A crossroads : oceanic, continental and Mediterranean influences

The vineyards to the west of the basin have a temperate, oceanic influence with a mild and humid climate. While rainfall can be heavy in the spring, fall is generally sunny and dry.

In the northeast, continental influences predominate with more severe winters. Further south, Mediterranean influences are more common often with hot and dry summers on the plains.

The Autan wind, characteristic of the southwest, is famous for cleansing the air.

On the Pyrenean foothills, the foehn, a hot and dry mountain wind from Spain, can blow nearly one day out of three especially in the fall and this contributes to the final ripening of the grapes.

In areas where woodlands and streams coexist, morning mists often appear in fall followed by sunny afternoons. This weather phenomenon promotes the emergence of Botrytis cinerea, a tiny fungus that causes noble rot that grows on the grapes, increases the concentration of sugars and makes it possible to make sweet or dessert wines.