The 100 Years War put an end to a long period of prosperity. A 1373 mandate offered an advantage to the wine production of Gironde, as it overtaxed the wines of the hinterland, especially Cahors.

Despite this discrimination, which was only to be abolished in the 18th century, Cahors remained a renowned wine, appreciated by the likes of François I, who asked for a wine with the "Cahors" grape variety to be planted at Fontainebleau, and Peter the Great of Russia who imposed it upon the Orthodox Church. In his World History of Wine, Hugh Johnson pointed out in refernce to the 17th century that, when it comes to red, the Dutch preferred strong and dark beverages, like Cahors, their ideal wine.