Grape varieties - The grapes typically used are big on character: Mauzac and Loin de l'Oeil for the whites and Duras and Braucol for the reds.
The three areas or terroirs - The terraces of the Left Bank in the south, the hills of the Right Bank at the heart of the AOC area and the Cordais plateau to the north, stretching as far as the mediaeval city of Cordes-sur-Ciel.
Red and white wines - Gaillac AOC wines are characterised by an extraordinary richness, with dry or sweet whites and fraîcheur perlée, a light sparkling white, plus red wines and the rouge primeur, new season's fruity reds, to be drunk when young.