Chapter 14: Regional Wines of France: Flashcards
What are the main red grape varieties of Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
What are the two main regions of Bordeaux for red wine production?
Left Bank (Médoc and Graves) and Right Bank (Pomerol and Saint-Émilion).
What are the key white grape varieties of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle.
What is Sauternes, and what makes it unique?
A sweet wine from Bordeaux made using botrytized grapes, primarily Sémillon.
What are the two main grape varieties of Burgundy?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
What is the key white wine region in Burgundy known for unoaked styles?
Chablis.
What are the highest quality classifications of vineyards in Burgundy?
Grand Cru and Premier Cru.
What region in Burgundy is famous for full-bodied Chardonnays?
Côte de Beaune (e.g., Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet).
What grape variety is used in Beaujolais wines?
Gamay.
What is the most prestigious classification of Beaujolais wines?
Beaujolais Cru (e.g., Morgon, Fleurie).
What is the main red grape variety of the Northern Rhône?
Syrah.
What are the main white grape varieties of the Northern Rhône?
Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne.
What are the key wines of the Northern Rhône?
Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Condrieu (Viognier).
What are the key red grape varieties of the Southern Rhône?
Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
What is the most famous wine from the Southern Rhône?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
What are the key white grape varieties of Alsace?
Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris.
What is the climate of Alsace, and how does it affect the wines?
Cool continental, with dry conditions due to the Vosges mountains, producing aromatic, high-acid wines.
What are the key white grape varieties of the Loire Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne.
What region in the Loire Valley is famous for Sauvignon Blanc wines?
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
What styles of wine are made from Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Dry, sweet, and sparkling wines, especially in Vouvray.
What is Muscadet, and where is it produced?
A dry white wine made from Melon de Bourgogne, produced in the Muscadet region near the Atlantic coast.
What is Provence best known for?
Pale, dry rosé wines.
What are the key grape varieties used in Provence rosé?
Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
What are the main grape varieties used in Champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
What method is used to produce Champagne?
The traditional method (secondary fermentation in the bottle).
What is the typical blend for Left Bank red Bordeaux wines?
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc.
What is the key soil type in the Left Bank of Bordeaux?
Gravel soils that retain heat and provide good drainage.
What makes the Right Bank wines softer and fruitier compared to the Left Bank?
Merlot is the dominant grape, with less emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are the two main regions for dry white wines in Bordeaux?
Graves and Pessac-Léognan.
What role does Sémillon play in Bordeaux sweet wines?
It contributes body and richness to the blend, complementing Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity.
What is the climate of Burgundy, and how does it affect wine production?
Cool to moderate continental climate, leading to vintage variation and high acidity in wines.
What is the typical flavor profile of Chablis?
High acidity, green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon), and flinty or mineral notes.
What are the key subregions of the Côte d’Or in Burgundy?
Côte de Nuits (primarily Pinot Noir) and Côte de Beaune (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir).
What is the main soil type in Burgundy?
Limestone and clay, which are ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
What is the Mistral wind, and how does it affect Rhône Valley vineyards?
A strong, cold wind that reduces disease risk and influences the style of the wines.
What is the typical blend for Southern Rhône red wines?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM).
What makes Côte-Rôtie wines unique in the Northern Rhône?
Small amounts of Viognier are co-fermented with Syrah, adding floral aromas.
How does the climate of the Southern Rhône differ from the Northern Rhône?
The Southern Rhône has a warm Mediterranean climate, while the Northern Rhône has a cooler continental climate.
What is the main difference between Alsace Grand Cru wines and standard Alsace wines?
Grand Cru wines are made from the best vineyards with stricter production rules, often from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, or Muscat.
What is the typical style of Alsace Riesling compared to German Riesling?
Alsace Riesling is typically drier, higher in alcohol, and fuller-bodied.
What is the purpose of the Vosges Mountains for Alsace vineyards?
They provide a rain shadow, creating a dry climate ideal for aromatic wines.
What is the key grape variety for Muscadet wines?
Melon de Bourgogne.
What are the key regions in the Loire Valley for Chenin Blanc?
Vouvray, Anjou, and Savennières.
What is the typical style of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines?
