FWS South-West Flashcards
What is the name of the former French province that encompasses the South-West wine region?
Gascony
Gascony is a cultural entity, comprising tiny subregions over 12 départements.
Which two French administrative regions contain the South-West wine region?
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Occitanie
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
What is the climate of the Bergerac and Dordogne River subregion.
Continental with maritime influences
What are the 6 rivers in the South-West?
- Dordogne
- Garonne
- Tarn
- Lot
- Gers
- Adour
Which 4 appellations are on the Dordogne?
- Bergerac,
- Côtes de Bergerac
- Monbazillac
- Saussignac
Which appellations are on the Tarn?
Fronton
Gaillac
What are the 6 rivers 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
Which appellation is on the Lot?
Cahors AOC
Which appellation is on the Gers?
Côtes de Gascogne IGP
Which appellations are on the Adour?
Madiran
Pacherenc du Vil-Bilh
List the 6 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 important for grapevine crosses?
- Pilgrims
- They planted native & imported grape varieties side by side, leading to spontaneous crosses
Merlot is an important cross variety from South-West France, what are its parent varieties?
Merlot: Magdeleine Noire des Charentes x Cabernet Franc
What significant winemaking technique did Patrick Ducournau introduce?
Micro-oxygenation
Bubbling small quantities of oxygen through fermenting wine
Keep yeast healthy, avoid stuck fermentation, polymerise tannins, clarify and stabilise wine.
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: Côtes 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
Petit Manseng is of higher quality
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.
