Two distinctly different climates lead to very different white wines in the South of France. The South-West, that is the area to the east of Bordeaux and down into Gascony, has a relatively cool maritime climate reflected in woods of oak and beech trees. Somewhere around Toulouse you meet the hot Mediterranean climate which funnels up the Aude Valley and the vegetation turns to aromatic scrub, olive and almond trees. Retaining fresh acidity and elegance in the whites is little problem in Gascony whereas early harvesting and technical wine-making become crucial in Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence to maintain balance.

The best whites of the South-West are made using Sauvignon and a handful of local varieties with more workhorse grapes being Ugni Blanc and Colombard, both also used for Armagnac. Swathes of Chardonnay hug the Mediterranean but arguably more interesting wines come from Rhône grapes such as Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Sauvignon Blanc, if cold fermented, also performs well making more gooseberryish wines than those of further west. Grenache Blanc and Maccabeu bulk out the more pedestrian blends.