France Flashcards
terms for PDO in france
AOP
AC
AOP
each year producers can chose what they use
what are french terms for PGI
IGP
VdP
wines without a GI are
Vin de france
what is the climate of Bordeaux and the cooling and warming influences
moderate maritime
warming from gulf stream extending growing season
Atlantic brings high rainfall and humidity
what offers protection from the atlantic weather
Landes
rainfall can disrupt flowering and fruit set and promote rot and dilute flavours - causing vintage variation, how do growers manage this
changes in canopy management
decline of sprays
black varieties of bordeaux?
cab sauv
cab franc
merlot
petit verdot
Where does cab sauv dominate in bordeaux and why?
Haut medoc
Bas medoc
graves
the high stone and gravel raises temp being the only place it can ripen
Where does Cab franc in bordeaux dominate?
saint emillion
medoc
graves
less body and tannin and prefers well drained soils
where does merlot dominate in bordeaux and why?
saint emillion
pommerol
can grow in cooler clay soils
what does petit verdot add to a blend?
tannin, colour and spice
how is top quality bordeaux aged?
225 ltr barriques
what are the 3 important whites in bordeaux
Semillon
sauvignon blanc
muscadelle
what do the white grapes of bordeaux contribute to blends
semillon- thin skin = noble rot and sweet wines as well as blended with sauvignon blanc in pessac leognan and graves where it adds body
sauvignon blanc - varietal or adding acidity to sweet wines
muscadelle - floral
what are the chateaux in the top rank of the 1855 classification in the medoc, graves and sauternes
medoc : chateaux lafite rothschild latour margaux mouton rothschild
graves :
chateau haut brion
sauternes:
chateau d’yquem
what is cru bourgeois awarded to?
specific vintage - must be submitted each year
what is the classification in saint emillion grand cru from lowest to highest
Saint emillion grand cru classe
saint emillion premier cru classe
premier cru classe B
premier cru classe A
promotion and demotion once every 10 years
How is rose labeled in Bordeaux what is the style?
Bordeaux rose
Bordeaux clariet - longer laceration deeper colour fuller body
a wine that is at its best, early drinking, medium body, with ripe red and black fruit could be labelled as
bordeaux or bordeaux superior
What is the soil in Medoc what does this grow
clay with outcrops of gravel, wines have a higher proportion of merlot and are more early drinking
what are the 4 communes of the haut medoc from north to south?
Saint Estephe
Pauillac
Saint Julien
Margaux
describe wine coming from haut medoc
high % of cab sauv, blackcurrent, cedar, and grippy when young
what are the red wines coming from pessac leognan and graves like?
PL- high cab sauv
lighter and more fragrant
Graves - similar but less concentrated with more merlot
What are the 3 groups of growing areas and the soils of Saint Emillion?
plateau in the north and west of town - warm well drained gravel and limestone = cab franc and cab sauv
escarpment to south and east - clay and limestone
sandy soils at foot of escarpment
what 2 areas are the best examples of saint emillion coming from?
Plateau from north to west of town
and south to east of escarpment
med to high tannins with soft and rich mouthfeel complex red berry and plum
How does Pomeroy differ from saint emillion?
richer spicer and blackberry
what are the appellations of cotes de bordeaux?
Blaye
Cadillac
Castillon
Francs
What bordeaux is merlot based, early drinking and excellent value for money?
Cote’s de Bordeaux
what regions are aloud to produce white in bordeaux and what style?
Graves
Entre deux mers - these are dry unoaked
pessac leognan - sauv/semillon oaked, medium to full body, toasty
the best examples of barsac or sauternes display?
high alc, sweet and balanced by acidity, apricot, citrus, toast, vanilla
In the dordgone france which appellation is a source of good value botrytised sweet wine made from sauvignon blanc and semillon?
Monbazillac
Chairs was traditionally making tannic and long lived wines now the wines vary based on soil location what is the most important variety and the 2nd and 3rd
Malbec
Tannat
Merlot
In south west france which region is making the most important IGP wine and from which grape?
Cotes de Gascogne
Ugni Blanc
dry light green apple
What grape is leading blends in Madrian?
Tannat
The most important sweet wine of Juracon is made from?
Petit Manseng - passerillage, high acidity, apricot grapefruit and spice
What are weather hazzards in Burgundy?
rain
spring frost (especially in chablis)
summer hail
westerly winds (protected by south or east facing slopes)
Where are the most important plantings of pinot noir?
