France - South West Appellations Flashcards
What style of wine is produced in Bergerac? From which varieties?
Dry and sweet white (just under 40%), rosé (just over 10%), and red (50%).
Due to the slightly warmer and drier climate than Bordeaux, the same black and white varieties can be grown here and ripen well.
Wines must be a blend of the allowed principal varieties eg the red must be made from at least two of the two Cabs, Merlot and Malbec, and this must be 50% of the final wine. Less internationally recognised local varieties may make up small amounts of the blend.
What is the maximum yield permitted in Bergerac?
Similar to Bordeaux, 67 for white and 60 for red, resulting in some wines of lower flavour concentration.
What is typical winemaking of Bergerac?
Aged in steel or old oak casks, producing wines in an easy-drinking style that can be released earlier on the market and avoids the cost of new barriques.
How does Côtes de Bergerac AOC differ to Bergerac AOC? What is their average quality and price?
Restricted to the main Bordeaux varieties.
Max yield is lower (50).
Ageing in oak is used by some producers.
Most wines are predominantly Merlot.
For both, good to very good and inexpensive to mid.
What are Bergerac’s key markets?
90% of AOC is sold within France, supermarkets are the largest outlet (more than 50%), then direct sales (30%) with around 10% of each going to hospitality and specialist wine shops.
The largest export markets are China (40%), Belgium and the UK.
What styles of wine can be produced in Monbazzilac?
Sweet only, from alte harvest or botrytised fruit.
Where does Monbazillac lie? Why is this beneficial?
Between the river Dordogne and one of its tributaries.
Being close to a body of water plus the funnelling of moist air (mists and dew) along the rivers creates high levels of humidity.
In warm late summer and early autumn, the humidity is burnt off by the sun, creating good conditions for noble rot.
How is Monbazillac wine made? What is the typical quality and price?
Grapes must be picked by hand with a number of passes through the vineyard.
Wine must be 80% of principal varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
Max yield is 30.
Fermentation in new oak barrels is much less common than Sauternes, keeping costs low and making wine available at a lower price.
Wines are similar in style to sweet wines from Bordeauxs less prestigious appellations.
Good to very good and inexpensive to mid.
Where are the wines of Bergerac as a whole sold?
Mainly in France (50% in supermarkets and deep discounters), with less than 10% exported. Main markets are North West Europe.
How many IGPs are there in the South-west? Which is the most important?
14.
Côtes de Gascogne is by far the largest, in terms of vineyard area planted.
What is the history of IGP Côtes de Gascogne’s success?
It’s been particularly successful in marketing its wines in the export markets of the UK and Northern Europe, led by Tariquet and Plaimont, resulting in a three-fold rise in production between 1990 and 2000, 80% of which was exported.
The wines continue to have commercial success around the world, but now have more competition from the wines from non-European countries.
What varieties are most commonly used in IGP Côtes de Gascogne? What style do these produce?
Colombard (neutral white with medium - (+) acidity, usually used in blends), Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Fruity and easy to drink, labelled with the varieties used.
What is the typical quality and price of IGP Côtes de Gascogne?
Acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid.
