14 - The Dordogne and South West France

Question 1

The Dordogne
(where, climate, appellations, wines)

Answer 1

• to the east of the vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers
• climate similar to Bx, but less moderating maritime influence
• major appellation: Bergerac
  –> red & white wines of same grape var. as Bx
• Monbazillac: good value botrytised sweet wines (Sémillon & SB)

Question 2

Where is Dordogne situated and what appellations does it have?

Answer 2

• to the east of the vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers
• major appellation: Bergerac
  –> red & white wines of same grape var. as Bx
• Monbazillac: good value botrytised sweet wines (Sémillon & SB)

Question 3

What is the climate of the Dordogne

Answer 3

• similar to Bx (Moderate Maritime), but less moderating maritime influence

Question 4

• appellations in South West France
• where
• grapes
• wines

Answer 4

Cahors
- east of Bx, either side of the River Lot
- broad range of styles
- vy: fertile valley bottom, poorer soil of the slopes, plateau above
- Malbec (Merlot, Tannat)
- best: aged in oak, deeply coloured, high in tannin, intense & dark berry fruits, mature slowly, cedar & earth

Côtes de Gascogne IGP
- south-east of Bx
- Ugni Blanc
- dry, light-bodied, green apples

Madiran
- further south towards the Pyrenees
- Tannat
- blends
- deeply coloured, high tannin
- trad. needed a long period of bottle ageing to soften tannins
- today: riper grapes & modern wm techniques –> conc. black fruit & hith levels of softer riper tannins

Jurancon
- right in the foothills of the Pyrenees
- dry & sweet white wines
- Petit Manseng
- complex sweet wines, free of botrytis, passerillage. Pronounced apricot & grapefruit aromas, sometimes spicy notes from new oak

Question 5

appellations in South West France (4) & grapes

Answer 5

• Cahors - Malbec (Merlot, Tannat)
• Côtes de Gascogne - Ugni Blanc
• Madiran - Tannat
• Jurancon - Petit Manseng

Question 6

Cahors
(where, grapes, wines)

Answer 6

Cahors
- east of Bx, either side of the River Lot
- broad range of styles
- vy: fertile valley bottom, poorer soil of the slopes, plateau above
- Malbec (Merlot, Tannat)
- best: aged in oak, deeply coloured, high in tannin, intense & dark berry fruits, mature slowly, cedar & earth

Question 7

Côtes de Gascogne IGP
(where, grapes, wines)

Answer 7

Côtes de Gascogne IGP
- south-east of Bx
- Ugni Blanc
- dry, light-bodied, green apples

Question 8

Madiran
(where, grapes, wines)

Answer 8

Madiran
- further south towards the Pyrenees
- Tannat
- blends
- deeply coloured, high tannin
- trad. needed a long period of bottle ageing to soften tannins
- today: riper grapes & modern wm techniques –> conc. black fruit & hith levels of softer riper tannins

Question 9

Jurancon
(where, grapes, wines)

Answer 9

Jurancon
- right in the foothills of the Pyrenees
- dry & sweet white wines
- Petit Manseng
- complex sweet wines, free of botrytis, passerillage. Pronounced apricot & grapefruit aromas, sometimes spicy notes from new oak

Question 10

appellation - River Lot

Answer 10

Cahors
- east of Bx, either side of the River Lot

Question 11

3 type of vineyard location in Cahors

Answer 11

1. fertile valley bottom
2. poorer soil of the slopes
3. plateau above

Question 12

wines of Cahors
(grapes, characteristics)

Answer 12

• Malbec (Merlot, Tannat)

best:
- aged in oak
- deeply coloured
- high in tannin
- intense & dark berry fruits
- mature slowly –> cedar & earth

Question 13

wines of Cahors
(where, grapes, wines)

Answer 13

Cahors
- east of Bx, either side of the River Lot
- broad range of styles
- vy: fertile valley bottom, poorer soil of the slopes, plateau above
- Malbec (Merlot, Tannat)
- best: aged in oak, deeply coloured, high in tannin, intense & dark berry fruits, mature slowly, cedar & earth

Côtes de Gascogne IGP
- south-east of Bx
- Ugni Blanc
- dry, light-bodied, green apples

Madiran
- further south towards the Pyrenees
- Tannat
- blends
- deeply coloured, high tannin
- trad. needed a long period of bottle ageing to soften tannins
- today: riper grapes & modern wm techniques –> conc. black fruit & hith levels of softer riper tannins

Jurancon
- right in the foothills of the Pyrenees
- dry & sweet white wines
- Petit Manseng
- complex sweet wines, free of botrytis, passerillage. Pronounced apricot & grapefruit aromas, sometimes spicy notes from new oak

Question 14

historic name of wines of Cahors

Answer 14

’ black’ wines

Question 15

style produced in Cahors depend on..

Answer 15

whether the vineyards are in the fertile valley bottom, on the poorer soils of the slopes or on the plateau above

Question 16

the most important grape in Cahors

Answer 16

Malbec

Question 17

other grape varieties planted in Cahors

Answer 17

Merlot & Tannat

(main: Malbec)

Question 18

are wines in Cahors aged in oak?

Answer 18

yes

Question 19

The most important IGP south-east of Bx

Answer 19

Côtes de Gascogne

Question 20

where can we find dry, light-bodied white wines made from Ugni Blanc, with aromas & flavours of green apples?

Answer 20

Côtes de Gascogne

Question 21

grape of Madiran

Answer 21

Tannat

Question 22

sv or blend in Madiran?

Answer 22

blend

Question 23

traditionally Madiran needed …

Answer 23

… a long period of bottle ageing to soften their tannins

Question 24

Madiran wines today

Answer 24

riper grapes & modern wm techn.
–> conc. black fruit & high levels of softer riper tannins

Question 25

appellation in the foothills of the Pyrenees

Answer 25

Jurancon

Question 26

dry or sweet wines in Jurancon?

Answer 26

both dry and sweet white wines

Question 27

botrytis and/or passerillage in Jurancon?

Answer 27

only passerillage