Braucol or Fer Servadou

Its origin

According to Guy Lavignac, Fer belongs to the Carmenet ampelographic family. It was brought from Spanish Basque Country in the Middle Ages by pilgrims returning from Santiago de Compostela. It can be found all over the South-West wine-growing region, either as the exclusive grape variety used (Marcillac) or as the compulsory component in a Gaillac blend.

Alias…

Il porte le nom de fer à cause de son bois, très dur à tailler ou de la fermeté de ses baies. On lui a aussi attribué le nom de « servadou » qui signifie en occitan « qui se conserve bien » (servar, servadou = conserver en occitan)The name Fer (iron) comes either from its wood, which is very hard to prune, or the firmness of its fruit. It is also known as “Servadou” which means “keeps well” in the Occitan language.

Its preferred soil

This grape variety grows exclusively in the soils of Gaillac, preferring the left bank of the Tarn

Its aromas

Braucol produces lively, lightly-coloured, well-structured wines, rich in unctuous and fine tannins. Often blended with Merlot and Cabernet, it develops very typical fruity aromas (blackcurrant and red fruits).