Dry, high-acidity Sauvignon Blanc with green fruit, citrus, and mineral notes.
What sparkling wine is produced in the Loire Valley?
Crémant de Loire, made using the traditional method.
What is the typical climate of Provence?
Warm Mediterranean, ideal for producing light, fresh rosé wines.
What are the flavor characteristics of Provence rosé wines?
Light body, high acidity, red fruit (strawberry, raspberry), and sometimes herbal notes (thyme, rosemary).
What is the climate of the Champagne region?
Cool continental, with high acidity in the grapes due to limited ripening.
What is the aging requirement for non-vintage Champagne?
Minimum 15 months, including 12 months on the lees.
What are the main grape varieties used in Languedoc and Roussillon?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault for reds; Picpoul and Grenache Blanc for whites.
These varieties contribute to the region’s diverse wine styles.
What are the typical characteristics of Languedoc reds?
Full-bodied, ripe black fruit flavors (blackberry, plum), with herbal and spicy notes.
These characteristics make Languedoc reds popular among wine enthusiasts.
What is the Picpoul de Pinet appellation known for?
Crisp, dry white wines made from Picpoul, with high acidity and citrus flavors.
Picpoul de Pinet is highly regarded for its refreshing qualities.
What is the climate of Languedoc and Roussillon?
Warm Mediterranean, ideal for ripe, full-bodied wines.
The climate supports a variety of grape growing conditions.
What are the main grape varieties in Cahors?
Malbec, Merlot, and Tannat.
Cahors is particularly famous for its Malbec wines.
What are the key characteristics of Cahors wines?
Dark, full-bodied wines with high tannins, black fruit flavors (blackberry, plum), and earthy notes.
These wines are known for their aging potential.
What sweet wine is produced in the Jurançon region?
Petit Manseng, known for its high acidity and flavors of citrus, apricot, and tropical fruit.
Jurançon is celebrated for its dessert wines.
What styles of wine are produced in Corsica?
Light, fresh rosé, red, and white wines.
Corsica’s unique climate influences its wine styles.
What are the main grape varieties in Corsica?
Nielluccio (Sangiovese), Sciaccarello, Vermentino, and Grenache.
These varieties reflect the island’s diverse terroir.
What is Vin Jaune from the Jura region?
A unique wine aged under a layer of yeast in barrel, with nutty and oxidative flavors.
Vin Jaune is a distinct style that showcases traditional winemaking techniques.
What are the main grape varieties of Savoie?
Jacquère (white), Altesse (white), and Mondeuse (red).
Savoie wines are often characterized by their freshness.
What are the characteristics of wines from Savoie?
Light-bodied, high-acidity white wines with delicate floral and citrus flavors.
These wines are ideal for pairing with local cuisine.
What is the main grape variety of Condrieu?
Viognier.
Condrieu is renowned for its aromatic white wines.
What is the style of wine produced in Hermitage?
Full-bodied Syrah with high tannins, black fruit, and spice flavors, often suitable for long aging.
Hermitage wines are highly sought after for their quality.
What is the difference between Côte-Rôtie and Cornas wines?
Côte-Rôtie: Often co-fermented with Viognier, producing more aromatic and elegant wines.
Cornas: 100% Syrah, full-bodied, and more robust.
These differences highlight the diverse styles within the Northern Rhône.
What are the key characteristics of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Full-bodied, high-alcohol reds with flavors of red fruit (strawberry), black fruit (blackberry), and spices (pepper, licorice).
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the most famous appellations in the Southern Rhône.
What are the typical blending grapes in Southern Rhône whites?
Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier.
These grapes contribute to the complexity of Southern Rhône white wines.
What are the key characteristics of Tavel wines?
Dry, full-bodied rosé with red fruit flavors and a richer style compared to Provence rosé.
Tavel is known for producing some of the best rosé in France.
What are Vendanges Tardives (VT) wines from Alsace?
Late-harvest wines with concentrated sweetness and flavors of dried fruit and honey.
VT wines are often enjoyed as dessert wines.
What does Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) mean in Alsace?
Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes, with intense flavors of honey, dried fruit, and spice.
SGN wines are among the most prestigious in Alsace.
