Irouleguy ('Irulegi' in the local Basque language) is the most southerly of France's wine appellations. Centered around the town of the same name, it is located in the far south-western corner of the country. Its western and southern boundaries are actually formed by the French border with Spain.
This part of France is heavily influenced by the area's Basque heritage - the language spoken here is different from standard French, and the culture is markedly different. The origins of the Basque people and their language are complex, and the people now live in the northern parts of Spain and the far south of France. The winemaking in this area reflects this, with the lower slopes of the Pyrenees mountains providing the setting for many vineyards. The appellation AOC Irouleguy was granted in the middle of the twentieth century, after several decades of decline in the local winemaking industry. The current level of vine plantings is about one fifth of what it was at the turn of the twentieth century.
The terroirs of the area are diverse, which is to be expected given the geographical diversity, but the high sunshine levels one consant on which Irouleguy's vineyard can rely. The climate is heavily moderated by the presence of the Atlantic Ocean 25 miles (40km) away to the west, while the Pyrenean peaks provide shelter from northerly winds, and cast a rain shadow over the area, conveniently reducing rainfall level at harvest time. The peaks reach heights of 3,300 ft (1000m) just 10 miles (16km) away from the main viticultural areas of Irouleguy.
The area's soils include clay (in lower-lying areas near rivers), limestone, schist and gravel, the latter of which is excellent for maturing the Cabernet grapes which make up an increasing proportion of plantings. In fact, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc must make up at least 50% of the blend for any red or rose wine claiming the Irouleguy appellation. Tannat is the only other red grape permitted under the appellation laws, which is predominantly used to make weighty rose wines and lighter fruitier red wines than are made from it in Madiran.
The appellation's white wines must be made from Courbu and Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng, and are generally fragrant and light-bodied.
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