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France Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the French term for PDO?

A

Appellation d’origine protegee (AOP) or Appellation d’origine controlee (AOC).

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2
Q

What is the French term for PGI?

A

Indication géographique protegee (IGP) or Vin de Pays (VdP).

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3
Q

What is the French term for wines without a GI?

A

Vin de France.

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4
Q

What is the largest appellation region in France?

A

Bordeaux.

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5
Q

Describe Bordeaux’s climate.

A

A moderate maritime climate with warming influences from the Gulf Stream and humidity and rainfall from the Atlantic. Rainfall all year round.

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6
Q

What effect does the Gulf Stream have on Bordeaux?

A

It extends the growing season.

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7
Q

What forest blocks Bordeaux from Atlantic influence?

A

The Landes.

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8
Q

Almost all wines from Bordeaux are _____.

A

Blends.

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9
Q

How many grape varieties are allowed in Bordeaux?

A

13.

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10
Q

List the 7 dominate grapes of Bordeaux.

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.

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11
Q

Where in Bordeaux is Cabernet Sauvignon dominate?

A

Haut-Medoc, Bas-Medoc, and Graves.

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12
Q

What percentage of Left Bank Bordeaux blends is Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

3/4.

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13
Q

Where in Bordeaux is Cabernet Franc widely used?

A

It dominates Saint Emilion and is in the Medoc and Graves to a lesser extent.

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14
Q

What kind of soil do Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc?

A

Well draining, warm soils.

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15
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot.

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16
Q

Where in Bordeaux is Merlot dominate?

A

Saint Emilion and Pomerol.

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17
Q

What grape dominates inexpensive blends in Bordeaux?

A

Merlot.

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18
Q

Why does Merlot thrive in the right bank of Bordeaux.

A

It thrives on cool, clay soils.

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19
Q

What role does Petit Verdot play in Bordeaux blends?

A

It is only ever present in small percentages. Adds color, tannin, and spicy notes.

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20
Q

How long after harvest do they blend the wine in Bordeaux?

A

The following spring.

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21
Q

What size barrels are used in Bordeaux?

A

225 litre barriques.

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22
Q

What grapes make the dry whites of Pessac-Leognan and Graves?

A

Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

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23
Q

What grapes are responsible for the sweet wines of Bordeaux? Why?

A

Semillon for its affinity to noble rot and thin skins. It adds body to the blends and Sauvignon Blanc adds acidity and fruity flavors.

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24
Q

What role does Muscadelle play in the wine production of Bordeaux?

A

It adds grapey, floral aromas to dry and sweet wines. Only ever plays a small role.

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25
Q

Describe the styles of Bordeaux’s white wines.

A

Fresh and fruity.
Rich, oaky, and concentrated.
Botrytised.

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26
Q

What waterways separate the regions of Bordeaux?

A

The Dordogne (right bank) and Garonne (left bank) Rivers join (after Entre-deux-mers) to form the Gironde estuary.

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27
Q

Around how many appellations are in Bordeaux?

A

50.

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28
Q

What are the three classifications of Bordeaux?

A

1855 Classification.
Graves “Cru Classe.”
Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

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29
Q

Describe the 1855 Classification.

A

In 1855 the Paris Chamber of Commerce was approached to make an official list of the best reds of the Medoc and the best whites of Sauternes for the Paris Universal Exhibition. These estates are then referred to as “Cru Classes.”

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30
Q

List the Bordeaux first growths and where they are located.

A

Chateau Haut-Brion in Graves.
Chateau d’Yquem in Sauternes.
Chateau Latour, Chateau Mounton Rothschild, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and Chateau Margaux in the Medoc.

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31
Q

Explain the classification system of Graves.

A

Both reds and whites are classified but separately.
There is no hierarchy, it just gives the “Cru Classe” title.
All of these lie within Pessac-Leognan now, but they were classified before the creation of the appellation.

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32
Q

Explain the classification system of Saint-Emilion.

A

This is the only classification system integrated into the appellation system. They are re-classified at least once every 10 years.

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33
Q

What are the levels of the Saint-Emilion classification system? (least to most prestigious)

A

Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe
Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B
Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A

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34
Q

What are the generic appellations of Bordeaux for reds, whites, and rose?

A

Red- Bordeaux/ Bordeaux Supérieur.
White- Bordeaux.
Rose- Bordeaux Rose/ Bordeaux Clairet.

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35
Q

What can you expect out of a Bordeaux/ Bordeaux Supérieur?

A

An early-drinking, medium-bodied wine with ripe red and black fruit - often with some oak/cedar notes.

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36
Q

What can you expect out of a Bordeaux (white)?

