Climate & Weather & Grapes

Question 1

Climate & Weather

Answer 1

Maritime, but generally less influence by Atlantic

Question 2

Grape Varieties (Red) (5)

Answer 2

1. Auxerrois / Malbec - Cahors / Bergerac / Buzet / Fronton
2. Tannat - Madiran / Cahors
3. Duras - Gaillac
4. Fer Servadou / Braucol - Gaillac / Madiran
5. Negrette - Fronton

Question 3

White Wines (5)(+3)

Answer 3

1. Mauzac - Gaillac
2. Len de l’El - Gaillac
3. Ondenc - Gaillac
4. Petit Manseng - Jurancon / VdP
5. Gros Manseng - Jurancon Sec / VdP

plus Chardonnay, Colombard, Ugni Blanc

Question 4

Auxerrois / Malbec

1. origin
2. grape
3. cultivation
4. style/soil =
5. style D T D T

Answer 4

Auxerrois / Malbec - Cahors (Berg / Buzet/ Fronton

1. Believed to originate from Burgundy (Cot)
2. Thin-skinned grape, needs more sun vs Cab Sauv or Merlot
3. Often cultivated in bush vines (gobelet)
4. Produces darkest and most tannic wines in limestone soils of Cahors
5. Ripe fruit gives deep colour, ample tannins and aromas of damsons, tobacco and raisin

Question 5

Tannat - Madiran / Cahors (4)

1. Tough
2. blended w/
3. Deep
4. Micro O

Answer 5

1. Tough, deep black-berried grape
2. Often blended with Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Fer to soften astringency
3. Deep Colour, very high potentially astringent tannins, hi alcohol, raspberry aromas and aging potential
4. Micro-oxygenation created to help soften tannins

Question 6

Duras - Gaillac (3)

Answer 6

1. Early budding
2. often blended with Fer and Negrette
3. Deep colour, full-bodied wines, good structure and acidity

Question 7

Fer Servadou / Braucol - Gaillac / Madiran (2)

Answer 7

1. Main component in Gaillac; minor in Madiran & Bergerac - Nothing to do w/the Argentinian Fer
2. Aromas of currants and red fruits w/soft tannins

Question 8

Negrette - Fronton (4)

Answer 8

1. Grown between Toulouse and Albi
2. Suited for hot, dry climate of Toulouse
3. Fruit Flabours with slight animal or violet flavour
4. Must dominate the blend in Fronton AC

Question 9

Mauzac - Gaillac

Answer 9

1. principal grape variety in Gaillac
2. Relatively aromatic (appley flavours)
3. Usually blended with Len del’El
4. Slight revival since the late 80s

Question 10

Len de l’El - Gaillac (2)

Ondenc (1)

Answer 10

1. Compulsory minor ingredient in Gaillac whites
2. Powerful and characterful but can be flabby
3. Poor yields and prone to rot

Question 11

Petit Manseng - Jurançon / VdP

Gros Mensang - Jurançon Sec / Vdp

Answer 11

1. Top quality small thick-skinned white grape
2. small yields but ideal for sweet wines
3. less than 1/3 of G Mensang volume in France
4. Yields more generous than Petit Mensang
5. Less elegant and rich, Rarely used for sweet wine