C14 - The Dordogne And South West France - completed Flashcards
Where are the vineyards lie in the east of Entre-Deux-Mers?
The Dordogne
What is the climate like in the Dordogne?
Similar to that of Bordeaux, though with less moderating maritime influence
What is the major appellation within the Dordogne?
Bergerac
What wines are made in Bergerac?
Red and whites from the same varieties as Bordeaux
What is the less major appellation in the Dordogne?
Monbazillac
What kind of wines are made in Monbazillac?
Good value botrytised sweet wines made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc
What are the main appellations composing South West France?
- Cahors
- Côtes de Gascogne
- Madiran
- Jurançon
Where is Cahors?
To the east of Bordeaux on either side of the River Lot
What’s the historical name for wines from Cahors? What style were they
- Black Wines
- Very tannic and long-lived
What are the three broad land-types in Cahors that give rise to the differing modern styles?
- The fertile valley bottom
- The poorer soils of the slopes
- The plateau above
What’s the most important grape variety in Cahors?
Malbec
What are Cahors’ other varieties?
- Merlot
- Tannat
Describe Cahors Malbec at its best
- aged in oak
- Deep in colour
- High in tannin
- Intense, dark berry fruit
- Mature to reveal cedar and Earth
Broadly speaking, what classification of wines are generally produced to the southeast of Bordeaux? What is the most important appellation for this?
- IGP wines
- Côtes de Gascogne
Describe wines from Côtes de Gascogne
- Made from Ugni Blanc
- Dry, light-bodied whites
- Aromas and flavours of green apples
What appellation lies just south of Côtes de Gascogne toward the Pyrenees?
Madiran
Describe the wines of Madiran
- Red wine blended using deeply coloured, high tannin Tannat
What is traditionally needed to make Madiran wines more drinkable?
Extended periods of bottle-ageing to soften tannins
How are Madiran wines different today?
Riper grapes and modern winemaking techniques result in concentrated black fruit and higher levels of softer, riper tannins
Which appellation is found right in the foothills of the Pyrenees?
Jurançon
Which wine styles are made in Jurançon?
Dry and sweet white wines
What are the most important wines in Jurançon?
Complex sweet wines
What are Jurançon’s famously complex sweet wines made from? What is the key feature of this variety?
- Petit Manseng
- High acidity
How do Petit Manseng grapes of Jurançon achieve a suitable level of sugar for its wines?
- it’s free of botrytis
- Passerillage
How is the wine of Jurançon taste like?
Pronounced apricot and grapefruit aromas, sometimes accompanied by spicy notes from new oak
