LIWF Press Release

Published: 29 April, 2009

I LOVE South-West France
With a strong sense of place, and unique native grape varieties, South-West wines have
always championed their regional identity. In Gascony, the Basque country, Pyrenean
Piemont, Aveyron or the Lot Valley, wine is at the heart of culture, an integral part of the
way of life, along with local gastronomy, and the love for rugby.
Bored with bland wines? Head for the region where winemakers proudly cultivate their
difference.

Hearty welcome on stand I50

The regional stand (I50) will be home to a range of distinctive South-West ACs and Vins
de Pays and will provide an overview of the richness of terroirs and styles offered by the
South-West region.
Dr Helen Savage, The Journal (Newcastle), will share her expertise on South-West
wines and producers. She will guide you through a selection of wines including Côtes de
Gascogne, Côtes du Tarn, Gaillac, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Cahors, Saint-Mont,
Marcillac, Fronton, Madiran, Irouleguy and Jurançon. Passionate about South-West
France she spends a lot of time in her second home in the region visiting producers and
keeping up to date with well-known industry figures and up-and-coming vignerons.
Three producers - Cave de Crouseilles, Cave de Labastide de Lévis and Producteurs
Plaimont - will also present their latest ranges.
South-West France at heart
For a chance to gain a deeper insight into the intriguing native grape varieties and the
remarkable health benefits associated with South-West wines, an informative seminar
will take place on Wednesday 13 May at 11.30. (South Gallery rooms 9 & 10). The
seminar will be followed by a buffet lunch.
Roger Corder, Professor of Experimental Therapeutics at the William Harvey Institute,
will discuss red wine polyphenols and the French Paradox. He will unveil his latest
research demonstrating the positive effect of red wines from South-West France on
blood vessels.
Anthony Rose of The Independent and thewinegang.com, will explore the South-West
indigenous red varieties and take you through a selection of some of the region's most
inspiring wines and appellations.
With a commitment to quality, and spirited personality, wines from South-West France
have no problem to distinguish themselves from the crowd. Colourful and versatile, their
freshness and acidity give them a natural propensity to complement food from aperitif
nibbles to dessert. Wines from South-West France also offer phenomenal value for
money at all price points making them all the more relevant at this time of economic
gloom.

For further information please contact Sabine Cleizergues on 0207 312 3641
sabine.cleizergues@sopexa.co.uk

The seminar will be followed by a buffet lunch. Places are limited (50 people) and seats
will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Please RSVP to sabine.cleizergues@sopexa.com before 6 May 2009.

Further information on Southwest Wines can be found at www.vins-du-sud-ouest.com/

Notes to editors:

1- Facts and Figures
2- Southwest wines at the LIWSF on stand
3- Wines tasted during Anthony Rose seminar

1- Facts and Figures:

The Southwest is the fourth biggest generic AOC in France in terms of volume and

value sales.

The region includes 18 wine appellations: Brulhois, Cahors, Côtes du Brulhois, Côtes

de Millau, Coteaux du Quercy, Entraygues et Fel, Estaing, Floc de Gascogne, Fronton,
Gaillac, Irouleguy, Jurançon, Lavilledieu, Madiran, Marcillac, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh,
Saint-Mont, Saint-Sardos and Tursan.

There are a total of 22 Vins de Pays in the Southwest, the main three in decreasing

order of importance being Côtes de Gascogne, Côtes du Tarn, and Comté Tolosan.

The region is also home to a spirit, AC Armagnac, and a fortified wine, Floc de

Gascogne.

Overall size: 50,000 ha
Overall exports: 10%-20%
Overall average production: 3.4 million hl
AC: 1.02 million hl (inc 160,000 hl in Armagnac and Floc de Gascogne)
Vin de Pays: 1.53 million hl
Vin de Table: 850,000 hl
White: 52%
Red and rosé: 48%

2 Southwest wines at the LIWSF
Visit stand I50 to taste a range of 40 wines from South-West ACs and Vins de Pays,
organised by the Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest France. The following
producers will also be exhibiting: