France Flashcards

1
Q

Identify the quality levels of french wine.

A

Vignobles de France or Vin de Table de France. The next is Indication Geographique Protegee formerly Vin de Pays. The next is Appellation d’Origine Protegee formerly Appellation d’Origine Controlee. Vin de Limite de Qualite Superier was on the step to AOP classification but is now being disassembled.

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2
Q

Define negociant.

A

Someone who buys grapes or wines and blends or bottles themselves under their own label. Can be very involved or barely so.

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3
Q

Identify the AOCs of Alsace.

A

Cremant d’Alsace, method traditional, usually pinot blanc blend. Grand Cru, usually 100% single varietal but blends are allowed however 2 blended grand cru vineyards are not allowed. Alsace AOC, Vin de Table AOC, Vine de Pays AOC.

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4
Q

Identify 3 things that an AOC may regulate.

A

Origin of grapes, grape species, harvest dates, yield, viniculture and viticulture techniques, alcohol and sugar levels, classifications.

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5
Q

Name the “noble grapes” of Alsace.

A

Pinot gris (aka tokay d’alsace), muscat, riesling, gewurztraminer, sylvaner in zotzenberg.

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6
Q

Describe the typical style of Alsatian wines.

A

Alsatian wines are typically aromatic still whites, a little boozier, drier, and riper than their german counterparts.

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7
Q

Define Vendange Tardive.

A

Vendange Tardive is a late harvest wine, richer and full bodied in style, sometimes sweet but not always. ALways only noble grapes, sometimes not always grand cru.

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8
Q

Define Selections de Grains Nobles

A

Selections de Graines Nobles are dessert wines from botrytised grapes, noble grapes only. Can be grand cru as well.

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9
Q

Identify a sparkling AOC wine of the Loire.

A

Cremant de Loire, rose de loire, saumur mousseaux, Vouvray.

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10
Q

Describe a synonym for the grape called Muscadet.

A

Melon de bourgogne, typically sur lie.

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11
Q

Describe the best area for Muscadet.

A

Sevre-et-maine, 65% of all muscadet production.

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12
Q

Identify the grapes of Sancerre and another AOC making similar wine.

A

Dry whites from Sauvignon Blanc, almost exactly the same as Pouilly fume, usually slightly higher in altitude. Sometimes close to Chablis.

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13
Q

Identify the grape of Vouvray and the other sub regions using this grape.

A

8 communes which produce whites from Chenin Blanc, both in Touraine. Savennieres, Montlouis- sur-Loire both also uses Chenin Blanc.

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14
Q

Name the AOC of Coulee de Serrant and Roche aux Moines and its sub region.

A

Both in Savenierres, making Chenin BlancClos de la Coulee de Serrant AOC from Nicholas Joly. La Roche aux Moines AOC from 3 owners.

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15
Q

Describe Kimmeridgian, Tuffeau, and Silex soils.

A

Kimmeridgian is a limestone and fossil based soil, full of crushed oyster shells. Silex is flinty. Tuffeau is harder white limestone.

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16
Q

Offer two wines from different Loire AOCs for cabernet franc.

A

Chinon AOC, Bourgueil AOC, St. Nicholas de Bourgueil AOC, Cheverny, Couer de Cheverny.

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17
Q

Suggest two AOCs for botrytized Loire wines.

A

All under Coteaux du Layon AOC: Quarts de Chaume, Loire’s first grand cru. Bonnezeaux, and Coteaux du Layon Village all have botrytised wines.

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18
Q

Name the sub-regions of Burgundy.

A

Chablis, Cote de Beaune, Cote de Nuits, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Beaujolais.

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19
Q

Describe the sparkling wine of Burgundy.

A

Cremant de Bourgogne, usually a blend of pinot gris, pinot noir, pinot blanc, chardonnay, sacy and others.

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20
Q

Name the still wine regional AOC of Burgundy.

A

Bourgogne AOP.

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21
Q

Mention the best type of soil in the Chablis region.

A

Kimmeridgean, the limestone and oyster based soil.

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22
Q

Discuss features of the main white grape of Burgundy.

A

Chardonnay. chameleon.

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23
Q

Name the AOC for Sauvignon Blanc in Burgundy.

A

Saint Bris.

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24
Q

Describe the portion of the Cote d’Or best known for whites.

A

Cote de Beaune.

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25
Q

Suggest a GC Chablis. Suggest 1 GC Cote de Beaune with vtg and producer. Suggest 1 Cote de Nuits with vtg and producer.

