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The Marcillac AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée or quality-controlled designation of origin) wine-growing area lies within France's south-western wine-growing region and is located 20 km to the north-west of Rodez in the Aveyron department.

From Antiquity to the Middle Ages
This wine-growing area developed under the auspices of the Abbey of Conques almost 1,000 years ago.

Modern Period
Initially a thriving business, wine production met the needs of the local population The wines were held in high esteem by the middle classes and by the clergy of Rodez, whose superiors sited their country residence in the wine-growing area. They were also a vital energy supplement for miners and agricultural workers. However, a public health crisis at the end of the 19th century, the frosts of the early 20th century and the decline of the mines combined to bring down wine production, and it reached its lowest point ever in 1965. It was at this point that a handful of producers decided to take action in order to prevent the wine industry from becoming completely extinct. In 1965 they decided to apply for VDQS status (Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure or superior quality wine from a set location, i.e. the classification immediately below AOC wine), thereby putting their wine on the map and boosting their own motivation. They re-landscaped the vineyards, creating terraces in order to allow maximum mechanisation of their work. In 1990 it came as no surprise when their wine won its richly deserved AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée or quality-controlled designation of origin) status.

Contemporary History
In 1990 the wine-growing area was granted AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée or quality-controlled designation of origin) status. In 2010 the appellation will celebrate its 20th birthday.

Geographical location
This appellation is located to the north-west of Rodez in the Aveyron department. Production is spread across the communes of Marcillac-Vallon, Balsac, Clairvaux-d'Aveyron, Goutrens, Mouret, Nauviale, Pruines, Salles-la-Source, Saint-Cyprien-sur-Dourdou, Saint-Christophe-Vallon and Valady.

Geology
The vines are planted in red clay soils rich in iron oxide that are known locally as rougiers. The individual plots either cling to steeply sloping hillsides or are cut into terraces. Together they form a kind of amphitheatre that faces due south, ensuring that the grapes ripen well.

Climate
The climate varies according to the season. In winter it is possible to detect the influence of semi-continental weather patterns, while in summer Mediterranean influences are more apparent. That said, approximate annual sunshine stands at an impressive 2,200 hours. More often than not, the winters are extremely harsh and the summers very hot and sunny, not dissimilar to those experienced by towns bordering the Mediterranean.

Temperatures for Rodez, which is located next door to the Marcillac wine-growing area:

Profile
The wine is a red wine. In 2004, 8,000 hectolitres of it were produced from 161 hectares.

Grape varieties grown
The main variety grown (90 %) is Mansois, the local name for Fer Servadou. The remainder is made up of Cabernets: Cabernet-Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Terroir (soil, climate and wine-growing expertise associated with a particular vineyard) and wines
This particular red wine tends to be tannic and rustic in character, with a predominantly raspberry aroma.

Types of wine and gastronomy
Marcillac wine brings out the best in local cuisine, complementing aligot à la saucisse (mashed potatoes with cheese, cream and garlic, served with sausage) or tripoux (stuffed sheep's tripe), as well as Cantal, Laguiole and Salers cheeses.