South-West

Question 1

Which two native South-West grape varieties have found success in New World vineyards?

Answer 1

Côt (Malbec) in Argentina and Tannat in Uruguay

Question 2

Where does the term Gascony come from?

Answer 2

The Vascones, a pre-Roman tribe from which modern-day Basque culture originated

Question 3

What borders South-West France to the north, east, south and west?

Answer 3

North is Bordeaux, east is the Massif Central, south is the Pyrenees and west is the Atlantic Ocean

Question 4

What is the most important IGP in South-West France?

Answer 4

Côtes de Gascogne IGP, second in production to Pays d’Oc IGP of Languedoc and Roussillon

Question 5

What was the most planted grape in South-West France before phylloxera?

Answer 5

Côt (Malbec)

Question 6

Which South-West France sub-region has Mediterranean climatic influences?

Answer 6

The Garonne, Tarn and Lot sub-region

Question 7

Define “boulbène”

Answer 7

Sandy clay soils found in the South-West France appellations of Fronton and Buzet

Question 8

What do Monbazillac, Saussignac and Rosette have in common?

Answer 8

Focus on sweet or semi-sweet wines based on Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle; they are clustered around the banks of the Dordogne.

Question 9

The sale of wines from South-West France was historically curtailed by what rival wine region?

Answer 9

Bordeaux

Question 10

Which appellation makes red and rosé wines from Négrette?

Answer 10

Fronton AOC

Question 11

Which appellation of South-West France may use the term SGN?

Answer 11

Monbazillac, if the wine contains R.S over 8.5% (85 g/l)

Question 12

Define “méthode gaillacoise”

Answer 12

This is a term used in Gaillac to indicate a sparking wine made using the ancestral method

Question 13

T or F: Bergerac AOC may produce sweet wines

Answer 13

FALSE. Only dry white, red and rosè are authorized in this AOC.

Question 14

Which South-West sub-region is affected by foehn winds?

Answer 14

Pyrenees sub-region

Question 15

Define “passerillage”

Answer 15

The act of twisting the stalks of grape bunches in order to stop the flow of sap; this dessicates the grapes on the vine.

Question 16

T or F: Monbazillac is the largest dessert wine appellation by size and volume in France

Answer 16

TRUE

Question 17

What are the two styles of sweet wines made in Gaillac?

Answer 17

Vendanges Tardives and Doux

Question 18

T or F: Madiran lies on the left bank of the Tarn river

Answer 18

FALSE. Madiran lies on the left bank of the Ardour River.

Question 19

South-West France claims to have how many indiginous grape varieties?

Answer 19

120

Question 20

What are the three styles of sparkling wines made in Gaillac AOC?

Answer 20

Gaillac Méthode Ancestrale, traditional method and Blanc Sec Perlé

Question 21

T or F: Len de L’El is a white grape

Answer 21

TRUE

Question 22

T or F: Cabernet Franc may be used as a blending grape in Cahors AOC?

Answer 22

FALSE. Only Merlot and Tannat can be blended with Côt in Cahors.

Question 23

What is the local Jurançon name for galets (stones)?

Answer 23

Poudingues

Question 24

What are the two primary red grapes of Irouléguy?

Answer 24

Tannat and Cabernet Franc

Question 25

What are the two most important grapes of Jurançon?

Answer 25

Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng

Question 26

T or F: Irouléguy is the southernmost AOC in South-West France?

Answer 26

TRUE

Question 27

Gaillac Primeur wines are made via what vinification technique?

Answer 27

Semi-carbonic maceration

Question 28

Define “moelleux”

Answer 28

Semi-sweet wines made from late-harvest grapes with or without botrytis

Question 29

Define “liquoreux”

Answer 29

Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes

Question 30

Define “micro-oxygenation”

Answer 30

A technique developed by Patrick Ducourau in Madiran to tame tannins. Minute amounts of oxygen are bubbled through must or wine.