Chapter 14: Regional Wines of France: Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main red grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

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2
Q

What are the two main regions of Bordeaux for red wine production?

A

Left Bank (Médoc and Graves) and Right Bank (Pomerol and Saint-Émilion).

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3
Q

What are the key white grape varieties of Bordeaux?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle.

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4
Q

What is Sauternes, and what makes it unique?

A

A sweet wine from Bordeaux made using botrytized grapes, primarily Sémillon.

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5
Q

What are the two main grape varieties of Burgundy?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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6
Q

What is the key white wine region in Burgundy known for unoaked styles?

A

Chablis.

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7
Q

What are the highest quality classifications of vineyards in Burgundy?

A

Grand Cru and Premier Cru.

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8
Q

What region in Burgundy is famous for full-bodied Chardonnays?

A

Côte de Beaune (e.g., Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet).

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9
Q

What grape variety is used in Beaujolais wines?

A

Gamay.

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10
Q

What is the most prestigious classification of Beaujolais wines?

A

Beaujolais Cru (e.g., Morgon, Fleurie).

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11
Q

What is the main red grape variety of the Northern Rhône?

A

Syrah.

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12
Q

What are the main white grape varieties of the Northern Rhône?

A

Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne.

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13
Q

What are the key wines of the Northern Rhône?

A

Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Condrieu (Viognier).

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14
Q

What are the key red grape varieties of the Southern Rhône?

A

Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

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15
Q

What is the most famous wine from the Southern Rhône?

A

Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

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16
Q

What are the key white grape varieties of Alsace?

A

Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris.

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17
Q

What is the climate of Alsace, and how does it affect the wines?

A

Cool continental, with dry conditions due to the Vosges mountains, producing aromatic, high-acid wines.

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18
Q

What are the key white grape varieties of the Loire Valley?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Melon de Bourgogne.

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19
Q

What region in the Loire Valley is famous for Sauvignon Blanc wines?

A

Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.

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20
Q

What styles of wine are made from Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?

A

Dry, sweet, and sparkling wines, especially in Vouvray.

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21
Q

What is Muscadet, and where is it produced?

A

A dry white wine made from Melon de Bourgogne, produced in the Muscadet region near the Atlantic coast.

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22
Q

What is Provence best known for?

A

Pale, dry rosé wines.

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23
Q

What are the key grape varieties used in Provence rosé?

A

Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.

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24
Q

What are the main grape varieties used in Champagne?

A

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

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25
Q

What method is used to produce Champagne?

A

The traditional method (secondary fermentation in the bottle).

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26
Q

What is the typical blend for Left Bank red Bordeaux wines?

A

Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc.

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27
Q

What is the key soil type in the Left Bank of Bordeaux?

A

Gravel soils that retain heat and provide good drainage.

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28
Q

What makes the Right Bank wines softer and fruitier compared to the Left Bank?

A

Merlot is the dominant grape, with less emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon.

29
Q

What are the two main regions for dry white wines in Bordeaux?

A

Graves and Pessac-Léognan.

30
Q

What role does Sémillon play in Bordeaux sweet wines?

A

It contributes body and richness to the blend, complementing Sauvignon Blanc’s acidity.

31
Q

What is the climate of Burgundy, and how does it affect wine production?

A

Cool to moderate continental climate, leading to vintage variation and high acidity in wines.

32
Q

What is the typical flavor profile of Chablis?

A

High acidity, green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon), and flinty or mineral notes.

33
Q

What are the key subregions of the Côte d’Or in Burgundy?

A

Côte de Nuits (primarily Pinot Noir) and Côte de Beaune (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir).

34
Q

What is the main soil type in Burgundy?

A

Limestone and clay, which are ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

35
Q

What is the Mistral wind, and how does it affect Rhône Valley vineyards?

A

A strong, cold wind that reduces disease risk and influences the style of the wines.

36
Q

What is the typical blend for Southern Rhône red wines?

A

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (GSM).

37
Q

What makes Côte-Rôtie wines unique in the Northern Rhône?

A

Small amounts of Viognier are co-fermented with Syrah, adding floral aromas.

38
Q

How does the climate of the Southern Rhône differ from the Northern Rhône?

A

The Southern Rhône has a warm Mediterranean climate, while the Northern Rhône has a cooler continental climate.

39
Q

What is the main difference between Alsace Grand Cru wines and standard Alsace wines?

