Fronton wine is the canonical Toulouse-region AOC red wine, made with the indigenous Negrette grape blended with Syrah and Cabernet Franc on the Fronton terroir.
Where to eat it: 2 restaurants across 1 city.
Fronton wine has been produced in the Tarn-et-Garonne hills 25 km north of Toulouse since Roman times, and the Negrette grape (a Toulouse-specific variety) was popularised in the Middle Ages. The Fronton AOC was awarded in 1975. The wine pairs canonically with cassoulet, magret and the southwest plate. Chateau Boujac, Chateau Bellevue La Foret and Domaine Le Roc are the modern reference producers.
Common allergens: Sulphites
Tip from the editors. Negrette is a thin-skinned grape; do not over-aerate. Serve cooler than Bordeaux. Avoid pairing with very spicy or sweet dishes.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
N5 Wine Bar on Rue de la Bourse is the brick-vaulted Toulouse wine bar named Best Wine Bar in the World in 2017, 2018 and 2019, with around 4,000 bottles.
Signature pour: Languedoc by the glass
Wine focus: Over 500 wines by the glass
Food: Snacks and small plates
Tip: Bookings essential for weekend evenings; the by-the-glass tour of France from the dedicated sommelier is the canonical first visit.
Le Tire-Bouchon on Place Dupuy is the small family-run wine shop and bar of Philippe Lagarde, with a few tables among the boxes of organic and biodynamic.
Signature pour: Natural southwest by the bottle
Wine focus: Natural, organic and biodynamic wines
Food: Lunch fixed menus
Tip: Lunch is two courses at €16 and three courses at €21; buy a bottle from the shop rather than ordering by the glass.
More cities are in research. Want fronton wine covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.