France Flashcards
What city did the Romans conquer that facilitated the spread of viticulture?
Gaul
What role did Christian monasteries play in the development of wine-making in Burgundy?
Rich patrons donated vineyards to monasteries seeking divine favor; monks such as the Benedictines and Cistercians took a scientific approach growing grapes and making wine.
What watershed event occurred in the 12th century that elevated the Bordeaux region to prominence?
The marriage of Eleanor of Acquitaine to Henry II.
What factor originally spurred significant wine production in the Loire Valley?
The Loire Valley was the home of French Nobility in the Middle Ages.
What type of wines were Champagne known for in the 1600?
Still Pinot Noirs.
What historical/political factor makes Alsace unique?
Alsace alternated between German and French control.
What is the major topographical feature within the country of France?
The Massif Central (central highlands)
What is the most widely planted white grape in France?
Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano Toscano)
200,000 acres in vine
Used almost exclusively for making brandy.
What is the most widely planted red grape in France?
Merlot
250,000 acres under vine.
What are the three quality levels of wine in France?
1) Vin (Vin de table)
2) Vin de Pays (IGP)
3) Appellation d’Origine Controllee (AOP)
What percentage of grapes in a French IGP wine must come from the delimited region on the label?
85%
Approximately how much French wine is AOC level?
Just under 50%
What is the best known IGP in France?
Pays d’Oc (Langedoc-Roussillon)
Others include Val de Loire (Loire Valle and Chablis), Mediterranee (Provence, Southeast) and Comte Tolosan (Southwest)
Describe the climate of Bordeaux?
Cool Maritime
Name two influences that moderate the climate of Bordeaux?
The Landes forest and the Gulf Stream.
Name two important rivers in Bordeaux.
The Garonne and the Dordogne, both of which flow into the Gironde Estuary.
What is the region North of the city of Bordeaux called?
Medoc
What is the region South of the city of Bordeaux called?
Graves
What is the major city on the Right Bank of Bordeaux?
Libourne
What are the main red grapes of Bordeaux?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carmenere
What are the main white grapes of Bordeaux?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Also Sauvignon Gris, Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Merlot Blanc
In April of 2021, which 6 grapes were approved for limited use in Bordeaux AOC and Bordeaux Superieur AOC?
Touriga Nationial, Arinarnoa, Castets, Marselan, Albarino and Lilorila.
Why is Cabernet more suit to the Left Bank of Bordeaux?
The Left Bank has gravel soils, which help with drainage but also heat retention, which Cabernet needs in order to fully ripen.
What sub-regions of Bordeaux are known for the following styles of wine?
a) Cabernet-based blends
b) Merlot-based blends
c) Dry white wines
d) Sweet white wines
a) Left Bank (Medoc, Graves)
b) Right Bank (St. Emilion, Pomerol)
c) Entre-Deux-Mers, Grave)
d) Sauterne (also Cadillac, Loupiac)
What percentage of Bordeaux wine production is red wine?
85%
What are the 3 large, general appellations in Bordeaux?
1) Bordeaux AOC
2) Bordeaux Superieur AOC
3) Cremant de Bordeaux AOC
What is the minimum amount of residual sugar required in Bordeaux Superieur AOC?
1.7%
What are the two subregions of the Medoc?
The Medoc and Haute-Medoc
What are the six communal appellations of the Medoc?
1) Saint-Estephe
2) Pauillac
3) Saint-Julien
4) Margaux
5) Listrac-en-Medoc
6) Moulis-en-Medoc
What are the appellations in Graves that produce dry wines?
1) Graves
2) Graves Superieures
2) Pessac-Leognan
What are the appellations in Graves that produce sweet wines?
1) Sauternes
2) Cerons
3) Barsac
What are the five sub-zones of the Cotes de Bordeaux?
1) Blaye
2) Cadillac
3) Castillon
4) Francs
5) St. Foy
Name the two most famous appellations of the Right Bank?
1) Saint-Emilion
2) Pomerol
What are the four “satellite” appellations of Saint-Emilion?
1) Lussac
2) Montagne
3) Puisseguin
4) St. George
What are five Right Bank appellations that might offer value compared to St. Emilion and Pomerol?
1) Bourg
2) Blaye
3) Lalande-de-Pomerol
4) Fronsac
5) Canon-Fronsac
What is a “Chateau” in Bordeaux?
Literally a grand “country house,” refers today to any wine producer with or without a castle, with or without land.
What are “negociants” in Bordeaux?
“Middlemen” who buy juice or wine from small growers and producers and blend under their own label.
What does “en primeur” mean?
Literally “in futures.” This refers to wine in Bordeaux that is sold before it is bottled and long before it is drinkable.
When did the most famous ranking of producers in Bordeaux take place?
1855 in preparation for the Universal Exhibition in Paris.
How many producers were ranked in the 1855 Classification?
61 red wines divided into 5th crus or “growths”
What were the original four 1st growths in Bordeaux?
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Haut-Brion, Latour and Margaux.
Which Chateau was elevated to a 1st growth in Bordeaux in 1973?
Mouton-Rothschild
What are “super seconds” in Bordeaux?
A few 2nd growths that have established a reputation on par with the 1st. Chateaux Cos d’Estournel, Montrose and Pichon Longueville Baron are examples.
