South-West AOCs Flashcards
The Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region
The Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region as a whole has a continental climate. Montravel, to the west, gets some oceanic influences from the Atlantic 100km away. Average temperatures are warm, with hot summers and short winters. Soils in the area are dominated by clay and limestone, although pecharmant has red clay, flint and gravels.
Bergegrac AOC
Wine Styles:
Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semilon, Muscadelle [S] Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Ondenc
Rose: [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cot [S] Fer Servadou, Merille
All wines must be at least a blend of 2 varities and contain at least 50% of the primary varieties. Rose wines may contain up to 20% of the primary white varieties within a maximum of 10% Musadelle and/or 10% of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris combined.
Cotes de Bergerac AOC
Wine Styles: Red, Semi-Sweet to Sweet White
Minimum Sweetness: White 0.4% (4g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle [S] Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Ondenc
Rose: [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Cabernet Franc, Cot
Cotes de Bergerac whites can be made in a wide range of sweetness levels, and the only regulation is that they must not be dry. The majority of the wine must be made from the 3 primary varieties. Red wines must be a blend of at least 2 varieties. In general, reds are aged in oak barrerls. All wines must have a higher minimum alcohol than Bergerac AOC wines.
Pecharmant AOC
Wine Styles: Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cot
Reds must contain at least 3/4 of the authorized grape vavrieties, and no one variety can be more than 65% of the blend.
Cotes de Duras AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red, Semi-Sweet White
Minimum Sweetness: Semi-Sweet White 1.2% (12g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle, Chenin Blanc, Ondenc, Mauzac Blanc [S] Ugni Blanc, Colombar
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cot
Wines must be blend of at least 2 varieties and contain at least 50% of the primary vaerieties.
Monbazillac AOC
Wine Styles: Sweet White, Selection de Grains Nobles (SGN)
Minimum Sweetness: Sweet White 4.5% (45g/l), SGN 8.5% (85 g/l).
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle [S] Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Ondenc
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Monbazillac is the largest dessert wine appellation by size and volumn in France. As a general rule, the wines are sweeter than those from the Sauterns. Grapes must be hand harvested and may be late-harvest and/or botritized; however, SGN wines are usually made from botrytized grapes. Both wines must use 80% of the primary varieties and possess a minimum alcohol of 12%.
Saussignac AOC
Wine Styles: Sweet White
Minimum Sweetness: 6.8% 68g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle [S] Ugni Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Onenc
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
This small appellation makes wines of a similar style to Monbazillac. Grapes may be late-harvest and/or botrytized, and primary varieties must constitute the majority of the blend.
Rosette AOC
Wine Styles: Semi-Sweet Wine
Sweetness: Between 2.5-5.1% (25-51g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle
Rose: [P]Sauvignon Gris
Wines must be a blend of at least 2 grape varieties; only semi-sweet wines are made.
Montraveel AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Muscadelle [S] Ondenc
Rose: [P]Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P] Merlot [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cot
Wines are made from a blend of at least 2 grape varieties. Primary vaerieties must constitute the majority of the white blend.
Cotes de Montravel AOC
Wine Styles: Semi-Sweet White
Sweetness: Between 2.5-5.4% (25g/l - 54g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle [S] Onenc
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Wines are made from at least 80% of the primary vaerieties, with Semillon being at least 30% of the blend.
Haut-Montravel AOC
Wine Styles: Sweet White
Minimum Sweetness: 8.5% (85g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle [S] Ondenc
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Semillon must be at least 50% of the blend
Red: [P][S]
Correze AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Red, Vin de Paille
Minimum Sweetness: VDP 6.8% (68g/l)
Grape Varieties:q
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnary
Red: [P] Cabernet Franc [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Red wines are principally made with Cabernet Franc. Wines that can labeled with the Coteaux de la Vezere DGC are made from Chenin Blanc only, if white, and Cabernet Franc if red.