A

A Sauvignon Blanc dominate wine with a vibrant grassy character.

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37
Q

What can you expect out of a Bordeaux Rose?

A

A fresh and fruity wine.

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38
Q

What can you expect out of a Bordeaux Clairet?

A

A rose with a longer maceration than typical rose, thus is deeper in color with fuller body.

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39
Q

Where is the main consumption of Bordeaux Clairet?

A

France.

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40
Q

What city lies between the Medoc and Graves?

A

Bordeaux.

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41
Q

Describe the soil of Bas-Medoc.

A

Clay with gravel outcrops.

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42
Q

What are red wines from Bas-Medoc labelled? What could you expect from this wine?

A

Médoc.

A wine with a higher proportion of Merlot and is an early-drinking style.

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43
Q

List the highest-rated communes of Haut-Medoc (north to south).

A

Saint-Estephe.
Paulliac.
Saint-Julien.
Margaux.

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44
Q

What can you expect out of a Haut-Medoc wine?

A

A Cabernet Sauvignon dominate blend with flavors of blackcurrant fruit and cedar. Potentially with grippy tannins in youth. Long aging potential.

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45
Q

What is the most highly-rated area in Graves?

A

Pessac-Leognan.

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46
Q

Describe the soil of Haut-Medoc and Graves.

A

Gravelly and well-draining.

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47
Q

How do the wines of Haut-Medoc and Graves differ?

A

Graves reds tend to be a bit lighter in body and more fragrant than the wines of Haut-Medoc.

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48
Q

How do the wines of Pessac-Leognan and Graves differ?

A

Graves reds are less concentrated and complex with higher proportions of Merlot.

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49
Q

Describe the wines of the Right Bank of Bordeaux.

A

Merlot supported by Cabernet Franc.

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50
Q

Describe the soil of Saint-Emilion.

A

1) The warm, well-drained gravel and limestone plateau to the North and West of the town of Saint-Emilion.
2) The clay, limestone escarpment to the South East.
3) The sandy soils at the foot of the escarpment.

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51
Q

What can you expect from a Saint-Emilion wine? How does the soil effect this?

A

A Merlot dominate blend supported by Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon.
From the plateau and the escarpment the wine has medium to high tannins with a soft, rich mouthfeel, and complex flavors of red berries and plum.
From the sandy soils the wine is lighter-bodied and less prestigious.

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52
Q

How do the wines of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol compare?

A

They are equally prestigious but Pomerol wines tend to be richer with a spicier, blackfruit character.

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53
Q

What is a ‘vins de garage’?

A

It is a movement of very full-bodied, incredibly ripe wines from small plots.

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54
Q

Describe the production of the appellations surrounding Saint-Emilion and Pomerol.

A

Merlot dominate blends stylistically similar.

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55
Q

List the Cotes de Bordeaux appellations.

A

Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon, and Francs.

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56
Q

What would you expect from a Cotes de Bordeaux?

A

Very good value for money. A merlot dominate blend made in an early-drinking style.

57
Q

What is Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux?

A

A sweet wine appellation not at all related to the Cotes de Bordeaux appellations.

58
Q

What Bordeaux appellations are permitted to produce dry white wines?

A

Entre-deux-mers, Graves, and Pessac-Leognan.

59
Q

How are the red and white wines of Entre-du-mers labelled?

A

White is labelled “Entre-deux-mers”

Red can only be labelled “Bordeaux”

60
Q

What can you expect from a white wine from Entre-deux-mers and/or Graves?

A

Varietal Sauvignon Blanc in an unoaked style.

61
Q

What can you expect from a white wine from Pessac-Leognan?

A

Possibly some of the best dry white wine produced in Bordeaux. They tend to be blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon with full body and toasty oak flavors.

62
Q

Does the Medoc produce white wine?

A

Yes, but only under the generic appellation.

63
Q

Does Sauternes produce dry white wine?

A

Yes, but only under the generic appellation.

64
Q

What waterways are responsible for the sweet wines of Bordeaux?

A

The Garonne and its tributary the “Ciron.”

65
Q

What two appellations produced Bordeaux’s best sweet wines?

A

Sauternes and Barsac.

66
Q

What appellations can produce wine under the “Sauternes” label?

A

Barsac.

67
Q

What can you expect out of a Sauternes or Barsac wine?

A

A lusciously sweet wine made of Sauvignon Blanc (acidity, fruitiness), Semillon (body, botrytis), and a bit of Muscadelle (perfume). They are high in alcohol, sweet but balanced by acidity with notes of apricot, citrus peel, noble rot, and oak.

68
Q

What two “groups” of appellations do you find in South West France?

