1. Introduction to France

Question 1

What is the latitude range of France’s wine regions?

Answer 1

42-49 degrees north

Question 2

What is the most common training and trellising system used across France?

Answer 2

1) Guyot
2) VSP

Question 3

What are the seven most planted black grape varieties in France?

Answer 3

1) Merlot
2) Grenache
3) Syrah
4) Cabernet Sauvignon
5) Cabernet Franc
6) Carignan
7) Pinot Noir

Question 4

What are the three most planted white grape varieties in France?

Answer 4

1) Ugni Blanc
2) Chardonnay
3) Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

Why is Ugni Blanc the most widely planted white grape variety?

Answer 5

Due to its use in Cognac and Armagnac

Question 6

Give two reasons why chaptalisation is becoming less common in France.

Answer 6

1) Warmer growing conditions
2) Improved canopy management

Question 7

What does the INAO stand for?

Answer 7

Institut national de l’origine et de la qualite

Question 8

What two regulatory systems does the INAO oversee?

Answer 8

1) French AOC system
2) French IGP system

Question 9

What are the three levels of IGP?

Answer 9

1) Regional IGPs (Pays d’Oc)
2) Departmental IGPs (Pays d’Herault)
3) Small zone IGPs (Collines Rhodaniennes)

Question 10

What is the trend of wine consumption per capita in France?

Answer 10

A long term, steep decline to less than half that of a century ago

Question 11

France is the world leader in which export category?

Answer 11

Exports by value (57% more exported by value than Italy, 4x that of Spain)