The region of Cahors is a 500-kilometer pathway that leads through Quercy creating alluvial soils and fertile valleys thanks to the broken limestone hills in the region. Described as the Sud-Quercy, or Southwest. There are actually ten wine regions that stretch from the Spanish border to central France from the Pyrenees, to the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. The region consists of 45 villages and 4250 acres and is a compact area that is 40 kilometers wide and 60 kilometers long. The majority of the vineyards, 70% of them to be exact, are located on a narrow strip of land on each side of the Lot River between Cahors and Puy L'Eveque. The wines in this area are very fruity, full-bodied, bold, and powerful. The rest of the vineyards are on the limestone causse plateau above Cahors, tend to less robust, but have the same distinctive finesse and elegance. Most of the hillsides are limestone soils. Because of the combination of soils, which are very conducive to grape growing, and the climate, which is mild with lots of sunshine, vineyards in Cahors produce wines with all of the characteristics of a great vineyard. The region produces inexpensive table wine to some of the most award winning reds and whites in the world.