A

The wines of the Dordogne (similar production to Bordeaux) and the South West of France (styles vary).

69
Q

Describe the climate of the Dordogne region.

A

The same as Bordeaux with less moderating maritime influence.

70
Q

List and describe the production of the appellations of the Dordogne region.

A

Bergerac - red and whites, same as Bordeaux.

Monbazillac - sweet whites, same as Sauternes

71
Q

List the regions of South West France.

A

Cahors, Cotes de Gascogne IGP, Madiran, and Jurancon.

72
Q

Describe the wine of Cahors.

A

Tannic and long-lived blends of Malbec and Tannat with intense flavors of dark berry fruit, cedar, and oak.

73
Q

What wine region was historically known for producing “black” wine?

A

Cahors.

74
Q

Describe the wine of Cotes de Gascogne IGP.

A

Ugni Blanc in a dry, light-bodied, simple style.

75
Q

Describe the wine of Madiran.

A

Deeply colored, tannic Tannat. Recently more effort has been put in to soften tannins.

76
Q

Describe the wine of Jurancon.

A

Dry and sweet wines from Petit Manseng. Both with high acidity and flavors of apricot, grapefruit, and spicy new oak.

77
Q

List the grape varieties of Burgundy.

A

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Aligote, and Gamay.

78
Q

Describe the climate zones & climate hazards of Burgundy.

A

Cool to moderate continental climate.
Rainfall frequently disrupts flowering and harvest.
Spring hair is often an issue in Chablis.

79
Q

What kind of vineyard site is required to make Burgundy Grand/Premier Cru?

A

A steep, south or southeast-facing slope. Mid-slope.

80
Q

Describe the soil of Burgundy.

A

Widely varies.

Generally the hillsides are well-draining and shallow. The flat land is deeper and more fertile.

81
Q

What Burgundian grape is known for being susceptible to grey rot?

A

Pinot Noir.

82
Q

What % of Burgundy is planted with Pinot Noir?

A

1/3.

83
Q

What is the classic region for Pinot Noir? (be specific)

A

Cote d’Or in Burgundy.

84
Q

Describe a classic Burgundian Pinot Noir.

A

High acidity, low to medium tannin with flavors of red fruit in youth that develop into earth, game, and mushroom.

85
Q

What wine-making technique is rising in popularity in Burgundy?

A

Whole-bunch fermentation.

86
Q

How long and in what is red Burgundy aged?

A

16 to 18 months in 228 liter barrels. Some new oak.

87
Q

What percentage of Burgundy vines is Chardonnay?

A

50%.

88
Q

Describe a Burgundian Chardonnay.

A

Chablis- high acid, lean, steely
Cote d’Or- fabulously complex, expressive
Macon- full-bodied and ripe

89
Q

What winemaking techniques did Burgundy pioneer?

A

Barrel-fermentation, barrel-ageing, and MLF for white wines.

90
Q

What tragedy has struck Burgundian chardonnay in the past 15 years?

A

Pre-mature oxidation.

91
Q

Describe Aligote.

A

Neutral wines with high acidity.

92
Q

Describe Gamay.

A

Early-drinking wines with ripe-berry fruit and low tannin.

93
Q

Where is Chablis?

A

Northern-most Burgundy in the valley of the Serein River.

94
Q

What climatic issues does Chablis experience?

A

Frost.

95
Q

List the grape varieties allowed in Chablis.

A

Chardonnay.

96
Q

What differences in vineyard site define what quality level a wine is?

A

Generally, north-facing slopes or flat land is lesser white south or southeast-facing slopes produce the best wines.

97
Q

What are the quality levels of Chablis and what can you expect from them?

A

Chablis and Petit Chablis - austere, green fruit, and high acidity.
Chablis Premier/ Grand Cru - ripe, concentrated citrus flavors, and high acidity.

98
Q

Describe the winemaking of Chablis.

A

Old oak (usually only premier cru) or stainless steal.

99
Q

What mountain range runs along the west of the Cote d’Or (and all of Burgundy)?

A

The Massif Central.

100
Q

Why are the vineyards of Cote d’Or so good?

A

They are all south-east facing because of the Massif Central to the west.

101
Q

What are the regions of the Cote d’Or and what are they known for?

A

Cote de Nuits to the north is known for full-bodied Pinot Noir.
Cote de Beaune to the south is known for producing the worlds best Chardonnay.

102
Q

How do the Pinot Noirs of Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune compare?

A

Cote de Nuits is fuller and incredibly long-lived and Cote de Beaune is lighter and fruitier.

103
Q

Where do all the red Grand Cru in Burgundy (expect one) come from?

A

Cote de Nuits.

