South West France Flashcards
Describe the climate in South West France
Moderate maritime cliamte - roughly the same as Bordeaux
Describe the general topography of South West France.
Largely flat and softly undulating
Which two appellations experience some Atlantic influence in South West France?
Why?
Madiran and Jurançon
The influence can extend far inland (100km) due to flat topography
In which three South West France appellations would you expect less rainfall and warmer summers? Why?
Bergeran, Monbazillac and Cahors
Further from the Atlantic, with less influence
Describe the climate in Bergerac
Slightly drier, warmer climate than Bordeaux
Describe the soils in Bergerac.
What grapes are these suited to?
Clay and limestone soils with some gravel
Suited to Bordeaux grapes
What are the maximum yields in Bergerac?
Côtes de Bergerac AOC?
55hl/ha
50hl/ha
What are the principal grapes in red Bergerac AOC?
What stipulations are there on the final blend?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Malbec
Must be made with at least two principal varieties
Less internationally recognised local varietals may be included
Describe the winemaking expected for Bergerac red wines
Wines are typically aged in stainless steel or oak cask reducing cost
What are the principal grapes in white Bergerac?
What stipulations are there on the final blend?
Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Wines can be any combination of the two
What is Bergerac Sec?
A forceful dry white made from any combination of Semillon/ Sauvignon Blanc
What styles of wine are made in Bergerac?
50% Red
40% White
10% Rose
Some sweet
Describe the typical quality and price you would expect for Bergerac wines
Good to v.good, inexpensive to mid priced
How much Bergerac wine is sold domestically?
What is the main route to market?
90%
Mostly in supermarkets
What is the difference between Bergerac AOC and Côtes de Bergerac AOC?
Same area as Bergerac AOC
Lower yields
Differences in permitted varietals
Côtes is higher quality
What are the principal grapes in Cotes de Bergerac AOC?
What stipulations are there on the final blend?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Malbec
No local varieties are permitted
What is usually the dominant grape in Côtes de Bergerac AOC?
What winemaking techniques would you expect?
Most wines are predominantly Merlot
Oak ageing is used by some producers
What styles of wine are permitted in Côtes de Bergerac AOC?
Red wines only
Describe the climatic conditions in Monbazillac AOC.
Why are these ideal?
Humid.
In the warm late summer and early autumn, humidty is burnt off by the sun creating good conditions for noble rot.
Describe what causes high levels of humidity in Monbazillac
The region lies between the Dordogne river and one of its tributaries
This location plus the funnelling of mists and dew along the rivers helps create high levels of humididty
Describe how harvest would typically take place in Monbazillac AOC.
Grapes must be hand picked in several passes through the vineyard
What is the maximum yield in Monbazillac AOC?
30hl/ha
What are the principal varieties for Monbazillac AOC?
What stipulations are there on the final blend?
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Sauvignon Gris
Muscadelle
- min. 80%
How might sweet wines from Monbazillac differ to Sauternes?
Fermentation in barrel is much less common than in Sauternes
The best young Monbazillacs are more spritely and exuberant than the best young Sauternes, while mature Monbazillac takes on an amber nuttiness which is decidedly uncharacteristic of Sauternes
Are all Monbazillac wines botrytised?
No - some late harvest wines
Describe the climate in Cahors AOC and any cooling influences.
Climate is warmer and drier than Bordeaux
Despite being 250km inland, Cahors receives some influence from the Atlantic
Is rainfall in Cahors AOC higher or lower than in Bordeaux?
Lower - spraying is less necessary
What are the climatic threats to ripening grapes in Cahors?
In the past, cool seasons could often result in underripe grapes
Now it is more likely that water stress will prevent full ripeness
In which three areas are vineyards typically planted in Cahors?
How does this affect quality?
Near the river
On the midslope
On the plateau at 300m
Results in different quality levels
Describe the soils of the vineyards planted near rivers in Cahors.
What types of wines are produced?
Rich, alluvial soils
High yields of wines with low concentration
Describe the soils of the vineyards planted on the midslopes in Cahors.
What types of wines are produced?
Poorer soils
Low yields of wines with higher concentration than riverside vineyards
Describe the soils of the vineyards planted on the plateau at 300m in Cahors.
What types of wines are produced?
Low nutrient limestone soils
Low yields and high concentration
Why might organic viticulture be more commonly practiced in Cahors?
Warm and dry conditions
What type of harvesting is common in Cahors?
On flatter land, grapes are machine harvested to reduce costs
On steeper sites, and where selection in the vineyard is desired, grapes are handpicked.
