📜 Côtes de Duras

Côtes de Duras is a protected designation of origin (PDO) for still white, red and rosé wines from the Duras area of Lot-et-Garonne in south-west France. It was first recognised by a decree of 16 February 1937, and its current specification (cahier des charges) was approved by an order of 28 July 2025.

According to the specification, grapes are harvested and the wines are made in 15 communes of Lot-et-Garonne, including Duras, Baleyssagues, Loubès-Bernac, Saint-Astier and Villeneuve-de-Duras. Vines are planted at a minimum density of 4,000 per hectare, or 3,300 per hectare for vineyards meant for dry white wine.

Red wines come from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Côt and Merlot. Rosé uses the same principal varieties, with Muscadelle, Sauvignon, Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon as accessory ones. White wines are made mainly from Chenin Blanc, Mauzac, Muscadelle, Ondenc, Sauvignon, Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon, with Colombard and Ugni Blanc as accessory varieties; Colombard may not exceed 10% of the plantings.

Base yields are 60 hectolitres per hectare for dry white wine, 50 for other white wines and 55 for red and rosé wines. The minimum natural alcoholic strength is 10.5% for dry white, 11.5% for other white and 10.5% for red and rosé wines.