What sweet wine was ranked as a superior 1st growth in the 1855 Classification?
Chateau d’Yquem
How many sweet wines were ranked as a) 2nd growth b) 1st growth and c) superior 1st growth in 1855
a) 15
b) 11
c) 1
Which famous wine region has no classification system?
Pomerol
What is the classification system in Graves?
a) only one wine, Haut-Brion, was included in the 1855 classification.
b) Chateaux were classified in 1953 and again in 1959, and included 16 producers.
c) Cru Classe is the only level.
What wine in Graves is included in two classifications?
Haut-Brion: 1st Growth and Cru Classe
Describe the classification system in St.-Emilion.
a) two categories, Grand Cru Classe and Premier Grand Cru Classe, which is further divided in A and B
b) requires reclassification every 10 years.
c) due to controversy, several prestigious producers, including Cheval-Blanc, Ausone and Angelu have decided not to submit applications going forward.
What is the longest river in France?
Loire River
What is the total production (in cases) of wine in the Loire Valley?
45 million cases
How much of Loire wine production is AOC level?
75%
What are the four subregions of the Loire Valley?
- Pays Nantais
- Anjou-Saumur
- Touraine
- Upper Loire
What climate does Pays Nantais have?
Maritime
What climate does the Upper Loire have?
Continental
What are the major white grapes in the Loire Valley?
White: Melon de Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
List four minor white grapes in the Loire Valley?
Arbois, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Folle Blanche
In what major appellation is Melon de Bourgogne the star?
Muscadet AOC
What are the 3 Muscadet sub-appellations?
Sevre et Maine, Coteaux de la Loire, Cotes de Grandlieu
What is another name for Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Pineau de la Loire
What factors make Chenin Blanc susceptible to Botrytis?
Thin skin, also the humidity of the Loire Valley
What are the two most famous appellations for Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Vouvray and Savennieres
What are the two most famous appellations for Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire Valley?
Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume
What is the local name for Cabernet Franc in the Loire Valley?
Breton
What is the local name for Malbec in the Loire Valley?
Cot
What is the marketing term for sparkling wine in the Loire Valley made in the traditional method.
Fines Bulles (fine bubbles)
What Loire Valley appellation is known for its Cabernet Franc?
Chinon
What Loire Valley appellation is known for Pinot Noir production?
Sancerre
What grape is generally used in sparkling wine production in the Loire Valley?
Chenin Blanc
What is the IGP that covers the Loire Valley?
IGP Val de Loire
What production technique is often used in the making of Muscadet?
aging sur lies
What is the most famous AOC in Anjou-Saumur?
Savennieres
Describe 5 general styles of wine produced in Anjou-Saumur?
- Red wine made from Cab Franc and/or Cab Sauvignon
- White wine from Chenin with up to 20% Sauv Blanc or Chardonnay
- Sparkling wine labeled Mousseux
- Sparkling wine labeled Petillant
- Red wine from Gamay
List three rose appellations in the Loire, from driest to sweetest.
- Rose de Loire (blend, also Touraine)
- Rose d’Anjou (Grolleau)
- Cabernet d’Anjou (Cab Franc and Sauv)
What are the 3 appellations in Anjou best know for sweet wines?
Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeax and Quarts de Chaume
What is the other name for Chenin Noir in the Loire Valley?
Pineau d’Aunis
What kind of wine is made in Saumur-Champigny?
Spicy red made from Cabernet Franc
Where do most grapes used for the Central Loire appellation Cremant de Loire come from?
Saumur
What is the region of Saumur mostly known for?
Sparkling wine - Saumur Mousseux
Name three appellations that make wine similar in quality to Sancerre?
Menetou-Salon, Quincy, Reuilly
What type of soils can be found in Sancerre and Pouilly- Fume?
Chalk/Limestone and Flint, respectively
What wines are grown in the Cheverny AOC?
Whites based on Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris;
Reds and Roses made with Pinot Noir and Gamay
What styles of Chenin Blanc are produced in Vouvray?
Dry, off-dry, sweet, still, sparkling
What appellation makes wine similar to that of Vouvray?
Montlouis-sur-Loire
What two appellations make wine similar to Chinon?
Bourgueil and St.-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil
What whitegrape is Touraine AOC generally made from?
Sauvignon Blanc
What was the first country to intentionally replicate a second fermentation in the bottle by adding sugar?
England
Who is Dom Perignon?
A monk responsible for creating improvements in making sparkling wine in the traditional method.
Champagne is responsible for what percentage of the world’s sparkling wine production?
18% (32 million cases per year)
How many acres are under vine in Champagne?
84,500
Why is the Champagne region well suited to sparkling wine production?
The northerly, marginal climate causes high levels of acidity in the grapes.
What are the five main subregions in Champagne?
Montagne de Reims
Vallee de la Marne
Cote des Blancs
Cote de Sezanne
Cote des Bar
For what two subsoils is Champagne known? Why are they significant?
Chalk and limestone rich marl.
These soils allow roots to dig deep, providing good water retention but also drainage. They also moderate temperature.
*Also Kimmeridgian marl (Cote des Bar), which contains fossilized marine deposits and provides heat retention/reflection.
What are the major grape varieties in Champagne?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier