AOC Fronton

History of the AOC Fronton

Located between Toulouse and Montauban, the vineyard of Fronton boasts a rich and ancient viticultural history dating back to the Roman Empire. Officially recognized as an AOC in 1975, the appellation has particularly distinguished itself thanks to its emblematic grape variety, Négrette, which gives its wines a unique identity.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Fronton

• Climate: Fronton benefits from a typically Mediterranean climate with a continental tendency, characterized by hot and dry summers and mild winters. The influence of winds also contributes to the good ripening of the grapes.
• Soils: The soils of the appellation are mainly composed of gravel, boulbènes (sandy clay soils), and fawn-colored sands. These poor and well-drained soils are ideal for the cultivation of its flagship grape variety: Négrette.

Key Grape Varieties of the AOC Fronton

The AOC Fronton is largely dominated by Négrette, a native red grape variety, which must constitute at least 50% of the blend. Négrette gives the wines a velvety texture and distinctive floral (violet) and spicy (pepper) aromas. However, the AOC Fronton can complement Négrette with other regional red grape varieties, including:

• Carignan (red and rosé wines)
• Grenache (red and rosé wines)
• Mourvèdre (red and rosé wines)
• Syrah (red and rosé wines)
• Mérille (red and rosé wines)
• Gamay (red and rosé wines)
• Fer-Servadou (red and rosé wines)
• Cinsault (red and rosé wines)

Style of AOC Fronton Wines

Rosé Wine: The rosé wines have a sustained pink color with rose petal reflections. The nose expresses notes of small red fruits, citrus, and a hint of spices (pink pepper). On the palate, they show remarkable freshness, balanced by a nice roundness and a fruitiness that brings a lot of indulgence.

Red Wine: The red wines exhibit a deep ruby color that can verge on black depending on the vintage. The aromatic palette is dominated by notes of black fruits, licorice, spices, and violet. Rich and structured on the palate, the red wines of AOC Fronton possess silky tannins and a long, fresh finish.

Best Food Pairings with AOC Fronton Wines

Rosé Wine:

• Taboulé with raisins
• Tomatoes with basil
• Spiced shrimp

Red Wine:

• Cassoulet
• Duck confit
• Paella