cote d or
what are flavours of classic burgundian pinot noir
red fruit, earth, game, mushroom
high acidity, lower or medium tannin
whole bunch fermentation
16-18 mo oak
some burgundian chardonnay’s show signs of
premature oxidation
What grapes are grown in burgundy other than chardonnay and pinot noir
aligote
gamay
list the classifications of chablis
petit chablis - lesser north facing slopes and flatter land
Chablis Premier cru
Chablis Grand cru
these are in south facing slopes with riper more concentrated citrus and more body
Cote du nuits produces the best
and cote du beaune produces the best
nuits-pinot noir (fullest body)
beaune- chardonnay
explain the heirchy of burgndy appellations
regional
commune
single vineyard - premier and grand
List the key villages of the cote de nuits from north to south
Gevery Chambertin
Vougeot
Vosne Romanee
Nuit saint george’s
list the key villages of the cote de beaune from north to south
aloxe corton beaune pommard volnay meursault puligny montrachet chassange montrachet
what is the difference between cote de nuits villages and cotes de beaune villages
nuits - white or red
beaune - red
The Cote Challonaise also produces chardonnay and pinot noir however the aspect is less east and harvest is later resulting in lighter wines the 4 villages are?
rully - sparkling
mercury - red
givry - red
montagny - white
Bourgogne hautes cotes de nuits and Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune
are
higher altitude with more wind giving less body and concentration
Bourgogne cote Chalonaise is
is all reds from pinot noir and all whites from chardonnay
wines from macon are
chardonnay or gamay
White wines from the macconais showing excellent value for money are
Macon Villages
Pouilly Fuisse and Saint Veran are the richest and ripest burgundian chardonnay’s, why?
matured in barrel
limestone slopes with south east and east exposure that act as sun traps
the climate in beaujolais is moderate continental why is this perfect for gamay?
early ripening
early budding
low level nutrient granite soils help control the yields
What is the traditional method of pruning in beaujolais?
gobelet
pruned to spurs around head and shoots are tied to hold them vertically
what is beaujolais nouveau?
early drinking released 3rd thursday in november after vintage cannot be sold after following aug 31
cannot be from crus
red berry light body, kirsch, banana, cinnamon
the 4 beaujolais crus with the greatest production are?
Brouilly
Morgon - structured
Fleurie
Moulin a Vent - structured
these can improve with bottle age
crushed fruit fermentation
large oak vats
some semi carbonic
what is the climate of alsace and the geographical features
cool to moderate continental
vosges mountains shelter from westerly rain and wind
lack of clouds
how are vines trained in alsace?
slopes : trained low to benifit from heat and rows maximize sun exposure
hand harvesting
plains : trained high to minimize risk of sprint frost
when is harvest in alsace?
mid september till beginning of november
what are the noble varieties of alsace?
riesling
geuwertzraminer
pinot gris
muscat
edelzwiker and gentil are?
blends from alsace
although alsace focuses on aromatic varieties why do they use large old oak for fermentation
they are over 100 years old with a thick layer of tartrate preventing wood from having influence on wine
when does bottling in alsace take place
spring after harvest
what is presenting producers a problem in alsace
grand crud have been being made with some sweetness, there is no sweetness level indicator on labels
there is only alsace and alsace grand cru and 2 others
VT vendanges Tardives - late harvest only from noble and must have a minimum sugar ripeness - passerillage is used and maybe noble rot
SGN selection de grains nobles - nobles, min sugar higher than VT, usually noble rot
what are the best examples of riesling from alsace?
med-full body, dry, high acidity, citrus and stone fruit stony steely aromas less floral than germany
Gewurtztraminer from Alsace is?
pungent spicy nose of lychees roses and sweet spice skin is light pink giving gold fully body rich and oily low acidity and high alc
describe the best pinot gris from Alsace?
rich, full body, high alc, more acidity than gewurtztraminer and less aromatic
textured fresh and dry fruit and honey
the 2 muscat’s of Alsace are?
muscat blanc a petit grains - intensely aromatic with orange blossom rose and grape - prone to poor fruit set and rot
the less aromatic muscat ottonel is more widely planted because it is more reliable
what is the non noble varietal planted in alsace
pinot blanc - on fertile planes
also auxerrois and sylvaner
and pinot noir
what are the 4 subregions of the Loire
central
touraine
anjou-saumur
nantais
what is the IGP covering the loire?
val de loire
what are the variations of climate and soil in Loire?
overall cool
central- continental
anjou- warmer and drier / stony soil
touraine - cool and wet / clay soil
what is an issue growers face in Loire and in retrospect to that where are the best vineyards grown
fungal disease
south facing slope facing the river for extra heat
the 2 most prestigious appellations for sauvignon blanc in Loire is
Sancerre
pouilly fume
located on chalky well drained stoney soils
describe a sauvignon blanc from central vineyards
green apple wet stone dry high acidity subtle smoke
what winemaking choices might a wine maker make for sauvignon blanc from sancerre or pouilly fume
gentle pneumatic press
stainless or old oak
lee’s for texture
MLF for cool vintages
where can you get a style of sauvignon blanc similar to pouilly fume and sancerre at a better price?
mentetou - salon
Chenin blanc can be used for many styles of wine describe the grapes that are used for each style
sparkling - only enough sugar to produce low alcohol
dry/med/sweet - increasingly ripe or effected by noble rot
vouvray has a cool climate with clay soils resulting in chenin with?
