A new country wine category for the south-west of France, Vin de Pays de l'Atlantique, will make its debut with the 2006 vintage, reports Decanter.com.

Varietal wines as well as blends produced from the classic Bordeaux varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, for instance - will be the first to appear but provision has been made for other varieties as well.

What is allowed will be determined by the département. Syrah will be permitted in the Dordogne and Lot et Garonne but not the Gironde, which will be allowed Chadonnay, Chenin Blanc and Cinsault. Vin de Pays de l'Atlantique will cover the départements of the Charente, Charente Maritime, Dordogne, Gironde and certain communes in Lot et Garonne.

"It's not a miracle solution to our difficulties, but it allows producers in the region greater flexibility and choice, and the option to experiment," said Allan Sichel, MD of Bordeaux négociant Maison Sichel and a strong advocate of the project.

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