A

WIlliams Fevre 09 Vaudesir Grand Cru Chablis. Domaine Laflaive GC Montrachet from Puligny Montrachet 09. DRC 09 from village of Vosne Romanee.

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26
Q

Briefly discuss the history of the area: monks, napoleonic law, etc.

A

After the fall of rome, much of the land was given to the Cistercian and Benedictine monks. They were the ones who began to not only make wine but keep record of the production and also of the results of different vineyard. It was here that the development of a terroir driven wine was conceived. After the French Revolution in 1789, the anti aristocracy, anti papal french republic sold of much of the land to the wealthier merchant class. Napoleonic code is instated in 1804, ending primageniture and making it so parcels of land become so divided.

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27
Q

Name the portion of the Cote d’Or best known for reds.

A

Cote de nuits.

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28
Q

State what is different about Corton and Musigny compared to the other Grand Cru of their respective districts.

A

Corton is the only grand cru in the Cote de beaune which makes a grand cru red and Musigny is the only grand cru in the cote de nuits which makes a grand cru white.

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29
Q

Explain the background of the hyphenated village names.

A

Beginning in Gevrey- Chambertin, in 1848, the village of Gevrey tacked on the name of its most famous vineyard, so as to increase its popularity. When it worked, other villages did the same. The commune aoc will be the double barrel name but the vineyard or grand cru will only carry the vineyard name.

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30
Q

Name AOCs of the Cote de Beaune

A

Aloxe- Corton Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Chassagne Montrachet, Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, St. Aubin, Pernand- Vergelesses, Savigney-les-Beaune, Monthelie, Santenay, Auxey- Duresses.

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31
Q

Discuss marl soil in the context of the growing of Pinot Noir.

A

Marl is a combination of limestone and clay, Pinot does well on limestone and the clay helps hold on to some water which is necessary in Burgundy where dry farming is ecouraged.

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32
Q

State the rules concerning production of Bourgogne Passetoutgrains.

A

One third Pinot Noir, 2/3 of Gamay.

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33
Q

Suggest top vintages for your guests since 1990.

A

2005, 2009.

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34
Q

Suggest wines from the AOC of the Cote Chalonnaise.

A

Mercurey, Givry, Rully, Bouzeron (Aligote), Montagney. Whites only are Montagny and Bouzeron’s Aligote.

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35
Q

Suggest wines from the well known AOCs of the Maconnais.

A

Macon, Macon Villages, Macon Superieur with Village designation (27 out of 84), St. Veran, Vire- Clesse, Pouilly Fuisse, Pouilly Loche, Pouilly Vinzelles.

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36
Q

Discuss the character of the red grape of Beaujolais.

A

Gamay which loves granite soil.

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37
Q

Describe the production/ style difference of Beaujolais Nouveau.

A

Beaujolais Nouveau, released the 3rd Thursday of every November is a fresh light style of wine. In order to get the wines out in time for this release date, sometimes quality is sacrificed. The wine is carbonically maceration, or undergoes whole cluster fermentation with stems and skins and all. This crushes the grapes at the bottom first, and there the fermentation is started. Soon enough the yeasts begin to make their way inside of the grapes where the fermentation begins in side of the fruit until the energy conversion make the grapes explode. THis gives the wine some structure and rich fruit character but at its worst can taste like banana syrup.

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38
Q

Propose a cru beaujolais to your guest along with a vintage and producer.

A

Morgon from Foillard, 2009.

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39
Q

State the best soil type of Beaujolais.

A

Granite.

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40
Q

Explain to your guest the difference between Rully and Montagnay.

A

Montagnay is more chablis like, mineral driven. Rully has more pronounced fruit.

41
Q

Explain to your guest the difference between St. Aubin and St. Veran.

A

St. Aubin in the cote de beaune, St. Veran is in the Maconnais.

42
Q

Name the grape of Condrieu and recommend a producer.

A

Viognier, Chateau de Grillet or Pierre Gaillard.

43
Q

Discuss the other 2 white grapes of the northern Rhone.

A

Viognier, Marsanne, and Rousanne.

44
Q

Differentiate between northern and southern Rhone reds.

A

In the north, the focus is usually on single varietal Syrah. In the South, Cotes du Rhone, GSM blends are the focus.

45
Q

State the difference between Crozes- Hermitage and Hermitage.

A

Hermitage tends to be more ageable, fuller bodied, and more valuable. It grows on steep cliffs with granite soils. The Crozes-Hermitage, like St. Joseph, has a more clay like soil.

