Chapter 14 - Dordogne and South West France

Question 1

Basic characteristics of wines from Dordogne

Answer 1

• To the East of Entre-Deux-Mers
• Similar climate to Bordeaux, but less moderating maritime influence
• Major appellation: Bergerac
• Monbazillac: good value botrytised sweet wines made from Sémillion and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 2

Basic characteristics of wines from South West France

Answer 2

• East of Bordeaux
• “black” wines, very tannic and long-lived
• either side of River Lot
• Malbec most important grape alongside Merlot and Tannat
• Best wines are aged in oak, deeply coloured, high in tannin, intense dark berry fruits
• South-east of Bordeaux: Côtes de Gascogne: dry, light-bodied white wines made from Ugni blanc, flavours of green apples
• South towards Pyrenees: Madiran. Red wines from deeply coloured, high tannin variety Tannat. Long bottle ageing period
• Foothills of Pyrenees: Jurancon: dry and sweet white wines. Complex sweet wines made from high acid Petit Manseng. Free of Botrytis, undergo passerillage. Pronounced apricot and grapefruit aromas, sometimes spicy notes from new oak