D3 - Southwest France

Question 1

How does the Atlantic Ocean influence inland areas south of Bordeaux (Madiran, Jurançon)?

Answer 1

The area between the Atlantic and these inland appellations is flat land so there is nothing to block its influence.

Question 2

Directly to the east of Entre-Deux-Mers are these two important wine-producing appellations.

Answer 2

1. Bergerac AOC;
2. Monbazillac AOC.

Question 3

What styles of wine are permitted to be made under the Bergerac AOC?

Answer 3

1. Dry whites;
2. Sweet whites;
3. Rosé;
4. Red.

Question 4

Red wines from Bergerac AOC must be made with at least two of the following four red grapes which must be at least 50% of the final wine.

Answer 4

1. Cabernet Sauvignon;
2. Cabernet Franc;
3. Merlot;
4. Malbec.

Question 5

Why do some Bergerac AOC wines have low flavor intensity?

Answer 5

High yields permitted for the AOC.

67 hl/ha for whites, 60 hl/ha for reds.

Question 6

Which AOC is viewed as having higher quality wines: Bergerac AOC or Côtes de Bergerac AOC?

Why?

Answer 6

Côtes de Bergerac AOC – lower maximum yield (50 hl/ha) + some producers age in oak.

Question 7

Monbazillac AOC is an appellation allowing for ___ wines only.

Answer 7

Sweet white

Question 8

What two ways do the wines become sweet for Monbazillac AOC?

Answer 8

1. Late harvested;
2. Botrytis.

Question 9

Monbazillac AOC must be __% of these four principal varieties.

Answer 9

80%

1. Sauvignon Blanc;
2. Sauvignon Gris;
3. Sémillon;
4. Muscadelle.

Question 10

Monbazillac AOC

1. Grapes must be picked by ___.
2. Max yield is __ hl/ha.
3. Barrel fermentation is more or less common than it is in Sauternes?

Answer 10

1. Hand;
2. 30 hl/ha;
3. Less common.

Question 11

Select the correct answer.

Compared to Bordeaux, Cahors AOC is:
a. cooler and slightly wetter
b. warmer and slightly drier
c. has the same temperature and rainfall

Answer 11

b. warmer and slightly drier

Question 12

The main grape in Cahors AOC is ___ and must be __% of the blend.

What other grapes are allowed?

Answer 12

• Main grape = Malbec, minimum 70% (higher quality producers use 90-100% Malbec);
• Other grapes = Tannat, Merlot.

Question 13

What are the three soils like in Cahors from riverside, mid-slope, to the high plateau?

Answer 13

1. Riverside = rich, alluvial soils (higher yields and lower fruit concentration);
2. Mid-slope = poorer soils (lower yields + higher concentration);
3. Highest plateau at 350m = low nutrient limestone soils (lower yields + higher concentration).

Question 14

Why is destemming required in Cahors AOC?

Answer 14

To eliminate underripe stems that could add aggressive tannins.

Question 15

• How long are early-drinking Cahors wines left on the skins?
• How long are age-worthy Cahors wines left on the skins?

Answer 15

• 7-10 days of skin maceration;
• 15-25 days of skin maceration.

Question 16

__% of Cahors AOC is made by a single co-operative, the Cooperative des Vignerons d’Olt, which belongs to Vinovalie that operates in four wine regions.

Answer 16

20%

Question 17

What are the two distinct styles of wine that are made within the same geographical area of Madiran?

Answer 17

1. Madiran AOC (Tannat);
2. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC (sweet white).

Question 18

Madiran AOC

1. Does it see any Atlantic influence?
2. What is its annual rainfall?
3. What is its growing season like?

Answer 18

1. Yes, some Atlantic influence;
2. 1000mm/year;
3. Warm, sunny, dry with a Föhn.

Question 19

Describe Madiran AOC’s 2 general growing areas and the styles that come from each.

Answer 19

1. West-facing slopes on clay and limestone soil with good drainage, producing grapes that make tannic wines suitable for bottle aging;
2. Flatter land with clay/clay loam soil producing less tannic wines meant for early consumption.

Question 20

• Madiran AOC must be made with a minimum __% Tannat.
• What are the 3 other grapes permitted in the blend of Madiran?

Answer 20

• 50% Tannat*
• Cabernet Franc; Cabernet Sauvignon; and Fer (aka Fer Servadou).

*The highest quality Madiran are typically 85–100% Tannat.

Question 21

In Madiran, as in Cahors, grapes must be destemmed to reduce the extraction of extra tannins.

What is the maximum yield in Madiran AOC?

Answer 21

55 hl/ha

Question 22

What are the wine styles made in Jurançon AOC?

Answer 22

1. Jurançon Sec;
2. Jurançon (medium-sweet);
3. Jurançon Vendanges Tardives (sweet).

Question 23

Jurançon AOC has a mild, humid climate and a pretty high annual rainfall.

What is its rainfall and when does it fall (and what can it affect)?

Answer 23

1200mm/year distributed throughout the year, affecting flowering, fruit set, and harvest.

Question 24

• What is the elevation of Jurançon AOC?
• Why are grapes planted at the higher elevations?

Answer 24

• 300m asl;
• For good drainage, since it rains all year round.

Question 25

The principal grape varieties in Jurançon AOC are ___ and ___.

Answer 25

1. Gros Manseng;
2. Petit Manseng.

Question 26

What are the soils of Jurançon AOC?

Answer 26

Limestone, sand, clay and stones.

Question 27

• Jurançon AOC is a fairly humid region but it’s affected by this wind that blows down from the Pyrenées.
• How does this wind help the AOC?

Answer 27

• Föhn, a hot + dry wind;
• It helps to:
  1. Dry the air;
  2. Ventilate the canopy (and bunches in autumn);
  3. Boost temperature to produce over-ripe berries for the sweet wines.

Question 28

The second and third tries in Jurançon for sweet wines are in November and December. By this time, the grapes have shriveled on the vine, concentrating the grapes.

What is the name of this shrivelling on the vine?

Answer 28

Passerillage

Question 29

What is the maximum yield and RS minimum for Jurançon Sec?

Answer 29

• Maximum 60 hl/ha;
• No RS minimum.

Question 30

What is the maximum yield and RS minimum for Jurançon?

Answer 30

• Max yield 40 hl/ha;
• Minimum 40g/L RS.

Question 31

What is the maximum yield and RS minimum for Jurançon Vendanges Tardives?

Answer 31

• Maximum 40 hl/ha;
• Minimum 55g/L RS (no enrichment allowed).

Question 32

Jurançon Vendanges Tardives may not be harvested before this date.

Answer 32

November 2.

Question 33

Why doesn’t malo typically occur in Jurançon wines?

Answer 33

Because the pH is too low and the acidity too high for malolactic bacteria to survive those conditions.

Question 34

Higher quality sweet Jurançon wines made with Petit Manseng are typically fermented in (mostly old) barriques and aged in them for __ - __ mos.

Answer 34

12-18 mos

Question 35

• The main grape in IGP Côtes de Gascogne is ___.
• What style of wine IGP Côtes de Gascogne?

Answer 35

• Colombard;
• Fruity, inexpensive, easy to drink because it’s blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Note that Colombard itself is a neutral grape BUT the style of wine of IGP Côtes de Gascogne is fruity due to the addition of the other permissible grape varieties.

Question 36

In 2020, Bergerac AOC together with Côtes de Bergerac AOC produced __% red wine, __% white and __% rosé.

Answer 36

• 50% red wine;
• 33% white wine;
• 17% rosé.

Question 37

Since 2007, Cahors has marketed itself as
‘____’.

Answer 37

‘Cahors Malbec’