South-West Flashcards
Which two native South-West grape varieties have found success in New World vineyards?
Côt (Malbec) in Argentina and Tannat in Uruguay
Where does the term Gascony come from?
The Vascones, a pre-Roman tribe from which the modern-day Basque culture originated.
What borders South-West France to the north, east, south, and west?
North is Bordeaux, east is the Massif Central, south is the Pyrenees, and west is the Atlantic Ocean
What is the most important IGP in South-West France?
Côtoes de Gascogne IGP, second in production to Pays d’Oc IGP of Languedoc and Roussillon
What was the most planted grape in South-West France before phylloxera?
Côt (Malbec)
Which South-West France sub-region has Mediterranean climatic influences?
The Garonne, Tarn, and Lot sub-region
Define “boulbène”
Sandy clay soils found in the South-West France appellations of Fronton and Buzet
What do Monbazillac, Saussignac, and Rosette have in common?
Focus on sweet or semi-sweet wines based on Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle; they are clustered around the banks of the Dordogne
The sale of wines from South-West France was historically curtailed by what rival wine region?
Bordeaux
Which appellation makes red and rosé wines from Négrette?
Fronton AOC
Which appellation of South-West France may use the term SGN?
Monbazillac, if the wine contains RS over 8.5% (85 g/L)
Define “méthode gaillacoise”
This is a term use in Gaillac to indicate a sparkling wine made using the ancestral method
T or F: Bergerac AOC may produce sweet wines
FALSE. Only dry white, red, and rosé are authorized in this AOC.
Which South-West sub-region is affected by foehn winds?
Pyrenees sub-region
Define “passerillage”
The act of twisting the stalks of grape bunches in order to stop the flow of sap; this dessicates the grapes on the vine
T or F: Monbazillac is the largest dessert wine appellation by size and volume in France
TRUE
What are the two styles of sweet wines made in Gaillac?
Vendages Tardives and Doux
T or F: Madiran lies on the left bank of the Tarn river
FALSE. Madiran lies on the left bank of the Ardour River.
South-West France claims to have how many indigenous grape varieties?
120
What are the three styles of sparkling wines made in Gaillac AOC?
Gaillac Méthode Ancestrale
Traditional Method
Blanc Sec Perlé
T or F: Len de L’El is a white grape
TRUE
T or F: Cabernet Franc may be used as a blending grape in Cahors AOC
FALSE. Only Merlot and Tannat can be blended with Côte in Cahors.
What is the local Jurançon name for galets (stones)?
Poudingues
What are the two primary red grapes of Irouléguy?
Tannat
Cabernet Franc
What are the two most importance grapes of Jurançon?
Petit Manseng
Gros Manseng
T or F: Irouléguy is the southernmost AOC is South-West France
TRUE
Gaillac Primeur wines are made via what vinification technique?
Semi-carbonic maceration
Define “moelleux”
Semi-sweet wines made from late-harvest grapes with or without botrytis
Define “liquoreux”
Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes
Define “micro-oxygenation”
A technique developed by Patrick Ducourau in Madiran to tame tannins. Minute amounts of oxygen are bubbled through must or wine.
Which AOC is most associated with the Len de l’El grape variety?
Gaillac
Where is Saussignac AOC?
Dordogne/Bergerac
Where is Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC?
Pyrenees
Where is Monbazillac AOC?
Dordogne/Bergerac
Where is Fronton AOC?
Garonne, Tarn, and Lot
Where is Jurancon AOC?
Pyrenees
Where is Bergerac AOC?
Dordogne/Bergerac
Where is Cotes de Bergerac AOC?
Dordogne/Bergerac
Where is Cahors AOC?
Garonne, Tarn, and Lot
Where is Gaillac AOC?
Garonne, Tarn, and Lot
Where is Cotes de Gascogne IGP?
Pyrenees
Where is Irouleguy AOC?
Pyrenees
Where is Madiran AOC?
Pyrenees
Which South-West AOC is located within the French Basque country?
Irouleguy
The Tarn river runs through which AOC?
Gaillac
Which grape is not used for white wines in Bergerac AOC?
Mauzac Blanc (Ugni Blanc, Ondenc, and Chenin Blanc are)
The Côtes de Gascogne IGP is France’s second largest IGP in production volume.
True or False?
True (Pays d’Oc is first)
Which AOC surrounds the majority of Monbazillac AOC?
Bergerac
Where is Blanc Sec Perlé made?
Gaillac
What style of wine is made in Madiran AOC?
Red only
What style of wine is made in Jurancon AOC?
White only
What style of wine is made in Irouleguy AOC?
Dry white, rose, and red
What style of wine is made in Fronton AOC?
Rose and red only
What style of wine is made in Bergerac AOC?
Dry white, red, rose
What style of wine is made in Cahors AOC?
Red only
What style of wine is made in Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC?
White only
Which is the primary grape variety for red wines in Madiran AOC?
Tannat
Which river flows through Cahors?
Lot
Which South-West AOCs only make white wine?
Monbazillac, Saussignac, Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, and Jurancon AOC
What style of wine is made in Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC?
dry to sweet white
What style of wine is made in Saussignac AOC?
Sweet white only
What style of wine is made in Monbazillac AOC?
Sweet white only
What style of wine is made in Jurancon AOC?
Dry to sweet white
What other climatic influences are in Dordogne/Bergerac?
Maritime
What other climatic influences are in Garonne, Tarn, and Lot?
Maritime and Mediterranean
What other climatic influences are in the Pyrenees?
Maritime with mountain influences and foehn winds
Which grape varieties are associated with sparkling wines in Gaillac AOC?
Len de l’El
Mauzac
Which South-West appellation produces wines in the widest range of styles?
Gaillac
What river runs through Gaillac?
Tarn
What river runs through Bergerac?
Dordogne
What river runs through Irouleguy?
Nive
What river runs through Cahors?
Lot
In Jurançon, the sandy-clay soils are dotted with galets. What are they known as locally?
Poudingues
Sweet wines in Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC are made using grapes affected with botrytis…T or F?
False! Passerillage
What grape varieties are important in Dordogne/Bergerac?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
What grape varieties are important in Garonne, Tarn, and Lot?
Len de l’El
Mauzac
Cot
Fer Servadou
Negrette
What grape varieties are important in the Pyrenees?
Gros Manseng
Petit Manseng
Tannat
Cahors wines must contain at least what percent of the primary grape Côt?
70%
Cahors wines are primarily – often only – made from Côt. Which other grapes can also be in the blend?
Tannat
Merlot
Braucol and Pinenc are synonyms for which South-West grape variety
Fer Servadou
Madiran wines must contain at least 50% Tannat.
True or False?
True…can also contain Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Fer Servadou
Which grape varieties are in Monbazillac AOC?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Which grape varieties are in Bergerac AOC?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Which grape varieties are in Fronton AOC?
Negrette
Which grape varieties are in Gaillac AOC?
Len de l’El
Mauzac
Fer Servadou
Which grape varieties are in Cahors AOC?
Cot
Which grape varieties are in Madiran AOC?
Tannat
Which grape varieties are in Jurancon AOC?
Gros Manseng
Petit Manseng
