9. South West France Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two largest producing appellations of the Dordogne?

A

1) Bergerac
2) Monbazillac

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2
Q

Describe the terroir of Bergerac AOC

A

Slightly warmer and drier than Bordeaux with clay and limestone soils and some gravel

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3
Q

50% of Bergerac AOC red must be a blend of at least two of which four varieties?

A

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Cabernet Franc
3) Malbec
4) Merlot

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4
Q

What are the maximum yields for Bergerac AOC?

A

1) Red - 60 hL/ha
2) White - 67 hL/ha

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5
Q

What is the higher quality sub-appellation of Bergerac?

A

Cotes de Bergerac AOC

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6
Q

Are international varieties permitted in Bergerac AOC and/or Cotes de Bergerac? (2)

A

Yes in Bergerac AOC
No in Cotes de Bergerac AOC

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7
Q

What is the maximum yield in Cotes de Bergerac AOC

A

50 hL/ha

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8
Q

Where is most Bergerac sold?

A

Domestically in supers and direct sales

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9
Q

What is the only wine style permitted in Monbazillac AOC?

A

Sweet white either botrytis or late harvest

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10
Q

Monbazillac AOC must be 80% of which four varieties?

A

1) Sauvignon Blanc
2) Semillon
3) Mucadelle
4) Sauvignon Gris

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11
Q

What is the maximum yield in Monbazillac AOC?

A

30 hL/ha

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12
Q

What winemaking choice means Monbazillac often less expensive than Sauternes?

A

Fermentation in new oak is much less common

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13
Q

What is the only French appellation where Malbec is the principal grape variety?

A

Cahors

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14
Q

What two other varieties are permitted in Cahors?

A

Tannat & Merlot

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15
Q

What are the two common types of vine training used in Cahors?

A

1) Single guyot
2) Bush

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16
Q

What are the three vineyard types in Cahors?

A

1) Flat, rich alluvial plains
2) Mid-slope of poorer soils
3) 350m plateau of limestone

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17
Q

Why does Malbec ripen more regularly in Cahors compared with Bordeaux?

A

It is warmer and drier in Cahors

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18
Q

Why is Cahors well above the average for France in organic grape growing?

A

Is experiences lower rainfall so spraying against fungal disease isn’t as often required

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19
Q

What is the minimum per cent of Malbec permitted in Cahors?

A

70%

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20
Q

Cahors may be hand- or machine-harvested, but must be what?

A

Destemmed

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21
Q

Name two significant Cahors producers

A

1) Chateau de Cedre
2) Chateau de Chambert

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22
Q

What is the principal variety of Madiran AOC?

A

Tannat

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23
Q

What is the appellation for late harvest sweet white wine that occupies the same area as Madiran AOC?

A

Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC

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24
Q

Describe the climate and seasonal weather influences of Madiran (6)

A

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

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25
Q

What are the predominant soil types in Madiran for age-worthy wines?

A

Clay and limestone with good drainage

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26
Q

What are three characteristics of Tannat in the vineyard?

A

1) Vigorous
2) Mid-ripening
3) Vulnerable to botrytis

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27
Q

What is the name of the local black grape variety in Madiran?

A

Fer aka Fer Servadou

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28
Q

Madiran AOC must be a minimum what per cent Tannat?

A

50%

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29
Q

What three varieties may Tannat be blended with in Madiran AOC?

A

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Fer
3) Cabernet Franc

30
Q

How are vines trained in Madiran AOC? (2)

A

1) Cordon de Royat
2) Guyot

31
Q

Madiran may be hand- or machine-harvested, but must be what? Why?

A

1) Destemmed
2) To reduce the extraction of further tannins)

32
Q

What is the maximum yield in Madiran AOC?

A

55 hL/ha

33
Q

In 1991 who pioneered the technique of micro-oxygenation seeking to soften the tannins in Tannat?

A

Patrick Ducournau

34
Q

What are four ways the tannins in Tannat are softened?

