Toulouse's local red, made on the gravel terraces of Fronton from the Négrette grape, grown almost nowhere else. It is one of France's most floral reds — violet, peony and red cherry, supple and soft-tannined, made to be drunk young and cool for its perfume. Syrah and the Cabernets lend a little backbone.
Long the everyday carafe wine of the Toulouse region, Fronton is a small, singular appellation that survives on the strength of its unique grape. It is proof of the diversity France's south-west still guards away from the famous names.