France - South/Southwest Flashcards
What is referred to as ‘Bordeaux copies’?
The wine regions of Bergerac, Pécharmant, Côtes de Duras, Côtes du Marmandais, and Buzet.
Name the smaller ACs within Bergerac.
Monbazillac (botrytised sweet wines) Saussignac (botrytised sweet wines) Haut-Montravel (botrytised sweet wines) Montravel (Dry White) Rosette (Dry White wines) Pécharmant (Red wines)
What style of wine is predominantly made in the Côtes de Duras and the Côtes de Marmandais?
Lighter-style Bordeaux wines. Some local varietals may also be seen.
What styles of wine can be made in Buzet?
Dry Red, Rosé, and White wines.
What is the synonym for Malbec in Cahors?
Auxerrois
Which varietals are allowed in Cahors?
Malbec (must be 70% of the blend), Merlot, Tannat
Historically, what were the wines of Cahors described as?
Black Wines
What are common descriptors of the dry red wines of Cahors?
Aged in oak, deeply colored, high in tannin, with intense, dark berry fruits. Maturation slowly reveals notes of cedar and earth.
Where is the Côtes de Gascogne?
South East of Bordeaux (area overlaps Armagnac production)
What style of wines generally are made in the Côtes de Gascogne?
aromatic, crisp white wines from Armagnac Varietals (based on Ugni Blanc, also include Colombard and Folle Blanche) which give primary notes of Green Apples.
Which varietal are the wines of Madiran based on?
Tannat
What style(s) of wine are made in Jurançon?
Dry and Sweet white wines
Which varietal is the base for the sweet wines of Jurançon?
Petit Manseng
What process is used to create the sweet wines of Jurançon?
Passerillage.
What are the primary notes for the sweet wines of Jurançon?
Apricot and Grapefruit (sometimes accompanied with New Oak)
What are the two winds that are potential helps/hazards in the South of France?
Mistral from the Rhône
Tramontane between the Massif Centrale and the Pyranees
What is the mountain range that separates Spain and France?
The Pyranees
Which varietals are the most planted in Southern France?
Grenache, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc
List the main varietals in the south of France.
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan (widely planted in all AC regions), Mourvèdre, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache blanc
Which varietal is used most in VdN production?
Muscat (à petite grains)
What is the biggest viticultural challenge in the south of France?
Drought
What does the use of carbonic maceration do in the production of Carignan?
helps soften the tannins
What are the 4 départements of the Languedoc-Roussillon?
Aude
Hérault
Gard
Pyranées-Orientales
List the ACs of Languedoc-Roussillon.
Languedoc AC Minervois AC Corbières AC Fitou AC Côtes du Roussillon AC Côtes du Roussillon Villages AC (Pays d'Oc IGP)
What is the terrain, climate, and basic characteristics of the Côtes du Roussillon & CdR Villages ACs.
Rugged Mountain terrain, high amounts of sun, low precipitation, concentrated wines with the best being from the northern part of the AC in the CdR Villages AC.
What is the terrain, climate, and basic characteristics of the Fitou AC.
North of CdR Villages, coastal strip has full-bodied wines, while the inland areas are cooler and produce lighter-bodied wine.
What is the terrain, climate, and basic characteristics of the Corbières AC.
11 sub-regions; best is Boutenac AC. Warm Coastal area as well as cooler vineyards planted up to 600m above sea level.
What is the terrain, climate, and basic characteristics of the Minervois AC.
On the slopes of the Massif Centrale, with vineyards at varying altitudes; best is La Livinière.
What is the terrain, climate, and basic characteristics of the Languedoc AC.
Separated into subregions/terroirs. Most notably:
La Clape - hill on the plains near coast
Pic Saint-Loup - high in mountain foothills, red wines are concentrated and elegant.
Which AC do 60% of all French IGP wines from from?
Pays d’Oc AC
Which varietals make the best whites in the Provence AC?
Rolle and Clairette
Which style dominates production in Provence AC?
Rosé
What is the base for wines of Bandol AC?
Mourvèdre
What are the characteristics of red wines from Bandol AC?
Dark, full-bodied, High Tannins, Bottle age, bramble fruits, meat, licorice.
