Comté Tolosan

IGP Comté Tolosan is a regional IGP covering a dozen departments in southwestern France. IGP Comté Tolosan has the same specifications as the Vin de Pays du Comté Tolosan appellation, which was initially recognized in 1982. The Comté Tolosan PGI can be supplemented by one of the following specific appellations: "Bigorre," "Coteaux et Terrasses de Montauban," "Pyrénées-Atlantiques," "Tarn-et-Garonne," "Haute-Garonne," or "Cantal."

The Comté Tolosan protected geographical indication is reserved for still red, rosé, and white wines, high-quality red, rosé, and white sparkling wines, and wines made from overripe white grapes. Most of the vineyards are located on Tertiary sedimentary soils in the Aquitaine basin and on ancient alluvial deposits from Quaternary terraces formed by the river system. The climate of the Comté Tolosan PGI is temperate oceanic, characterized by mild, rainy winters and cool, relatively humid summers. This influence fades to the east, where the Mediterranean climate takes over. The grape varieties used for Comté Tolosan wines are all those authorized for winemaking. However, the main grape varieties used are Cabernet Sauvignon, Duras, Fer Servadou, Cot, Negrette, Syrah, and Tannat for red wines. The white wines of the Comté Tolosan PGI use Chardonnay, Colombard, Muscadelle, Petit Manseng, Sémillon, and L'Uni blanc.

Of course, as the Comté Tolosan IGP covers a vast region, the diversity of wines from this appellation is immense. However, the wines produced by Château Plaisance and Domaine Alain Brumont are particularly noteworthy.

Comte Tolosan wine represents approximately 3,600 hectares of vineyards. These vast hectares of fertile land for the production of Comte Tolosan wine are spread across several departments in the southwestern region:

• Ariège, 

• Aveyron, 

• Gers, 

• Lot, 

• Lot-et-Garonne, 

• Haute-Garonne, 

• Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 

• Hautes-Pyrénées, 

• Tarn, 

• , Tarn-et-Garonne, 

• Landes 

The production of wines represented under the Comte Tolosan IGP is equivalent to a yield of 270,000 hectoliters per year. The Comte Tolosan IGP was officially recognized in 2009. Prior to this date, Comte Tolosan wines were recognized under the Vin de Pays du Comte Tolosan appellation. This appellation was created in 1982. Since the creation of the Comte Tolosan IGP, it has been supplemented according to the wine-growing origin of Comte Tolosan wine. The following appellations represent all Comte Tolosan IGP wines:

• Bigorre,

• Coteaux et Terrasses de Montauban,

• Pyrénées-Atlantiques,

• , Tarn-et-Garonne,

• Haute-Garonne,

• Cantal

The vast vineyard of the Comte Tolosan IGP appellation is characterized by its very specific soils, which are distinct from those of other IGPs. The various hectares of land in the vineyards producing Comte Tolosan wines are composed of sedimentary soils. The vineyard, which extends over several departments, is bordered by the well-known mountains and massifs of the Pyrenees, but also extends over the Massif Central and borders the Atlantic Ocean, passing through the upper Garonne basin. The Aquitaine and Pyrenean regions enjoy a temperate, oceanic climate. Winters are mild and rainy, which is ideal for the vines to thrive, followed by cool, wet summers.

The characteristics of IGP Comte Tolosan wines

The grape varieties of the Ip Comte Tolosan consist of several wines, including red, rosé, and white. The white wines (Chardonnay, Sémillon, Muscadelle), produced mainly in the Gers region, have floral and fruity flavors. The red and rosé wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Duras, Negrette) have a more fruity nose. The rosés are particularly fruity and give a very pleasant sensation of freshness on the palate.

Wine tasting

Comte Tolosan red wines pair beautifully with meat or dishes such as cassoulet or truffade. Rosés go very well with charcuterie, such as rillettes. White wines are perfect with cheeses such as Rocamadour, but can also be enjoyed with vegetables.