The AOC Cahors wine region follows the meanders of the river Lot to the west of Cahors itself. The officially designated growing region covers 21,700 hectares, but of this only 4,500 hectares is currently cultivated for wine. The principal grape variety of Cahors is locally called Cot, but more widely known elsewhere as Malbec or Auxerrois. It is a very dark grape that produces a wine strong in tannins and with a lot of body.