FWS South-West Flashcards
What is the name of the former French province that encompasses the South-West wine region?
Gascony
Gascony is a large cultural entity in South-West France, comprising tiny subregions over 12 départements.
Which two French administrative regions contain the South-West wine region?
Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie
These regions define the geographical and administrative boundaries of the South-West wine area.
What cultural influence dominated the South-West region’s history?
Basque culture
The dialect in this region is a variation of Occitan, influenced by the Basque language.
What is the general climate of the South-West wine region?
Continental
Name the major climatic influences impacting the Bergerac and Dordogne River subregion.
Maritime influences
What are the major river systems in the South-West and their corresponding appellations?
- Dordogne: Bergerac, Cotes de Bergerac, Monbazillac, Saussignac
- Garonne: Lot and Tarn (tributaries)
- Tarn: Fronton, Gaillac
- Lot: Cahors
- Gers: Cotes de Gascogne IGP
- Adour: Madiran, Pacherenc du Vil-Bilh
List the major soil types found in South-West France.
- Limestone
- Marls
- Ancient alluvial river terraces
- Wind-blown loess
- Flysch
- Shale, granite and mica schist
How did South-West France become a crucible of grapevine crosses?
Pilgrims traversed the area, planting native and imported grape varieties side by side, leading to spontaneous crosses.
Name one important grape cross from South-West France and its parent varieties.
Merlot: Magdeleine Noire des Charentes x Cabernet Franc
What significant winemaking technique did Patrick Ducournau introduce?
Micro-oxygenation
This technique involves bubbling small quantities of oxygen through fermenting wine to maintain yeast health.
What is the primary grape variety grown in Madiran?
Tannat
Fill in the blank: The largest dessert wine appellation in France is _______.
Monbazillac
True or False: Cotes de Bergerac AOC wines must be a blend of at least two varieties.
True
What is the primary grape used in Fronton AOC?
Négrette
What type of wine is produced in Cahors AOC?
Red wine only
List the two main grapes used in Jurançon AOC for dry white wines.
- Gros Manseng
- Petit Manseng
What type of wines does the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC produce?
Dry and sweet white wine
What is the significance of Irouléguy AOC within the South-West wine region?
It is the southernmost AOC and the only AOC within the French Basque country.
Fill in the blank: The Cotes de Gascogne IGP is known for producing _______.
Dry white, rosé, red, semi-sweet white, sweet white
Bordeaux & South-West map
Languedoc & South-West map
South-West map