46
Q

Suggest two red wines from AOCs in the southern Rhone and two from the northern.

A

Northern: St. Joseph, Cornas. Southern: Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas.

47
Q

State the regional AOC for the Rhone.

A

Cotes- du- Rhone AOC.

48
Q

Recommend a fortified wine from the Rhone.

A

Muscat Baumes de Venise.

49
Q

Recommend the best red wine of Provence to your guest.

A

Bandol, producers: Chateau de Pradeaux, Domaine Tempier, Chateau de Pibarnon.

50
Q

Suggest an AOC rose from either the Rhone or Provence.

A

Bandol, Cassis, Tavel.

51
Q

Name the dominant grape for bordeaux left bank and right bank reds, respectively.

A

The left bank is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon blends. The right bank is dominated by merlot, cab franc blends.

52
Q

Cite the two most important AOCs of the right bank of Bordeaux.

A

Saint Emilion and Pomerol.

53
Q

Identify the top category within the cru bourgeois.

A

It was cru bourgeois exceptioneles but as of 2010, no longer in existence. The 9 exceptioneles quit the organization.

54
Q

Name the 1st growths of the medoc and their communes AOC.

A

1st growths: Chateau Margeaux (Margeaux in the Medoc), Lafite- Rothschild (in Pauillac), Mouton- Rothschild (in Pauillac), Latour (in Pauillac), Haut Brion in Pessac Leognan.

55
Q

Name the four communes of the Medoc.

A

St. Julien, Pauillac, Margeaux, St. Estephe.

56
Q

Discuss the classification of Pomerol and suggest two top chateaux.

A

No classification within Pomerol: Chateau La Fleur Petrus, Chateau Le Pin.

57
Q

Name the premier grand crus of St. Emilion.

A

Premier Grand Cru Classe A (Chateau Angelus, Chateau Ausone, Cheval- Blanc, Pavie) and B, and then Grand cru Classe which is different from St. Emilion’s Grand Cru AOC.

58
Q

Name 3 sub regions of bordeaux.

A

Graves, Entre-deux-mers, Medoc.

59
Q

Name the best sub-region of Graves.

A

Pessac Leognan, home of Haut Brion.

60
Q

Describe the important white grape of Bordeaux.

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscat.

61
Q

Offer glasses of sweet wine from 2 AOCs in Bordeaux.

A

Chateau d’Yquem, and Cadillac, Barsac.

62
Q

Name the only Premier Grand Cru of Sauternes.

A

Chateau d’Yquem, in Graves.

63
Q

Discuss the viticultural key to the best sweet wines of Bordeaux.

A

Botrytis, a form of mold that poke holes in the skins of the grapes. The water then evaporates and leaves the dried out very rich fruit.

64
Q

Inform your guest of the AOC used when dry wines are made in Sauternes.

A

Bordeaux AOC.

65
Q

Describe the classification of Graves and name 2 estates of Graves for white wines.

A

No classification, all may call themselves Cru Classe. La mission, Domaine de Chevaliers, Haut Brion.

66
Q

State the rough geographic location of Languedoc and Roussillon.

A

Between the Mediterranean, and the Pyrenees.

67
Q

Name the famous sparkling wine of Languedoc.

A

Cremant de Limoux, or Blanquette de Limoux.

68
Q

What is the labeling term of Edelzwicker.

A

Blended table wine of Alsace labels.

69
Q

Name some top producers in Alsace.

A

Zind- Humbrecht. Trimbach. Hugel. Marcel Deiss.

70
Q

Name a Vin Doux Natural, area, vintage, and producer.

A

Grand Banyuls in the Languedoc Rousillon, 2005 from Domaine de Mas Blanc.

71
Q

Name the different AOCs

A

Regional, sub regional, village and vineyard.

72
Q

Name the grand cru of Vosne- Romanee.

A

La Romanee, La Tache, Richebourg, Romanee- Conti.

73
Q

Describe the vin jaune process.

A

The wine is a more controlled on oxidization and the aged under flor, which is a yeast.

74
Q

Describe a vin de paialle.

A

Usually dried out of straw mats or hung from rafters and raisinated. Not a botrytised wine.

75
Q

Name a 2nd of Pauillac AOC

A

2nd: Chateau Pichon lalande, Pichon Baron.

76
Q

State what major wine regions surround the southwest.

A

Bergerac, Gaillac, Jurancon.

77
Q

Name the grape of Cahors.

A

Malbec blends.

78
Q

Name the AOC for the Tannat

A

Madiran.

79
Q

Name the 7 Grand Crus of Chablis.

