The wine’s independent and proud spirit is imprinted on the palate and hillsides of this corner of deep South-West France
2–minute read
And so here we are again. It’s mid-August, extremely hot, and this year’s five-day Fête de Madiran is in full flow. Madiran’s priory was built in the 11th century by Benedictine monks, who were also keen wine growers. The Priory’s large garden is now the hub of the busy wine festival where present day wine fans can sample a range of wines from the region’s 1,300 hectares of vines.
Madiran is a village and a wine
Madiran is the historical and spiritual home of Madiran wine production which spans three departments here in South-West France: the Hautes Pyrenees (65), the Pyrenees Atlantiques (64) and the Gers (32). Madiran’s wine heritage stretches back to 800BC, but the festival now celebrates the modern and flourishing wine region of today, which in recent years has gained greater global notoriety with the emergence of celebrated domaines and star producers.
Madiran is also the name of the red wine produced here. Madiran red is a distinctive strong-bodied wine whose main grape is Tannat, a variety which comes with health benefits. In general terms, Madiran is a rustic, strong wine in contrast to a softer Bordeaux red. Hearty fare such as winter roasts, duck, beef steak and local brebis (sheep) cheese make a good balance to this dense full-bodied singular wine.
Madiran’s sister wine is Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
The Madiran region also produces another wine called Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh. Le Vic-Bilh is the name of the immediate region around the town of Lembeye, which is about 15km from Madiran. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is a white wine, typically extremely sweet – and delicious. In contrast to countries such as USA, Australia and UK, here sweet wines are offered as an aperitif at the beginning of a meal – and not at the end as a pudding wine.
So, the Fête de Madiran which takes place annually around the Assumption holiday (15th August) is a gala of wine, deep traditions and partying: something for all age groups. It combines the typical fete activities of this part of South-West France which are run by the village’s Comité de fêtes (fete committee), chasseurs (hunters) and jeune agriculteurs (young farmers). But it also celebrates the ancient history of wine in the region through church services and colourful processions, with the brotherhood of La Viguerie Royale du Madiran taking centre stage to honour and spread the historical renown of its proud wine-making traditions.
Further information about Madiran & Pacherenc Vic-Bilh can be found here: https://madiran-pacherenc.com/en/
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