The Gaillac AOC Appellation
The Gaillac appellation is one of France's oldest, with a winemaking history stretching back to Roman times, over 2,000 years ago. Located in the Tarn department in Occitanie, this controlled appellation (AOC) produces a remarkably diverse range of wines: reds, dry whites, sweet whites, rosés and sparkling wines.
A millennia-old terroir
The Gaillac vineyard stretches along both banks of the Tarn river, between Albi and Toulouse. The terroir is divided into three main zones: the hillsides of the right bank (clay-limestone soils, ideal for reds), the terraces of the left bank (gravel and pebbles, perfect for whites), and the Cordais plateau (cooler soils for sparkling wines).
At Domaine de Labarthe, our vines are planted on the clay-limestone hillsides of the right bank, benefiting from optimal sunshine and excellent natural drainage.
The grape varieties of the appellation
AOC Gaillac stands out for its native grape varieties found almost nowhere else: Braucol (Fer Servadou), Duras, Mauzac, Loin de l'Œil and Prunelart. These ancestral varieties give Gaillac wines an irreplaceable identity.
The wines of Gaillac
The richness of the Gaillac appellation lies in its diversity:
- Gaillac Red — Blends of Braucol, Duras and Syrah. Wines of character with dark-fruit and spice aromas.
- Gaillac Dry White — Mauzac, Loin de l'Œil, Muscadelle. Freshness, minerality and floral aromas.
- Gaillac Sweet White — Natural sweetness of Mauzac and Loin de l'Œil, late-harvested at advanced ripeness.
- Gaillac Sparkling — The Méthode Ancestrale Gaillacoise, invented long before Champagne, is one of the appellation's treasures.
Organic Gaillac
The Gaillac vineyard is seeing a strong rise in organic farming. At Domaine de Labarthe, we are certified organic and work our vines in respect of the environment and the terroir. Our sustainable practices — natural cover crops, compost, no chemical pesticides — allow the unique character of the Gaillac terroir to express itself fully.