📜 Irouléguy

Irouléguy is a French protected designation of origin (AOC, PDO) for red, rosé and white wines in the French Basque Country, in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It has been in the EU register since 18 September 1973.

The permitted varieties are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu and Petit Courbu. The main grape for the red and rosé wines is Cabernet Franc, with Tannat adding colour, fruity aromas and, in the reds, significant tannins. White wines blend at least two varieties and are aromatic, balanced by acidity.

Grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and matured in 15 communes: Aincille, Anhaux, Ascarat, Bidarray, Bussunarits-Sarrasquette, Bustince-Iriberry, Irouléguy, Ispoure, Jaxu, Lasse, Lecumberry, Ossès, Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry, Saint-Jean-le-Vieux and Saint-Martin-d'Arrossa. The label may add the broader unit Sud-Ouest.

The wines have a minimum natural strength of 11% vol and at least 13.5% vol after enrichment. Fermentable sugar must not exceed 5 g/l in whites, 4 g/l in rosés and 3 g/l in reds (4 g/l when natural strength exceeds 14% vol). Reds are limited to 0.3 g/l malic acid.

The maximum yield is 60 hectolitres per hectare. Minimum planting density is 4,000 vines per hectare. Harvest is by hand, continuous presses are banned and permanent grass cover is required along parcel boundaries.