104
Q

Where do all the white Grand Cru in Burgundy (expect one) come from?

A

Cote de Beaune.

105
Q

List the key villages of the Cote de Nuits. (north to south)

A

Gevery-Chambertin.
Vougeot.
Vosne-Romanee.
Nuits-Saint-Georges.

106
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Gevery-Chambertin.

A

Chambertin. Chambertin Clos de Beze.

107
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Vougeot.

A

Clos de Vougeot.

108
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Vosne-Romanee.

A

Romanee-Conti. La Tache. La Romanee.

109
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges.

A

None.

110
Q

List the key villages of the Cote de Beaune. (north to south)

A 
Aloxe-Corton.
Beaune.
Pommard.
Volnay.
Mersault.
Puligny-Montrachet.
Chassagne-Montrachet.
111
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Aloxe-Corton.

A

Corton. Corton-Charlemagne.

112
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Puligny-Montrachet.

A

Montrachet.

113
Q

List the most famous grand crus of Chassagne-Montrachet.

A

Montrachet.

114
Q

What villages of Cote de Beaune only produce red wine?

A

Pommard and Volany.

115
Q

What three villages of Burgundy have the highest reputation for white wine?

A

Mersault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet in the Cote de Beaune.

116
Q

What two villages share the “Montrachet” grand cru in Burgundy?

A

Puligny-Montrachet & Chassagne-Montrachet.

117
Q

What wine can you expect from a Cote de Nuits-Villages?

A

Red or white.

118
Q

What wine can you expect from a Cote de Beaune-Villages?

A

Only red. (there are exceptions)

119
Q

List Burgundy regional appellations and what you can expect from their wines.

A

Bourgogne Hautes Cote de Nuits and Bourgogne Hautes Cote de Beaune. These vineyards are further west, at high altitudes giving them less body and concentration.

120
Q

The Cote Chalonnaise is ______ reliable than the Cote d’Or. Why?

A

The Cote Chalonnaise is less reliable than the Cote d’Or because it is at higher altitudes with slopes less-consistently facing east. This means the harvest is later and the wines are lighter.

121
Q

List the 4 village appellations in the Cote Chalonnaise.

A

Rully.
Mercurey.
Givry.
Montagny.

122
Q

Describe the location and production of Rully.

A

It is located in the Cote Chalonnaise and produces more red than white. It is also an important source of sparkling wine.

123
Q

Describe the location and production of Mercurey.

A

It is located in the Cote Chalonnaise and produces the highest-quality reds of the sub-region.

124
Q

Describe the location and production of Givry.

A

It is a small area located in the Cote Chalonnaise and produces “particularly-admired” reds.

125
Q

Describe the location and production of Montagny.

A

It is located in the Cote Chalonnaise and produces only whites.

126
Q

List the grand cru’s of the Cote Chalonnaise.

A

There are none.

127
Q

What can you expect from a “Borgogne Cotes Chalonnaise”?

A

Red from Pinot Noir or white from Chardonnay.

128
Q

Describe the production of the Maconnais.

A

Whites from Chardonnay and reds from mainly Gamay, however there is some Pinot Noir produced.

129
Q

What is the most widely planted grape of the Maconnais?

A

Chardonnay.

130
Q

What does the French term “cote” mean?

A

Slope.

131
Q

What can you expect from a “Macon” regional appellation wine?

A

Reds that and light and fruity.

Whites that are medium to full-bodied with high acidity and flavors of fresh apple or citrus. Possibly MLF.

132
Q

What can you expect from a “Macon Villages”?

A

Similar to the regional Macon wines but it can only be white and has more body and ripeness. Excellent value for money.

133
Q

What are the two most famous village appellations of the Maconnais?

A

Pouilly-Fuisse and Saint-Veran.

134
Q

Describe the best whites of the Maconnais.

A

Full-bodied, ripe tropical fruit notes and the added toasty flavors and textures of oak.

135
Q

Where in Burgundy produces the richest, ripest Chardonnays? Why? (be very specific)

A

The vines planted on the limestone slopes of the Roche de Solutre with south and south-east facing exposure. These slopes act as sun-traps.

136
Q

What is Burgundys generic appellations?

A

Bourgogne Rouge and Bourgogne Blanc.

137
Q

How much of Burgundy’s production comes from commune appellations?

A

1/3.

138
Q

How many grand and premier crus does Burgundy include?

A

600 premier crus.

33 grand crus.

139
Q

In Bordeaux the cru status is given to ______, in Burgundy the cru status is given to _______.

A

Bordeaux- Estates.

Burgundy- Vineyards.

WSET 3 (3 decks)

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