Ch. 9 – South West France Flashcards
South West France
South West France
Regions of Dordogne
Bergerac
- Cotes de Bergerac AOC
Monbazillac
Bergerac AOC
50% red wine 10% rose 40% white
Slightly warmer than Bordeaux
Clay, limestone and some gravel
Bordeaux varieties grown
- wines must be blends
+ less internationally known varieties
max yield 55 hl/ha
Typically aged in steel or oak
Cotes de Bergerac AOC
- Bordeaux varieties only
- max yield 50 hl/ha
- more common ageing in oak
- predominantly Merlot
Cotes de Bergerac AOC
- Bordeaux varieties only
- max yield 50 hl/ha
- more common ageing in oak
- predominantly Merlot
Monbazillac AOC
sweet wines only
- botrytised or late harvested
Between two rivers, air funnels along river - humidity
Must be picked by hand
Min 80% of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon, Muscadelle
Max yield 30 hl/ha
Ferment in barrels with new oak is less common than in Sauternes
Which variety are wines of Cahors based on?
Malbec
only appellation in France based on Malbec
Cahors climate and terroir (+training systems)
Some influence of Atlantic
Warmer and drier than Bordeaux
- enables the region to grow Tannat
- lower rainfall (less spraying than Bordeaux)
Rich alluvial soils - higher yields, lower concentration Mid slope - poorer soils Highest plateau 300m - low nutrient limestone - great concentration
Bush vines, cordon, replacement cane with VSP all used
Picked by hand or machine depending on steepness
Malbec
also known as Cot
Vigorous (needs careful canopy management)
Susceptible to coulure
Deep ruby, med to pronounced violet, red and black plum, med to med+ acidity, med+ to high tannin
May be aged in French oak barriques (vanilla, sweet spice)
Synonym for Malbec
Cot
Region known as ‘black wines of ….)
Cahors
Cahors winemaking
Early drinking styles have more Merlot in blend
- 7-10 days on skins for limited tannin
Wines for ageing
- 15-25 days on skins
- often matured in oak (barriques)
Cahors wine law and regulations
Min 70% Malbec (rest Merlot or Tannat)
Destemming required by the appellation
Cooperative in Cahors
Vinovalie (20% of the region’s production)
Wine business in Cahors
Seeking to exploit success of Argentinian Malbec
- ‘original Malbec’, ‘the French Malbec’
80% private companies 20% cooperative Vinovalie
Producers: Château du Cèdre, Clos Triguedina
Producers in Cahors
Château du Cèdre, Clos Triguedina
3 levels of quality and price in Cahors
Tradition - inexpensive - 70-85% Malbec grown on alluvial soils Prestige - mid slopes Speciale - mainly 100% Malbec - often grown on highest plateau
Madiran growing environment and viti
Some Atlantic influence
- relatively high rainfall (1,000mm - but dry autumns)
Föhn wind
4 large parallel ridges with steep west-facing slopes
- mainly clay and limestone (good drainage)
- tannic, ageworthy wines
- flatter, clay-loam soils
Tannat
Vigorous - best supported on trellis
Mid ripening and prone to botrytis bunch rot
Highly tannic
Deep ruby colour, pronounced aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant with oak flavours.
High tannins, high acidity, full body
Alcohol top end of medium to high
(also made wines with lower tannin for early drinking)
Madiran wine law and regulations
Must be 60-80% Tannat blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Fer (local grape)
Can only be trained with Cordon de Royat or cane-replacement system
Must be destemmed
Max yield 55 hl/ha
Can be sold from the beginning of Novembere in the year following harvest
Madiran winemaking
Micro-oxigenation used to soften tannins
(pioneered by Patrick Ducournau)
trend towards softer wines
- picking ripest grapes, gentle pressing, micro-oxigenation
Madiran producers
and split with cooperatives
Alain Brumont
Chateau d’Aydie
50% cooperatives
- Cavede Crouseilles
- Plaimont
Jurançon growing environment and viti
Foothills of Pyrenes
- around 300m
- some vineyards are terraced
- best south and south-west facing (max sunlight)
- risk of frost (trained high above ground)
- limestone, sand, clay and stones
Föhn wind
- hot and dry wind in spring and autumn
- drying the air and ventilating the canopy
- boosting temperature
- helps to produce over-mature berries for sweet wine
Mild humid climate with relatively high rainfall (1,200mm falling throughout the year)
Selective picking
- last pick have been dried on the vine (passerillage)
Styles and varieties in Jurançon
dry wines and range of sweet white wines
- 70% medium sweet or sweet and 30% dry
Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and other local grapes
Influence of Föhn wind
+ which regions are affected?
- hot and dry wind in spring and autumn
- drying the air and ventilating the canopy
- boosting temperature
- helps to produce over-mature berries for sweet wine
Madiran and Jurançon
Petit Manseng
early budding, mid to late ripening
Thick skins (resistant to botrytis bunch rot) - suitable for late harvesting
Highly aromatic
Retains acidity well
Gros Manseng
Higher yield than Petit Manseng
Principally used for dry wines
Otherwise same as Petit Manseng:
- early budding, mid to late ripening
- Highly aromatic
- Retains acidity well
Categories of Jurançon wines and their regulations
+ winemaking
all must be min 50% Petit and/or Gros Manseng
Jurançon Sec - max 60 hl/ha Jurançon - medium sweet, min 40 g/l RS - max 40 hl/ha Jurançon Vendages Tardives - sweet, min 55 g/l RS - no enrichment allowed - max 40 hl/ha - only Petit and Gros Manseng - grapes may not be picked before 2 November
Higher quality is typically fermented and aged in barriques for 12-18 months
Top quailty uses new oak
Malo is usually avoided for sweet wines
Wine business in Jurançon
+ producers
direct sales and hospitality mainly
Domaine Cauhape
Cooperative Cave de Gan (half of production)
IGP Cotes de Gascogne
mainly Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Fruity and easy to drink
Bergerac AOC grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Must make min 50%
Monbazillac AOC wines must be an 80% blend of the principal grape varieties permitted in the region.
Muscadelle
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Semillon
What is the name of the late-harvest sweet wine made in Madiran AOC?
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
Which of the following vine training systems are frequently used in Madiran?
Cordon de Royat
Replacement-cane
Which technique was pioneered in 1991 by Patrick Ducournau, in an attempt to soften the tannins in Madiran’s Tannat wines?
Micro-oxygenation
When can wines from Madiran AOC legally be released?
From the beginning of the November in the year following the harvest.
Which mountain range has a significant impact on the vineyards of Jurançon?
Pyrenees