A

Les Preuses, Les Grenouilles, Valmur, Vaudesir, Bougros, Blanchots, Les Clos, and unofficially La Moutonne.

80
Q

Name some important Chablis Premier Crus.

A

Montee de Tonnere, Mont de Milieu, Vaillons, Fourchaume, Montmains.

81
Q

Name the 3 main grapes and the 4 lesser known of champagne.

A

Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay. Small amounts of Pinot Gris Vrai, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier, Arbane.

82
Q

List the 5 main regions of champagne and their main grape.

A

Montagne de Reims: Pinot Noir. Cotes De Blancs: Chardonnay. Vallee de la Marne: Pinot Meunier. Aube: Pinot Noir. Cote de Sezanne: Pinot Noir.

83
Q

List a few Grand Cru VIllages of Champagne.

A

Les- Mesnil-sur-Oger (cotes des blancs, chardonnay), Ay Champagne (Marne, Pinot Meunier), Verzy/ Verzanay (MdR, PN)

84
Q

Describe Remuage, Liqueur de tirage, Liqueur d-expedition.

A

Remuage is riddling. Making the bottles settle with their yeasts in the neck to disgorge. Liqueur de tirage: yeasts and sugar to build up pressure. Liqueur d-expedition: sugar (dosage) and still wine.

85
Q

Describe the difference between Extra Brut and Extra Dry.

A

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

86
Q

Explain Tete de Cuvee and cite an example.

A

Tete de Cuvee is the best of the house. Cristal from Roederer. Dom Perignon from Moet et Chandon. Comtes de Champagne from Taittinger.

87
Q

State the minimum sur lie aging for NV/ multi vintage champagnes and vintage.

A

NV: 12 months sur lie and 3 months in bottle. Vintage: 36 months sur lie.

88
Q

Difference between blanc de noirs, and blanc de blancs.

A

Blanc de noirs is pinot noir/ pinot meunier based. Blanc de Blanc is mostly chardonnay.

89
Q

A producer of Special Club.

A

Gimmonet, Chartogne- Taillet, Gaston- Chiquet. Began in the 70s, now 26 producers.

90
Q

Name 2nd Growths in St. Estephe AOC.

A

2nd: Chateau Montrose, Chateau Cos d’Estournel.

91
Q

Name a 2nd Growth in Margeaux AOC.

A

2nd: Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Chateau Lascombes, Chateau Rausan Segla, Chateau Rausan Gasseis, Chateau Durfort Vivens.

92
Q

Name a 2nd Growth in St. Julian.

A

2nd: Chateau Leoville Las Cases, Leoville Barton, Chateau Leoville PoyFerre, Chateau Ducru- Beaucaillou, Chateau Gruaud- Larose.

93
Q

Name a 5th growth of note and where it is from.

A

Chateau Lynches- Bages from Pauillac.

94
Q

Name a 3rd growth of note and where it is from.

A

Chateau Palmer from Margaux.

95
Q

Name Bordeaux north to south.

A

Medoc, St. Estephe, Pauillac, St. Julien, Listrac, Moulis, Margaux.

96
Q

Name the large format bottles and sizes.

A

Magnum (2 bottles), Jeroboam (4 bottles), Rehoboam (6 bottles), Methuseleh (8 bottles), Salazar (12 bottles), Balthazar (16 bottles), Nebuchadnezzer (20 bottles).

97
Q

Name the crus of beaujolais from north to south.

A

saint amour, julienas, chenas, fleurie, moulin-a-vent, chiroubles, Morgon, regnie, cote de brouilly, brouilly.

98
Q

Tete de Cuvee: Billecart regular and rose. Bollinger. Deutz, Henriot, Laurent-Perrier, Louis Roederer, Moet et Chandon, Perrier Jouet, Pol Roger, Ruinart, Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot.

A

Billecart, Grand Cuvee and Elisabeth Salmon Rose. CUvee WIlliams Deutz. Henriot: Reserve de Baron Phillips de Rothschild. Roederer: Cristal. Moet et Chandon: Dom P. Perrier Jouet: Cuvee Grand Seicle. Pol Roger: Sir Winston Churchill. Ruinart: Dom Ruinart. Taittinger: Comtes de Champagne. Veuve: La Grand Dame.

99
Q

Cote de Nuits AOCs

A

Marsannay, Fixin, Gevrey- Chambertin, Morey- St. Denis, Chambolle Musigny, Vougeot, Flagey- Echezeaux, Nuits- st. georges, Vosne- Romanee.