Southwest France wins 2017 Wine Region of the Year Award

Wines of Southwest France is delighted to announce it has been named 2017 Wine Region of the Year by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine. This outstanding distinction is given each year as part of the Wine Star Awards to the region that has made an exemplary contribution to the wine industry by adopting an innovative vision and committing to sustainable excellence.

Southwest France, a lush and hilly region with a temperate oceanic climate, has received global praise over the last few years for its wines of superior value and finesse, yet highly affordable and easy to pair. With its exceptional array of 120 native grape varieties and inspiring bouquet of aromas, Southwest France is fast becoming the preferred region for both sommeliers and consumers who are looking for high-quality wines that won't break the bank.

"Southwest France is truly honored to be internationally recognized as 2017's top wine region," said Paul Fabre, Managing Director of the Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest. "This award not only honors over 2,000 years of hard work selecting the region's best grapes, but also acknowledges the passion of today's winemakers who are creating crowd-pleasing wines that are versatile and approachable."

Fall in Love with French Wine Again

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the massive Pyrenees Mountains in the south, Southwest is France's fourth largest region in production volume. With its 47,000 hectares of land and astounding 42 geographical designations, it produces wines of great authenticity and character that have nothing to envy to neighboring regions such as Bordeaux.

To celebrate this year's prestigious Wine Enthusiast accolade, the Wines of Southwest France are inviting oenophiles to rediscover French wine by picking up a bottle of Southwest's soft and fruity wine to accompany their favorite meal. Here are some options among the region's 29 AOPs or Appellations d'Origine Protge available in the U.S.:

• Everyone's favorite white wines including Ctes-de-Gascogne and Iroulguyand Tursan
• Aromatic ross that know no season including Fronton
• Fruity reds that literally pair with everything including Gaillac, Ctes du Marmandais, Saint-Mont and Marcillac
• Full-bodied reds for a more dramatic impression including Brulhois, Madiran, Cahors, Bergerac, Ctes-de-Duras and Coteaux du Quercy
• A delicious ending with sweet wines including Monbazillac and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh

A New Generation of SouthwestWinemakers

The current generation of Southwest vignerons are at the forefront of the modern winemaking movement, using trailblazing viticultural techniques that are respectful of the environment and sustainable. In the winery, new fermentation practices have been specially developed to emphasize the fruit of some previously rather tough red wines, enabling them to be enjoyed young.

Together, Southwest winemakers have also been working hard to adapt practices for the new challenges the industry is facing today. For example, some have been studying closely the genetic makeup of old grape varieties to create new wines that are resistant to diseases and able to face climate change. Others have been embracing the organic wine trend and are practicing minimal interventions both in the vineyard and in their cellars. These recent developments have fortunately been met with an encouraging spike in global acclamation and demand.

To find out more about Wines of Southwest France, please visit: http://winesofsouthwestfrance.com/

To review the full list of Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Winners, please visit: https://www.winemag.com/gallery/wine-enthusiasts-2017-wine-star-award-winners/

About Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest France

Interprofession des Vins du Sud-Ouest (IVSO) is a professional organization of wine producers, cooperatives, and trading companies in the Southwestern corner of France. The organization represents 29 Protected Designation of Origin, 13 Protected Geographical Indication in the area of France bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, and Spain and the Pyrenees Mountains on the south. Headquartered in Toulouse, the IVSO is actively building its membership and increasing its promotion of the wines of Southwest France around the world.

For more information on white wines of Southwest France, please visit www.winesofsouthwestfrance.com
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