Vin de Paille can be made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and/or Sauvignon Blanc. Grapes are fermented after at least 6 weeks of air drying. The resulting wine is aged in oak for at least 18 months and relelased after December 1st of the 3rd year following the harvest.
Cotes du Marmandais AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc [S] Semilon, Muscadelle
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P]Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc [S] Gamay, Cot, Syrah, Abouriou, Fer Servadou
Cotes du Marmandais AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc [S] Semilon, Muscadelle
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P]Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc [S] Gamay, Cot, Syrah, Abouriou, Fer Servadou
Cotes Du Marmandais flanks both sides of the Garonne River up-river from Bordeau. The vineyards on the right bank, with soils of clay and limestone, are an extension of Extre-deux-Mers. The vineyards on the left bank, with soils of gravelly alluvium, are an extension of Graves. Wines are, for the most part, simmilar in style to Bergerac and Bordeaux. Red wines, which dominate production, must be a blend of at least 2 varities, and at least 1 of them must be a primary variety.
Cotes du Marmandais AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc [S] Semilon, Muscadelle
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P]Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc [S] Gamay, Cot, Syrah, Abouriou, Fer Servadou
Cotes Du Marmandais flanks both sides of the Garonne River up-river from Bordeau. The vineyards on the right bank, with soils of clay and limestone, are an extension of Extre-deux-Mers. The vineyards on the left bank, with soils of gravelly alluvium, are an extension of Graves. Wines are, for the most part, simmilar in style to Bergerac and Bordeaux. Red wines, which dominate production, must be a blend of at least 2 varities, and at least 1 of them must be a primary variety.
Buzet AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Muscadelle [S] Colombard, Gros Manseng, petit Manseng
Rose: [P] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Caberet Franc, Cot [S] Petit Verdot, Abouriou
Buzet has 3 soil types: gravelly clays, limestone clays and sandy clays (boulbenes). Production is red-wine focused, and most is carried out by the local co-operative, Vignerons de Buzet. This 160 member co-op had a resident cooper during the 1970s and 1980s, which eabled its members to barrel age wines at a signifant price advantage over neighboring appellations. Although barrel making is outsourced today, the cooper remains within the appellation. All wines must consist of at least 90% of the primary varieties.
Brulhois AOC
Wine Styles: Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Tannat [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Fer Servadous, Abouriou
Brulhois possesses the same 3 soil types as neighbouring Buzet. The appellation is likewise red-focused. Red wines must be comprise of at least 2 varieties. For both, primary varieties must constitute the majority of the blend, but no single variety can be more than 70%
Saint-Sardos AOC
Wine Styles: Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Syrah, Tannat [S] Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Saint-Sardos, being further south and east along the Garonne, experiences more Mediterranean influences. The wines are Syrah-Dominant, but uniquely blended with Tannt to create tannic reds and hardy roses. Vineyards are largely planted on river alluvium consisting of limestone pebbles and/or silt.
Fronton AOC
Wine Styles: Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Negrette [S] Sabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cot, Fer Servadous, Cinsaut, Gamay, Syrah, Merille
Fronton AOC
Wine Styles: Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Negrette [S] Sabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cot, Fer Servadous, Cinsaut, Gamay, Syrah, Merille
Fronton lies just north of Toulouse. The reds and roses must cotaint at least 40% Negrette but can be 100% if the producer so chooses. Although current DNA research intimates that Negrette is a local variety, legend states that it was brought to the area from Cyprus by the Knights Templar. Soils here are sandy clays (boulbenes). Production is largely red.
Gaillac AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red, Sweet White, Vendanges Tardives, Sparkling White, Sparkling Rose
Minimum Sweetness: Sweet White 4.5% (45g/l), VT 10% (100g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P]Len de L’el, Mauzac Blanc, Muscadelle [S] Sauvignon Blanc, Ondenc
Rose: [P] Mauzac Rose
Red: [P] Duras, Syrah, Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Prunelard, Gamay
This growing regrion produces distinctice wines from non-mainstream grape varieties in a diverse array of styles. Soils are varied. There is clay, limestone, sand, flint and gravelly alluviums.
