📜 Côtes du Tarn

Côtes du Tarn is a French protected geographical indication (PGI) for still red, rosé and white wines and for white wines made from overripe grapes. The grapes are grown and the wines made in 115 communes in the western half of the Tarn department in south-west France, around Albi, Gaillac, Cordes and Lavaur.

The reds come mainly from Gamay and Duras, often completed with Fer Servadou and Syrah, and are fruity and spicy, light and supple; the rosés come from the same grapes. Dry whites are made mainly from Sauvignon, Len de l'El and Mauzac and are floral and fruity. Other authorised varieties include Négrette, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, Chardonnay, Colombard and Sémillon.

The minimum actual alcohol is 9.5% vol for white wines and 10% vol for red and rosé; the yield is limited to 120 hl per hectare (70 hl for overripe-grape wines). Except for "primeur" or "nouveau" wines, reds must have finished malolactic fermentation before sale. The label may carry grape variety names, the area name "Sud-Ouest", or the smaller areas "Cunac" and "Cabanès"; "Vin de Pays" may replace "indication géographique protégée", with the EU PGI logo. The French order dates from 28 October 2011 (amended 8 November 2013); the name was first recognised as a vin de pays by decree of 16 November 1981.