Vin de Pays des Landes is the departement-level Vin de Pays (VDP) title for the Landes administrative department in the south-western corner of France. It covers every vineyard in the department, irrespective of terroir.
Landes is not known for its wines, being heavily overshadowed by the South-Western appellations to the south and east, and Bordeaux, just to the north. The VDQS-level Tursan wines come from the eastern part of Landes, as do a certain number of those made under the VDP des Cotes de Gascogne title.
The VDP de Zone title VDP des Terroirs Landais covers specific sections of Landes and is itself further subdivided into four sub-regional titles. Those wines which do not meet the criteria required by these other appellations are sold as VDP du Comte Tolosan or VDP des Landes .
The grape varieties most likely to be used in Vin de Pays des Landes wine are Tannat, Merlot, and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc for reds and roses, and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Gros Manseng and Ugni Blanc for whites.
In 2009, the Vin de Pays (VDP) title in force since the 1970s was supplemented with Indication Geographique Protegee (IGP) – its EU equivalent. French wine authorities have actively promoted the use of IGP, which acts as a legal statement of quality and origin throughout the eurozone. Wine producers retain the right to use either title.
