. The variations in altitude and soil typology give red wines that go perfectly with cheeses. The vineyard dates back to the Roman period, that of the emancipation of terra sigillata pottery. Initially wine for mass and pilgrims, it became a wine for family consumption. The vineyard then suffered from the rural exodus and regained its breath towards the middle of the 20th century. The peasants took an interest in this mistreated and abandoned vine, they replanted new grape varieties and discovered new ways to make it prosper.

Sunny Millau Coast!

IGP Aveyron

At an altitude of around 200m, on around thirty hectares of sunny hillsides, the wines of the IGP Aveyron are mostly red, they have character, like the locals who consume them and those who want to taste beautiful pairings between the local gastronomy and its fruity, high-altitude wines.

In Aveyron, there is not only wine, there are also aperitifs and digestifs ! First there is Ratafia, a pretty name, isn't it? It has a strong alcohol content, so reserve it for an aperitif without overdoing it. It is a mixture of grape musts, with a neutral alcohol, which everyone has their own recipe for. Then there is Aubrac Gentian, a beautiful plant with yellow flowers, quite tall and seen in summer. Gentian is a bitter produced from the roots of the plant. Harvesting is very regulated to avoid abuse: only plants over 7 years old are taken! Gentian is used for many things, including drinks, cosmetics and medicinal products. Besides, it is basically a medicine, but to be consumed in moderation, you understand that well!