C14 - The Dordogne and South West France

Question 1

What is the wine growing area to the east of Entre-Deux-Mers?

Answer 1

The Dordogne

Question 2

What is the climate like in the Dordogne?

Answer 2

Similar to that of Bordeaux, though with less moderation from the ocean

Question 3

What is the major appellation within the Dordogne?

Answer 3

Bergerac

Question 4

What wines are made in Bergerac?

Answer 4

Red and whites from the same varieties as Bordeaux

Question 5

What is the less major appellation in the Dordogne?

Answer 5

Monbazillac

Question 6

What kind of wines are made in Monbazillac?

Answer 6

Good value botrytised sweet wines from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 7

What are the main appellations composing South West France?

Answer 7

Cahors
Côtes de Gascogne
Madiran
Jurançon

Question 8

Where is Cahors?

Answer 8

To the east of Bordeaux on either side of the River Lot

Question 9

What’s the historical name for wines from Cahors? What style were they

Answer 9

Black Wines
Very tannic and long-lived

Question 10

What are the three broad land-types in Cahors that give rise to the differing modern styles?

Answer 10

The fertile valley bottom
The poorer soils of the slopes
The plateau above

Question 11

What’s the most important grape variety in Cahors?

Answer 11

Malbec

Question 12

What are Cahors’ other varieties?

Answer 12

Merlot
Tannat

Question 13

Describe Cahors Malbec at its best

Answer 13

Oak-aged
Deep in colour
High tannin
Intense dark-berried fruit
Mature to reveal cedar and Earth

Question 14

Broadly speaking, what classification of wines are generally produced to the southeast of Bordeaux? What is the most important appellation for this?

Answer 14

IGP wines
Côtes de Gascoigne

Question 15

Describe wines from Côtes de Gascogne

Answer 15

Made from Ugni Blanc
Dry, light-bodied whites
Aromas and flavors of green apples

Question 16

What appellation lies just south of Côtes de Gascogne toward the Pyrenees?

Answer 16

Madiran

Question 17

Describe wines from Madiran

Answer 17

Made from Tannat
Deeply coloured
High tannin

Question 18

What is traditionally needed to make Madiran more drinkable?

Answer 18

Extended periods of bottle-ageing to soften tannins

Question 19

How are Madiran wines different today?

Answer 19

Riper grapes and modern winemaking techniques result in higher levels of softer, riper tannins

Question 20

Which appellation is found right in the foothills of the Pyrenees?

Answer 20

Jurançon

Question 21

Which wine styles are made in Jurançon?

Answer 21

Dry and sweet

Question 22

What are the most important wines in Jurançon?

Answer 22

Complex sweet wines

Question 23

What are Jurançon’s famously complex sweet wines made from?
What is the key feature of this variety?

Answer 23

Petit Manseng
High acid

Question 24

How do Petit Manseng grapes of Jurançon achieve a suitable level of sugar for its wines?

Answer 24

Passerillage

Question 25

What do the wines of Jurançon taste of?

Answer 25

Pronounced apricot and grapefruit with occasional spicy notes from oak