A

1) Shorter maceration times
2) Ageing in oak
3) Ageing in bottle
4) Micro-oxygenation

35
Q

When can Madiran AOC wines be sold? Why?

A

1) From the beginning of November in the year following harvest
2) To allow some time for maturation prior to release

36
Q

Name two signifiant producers of Madiran

A

1) Alain Brumont (Montus, Bouscasse)
2) Chateau d’Aydie

37
Q

What is the main market for Madiran?

A

Domestic (80%)

38
Q

Is Jurancon mostly sweet or dry?

A

70% sweet, 30% dry

39
Q

At what altitude are Jurancon vineyards?

A

300m

40
Q

What two grape varieties commonly make up Jurancon and must make up 50% of a Jurancon wine?

A

1) Petit Manseng
2) Gros Manseng

41
Q

What are the three styles of Jurancon?

A

1) Vendanges Tardives
2) Jurancon
3) Jurancon Sec

42
Q

What is the climate of Jurancon?

A

Mild and humid with high annual rainfall (1,200mm)

43
Q

In what direction do the best Jurancon vineyards face?

A

South and south-west

44
Q

Describe how the Fohn wind benefits Jurancon

A

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

45
Q

What are the four soils found in Jurancon?

A

Limestone, sand, clay, stones

46
Q

Why are vines trained high in Jurancon? (2)

A

1) To mitigate risk of frost
2) To allow sufficient canopy to produce the high levels of sugar required for the sweeter wine styles

47
Q

Describe Petit Manseng in the vineyard (4)

A

1) Early budding
2) Mid- to late-ripening
3) Thick skins
4) Open bunches

48
Q

How is the sweetness for Jurancon’s sweet styles achieved?

A

Multiple passes of over ripe/late harvest passerillage fruit

49
Q

Gros Manseng has similar characteristics to Petit Manseng except it…

A

Yields higher with less aromatic concentration/flavour intensity

50
Q

Gros Manseng is typically used for what Jurancon wine style

A

Jurancon Sec

51
Q

What is the maximum yield of Jurancon Sec?

A

60 hL/ha

52
Q

What is the maximum yield of Jurancon and Jurancon VT?

A

40 hL/ha

53
Q

What is the minimum r/s of Jurancon?

A

40 g/l

54
Q

What is the minimum r/s of Jurancon VT?

A

55 g/l

55
Q

How many IGPs are there in south-west France?

A

14

56
Q

What is the largest IGP in south-west France?

A

IGP Cotes de Gascogne

57
Q

What are the three principal grape varieties in IGP Cotes de Gascogne?

A

Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

58
Q

What vineyard practice may increase cost of production of Jurancon?

A

Some slopes are steep enough to require terracing that will allows for drainage to offset the humid climate

59
Q

What are the five AOCs and one IGP of SW France north to south

A

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

60
Q

Does Cahors see more or less rainfall than Bordeaux? Why?

A

1) Less
2) The Atlantic influence diminishes further inland

61
Q

Bergerac and Monbazillac fall within which overarching region named after the river that runs through?

A

Dordogne

62
Q

What four styles of wine are made in Bergerac?

A

1) Red
2) Rose
3) Dry and sweet white

63
Q

Cotes de Bergerac is principally what variety?

A

Merlot

64
Q

What is the name of the vineyard that runs through Cahors?

A

River Lot

65
Q

Malbec is susceptible to what?

A

Coulure

66
Q

Cahors intended for early drinking tend to spend how long on skins?

A

7-10 days for limited tannin extraction

67
Q

Cahors intended for ageing tend to spend how long on skins?

A

15-25 days for greater extraction of flavour and tannin

68
Q

What is Madiran’s production split?

A

50% private growers and 50% co-ops

69
Q

Grapes for Jurancon VT must not be picked before what date?

A

2 November

70
Q

What winemaking decision adds to the cost of premium Jurancon sweet styles?

A

Fermentation in barriques

71
Q

Is MLC encouraged in Jurancon sweet styles? Why?

A

1) No
2) The pH is too low and the acidity is too high