Irouléguy

Irouléguy (Basque: Irulegi) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.

It is located in the former province of Lower Navarre.

It is mainly known for the Irouléguy AOC wine which is grown on the vineyards of the area.

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Irouléguy AOC

Irouléguy AOC wines (Basque: Irulegi, Basque pronunciation: [iɾuˈleɡi]) come from Lower Navarre in the Northern Basque Country, France and are usually considered as part of the wine region of South West France (Sud-Ouest). They are named after the village of Irouléguy and are the only wines with AOC certification in the Northern Basque Country. Irouléguy wines are often referred to as coming from "the smallest vineyard in France, the biggest in the Northern Basque Country".

Currently about 550,000 litres are produced annually, with about 70% of production being red wines, 20% rosé and 10% white.

History

The history of wine-making in the area goes back to at least the 3rd century when the Romans commented on wine-making in the area. It was boosted by monks of the Abbey of Roncesvalles in the 11th century who planted the first large scale vineyards to provide wine for pilgrims travelling along the Way of St James. Following the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, the monks had to give up wine-making and the vineyards which were taken over by the local villagers.