Gaillac AC [gah-YAHK]
This appellation encircles the town of Gaillac in Southwest France, northeast of Toulouse. It produces red, white, and rosé wines that can be sweet or dry, still, or sparkling. Much of the production goes into the slightly sweet sparkling wines entitled Gaillac mousseux AC, which are made by the méthode champenoise or rural method (locally referred to as méthode gaillacoise). A petillant (slightly sparkling) wine called Gaillac Perle AC is also produced, but not highly regarded. The white grapes used are Mauzac blanc, Len de L’elh, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon. Gaillac doux AC is the appellation for sweet white wines. Among the many acceptable red varieties are Duras, Fer, Gamay, negrette, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. The area’s red and rosé wines vary greatly in quality, partially due to the number of varieties that can be used.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.