France *

Question 1

What is the role of the INAO, founded in 1935, for French wine?

Answer 1

The INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité) regulates yields, vine density, pruning, varieties, production methods, aging, minimum ABV, must weight, and geographical boundaries to maintain historical quality and style.

Question 2

What is the modern name for the former AOC system since the 2009 EU update?

Answer 2

AOC became AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) under the EU reforms, though many producers still use the AOC term on labels.

Question 3

List France’s three main wine classification tiers.

Answer 3

1) AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) with strict rules. 2) IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée), formerly Vin de Pays. 3) Vin de France, the lowest designation with minimal restrictions.

Question 4

Which French AOP uniquely allows varietal labeling?

Answer 4

Only Alsace AOP typically mandates varietal labeling on the bottle (e.g., Riesling, Gewurztraminer).

Question 5

Why is Bordeaux historically significant in wine trade?

Answer 5

Its port city and political ties (English rule, 12th–15th c.) facilitated export. Dutch drainage in the 1600s also opened up new vineyard land in the Médoc.

Question 6

List the major grape varieties of Bordeaux.

Answer 6

Red: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc (plus Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère). White: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc (plus Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, Ugni Blanc, and new experimental varieties).

Question 7

Where is Bordeaux located, and what are its key rivers?

Answer 7

Bordeaux is in southwestern France near the Atlantic. The Gironde estuary splits into two rivers: the Dordogne (Right Bank) and the Garonne (Left Bank).

Question 8

Describe Bordeaux’s climate and soils.

Answer 8

Maritime climate with relatively high rainfall and damp springs. Left Bank soils are gravel/clay; Right Bank soils are clay/iron-rich.

Question 9

Why is blending essential in Bordeaux reds?

Answer 9

The maritime climate can vary each vintage, so multiple grape varieties help ensure consistent ripeness, structure, and complexity.

Question 10

What styles of wine fall under the Bordeaux AOP?

Answer 10

Dry reds, dry whites, rosé, clairet (dark rosé), and basic regional-level wines.

Question 11

What is Bordeaux Supérieur AOP?

Answer 11

It covers red and off-dry to sweet white wines with slightly stricter rules (e.g., lower yields, higher minimum alcohol) than basic Bordeaux AOP.

Question 12

Name the sparkling appellation in Bordeaux.

Answer 12

Crémant de Bordeaux AOP, made by the traditional method with at least 9 months on lees.

Question 13

What is Côtes de Bordeaux AOP primarily known for?

Answer 13

Merlot-based reds across multiple subzones (e.g., Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon, Francs). Some white wine is also produced.

Question 14

Explain the classification structure in the Haut-Médoc.

Answer 14

The 1855 Classification ranks châteaux from First Growth (Premier Cru) down to Fifth Growth (Cinquième Cru). Examples of First Growths include Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and Mouton Rothschild (promoted in 1973).

Question 15

Which famous sweet wine is produced in Sauternes? List Varieties.

Answer 15

Botrytis-affected (noble rot) dessert wines from Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. Château d’Yquem is the only Sauternes Premier Cru Supérieur.

Question 16

Describe Saint-Émilion’s classification system.

Answer 16

It has a Grand Cru Classé ranking subdivided into Classé A (the highest) and Classé B. This classification is periodically revised (unlike the static 1855 Médoc classification).

Question 17

Name a top estate in Pomerol, and what grape dominates there?

Answer 17

Château Pétrus is iconic in Pomerol, dominated by Merlot grapes on clay-rich soils.

Question 18

What is Entre-Deux-Mers known for?

Answer 18

Dry white wines, plus sweet wine appellations in the broader area, situated between the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers.

Question 19

Why is Burgundy so fragmented?

Answer 19

Napoleonic inheritance laws forced properties to be divided equally among heirs, creating multiple owners of small vineyard parcels.

Question 20

Name the major grapes in Burgundy.

Answer 20

Red: Pinot Noir, Gamay (in Beaujolais). White: Chardonnay, Aligoté. Minor: Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, César, Tressot.

Question 21

What are the five main subregions of Burgundy?

Answer 21

Chablis, Côte d’Or (split into Côte de Nuits & Côte de Beaune), Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, and Beaujolais.

Question 22

Describe the typical soils in Burgundy.

