Ch.14 Dordogne and SW France Flashcards
Name the two WSET3 regions of the Dordogne
Bergerac
Monbazillac
Name the four WSET3 regions of South West France
Cahors AOP
Madiran AOP
Jurancon AOP
Cotes de Gascogne IGP
In terms of the types of grapes grown, the Dordogne is similar to what other French region
Bordeaux (just to the west)
What are the four principal grapes in South West France and associate each with a region
Malbec - Cahors.
Ugni Blanc - Cotes de Gascogne.
Tannat - Madiran.
Petit Manseng - Jurancon.
What is the river that flows through Cahors
The River Lot
What are the 3 different terroirs found in Cahors
(1) Fertile river valley bottom.
(2) Poor-soil slopes
(3) High plateau
What grapes are grown in Cahors
Malbec.
Tannat.
Merlot.
Are Cahors wines oaked and what are their tannins and color depth.
The best have high tannins, are deeply colored and are aged in oak
What subregion is Monbazillac similar to
Sauternes/Barsac
What is the river that flows through Bergerac
The Dordogne
Where is Monbazillac relative to the Dordogne
On its South side
Why is Monbazillac suited to sweet wine production.
It is close to the Dordogne (and tributaries) and the same morning mists experienced in Graves are felt here. Also the steeper slopes closest to the river (North size of Monbazillac) trap the morning mists and lead to better botrytized grapes than other parts of Monbazillac
What grapes are grown in Bergerac
As Bordeaux. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc
What grapes are grown in Monbazillac
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
How is the climate of the Dordogne different to Bordeaux
Less moderating maritime influence
What is the grape of Cotes de Gascogne and (broadly) what style of wine is produced and name the dominant flavor
Ugni Blanc is used to make dry light-bodied whites with aromas/flavor of green apples.
What is the principal grape of Madiran and what type of wine is produced
Tannat, often blended with other grapes to soften the super high tannins. Deeply colored.
How are tannins in Tannat-based wines tamed in Madiran (3 ways)
(1) Gentler extraction
(2) Blending
(3) Extended bottle ageing
Where is Jurancon, what is the principal town and river
Southwest of Madiran, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The principal town is Pau. The river is the Gave de Pau
What is Jurancon famous for and why is the region suited for this style.
Sweet wines made from Petit Manseng. The grape is prone to mildew but in Jurancon a warm dry wind (the Foehn) allows grapes to be harvested very late (December) with concentrated sugars.
Which SW Region of France is famous for wines made from Petit Manseng
Jurancon
What is Passerillage and where is it practiced?
Drying of grapes on the vine to concentrate flavors and sugars. Used in Jurancon to make sweet wines from Petit Manseng
What is a Foehn
A dry warm down-slope wind from the leeward side of mountains. The Pyranees foehn keeps dry the mold-prone Petit Manseng in Jurancon
