France - South West Flashcards
What is the typical style, quality and price of Cahors wine?
Traditional styles have a high proportion of Malbec and are deep ruby in colour, with medium to pronounced (quality dependant) violet, red and black plum fruit, medium to + acidity and medium + to high tannins.
Very good to outstanding examples may be aged in French oak, adding to cost, and so have Vanilla and sweet spice notes. Some producers today favour foudres for slow oxidative development, but without adding oak flavours.
Good to outstanding (those can age for many years) and are mid to premium priced.
What rules does the Cahors AOC require?
Minimum 70% Malbec, with the rest Tannat or Merlot (top wines are increasingly 90-100% Malbec).
Destemming is required by the appellation (eliminates underripe stems that could add aggressive tannins).
What prevents Cahors AOC grapes reaching full maturity?
In the past it was likely due to cool seasons, today it is as likely to be lack of water preventing full ripeness.
What different styles of wine can be produced from Cahors? How is this achieved?
Early drinking: uses merlot in the blend, typically 7-10 days macerating for limited tannin extraction.
Intended for bottle ageing: 15-25 days on the skins for greater flavour and tannin extraction. May be matured in oak.
Which varieties are permitted in Madiran AOC?
60-80% Tannat, blended with the two Cabs and/or the local variety Fer (Fer Servadou)
How do winemakers soften the tannins for Madiran?
Grapes must be destemmed (reduces further extraction).
Shorter maceration times, ageing in oak and bottle (adding to cost).
In 1991, Patrick Ducournau pioneered the technique of micro-oxygenation, seeking to soften the tannins in Tannat wines.
What is the general trend of winemaking in Madiran?
Towards a more accessible style. Achieved by picking only the riposte grapes, gentle pressing and the use of micro-oxygenation.
When is Madiran able to be sold, following harvest?
The earliest is the November of the year after harvest, allowing some time for maturation before release.
What are the requirements for varieties in Jurançon?
All three styles must be a minimum of Petit and/or Gros Manseng, though in practice these two are used exclusively for a sheer majority of wines.
What are the regulations for each of the three styles of Jurançon wines?
• Jurançon Sec: dry, max yield 60hL/ha
• Jurançon: medium sweet, minimum 40g/L RS, max yield 40hL/ha
• Jurançon VT: sweet wine, minimum 55g/L but typically much higher. No enrichment allowed. Max yield 40. Petit and Gros Manseng exclusively. Cannot be picked before Nov 2nd.
What is typical winemaking of high quality, sweet Jurançon?
Made with Petit Manseng, fermented in barriques then aged in then for 12-18m.
Top quality wines use old oak, though new oak is occasionally used, adding complexity and cost.
MLC typically doesn’t happen as pH is too low and acidity too high, this retains acidity and primary fruit.
What is typical winemaking of dry, high quality wines?
An increasing number is being produced, and may include a small proportion of Petit Manseng.
Typically aged on the lees in stainless steel.