Dry whites are typically comprised of Mauzac, Mauzac Rose, Muscadelle and Len de l’El. White varities are also mafe in primeur style vi fermentation and early bottling, delivering very fresh, simple quaff that represents a small niche segment of production.
Sweet white wines are made into 2 styles: Doux and Vandegas Tardives. For those labeled Doux, a selection of grapes, primarily Mauzac, Muscadelle and Len de’l’El, are feermented after being amply ripene or over-ripened. Residual sugar must be at least 4.5% (45g/l). Most Vendanges Tardivs are crafted from Len de l’el and Ondenc. Flavor compounds within the grapes are concentrated by passerillage or botrytis. a 2nd harvest follows in successive passes.
Sparkling wines are made in 3 style: Gaillac Method Ancestral, traditional method and Blanc Sec perle. Gaillac Method Ancestral is a sparkling wine made with Mauzac Blanc and/or Rose. It can be made as brut, demi0sec or doux depending on the level of residual sugar (within a range of 1-8% or 10-80g/l). Traditional-method sparkling wines are made primarily with Len de’l’El and Mauzac, ages on lees for at least 9 months and finished with less than 5% (50g/l) RS.
Blanc Sec Perle is an attractively “prickly” wine which can be made in 2 ways. Carbon dioxide can be captured during malolactic conversion so that, when bottled, the wine retains the “pearls,” or CO2 can be added to the wine after malolactic converstion is complete. Both methods utilize the same primary vaerieties as for dry white wine.
Dry red and rose wines must consist of at least 2 varieties, and the primary grapes must form the majority of the blend. Roses can be made via direct press or saignee. Red wines are typically aged in vats or barrels. Gaillac red primeur is made by semi-carbonic maceration from 100% Gamay and is released on the 3rd Thursday of November.
Gaillac Premieres Cotes AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Len de l’El, Mauzac Blanc, Muscadelle [S] Sauvignon Blanc, Ondenc
Rose: [P] Mauzac Rose
Gaillac Premieres Cotes is and old AOC based on the right bank of the Tarn River within the Gaillac AOC. These wines were formerly made in a sweet or semi-sweet style but are dry today; production is dwindling.
Cotes de Millau AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chenin Banc [S] Mauzac
Red: [P] Gamay, Syrah [S] Fer Servadou, Cabernet Sauvignon, Duras
The vineyards in this part of France share the land with sheep that produce the famous Roquefort cheese. Vines are situated on terraced, south-facing slopes, and their roots wend their way through fractured limestone. Although a mountain range separates Languedoc from this appellation, Mediterranean warmth does reach the vines. Red wines dominate production here and are made from at least 30% Gamay and 30% Syrah. Gamay is the primary grape for rose wines. Whites are made from at least 50% Chenin Blanc.
Cahors AOC
Wine Styles: Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Cot [S] Merlot, Tannat
Cahors focuses on Cot, also locally referred to as Auxerrois. The vines are planted on the limestones plateaus of the Causses or on gravelly slopes and river terraces. Neither Cabernet Sauvignon nor Cabernet Francs are authorized here even though the appellation is just 160km from Bordeaux. Wines must contain a minimum of 70% Cot.
Despite being equidistant from both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the climatee here is dry, annd the grapes achieve full phenolic ripeness. The wines are deepy pigmented, concentrated and cellar-worthy. In fact, Cahors’ inky “black wines” have long had their champions. They were favored by King Henry II of England, Emperor Peter I of Russia and Pope John XXII.
Coteaux du Quercy AOC
Wine Styles: Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Cabernet Franc [S] Merlot, Cot, Tannat, Gamay
Coteaux du Quercy has the same climatic influences and terroirs as Cahors, yet it focuses on Cabernet Franc. Although reds must be a blend of 3 varieties and roses must be a blend of 2, Cabernet Franc dominates both blends.