Answer 22

Limestone and marl are prevalent, especially in the Côte d’Or, with clay and granite in Beaujolais.

Question 23

List Burgundy’s hierarchy of AOP levels.

Answer 23

1) Régionale (e.g., Bourgogne AOP). 2) Village. 3) Premier Cru (within a village AOP). 4) Grand Cru (individual vineyard AOPs).

Question 24

How does oak usage typically vary by level in Burgundy reds?

Answer 24

Regional wines often see 0–20% new oak, Village 20–30%, Premier Cru 30–50%, and Grand Cru 50–100% new oak barrels.

Question 25

Name a key sparkling AOP in Burgundy.

Answer 25

Crémant de Bourgogne AOP, requiring 9 months on lees, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other grapes.

Question 26

What is “Premier Cru” labeling in Burgundy?

Answer 26

The label shows the village plus vineyard name (e.g., “Beaune 1er Cru Les Greves”), or sometimes just “Premier Cru” if the vineyard is not specified.

Question 27

Give an example of a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy.

Answer 27

Examples: Corton, Musigny, Montrachet, Romanée-Conti. Each Grand Cru stands as its own AOP.

Question 28

Why is Champagne’s climate challenging for grape growing?

Answer 28

It has a cool oceanic-continental climate ~90 miles east of Paris, with frost risk in spring/fall and relatively modest summer heat.

Question 29

Which three major grapes are used in Champagne?

Answer 29

Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. Minor grapes: Pinot Blanc Vrai, Arbane, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier.

Question 30

List Champagne’s primary subregions.

Answer 30

Montagne de Reims (Pinot Noir), Vallée de la Marne (Meunier), Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay), Côte de Sézanne, and the Aube (Pinot Noir).

Question 31

Explain Champagne’s minimum lees-aging requirements.

Answer 31

Non-Vintage (NV) must spend 12 months on lees, 15 months total aging. Vintage requires at least 36 months total aging.

Question 32

Define “Prestige Cuvée” in Champagne.

Answer 32

It is a producer’s top bottling, often vintage-dated, like Dom Pérignon (Moët), La Grande Année (Bollinger), or Cristal (Roederer).

Question 33

What is the difference between a Blanc de Blancs and a Blanc de Noirs Champagne?

Answer 33

Blanc de Blancs is made from 100% Chardonnay. Blanc de Noirs is made from 100% black grapes (Pinot Noir and/or Meunier).

Question 34

Name the sweetness levels in Champagne from driest to sweetest.

Answer 34

Brut Nature (0–3 g/L), Extra Brut (0–6 g/L), Brut (0–12 g/L), Extra Dry (12–17 g/L), Sec (17–32 g/L), Demi-Sec (32–50 g/L), Doux (50+ g/L).

Question 35

Explain the label “RM” vs. “NM” on a Champagne bottle.

Answer 35

RM (Récoltant Manipulant) is a grower who makes and bottles their own Champagne. NM (Négociant Manipulant) is a larger house that buys grapes/juice to produce Champagne.

Question 36

What are “Special Club” Champagnes?

Answer 36

A group of grower-producers who bottle their top wines in identical packaging. It’s considered an elite grower Champagne category.

Question 37

Which four noble grapes are central to Alsace Grand Cru wines?

Answer 37

Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat (though some Grand Crus permit blends or other exceptions).

Question 38

What are Vendanges Tardives (VT) and Sélection de Grains Nobles (SGN) in Alsace?

Answer 38

VT: Late-harvest wines that can be dry or sweet. SGN: Botrytis-affected, very sweet wines from selective hand-picking of noble rot grapes.

Question 39

Name two other notable grapes in Alsace besides the noble varieties.

Answer 39

Pinot Blanc (Auxerrois) and Sylvaner are also grown. Pinot Noir is the only red permitted for Alsace AOP.

Question 40

What is unique about Alsace Grand Cru labeling vs. other French regions?

Answer 40

There is no Premier Cru tier. Each Grand Cru has its own AOP, and labels typically show the vineyard name and allowed varieties.

Question 41

Explain Vin Jaune in Jura.

Answer 41

It’s an oxidatively aged Savagnin wine developed under a flor-like yeast layer for at least 6 years, bottled in a 62cl clavelin.

