AOCs of lesser areas Flashcards
Describe the winemaking and main grapes of Savoie.
Production is primarily dry white (blended and varietal)
Main grapes: Jacquere, Altesse, Mondeuse Noire
Each of the 3 AOCs are different
Describe the Savoie/Vin de Savoie AOC.
Dry white, rose, red, sparkling white, sparkling rose
Any of the authorized grapes can be used, but most often is Jacquere for white and Gamay and/or Mondeuse for rose and red
Wines can be varietal or blends
White sparkling is Cremant de Savoie, made with Jacquere (and often Altesse)
Rose sparkling is mousseux
There are 16 DCGs that are commonly referred to as crus
AOC covers the entire grape growing area of the region
Part of Savoie region (1/3)
Describe the Roussette de Savoie AOC.
Dry white wine only
100% Altesse
There are 4 DCGs that are commonly referred to as crus
Covers same area as Savoie AOC
Part of Savoie region (2/3)
Describe the Seyssel AOC.
Dry and sparkling white wines
Dry white wine labelled Seyssel AOC is 100% Altesse
Seyssel Molette is 100% Molette
Sparkling is a blend of Altesse and Molette
Part of Savoie region (3/3)
Describe the winemaking and main grapes of Corsica.
Production is primarily rose
Main grapes: Vermentino, Nielluccio (Sangiovese), Sciaccarello (Mammolo)
Most AOCs are WRR with 3 main grapes above. One AOC is VDN.
Describe the Vin de Corse/Corse AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grape: Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Nielluccio, Sciaccarello
Whites must be at least 75% Vermentino
Reds and roses must be at least 50% of 3 above
Contains 5 DCGs labelled “Vin de Corse” or “Corse” + DCG name
Regional AOC that covers the entire island
Responsible for over 80% of Corsica’s AOC wine
Part of Corsica region (1/5)
Describe the Patrimonio AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grape: Vermentino
Red Grape: Nielluccio
White must be 100% Vermentino
Red must be primarily Nielluccio
Part of Corsica region (2/5)
Describe the Ajaccio AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grape: Vermentino
Red grapes: Nielluccio, Sciaccarello
Whites must be at least 80% Vermentino
Reds and roses must be at least 40% Sciaccarello
Part of Corsica region (3/5)
Describe the Muscat du Cap Corse AOC.
Sweet fortified white wine only
White grape: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
Corsica’s only AOC for VDNs
Part of Corsica region (4/5)
Describe the Ile de Beaute IGP.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
Production is primarily rose
IGP covers the entire island
Responsible for over 60% of all Corsica’s wine
Part of Corsica region (5/5)
(“ill-de-buh-tay”)
Describe the winemaking and main grapes of Provence.
Production is 90% rose
Main grapes: Vermentino, Clairette, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre
All 9 AOCs are WRR. White grapes vary but rose/red are commonly GSMC. 2 are Mourvedre. 1 is mainly white. 1 is super unique.
Describe the Cotes de Provence AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Clairette, Semillon, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino
Red grapes: Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Tibouren
91% of wine is rose
Produces the majority of Provence wine
White can be varietal or blend
Rose and red must be blends
Contains 5 DCGs that make red and rose wine only, with the exception of the DCG “La Londe”. All other white wines made in DCGs must be labelled “Cotes de Provence AOC”
Part of Provence region (1/9)
Describe the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Vermentino
Red grapes: Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
At least two varieties are required in the blend. Rose and red wines are GSM dominated
85% of production is rose
Part of Provence region (2/9)
(“Coh-tu dex-an-provance”)
Describe the Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Vermentino, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Semillon, Ugni Blanc
Red grapes: Cinsaut, Grenche, Mourvedre, Syrah
Vineyards at at elevation, giving the wines more acidity and delicate fruit character
All wines are blends
93% of production is rose
Part of Provence region (3/9)
Describe the Cassis AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Clairette, Marsanne
Red grapes: Cinsaut, Grenache, Mouvedre
Marsanne must be 30-80% of white blends
Only Provence AOC to produce more white wine than rose wine
Part of Provence region (4/9)
Describe the Bandol AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Clairette, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc
Red grapes: Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre
Majority of wine is red and rose, based on Mourvedre
Mourvedre cannot exceed 95% of the blend, and often has Grenache and Cinsaut as blending partners
All grapes must be hand harvested
Must be aged minimum 18 months in oak
Part of Provence region (5/9)
Describe the Les Baux de Provence AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsaut
Production is mainly red and rose
All wines must be blends of primary grapes listed above
Reds and rose are primarily GSM
100% of the AOC is farmed organically, biodynamically, or using lutte raisonnee
Part of Provence region (6/9)
Describe the Palette AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Clairette, Bourboulenc, Araignan
Rose grapes: Clairette Rose
Red grapes: Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre
Mourvedre must be included in red wines, which are all blends
Red wines must be aged in oak
White, rose, and red wines all have ageing requirements (April 1 of following year for white and rose, April 1 of second year after harvest for rose)
Grapes must be hand harvested and sorted
Part of Provence region (7/9)
Describe the Bellet/Vin de Bellet AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Vermentino
Red grapes: Braquet Noir, Fuella Nera
Very small wine region with only 9 wineries in commercial production
Part of Provence region (8/9)
Describe the Pierrevert AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Piqueoul, Roussanne, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut
Wines are similar style to Rhone valley
Part of Provence region (9/9)
(“pierre-verr”)
Describe the winemaking and main grapes of the South-West region.
Production varies significantly, and all styles are made (dry white, botrytized white, late-harvest white, ancestrale method sparkling, traditional method sparkling, rose, red).
All red and rose are still.
Main grapes: Tons, but unique ones are Negrette, Len de l’El, Mauzac Blanc, Cot, Tannat, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng
Dordogne/Bergac sub-region is 1 WRR blend AOC and 3 sweet wine AOCs.
Garonne, Tarn, and Lot sub-region is 2 RR AOC and 1 unique AOC.
Pyrenees sub-region is 1 R, 2 SW, 1 WRR, and 1 IGP.
Describe the Bergerac AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Rose grapes: Sauvignon Gris
Red grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cot
All wines must be blends of at least 2 varieties
Part of the Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region (1/4)
Part of the South-West region (1/12)
Describe the Cotes de Bergerac AOC.
Red and semi-sweet to sweet white wines
White grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Rose grapes: Sauvignon Gris
Red grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cot
White wines can be made in a wide range of sweetness levels, and the only regulation is that they are not dry
Red wines must be a blend of at least 2 varieties, and are generally aged in oak
All wines must have a higher minimum alcohol level than Bergerac AOC wines
Part of the Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region (2/4)
Part of the South-West region (2/12)
Describe the Monbazillac AOC.
Sweet white and SGN wines
White grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Rose grapes: Sauvignon Gris
Wines are generally sweeter than Sauternes
Grapes must be hand harvested and may be late harvest and/or botrytized
SGN wines are usually made from botrytized grapes
Primary varieties must make up at least 80% of the blend
Part of the Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region (3/4)
Part of the South-West region (3/12)
Describe the Saussignac AOC.
Sweet white wine only
White grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Wine is a similar style to Monbazillac
Grapes may be late harvest and/or botrytized
Primary varieties must make up the majority of the blend
Part of the Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region (4/4)
Part of the South-West region (4/12)
Describe the Fronton AOC.
Rose and red wine
Red grapes: Negrette
All wines must be at least 40% Negrette, although many are 100%
Part of the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot sub-region (1/3)
Part of the South-West region (5/12)
Describe the Gaillac AOC.
Wide array of wine styles
White grapes: Len de l’El, Mauzac Blanc, Muscadelle
Rose grapes: Mauzac Rose
Red grapes: Duras, Syrah, Fer Servadou
Wines are typically blends
Part of the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot sub-region (2/3)
Part of the South-West region (6/12)
Describe the Cahors AOC.
Red wine only
Red grapes: Cot
Wines must be at least 70% Cot
Cot is known locally as Auxerrois
The wines were historically known as black wines of Cahors, due to the deep color, concentration, and age worthiness
Part of the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot sub-region (3/3)
Part of the South-West region (7/12)
Describe the Madiran AOC.
Red wine only
Red grapes: Tannat
All wines must be at least 50% Tannat
Part of the Pyrenees sub-region (1/5)
Part of the South-West region (8/12)
Describe the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC.
Dry white, sweet white
White grapes: Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu
Wines must contain at least 2 grape varieties, with one being a primary grape listed above
Sweet wines are made by passerillage (raisining on the vine), NOT botrytized grapes
Same geographical area as Madiran
Wines labelled “Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh” are sweet
Wines labelled “Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec” are dry
Part of the Pyrenees sub-region (2/5)
Part of the South-West region (9/12)
(“Pa-shu-rank du vick bill-uh”)
Describe the Jurancon AOC.
Dry white, semi-sweet to sweet white, Vendanges Tardives white wine
White grapes: Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng
Wines labelled “Jurancon” are sweet
Wines labelled “Jurancon Sec” are dry
Part of the Pyrenees sub-region (3/5)
Part of the South-West region (10/12)
Describe the Irouleguy AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu
Red grapes: Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon
White wines must be a blend of at least 2 varieties
Red wines must contain a majority of Tannat and/or Cabernet Franc
Majority of production is red
Part of the Pyrenees sub-region (4/5)
Part of the South-West region (11/12)
Describe the Cotes de Gascogne IGP.
Dry white, rose, red, semi-sweet to sweet white wine
White grapes: Chardonnay, Colombard, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc
Rose grapes: Sauvinon Gris, Clairette Rose, Pinot Gris, Mauzac Rose
Red grapes: Cabnernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat
Production is 75% dry white
Shares the same production area as Armagnac
One of the largest IGPs in France. Second to Pays d’Oc IGP in production volume.
Part of the Pyrenees sub-region (5/5)
Part of the South-West region (12/12)
Describe the winemaking and main grapes of Beaujolais.
Production is almost all red and rose. 98% of plantings are Gamay.
Main grape: Gamay, Chardonnay
Describe the Beaujolais AOC.
99% of wine is red
Generally 100% Gamay, but can contain up to 15% Aligote, Chardonnay, or Melon if incorporated as a field blend
Includes wines labeled “Beaujolais Superieur” and Beaujolais + village name
Part of the Beaujolais region (1/2)
Describe the Beaujolais Villages AOC.
Red and rose wine follow the same field blend rules as for Beaujolais AOC
Beaujolais Villages AOC wine has less grapiness and deeper berry fruit with minerality, due to the presence of granite
White Beaujolais Village AOC wines are 100% Chardonnay
Part of the Beaujolais region (2/2)
Which Beaujolais Crus produce a soft and light style of wine?
Saint-Amour
Fleurie
Chiroubles
*Fleurie is considered the most elegant and refined of all the crus and called the “Queen of Beaujolais”
Which Beaujolais Crus produce a more medium-bodied style of wine?
Julienas
Regnie
Cote-de-Brouilly
Brouilly
*Cote-de-Brouilly wines often have a spicy, peppery quality due to volcanic soils
Which Beaujolais Crus produce a powerful and generous style of wine?
Chenas
Moulin-a-Vent
Morgon
*Chenas wines often have hints of wood in their flavor, even if none was used in winemaking
*Moulin-a-Vent is considered the “King of Beaujolais” due to Pinot Noir/Bourgogne-like style
* Morgon wines often have an earthy, forest floor aroma
Describe the winemaking and main grapes of Jura.
Production is small but has lots of varied styles. Dry white, rose, and red; cremant; Macvin (fortified wine), Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille
Main grapes: Chardonnay (2/3rd of planting, with much going to Cremant), Savagnin, Poulsard, Pinot Noir, Trousseau
2 AOCs are WRR+VP+VJ, 1 AOC is W+VP+VJ, and 1 is VJ only.
Last 2 AOCs are for style.
Describe the Arbois AOC.
Dry white, rose, red, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune
White grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red grapes: Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
Production is dominated by red wine
Vin de Paille cannot use Pinot Noir
Arbois AOC is the largest AOC in Jura in terms of size and volume
Part of the Jura region (1/6)
Describe the Chateau-Chalon AOC.
Vin Jaune wine only
White grapes: Savagnin
Must be 100% Savagnin grapes
“Vin Jaune” is rarely stated on the label
Most use the term “vin de garde” (wine for cellaring)
Vineyards are evaluated each year, and if unsatisfactory, has to be labelled Cotes du Jura AOC
Part of the Jura region (2/6)
Describe the L’Etoile AOC.
Dry white, Vin de Paille, and Vin Jaune
White grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard
Red grapes: Pinot Noir
All 3 are white wine. Vin de Paille is considered “white” even if red grapes are used.
Vin Jaune here is made with Savagnin only
Vin de Paille here cannot use Pinot Noir
Part of the Jura region (3/6)
Describe the Cotes du Jura AOC.
White, rose, red, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune
White grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red grapes: Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
Vin Jaune here is made with Savagnin only
Vin de Paille here cannot use Pinot Noir
Part of the Jura region (4/6)
Describe the Macvin du Jura AOC.
VIn de Liqueur (white, rose, red)
White grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red grapes: Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
This is sweet, fortified grape must (mistelle)
Part of the Jura region (5/6)
Describe the Cremant du Jura AOC.
White sparkling, rose sparkling
White grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red grapes: Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
88% is white, with much of it 100% Chardonnay
Part of the Jura region (6/6)