A

Grand Cru wines are made from the best vineyards with stricter production rules, often from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, or Muscat.

40
Q

What is the typical style of Alsace Riesling compared to German Riesling?

A

Alsace Riesling is typically drier, higher in alcohol, and fuller-bodied.

41
Q

What is the purpose of the Vosges Mountains for Alsace vineyards?

A

They provide a rain shadow, creating a dry climate ideal for aromatic wines.

42
Q

What is the key grape variety for Muscadet wines?

A

Melon de Bourgogne.

43
Q

What are the key regions in the Loire Valley for Chenin Blanc?

A

Vouvray, Anjou, and Savennières.

44
Q

What is the typical style of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines?

A

Dry, high-acidity Sauvignon Blanc with green fruit, citrus, and mineral notes.

45
Q

What sparkling wine is produced in the Loire Valley?

A

Crémant de Loire, made using the traditional method.

46
Q

What is the typical climate of Provence?

A

Warm Mediterranean, ideal for producing light, fresh rosé wines.

47
Q

What are the flavor characteristics of Provence rosé wines?

A

Light body, high acidity, red fruit (strawberry, raspberry), and sometimes herbal notes (thyme, rosemary).

48
Q

What is the climate of the Champagne region?

A

Cool continental, with high acidity in the grapes due to limited ripening.

49
Q

What is the aging requirement for non-vintage Champagne?

A

Minimum 15 months, including 12 months on the lees.

50
Q

What are the main grape varieties used in Languedoc and Roussillon?

A

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsault for reds; Picpoul and Grenache Blanc for whites.

These varieties contribute to the region’s diverse wine styles.

51
Q

What are the typical characteristics of Languedoc reds?

A

Full-bodied, ripe black fruit flavors (blackberry, plum), with herbal and spicy notes.

These characteristics make Languedoc reds popular among wine enthusiasts.

52
Q

What is the Picpoul de Pinet appellation known for?

A

Crisp, dry white wines made from Picpoul, with high acidity and citrus flavors.

Picpoul de Pinet is highly regarded for its refreshing qualities.

53
Q

What is the climate of Languedoc and Roussillon?

A

Warm Mediterranean, ideal for ripe, full-bodied wines.

The climate supports a variety of grape growing conditions.

54
Q

What are the main grape varieties in Cahors?

A

Malbec, Merlot, and Tannat.

Cahors is particularly famous for its Malbec wines.

55
Q

What are the key characteristics of Cahors wines?

A

Dark, full-bodied wines with high tannins, black fruit flavors (blackberry, plum), and earthy notes.

These wines are known for their aging potential.

56
Q

What sweet wine is produced in the Jurançon region?

A

Petit Manseng, known for its high acidity and flavors of citrus, apricot, and tropical fruit.

Jurançon is celebrated for its dessert wines.

57
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Corsica?

A

Light, fresh rosé, red, and white wines.

Corsica’s unique climate influences its wine styles.

58
Q

What are the main grape varieties in Corsica?

A

Nielluccio (Sangiovese), Sciaccarello, Vermentino, and Grenache.

These varieties reflect the island’s diverse terroir.

59
Q

What is Vin Jaune from the Jura region?

A

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.

60
Q

What are the main grape varieties of Savoie?

A

Jacquère (white), Altesse (white), and Mondeuse (red).

Savoie wines are often characterized by their freshness.

61
Q

What are the characteristics of wines from Savoie?

A

Light-bodied, high-acidity white wines with delicate floral and citrus flavors.

These wines are ideal for pairing with local cuisine.

62
Q

What is the main grape variety of Condrieu?

A

Viognier.

Condrieu is renowned for its aromatic white wines.

63
Q

What is the style of wine produced in Hermitage?

A

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.

64
Q

What is the difference between Côte-Rôtie and Cornas wines?

A

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.

65
Q

What are the key characteristics of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A

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.

66
Q

What are the typical blending grapes in Southern Rhône whites?

A

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier.

These grapes contribute to the complexity of Southern Rhône white wines.

67
Q

What are the key characteristics of Tavel wines?

A

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.

68
Q

What are Vendanges Tardives (VT) wines from Alsace?

A

Late-harvest wines with concentrated sweetness and flavors of dried fruit and honey.

VT wines are often enjoyed as dessert wines.

69
Q

What does Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) mean in Alsace?

A

Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes, with intense flavors of honey, dried fruit, and spice.

SGN wines are among the most prestigious in Alsace.