Dominique Andiran
SOUTH-WEST
The IGP Côtes-de-Gascogne appellation is located in the Gers part of the Armagnac appellation. The Côtes-de-Gascogne, that is to say the wines which are not intended for the still, are mostly of low quality, and it takes all the talent, commitment and freedom of spirit of Dominique Andiran to elevate the grape varieties and the terroir in a way that radically distinguishes his cuvées from ordinary local production.
When he took over the family vines near Montreal-du-Gers, Dominique Andiran first followed the path of conventional viticulture intended for négoce. Then he opted for organic farming and decided in 2001 to vinify and bottle his own wines. The work of the winegrower is first and foremost in the vines: no phytosanitary products, low yields, healthy and ripe grapes which allow vinification without corrective inputs. His estate – today 9 hectares, on clay-limestone and gravelly soils – includes various South-West grape varieties such as Petit and Gros Manseng, Colombard and the extremely rare Sauvignon Rose for the whites, Merlot, Tannat and Cabernets for the reds. Natural wines that testify both to the expressive potential of the terroir and to the unique personality of a winemaker who is totally and passionately rooted to his land.