Entraygues-Le Fel AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chenin Blanc [S] Mauzac Blanc, Saint-Come
Red: [P] Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Negrette, Mouyssagues
Entraygues-Le Del is located in the western foothills of the Massif Central. Vineyards are terraced on the soils of shale and granite. Most are south-facing, lie at 350m in elevtion and are located mid-slope. This position maximizes sunlight exposure and minimizes the risk of frost. The foothills themselves serve as suntraps. The region experiencecs some Mediterranean influences despite the east-west orientatio of its river valleys. Red wines are a blend of at least 3 grape varieties with Fer Servadou comprising at least 40%. Roses must have 85% of Fer Servadou and the 2 Cabernets. White wines are largely Chenin Blanc.
Estaing AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chenin Blanc [S] Mauzac Blanc, Saint-Come
Red: [P] Fer Servadous, Gamay [S] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mouyssagues, Pinot Noir, Abouriou, Castet, Duras, Negrette
The terraced vineyards of Estaing lie up-river of Entrayges-Le Fel in similar topography and similar climatic influences; however, the elevations are higher (300-500m). Soils consist of limestone and mica schist. The reds must incorporate 3 grape vaerities with Gamay and Fer Servadous constituting at least 50% of the blend. Roses are primarily Gamay. Whites are comprised of at least 2 varieties. Production is mostly red.
Marcillac AOC
Wine Styles: Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Prunelard
Marcillac lies a short 10lm to the southwest of Estaing and expriences similar climatic influences. The terraced vineyards are positioned on the slopes of the Valley of Marcillac on iron-rich clay-limestone soils known as rougiers between 300-600m in elevation. The wines must be 90-100% Fer Servadou.
Madiran AOC
Wine Styles: Red
Grape Varieties:
Red: [P] Tannat [S] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Servadou
Madiran is only a winegrowing area, it is also a village. Both lie deep within Gascony on the left bank of the Adour River. The appellation is equidistant from the Atlantic and the Pyrenees (approximately 100km) and is bordered by Saint-Mont to the north.
The weather is warm and dry during the growing season, but ample rain falls in winter and spring. The warm dry foehn air mass generated by rain-shadow effect of the Pyrenes helps to mitigate disease pressure. Soils are pebble-studded limestone-rich clays and silts; many contain iron.
The wines of this red-only AOC must contain more than 50% Tannat. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Fer Servadou does by the local name “Pinenc.” Cabernet Franc bears the local nickname of “Bouchy.” These are deepy tannic, well-structured bottlings that typically require time in the cellar to soften and mellow.
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Sweet White
Minimum Sweetness: Sweet White 4.5 % (45g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu [S] Arrufiac, Sauvignon Blanc
The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Madiran AOCs cover the same geographicl area, but Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is for whites only. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec (dry White) must contain at last 2 varieties, one of which must be a primary one. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh follows the same blending formula as the sec version but must possess a minimum of 4.5% (45g/l) RS. Sweet wines are made by passerillage (raisining on the vine), not by botrytis infection.
Saint-Mont AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Gros Manseng [S] Arrufiac, Courbu, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng
Red: [P] Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Saint-Mont, like Madiran, is equidistant from the Atlantic and the Pyreness and experiences very similar weather patterns. It also benefits from the warm, dry foehn winds. The growing area is bisected by the Adour River. The western portion of the appellation is characterized by sandy sois, whereas the eastern section has a greater preponderance of limestone-rich clays. Vineyards are planted on hillsides to maximize sunlight.
The region lays claim to a significant legacy of old vines. The average vine age ranges btween 30-50 years, while some plantings are over 150 years old! Reds must be at least 60% Tannat, whereas whites must be at least 60% Gros Manseng. Roses are mandatory blends utilizing at least 70% of the primary red varieties.
