9. South West France Flashcards
What are the two largest producing appellations of the Dordogne?
1) Bergerac
2) Monbazillac
Describe the terroir of Bergerac AOC
Slightly warmer and drier than Bordeaux with clay and limestone soils and some gravel
50% of Bergerac AOC red must be a blend of at least two of which four varieties?
1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Cabernet Franc
3) Malbec
4) Merlot
What are the maximum yields for Bergerac AOC?
1) Red - 60 hL/ha
2) White - 67 hL/ha
What is the higher quality sub-appellation of Bergerac?
Cotes de Bergerac AOC
Are international varieties permitted in Bergerac AOC and/or Cotes de Bergerac? (2)
Yes in Bergerac AOC
No in Cotes de Bergerac AOC
What is the maximum yield in Cotes de Bergerac AOC
50 hL/ha
Where is most Bergerac sold?
Domestically in supers and direct sales
What is the only wine style permitted in Monbazillac AOC?
Sweet white either botrytis or late harvest
Monbazillac AOC must be 80% of which four varieties?
1) Sauvignon Blanc
2) Semillon
3) Mucadelle
4) Sauvignon Gris
What is the maximum yield in Monbazillac AOC?
30 hL/ha
What winemaking choice means Monbazillac often less expensive than Sauternes?
Fermentation in new oak is much less common
What is the only French appellation where Malbec is the principal grape variety?
Cahors
What two other varieties are permitted in Cahors?
Tannat & Merlot
What are the two common types of vine training used in Cahors?
1) Single guyot
2) Bush
What are the three vineyard types in Cahors?
1) Flat, rich alluvial plains
2) Mid-slope of poorer soils
3) 350m plateau of limestone
Why does Malbec ripen more regularly in Cahors compared with Bordeaux?
It is warmer and drier in Cahors
Why is Cahors well above the average for France in organic grape growing?
Is experiences lower rainfall so spraying against fungal disease isn’t as often required
What is the minimum per cent of Malbec permitted in Cahors?
70%
Cahors may be hand- or machine-harvested, but must be what?
Destemmed
Name two significant Cahors producers
1) Chateau de Cedre
2) Chateau de Chambert
What is the principal variety of Madiran AOC?
Tannat
What is the appellation for late harvest sweet white wine that occupies the same area as Madiran AOC?
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC
Describe the climate and seasonal weather influences of Madiran (6)
1) Some Atlantic influence
2) High rainfall in winter and spring
3) Warm and sunny summers
4) Dry autumns
5) Warm days and cool nights
6) Hot, dry southern Fohn wind
What are the predominant soil types in Madiran for age-worthy wines?
Clay and limestone with good drainage
What are three characteristics of Tannat in the vineyard?
1) Vigorous
2) Mid-ripening
3) Vulnerable to botrytis
What is the name of the local black grape variety in Madiran?
Fer aka Fer Servadou
Madiran AOC must be a minimum what per cent Tannat?
50%
What three varieties may Tannat be blended with in Madiran AOC?
1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Fer
3) Cabernet Franc
How are vines trained in Madiran AOC? (2)
1) Cordon de Royat
2) Guyot
Madiran may be hand- or machine-harvested, but must be what? Why?
1) Destemmed
2) To reduce the extraction of further tannins)
What is the maximum yield in Madiran AOC?
55 hL/ha
In 1991 who pioneered the technique of micro-oxygenation seeking to soften the tannins in Tannat?
Patrick Ducournau
What are four ways the tannins in Tannat are softened?
1) Shorter maceration times
2) Ageing in oak
3) Ageing in bottle
4) Micro-oxygenation
When can Madiran AOC wines be sold? Why?
1) From the beginning of November in the year following harvest
2) To allow some time for maturation prior to release
Name two signifiant producers of Madiran
1) Alain Brumont (Montus, Bouscasse)
2) Chateau d’Aydie
What is the main market for Madiran?
Domestic (80%)
Is Jurancon mostly sweet or dry?
70% sweet, 30% dry
At what altitude are Jurancon vineyards?
300m
What two grape varieties commonly make up Jurancon and must make up 50% of a Jurancon wine?
1) Petit Manseng
2) Gros Manseng
What are the three styles of Jurancon?
1) Vendanges Tardives
2) Jurancon
3) Jurancon Sec
What is the climate of Jurancon?
Mild and humid with high annual rainfall (1,200mm)
In what direction do the best Jurancon vineyards face?
South and south-west
Describe how the Fohn wind benefits Jurancon
It is a hot and dry wind that blows in spring and autumn drying the air and ventilating the canopy as well as boosting temperatures
What are the four soils found in Jurancon?
Limestone, sand, clay, stones
Why are vines trained high in Jurancon? (2)
1) To mitigate risk of frost
2) To allow sufficient canopy to produce the high levels of sugar required for the sweeter wine styles
Describe Petit Manseng in the vineyard (4)
1) Early budding
2) Mid- to late-ripening
3) Thick skins
4) Open bunches
How is the sweetness for Jurancon’s sweet styles achieved?
Multiple passes of over ripe/late harvest passerillage fruit
Gros Manseng has similar characteristics to Petit Manseng except it…
Yields higher with less aromatic concentration/flavour intensity
Gros Manseng is typically used for what Jurancon wine style
Jurancon Sec
What is the maximum yield of Jurancon Sec?
60 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield of Jurancon and Jurancon VT?
40 hL/ha
What is the minimum r/s of Jurancon?
40 g/l
What is the minimum r/s of Jurancon VT?
55 g/l
How many IGPs are there in south-west France?
14
What is the largest IGP in south-west France?
IGP Cotes de Gascogne
What are the three principal grape varieties in IGP Cotes de Gascogne?
Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
What vineyard practice may increase cost of production of Jurancon?
Some slopes are steep enough to require terracing that will allows for drainage to offset the humid climate
What are the five AOCs and one IGP of SW France north to south
1) Bergerac (east of BDX)
2) Monbazillac (within the southern half of Bergerac south of the Dordogne)
3) Cahors (south east of BDX/Bergerac)
4) Cotes de Gascogne (south of BDX)
5) Madiran
6) Jurancon
Does Cahors see more or less rainfall than Bordeaux? Why?
1) Less
2) The Atlantic influence diminishes further inland
Bergerac and Monbazillac fall within which overarching region named after the river that runs through?
Dordogne
What four styles of wine are made in Bergerac?
1) Red
2) Rose
3) Dry and sweet white
Cotes de Bergerac is principally what variety?
Merlot
What is the name of the vineyard that runs through Cahors?
River Lot
Malbec is susceptible to what?
Coulure
Cahors intended for early drinking tend to spend how long on skins?
7-10 days for limited tannin extraction
Cahors intended for ageing tend to spend how long on skins?
15-25 days for greater extraction of flavour and tannin
What is Madiran’s production split?
50% private growers and 50% co-ops
Grapes for Jurancon VT must not be picked before what date?
2 November
What winemaking decision adds to the cost of premium Jurancon sweet styles?
Fermentation in barriques
Is MLC encouraged in Jurancon sweet styles? Why?
1) No
2) The pH is too low and the acidity is too high
