Of special interest to wine-lovers are the regional wines of south-west France including the distinctive wines of Cahors, Bergerac, and Gaillac – as well as the Bordeaux region – including St Emilion. The wine styles of the region vary from delicate dry rosés and the sweet white wines often served as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to foie gras, to soft, light fruit-driven reds and the deeper Malbec-based reds of Cahors.

Cahors vineyards
The little towns of Prayssac and Puy L’Eveque are good bases to tour some of the Lot valley vineyards. They are close to some major artisan producers, in beautiful parts of the area with sensational views and pleasant drives among the valley vineyards.

Some of our favourites:
Puy L’Eveque Chateau du Cayrou (M. Goursaud)
Puy L’Eveque (Vire sur Lot) Clos Triguedina (Jean-Luc Baldes)
Prayssac: Chateau la Coustarelle (Michel et Nadine Cassot)

Bergerac
The wines of Bergerac range from sweet or dry white to medium-bodied reds of great character. There are 13 appellations but complex Pécharmant red blends and the sweet whites of Monbazillac are two of the best known. The Maison des Vins in the heart of old Bergerac is a useful information point and well worth a visit.

Some of our favourites:
Chateau Monbazillac (Gilles Bartoszek)
Chateau Tour des Gendres (Luc de Conti)
Chateau de Tiregand (F de Saint-Exupery