Tursan AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Gros Manseng, Baroque [S] Chenin Blanc, Claverie, Petit Manseng, Raffiat de Moncade, Sauvignon Blanc
Rose: [S] Sauvignon Gris
Red: [P] Cabernet Franc, Tannat [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Servadou, Merlot
Tursan lies a scant 70km from the Atlantic and experiences more pronounced maritime influences. Rainfall is higher here than in madiran and Saint=Mont. Soils are sandstone, silt, gravel and limestone-rich clays. All wines are mandatory blends consisting of 2 primary grapes. These primary grapes must represent at least 50% of the mix. No single grape can be more than 60% of the blend.
Jurancon AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Semi-Sweet to Sweet Wine, Vendanges Tardives
Minimum Sweetness: Semi-Sweet to Sweet White 4% (40g/l), VT 5.5% (55g/l)
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng [S] Camaralet, Courbu, Lauzet, Petit Courbu
The terrain gets quite steep here. Soils are sandy-clays studded with galets (known locallt as pudingues) washed down from the Pyrenees. The climate is influenced by altitude, Atlantic precipation, the warm, dry foehn winds coming over the Pyrenees and a Mediterranean sun.
Juancon Sec is a dry white. Sec must appear on the label so that consumers know there is no RS. Both Gros Manseng and Petit Mansseng take the spotlight here and msut represent the majority if the wine is a blend. Varietal bottlings from both these primary white grape varieties are also allowed.
Jurancon is sweet. The same 2 grapes must represent the majority of the blend, and varietal bottlings are also allowed. Grapes undergo a passerillage (raisining on the vine) and are hand harvested in late October (into November). Wine law mandates at least 2 passes in the vineyard even though the fruit is not affected by botrytis.
Jurancon VT must be crafted from Petit Manseng and/or Gros Manseng only. These grapes also undergo passerillage, are not botrytized and are picked with a minimum of 2 passes in the vineyard, however, harvest cannot begin until November 2nd. Although the finished wines must contain at least 5.% 55 g/l RS., they often carry a great deal more and cannot be released for sale until June 15th of the 2nd year after the harvest.
Bearn AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Raffiat de Moncde [S] Camaralet, Courbu, Lauzut, Petit Courbu, Sauvignon Blanc
Red: [P] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat [S] Courbu Noir, Fer Servadou, Manseng Noir
Bearn experiences a maritime climate, but humidity and rainfall are offset by foehn winds arcing over the Pyrenees. Vineyards are on hillsides in sandy-clay soils. There are 3 non-contiguous growing areas. The main area lies along the Gave de Pau RIver. The other 2 areas overlap the Jurancon and Madiran/Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellations.
Reds are made from at least 50% Tannat, whereas whites must be at least 50% Raffiat de Moncade. Roses must be made from at least 70% of the primary vaerieties, with Tannat being at least 25% of the blend. Wines from Jurancon and Madiran/Pacherend du Vic-Bilh areas can go to market as any style of Bearn; however, usually the Bearn appellation is only use for styles not authorized in those appellations.
Bearn AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Minimum Sweetness:
Grape Varieties:
White: [P][S]
Rose: [P][S]
Red: [P][S]
Irouleguy
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P]Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu
Red: [P] Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon
The vineyards of Irouleguy are ffound on steep or terraced slopes sheltered from the north and west winds. Nonetheless, the Pyrenees and elevation play their parts; grapes are harvested with vibrant acidity. Autumns are mild and extended thanks to warm foehn winds. Despite being only 40km from the Atlantic, rainfall is winter-dominant. 3 distinct soil types are found here: sandstone, limestone and clay.
Whites must be a blend of at least 2 varieties. Reds must contain a majority of Tannat and/or Cabernet Franc; Cabernet Sauvignon can complete the blend. Roses must be made from at least 90% of the primary red varieties; white varieties can complete the blend.
This is the southernmost AOC of South-West France and the only AOC within the French Basque country. The majority of wine production is red.
