France Flashcards
Wine regions of France
Champagne, Chablis, Alsace, Jura, Savoie, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Rhone Valley, Provence, Languedoc, Roussillon, Cahors, Gaillac, Madiran, Jurancon, Bearn, Bordeaux, Loire Valley
White grapes
- Ugni Blanc: most planted, used for Brandy
- Chardonnay: Burgundy and Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon
- Sauvignon Blanc: Bordeaux, Eastern Loire
- Melon de Burgogne: west Loire
- Semillon: Bordeaux
- Chenin Blanc
- Muscat: South
Leading Red Grapes of France
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sav: Bordeaux
- Cab Franc: Loire, minor Bord
- Grenache: South
- Syrah: Rhone
- Pinot Noir: Burgundy, Champagne
- Carignan: South and Corsica
- Gamay: Beaujolais
- Cinsault
- Pinot Meunier
- Mouvedre
French wine quality categories
Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC)
Appellation d’Origine Protegee (AOP)
Vin de Pays / Indication Geographique Protegee (IGP)
Vin
Leading Bordeaux varieties
Merlot
Cab Sav
Cab Franc
Semillon
Sav Blanc
Muscadelle
Types of Bordeaux
Basic red - Merlot Higher end RB - Merlot, all three Higher end LB - finest, Medoc, Cab Sav Dry White - Sav B with Semillon; Entre Deux Mers, Graves Sweet White - Sauternes on LB;
What is Bordeaux Superieur
Min 1.7% residual sugar, higher standards, lower yields, higher min ripeness, half degree higher alcohol
Most esteemed villages in the wine world
St Estephe, Pauillac, St Julien, Margaux
Higher appellations of the left bank
Medoc
Graves
Higher appellations of the Entre Deux Mers
Haut Benage
Loupiac
Sainte Croix du Mont
Cadillac
All whites
Higher Appellations of the Right Bank
Top two (Libourne area) : Pomerol, St Emilion
Fronsac
Canon Fronsac
Lalande de Pomerol
Satellites: Lussac St E Montagne Puisseguin St Georges
Cotes de Bordeaux
Blaye Cadillac Castillon Francs Sainte Foy
Top crus
Haut-Brion, Lafite-Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild (1973)
What are the top three second tier Bordeaux wines
Deuxieme cru, super seconds
Cos d’Estournel, Montrose, Pichon Longueville Baron
Four regions of the Loire Valley
Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Upper Loire
Loire key white grapes
W: Melon de Burgogne (Muscadet), Sav Blanc (Sancerre, Pouilly Fume), Chenin Blanc (Vouvray, Savennieres)
Rose / red grapes of Loire
Rose blend of Cab Franc aka Breton (Chinon), Cab Sav, Pinot Noir (red Sancerre), Gamay. Malbec known as Cot
Sparkling wines of Loire
Marketed under Fines Bulles
Made in the Trad Method
Based on Chenin Blanc, with Sav Blanc and Chard added
The res grapes are also used
White and rose, varying levels of sweetness
Leading white grapes of each Loire region
Pays Nantais - Melon de Burgogne
Anjou-Saumur - Chenin Blanc
Touraine - Chenin Blanc
Upper Loire - Sauvignon Blanc
Three main varieties in Champagne
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier
How many kilos is a marc
4000
Three pressings of Champagne
Cuvée
Taille
Rebeche
Main zones of Champagne
Montagne de Reims Vallee de la Marme Cote des Blanc Cote de Sezanne Cote de Bar
Soil underlying Cote de Bar
Kimmeridgian marl
Extends to Cliffs of Dover
