Grapes and Wines of the Dordogne and SW France

Question 1

Describe the climate of Dordogne

Answer 1

Similar climate to Bordeaux with less moderating maritime influence (i.e. moderate maritime)

Question 2

Describe a typical wine from Bergerac

Answer 2

Can be either red or white, all varieties same as Bordeaux

Question 3

What sort of wine is Monbazillac famous for?

Answer 3

Good value sweet botrytised wines from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 4

Historically, what wines was Cahors best known for?

Answer 4

‘Black’ wines i.e. very tannic and long-lived

Question 5

List the key grape varieties in Cahors

Answer 5

Malbec (most important), Tannat, Merlot

Question 6

Describe a typical high quality red Cahors

Answer 6

Aged in oak, deeply coloured, high in tannin, intense dark berry fruits. Mature slowly to reveal notes of cedar and earth

Question 7

Describe a typical Cotes de Gascogne IGP wine

Answer 7

Dry, light-bodied white wine made from Ugni Blanc, with aromas and flavours of green apples.

Question 8

Describe a typical red Madiran wine

Answer 8

Blend led by Tannat, traditionally needed long period of bottle ageing to soften tannins but are now made with riper grapes and modern winemaking techniques which means better examples have concentrated black fruit and high levels of softer riper tannin.

Question 9

Describe a good example of a sweet Jurançon wine

Answer 9

The most complex wines are made from Petit Manseng which has high acid. Grapes are NOT affected by botrytis – instead they undergo passerillage. Wines have pronounced apricot and grapefruit aromas, sometimes with spicy notes from new oak.