Wines from South of France

[oliva]

Gavin Jones thought it would be interesting to start a new thread on wines from the South of France, after much discussion about the Mourvedre grape and red wines from Languedoc and Provence.

Has anyone had a chance to try wines from Bergerac: Pecharmant, Madiran, or Buzet? Buzet is one of my favourites. Apparently the wines from Madiran are comparable to the first growths from Bordeaux, but of course a level lower on the price scale.

[Toby]

I like Buzet. I don't know much about it at all -- tell me whatever you know, please.

[mogsob]

Anyone who is selling you a line that Bergerac wines are comparable to first growth wines from Bordeaux is doing only that. These wines are very good, and comparable to ordinary claret, but the best wines of Bordeaux (including many non-first growths) are incomparable. The Bergerac wines simply do not have sufficient structure or length.