Question 42

What is Vin de Paille from the Jura?

Answer 42

A sweet straw wine made from dried grapes, aged a minimum of 3 years, resulting in concentrated flavors and sugar.

Question 43

Which major grapes define Savoie’s whites and reds?

Answer 43

Whites: Jacquère, Altesse, Roussanne, Chasselas. Reds: Gamay, Mondeuse, Pinot Noir.

Question 44

Name the four subregions of the Loire Valley.

Answer 44

1) Central Vineyards, 2) Touraine, 3) Anjou-Saumur, 4) Pays Nantais.

Question 45

What grape dominates Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé in the Central Loire?

Answer 45

Sauvignon Blanc for whites, known for flinty, mineral-driven expressions.

Question 46

Which areas in Touraine are famous for Cabernet Franc?

Answer 46

Chinon, Bourgueil, and St-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil produce red and rosé wines from mostly Cabernet Franc.

Question 47

Name two Loire AOPs dedicated to Chenin Blanc.

Answer 47

Vouvray (dry to sweet, sparkling) and Savennières (age-worthy dry whites) are Chenin-focused.

Question 48

What is Muscadet’s main grape, and where is it produced?

Answer 48

Melon de Bourgogne, grown in the Pays Nantais subregion near the Atlantic. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is a top-quality zone.

Question 49

Describe the Northern Rhône’s primary red and white grapes.

Answer 49

Red: Syrah. White: Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne.

Question 50

Name three key AOPs in the Northern Rhône for Syrah.

Answer 50

Côte Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas produce powerful Syrah-based reds, often co-fermented with white varieties in Côte Rôtie and Hermitage.

Question 51

Which variety must Cornas AOP wines be made from?

Answer 51

100% Syrah, no blending allowed.

Question 52

What is Condrieu AOP known for?

Answer 52

100% Viognier white wines, often floral, full-bodied, sometimes oaked.

Question 53

How does the climate shift from the Northern to the Southern Rhône?

Answer 53

It transitions from a continental climate in the north to a more Mediterranean climate in the south, with warmer temps and more blending possibilities.

Question 54

Which grapes dominate Southern Rhône reds?

Answer 54

Grenache is the backbone, often blended with Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan.

Question 55

Name the first AOC in France (1936).

Answer 55

Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Southern Rhône was among the earliest AOCs established, credited as the first alongside a few others in 1936.

Question 56

What is the main style of Tavel AOP?

Answer 56

Rosé only, based primarily on Grenache and Cinsault.

Question 57

What are Rasteau and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise known for?

Answer 57

Both produce Vin Doux Naturel (sweet fortified wines). Rasteau from Grenache (red VDN), Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.

Question 58

Which rosé-dominant region is in southeastern France near the Mediterranean?

Answer 58

Provence, known for ~90% rosé production.

Question 59

Name two notable red-focused AOPs in Provence.

Answer 59

Bandol (majority Mourvèdre) and Les Baux-de-Provence (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) are known for structured reds and rosés.

Question 60

Which subzones exist within Côtes de Provence?

Answer 60

La Londe, Pierrefeu, Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, and Notre-Dame des Anges.

Question 61

What are the primary grapes in Corsica’s wines?

Answer 61

White: Vermentino, Ugni Blanc. Red: Grenache, Nielluccio (Sangiovese), Sciaccarello.

Question 62

Name a notable sweet wine AOP in Corsica.

Answer 62

Muscat du Cap Corse produces Vin Doux Naturel from Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains.

Question 63

Which region includes Bergerac, Cahors, Madiran, and Jurançon?

Answer 63

The Southwest of France (including Dordogne), extending south of Bordeaux toward the Pyrenees.

Question 64

Explain Cahors AOP’s primary grape.

Answer 64

Cahors must be at least 70% Côt (Malbec), with Merlot and Tannat as blending partners.

Question 65

What is Madiran AOP known for?

Answer 65

Tannat-dominant reds, often requiring some micro-oxygenation to soften tannins.

Question 66

Describe Jurançon AOP wines.

Answer 66

White wines from Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng, ranging from dry to sweet (late-harvest).

Question 67

Which sweet wine AOP near Bergerac uses botrytized grapes like in Sauternes?

Answer 67

Monbazillac AOP is known for botrytized sweet wines from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.