L3 - The Dordogne and South West France - Chapter 14

Question 1

What types of wines do the Bergerac and Monbazillac regions produce?

Answer 1

They produce wine varietals similar to that of Bordeaux, including

• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Petit Verdot
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Muscadelle
• Semillon

Question 2

What is the primary varietal that Cahors produces and the characteristics?

Answer 2

Malbec = black varietal

Produces deep colored, full bodied wines, high tannins, intense black/dark berry fruit flavors (blackberry, black plum)

Matures slowly to reveal flavors of cedar and earth

-Matures in new oak lends softness/spicy flavors (clove, vanilla)

-Can develop dried fruit or meat flavor in bottle

Question 3

What grape and style is most common in Cotes de Gascogne?

Answer 3

The white grape varietal Ugni Blanc

which creates dry, light bodied wines with aromas and flavors of green apples

Question 4

What grape and style is most common in Madiran?

Answer 4

Black grape variety called Tannat.

• Deep colored,
• Highly tannic,
• With riper grapes and modern winemaking techniques means more concentrated black fruit flavors with high levels of softer and riper tannins.
• Requires a long periods of bottle aging to soften tannins.

Question 5

What grape and style is most important in Juracon?

Answer 5

• both sweet and dry wines are made

-Most important are the complex sweet wines made from high acid Petit Manseng.

-These undergo passerillage (no botrytis)

-Pronounced apricot and grapefruit aromas

-Sometimes aged in oak for spicy notes