light to medium body and fresh fruit and floral notes
which region in Loire is producing renowned sparkling chenin
saumur
where is oaking chenin in Loire
anjou
why is late harvest chenin being produced in Savennieres
the air circulation in the vines impedes noble rot but enables late harvest for full bodied dry complex wines
where are some of the worlds greatest sweet wines coming from in the loire
coteaux du layon
describe melon blanc from loire
- early ripening and frost resistant
- muscadet
-muscadet sevre et maine - dry
- max 12%
high acidity light body green fruit
what makes muscadet sur lie different
bottled in spring after vintage after spending winter on lee’s for texture
How do the cab francs in touraine differ?
from chinon and bourguiel
the sandy soils are light and fruity and the fuller bodied tannic versions are coming from south facing slopes with limestone and clay
describe the cab francs from Saumur chanpingy
lighter body and tannic with juicy berry can be served chilled
Rose de loire blend must have
at least 30% cab franc or cab sauv
cabernet anjou is made from a blend of ?
cab franc and sauvignon blanc
rose d’anjou us made with
grolleau and franc
sancerre rose must be made from
pinot noir
what is the wind in the northern rhone that can easily damage vines?
the mistral from the north
how are vines protected in northern rhone
supported by an individual stake or in tepee like stakes
describe a northern rhone syrah and some practices a winemaker will use
deep colour
medium to high tannin
black fruit
pepper
some new oak or older barrels, adding viogner
describe viogner?
full body perfumed blossom and apricot and stone fruit low acidity and high alcohol as they are late ripening with higher sugar
what do marsanne and rousanne contribute to blends?
marsanne - richness and weight
rousanne - acidity and perfume
what distinguishes a cote rotie from hermitage
textural elegance
what is condrieu
viogner from low yielding vines on steep well exposed terrased vineyards
the lightest body northern rhones can come from?
saint joseph
in the flatter fertile plains on the valley floor using carbonic maceration
where is the fullest bodied red northern rhone
hermitage
what whites and how much can hermitage be blended with
15% marsanne and rousanne
a similar wine to cote rotie or hermitage forbetter value is?
crozes hermitage
why does syrah from cornas differ?
100% syrah
the mistral is stronger in southern rhone how do growers adapt?
windbreakers are planted
grenache is bush trained
syrah is trellised
what are the grapes black and white grown in southern rhone
grenache syrah mondevre cinsault grenach blanc boutboulenc clairette
what do syrah and mondevre add to a blend with grenache
syrah gives colour and tannin
mondevre is very black fruit but can give the complexity of game and meat
what does cinsault add to a southern rhone blend?
red fruit
why is it hard to describe a southern rhone
techniques range and winemakers will blend from wines using different fermentation styles
what are the style of the best whites of southern rhone?
rich texture full body low to medium acidity and fruity
what makes cote du rhone villages different from cote du rhone
villages - more alcohol and greater % has to be made from syrah mondevre or grenache.
villages can add name to label if 100% from village
more body structure and spiced red fruit than cote du rhone
describe chateauneuf du pape
grenache dominates and some are 100%
others take use of mondevre
the best are full body and rich texture with red fruit balancing high alcohol
there is a lot of dilute unbalanced chateauneuf du pape
Tavel and Lirac make?
rose from grenache and cinsault
full body and intensely flavoured
where else in southern rhone produces high quality chateauneuf du pape style
lirac
what are the 2 most standing crus of southern rhone
gigondas
vacauerays
making grenache led reds in style of chateauneuf
what is the climate of southern france
warm mediterranean
how does the growing area of southern france range
foothills are cooler and less fertile well drained soils - quality viticulture
the mistral turns to the ______ that blows through the massif and pyrenees
tramatone
what are the black grapes of southern france?
grenache syrah carignan cinsault mourvèdre merlot cab
describe carignan in southern rhone
high tannin
high acidity
can lack fruit but can preform on poor soil because it produces enormous yields
what is merlot and cab used for in sourthern france
IGP
what is southern france benefiting from winemaking wise?
new and old oak
improvement cellar hygiene
temp control
semi carbonic to soften carignan
what are the white grapes of southern france
chardonnay
sauvignon blanc
viogner
picpoul
describe grenache blanc
dry peachy full body low acidity oxidize easily
describe picapoul
high acidity green fruit and citrus
the languedoc is made up it departments?
aude
herault
gard
cotes du roussillon produces more concentrated wines why?
more mountainous less rainfall and strong wind
what are the 2 areas of fitou
warm coastal strip producing fuller body
cooler inland area for lighter wines
what cools the altitude vineyards of corbieres
tramontone
describe the growing conditions of minervois
rich soil
altitude
atlantic cooling
in southern france where is a region for premium oaked chardonnay’s
limoux
where do the most IGPs come from in france
southern france named pays d’oc
large volume and excellent value for money
describe a rose from provence?
pale
light body
dry
grapefruit and red fruit
what does Bandol produce
premium reds based on mourvedre
dark full body powerful tannins that need bottle age to show bramble meat and licorice