The south-west of France offers a wide range of delicious wines from the hillsides of Gascony to the foothills of the Pyrenees, and thanks to some talented winemakers, they're extremely high quality at prices that remain modest.

Not just a wine-making region but a community, they're committed to upping the ante. Produce is made from traditional grape varieties to emphasise the vineyards that flourished before the region became better known for its Armagnac, the oldest brandy distilled in France.

You won't find international varieties such as chardonnay or merlot, but you will find crisp, fruity, dry whites made from gros manseng and petit courbu; robust reds made from the tannat grape with a touch of cabernet sauvignon and pinenc to add some 'salt and pepper' to the brambly fruit; and fresh, rich dessert wines with petit manseng in the blend that are served as an aperitif.

Interestingly, the vast majority of the wines are produced by a group of enthusiastic winemakers who joined forces in 1979 to set up Plaimont Producers. The co-operative has since acquired a string of beautiful chateaux to showcase the excellent quality of the terroir, while enabling them to build on the brand.

The three main appellations are Saint Mont, Madiran and Cotes de Gascogne, and to open the cellar door of discovery, here are seven signature wines from Plaimont.

:: Finest Saint Mont, AOC Saint Mont, France (currently £5.49, down from £6.99, until September 15, www.tesco.com)

A blend of the region's best white grapes - gros manseng, arrufiac and petit courbu - this wine is aromatic with notes of grapefruit and exotic fruits, crisp acidity and a twist of lemon on the finish. If you're fond of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc, this is a refreshing alternative that speaks with a French accent.

:: Plaimont Colombelle L'Original 2014, Cotes de Gascogne IGP, France (£7.70, www.spiritedwines.co.uk)

Described by the winemaker as 'modern, fruity and original,' it's made from the colombard grape which has a fruity, crisp character. This easy drinking, mid-week white is delightfully fresh with plenty of citrus and passion fruit that finishes with a lemony tang.

:: Le Faite White 2012, Saint Mont AOC, France (£18.99, cellarandkitchen.adnams.co.uk)

The jewel in the crown and top tier white for Plaimont, Le Faite is testimony to the art of blending the very best parcels of gros manseng, petit courbou and petit manseng to combine freshness with richness and length. Bright aromas of apricot, pineapple and exotic fruit, a silky smooth palate and layer upon layer of flavour. There's good acidity on the finish to keep it bright and beautiful.

:: Beret Noir 2012, Saint Mont AOC, France (£7.91, www.christopherpiperwines.co.uk)

This is a good, traditional red made from a blend of tannat, pinenc and cabernet sauvignon and possibly the closest thing to a Bordeaux, its more illustrious neighbour. Inky black with a generous bouquet of plummy black fruits and a soft mouthfeel of cassis, blackberries and a light dusting of spice.

:: Chateau du Bascou 2011, Saint Mont AOC, France (£9.95, www.thewinesociety.com)

The perfect red for a Sunday roast, this is the same tasty blend with a bit more backbone to it. Expect more of the same dense, dark forest fruits wrapped around a core of steeped cherries, plums, and blackcurrants, spiked with spice with ripe tannins on the lengthy finish.

:: Reserve Des Tuguets Madiran 2012, Madiran AOC, France (£11.99, www.tesco.com)

A bronze medal winner at the International Wine Competition 2015, the winemaker has topped the fruitiness of the tannat with cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc to create a brooding red with black cherries, mulberry fruit, and spice. Madiran reds are naturally high in tannins, which makes them the perfect marriage with roast duck or cassoulet, the classic cuisine of south-west France.

:: The Adnams Selection Fine Dessert Wine, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, France (£8.99, 50cl, cellarandkitchen.adnams.co.uk),

For most people, sweet wines and dessert are firmly intertwined, but here the tradition is to begin the meal with a glass of sweet white wine as an aperitif, or with duck pate. The Pacherenc vineyards are 'cousins' to Madiran and the contrast of sweetness and freshness with notes of honeycomb, vanilla spice and a silky texture will keep you coming back for more.

BEST BUY

Phillip Schofield's Autumn favourites... This Morning presenter and wine lover Schofield's choice wines at Waitrose are currently on special promotion with a saving of 25% from now until September 27.

Customers can choose from more than 20 wines that Phillip recommends. Highlights include Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Champagne, France (currently £16.49, down from £21.99) which is made from black grapes for a full bodied style with notes of brioche; Catena Malbec, Argentina (currently £9.74, down from £12.99) with plenty of ripe fruits and spice; and Champteloup Muscadet, France (currently £5.99, down from £7.99), the perfect white to be enjoyed with oysters.

LIQUID NEWS

The wizard that is Oz... One of the world's leading wine experts, Oz Clarke, has released his latest guide, Oz Clarke Wine A-Z, published by Pavilion Books, £11.99, available from all good book shops.

With handy info on more than 4,000 of the world's top wine producers and their wines, detailed vintage charts and an easy-to-use A-Z format spanning wine regions the world over, it's a must for wine enthusiasts and collectors.