What types of pruning and training techniques are typical in Cahors? (3)
Bush vines
Cordon trained
Replacement cane VSP
What are the three principal varieties in Cahors AOC?
What stipulations are there on the final blend?
Malbec
Tannat
Merlot
- Min 70% Malbec with Tannat/ Merlot to fill
- Top wines are increasingly 100% Malbec
Describe typical winemaking options for Cahors Malbec.
- Destemming is necessary to eliminate unripe stems that could add aggressive tannins
- Early drinking wines may use Merlot in the blend to soften the wine. Also shorter post fermentation maceration (7 to ten days) to limit tannin extraction
- Wines intended to bottle age may spend 15 to 25 days on skin for extraction of tannin post fermentation
- Higher quality wines are often aged in barriques, adding vanilla notes
Describe the typical quality and price point you would expect from Cahors Malbecs
Good to outstanding, mid to premium price
A voluntary code has been introduced by growers to indicate three levels of quality and price in Cahors.
What type of wines are in the TRADITION category?
- Inexpensive
- 70 to 85% Malbec
- From rich alluvial soils
- High yields
A voluntary code has been introduced by growers to indicate three levels of quality and price in Cahors.
What type of wines are in the PRESTIGE category?
- Mid-priced
- Often from midslope sites
- Low yields
A voluntary code has been introduced by growers to indicate three levels of quality and price in Cahors.
What type of wines are in the SPÉCIAL category?
- Premium
- Mainly 100% Malbec
- Grown high on the plateau
- Low yield
How much Cahors wine is sold in France?
70% sold in France: supermarket and direct sales are the two main channels
How much of Cahors wine is produced by private companies?
80%
How much of Cahors wine is produced by the co-op Vinovalie?
20%
How is Cahors seeking to exploit some of Argentina’s success?
By marketing itself as the original Malbec
Which three factors lead to the dramatic of reduction of land under vine in Cahors by the 1950s?
Bordeaux imposed taxes on the exports of Cahors
Phylloxera
Devastating frosts in 1956
How much Cahors wine is exported?
Where are the main markets
30% and growing
USA
Canada
UK
Pacherenc du Vic Bilh AOC is a sweet wine appellation covering the same area as where?
Madiran AOC
Describe the climate and rainfall in Madiran AOC.
Some Atlantic influence
Relatively high rainfall (1,000mm) falling mainly in late winter and spring
Warm sunny summers and dry autumns with warm days and cool nights
Is rainfall high or low in Madiran?
What natural feature helps moderate this?
Relatively high (1,000mm)
The hot, dry, southern Föhn wind: blows one out three days in spring and autumn, drying the air and ventilating the canopy
What aspect do most Madiran slopes have?
Steep west facing slopes.
Maximises exposure to the afternoon sun for ripening
Which two training systems are commonly used for Tannat grapes in Madiran?
Cordon de Royat
Replacement cane system
How do soils on slopes or flatter land in Madiran differ?
SLOPES
Mostly clay and limestone
Good drainage
Concentrated, tannic wines suitable for ageing
FLATTER LAND
Clay and loam soils
Resulting wines are less tannic and earlier drinking.
What are the stipulations on the blend in Madiran?
60 to 80% Tannat
Blended with Cab Franc, Cab Sauv and / or Fer Servedou
Describe typical winemaking options for Madiran wines.
- Grapes are destemmed to reduce extraction of further tannin
- Winemakers have sought to soften tannins in Madiran by oak ageing and through bottle ageing, which adds to cost
- 1991: Patrick Ducourau pioneered microoxygenation when seeking to soften Tannat’s tannins
- Recent trends are trying to make Madiran accessible earlier by picking earlier, pressing softly and using microxyenation
Give a tasting note for a Madiran wine produced to age in bottle
Deep ruby Pronounced blueberry and blackberry fruit, oak and spice High acidity High tannin Full body Medium to high alcohol
Good to outstanding
When can Madiran wines be released to market?
From 1st November year after harvest, allowing for some maturation before release
What percentage of Madiran wine is sold domestically?
What are the main routes to market?
80%
50% through supermarkets
20% direct to consumer
What are the top export markets for Madiran?
Belgium, Canada and Germany
What are the main types of wine businesses producing Madiran?
Prodction is split between private growers (50%) and co-ops (50%)
Describe the climate and rainfall in Jurançon.
Mild, humid climate
Relatively high rainfall; 1,200mm per annum distributed throughout the year
Describe the effect of the Fohn wind in Jurançon.
The hot, dry, southern Föhn wind: blows one out three days in spring and autumn, drying the air and ventilating the canopy, as well as boosting the temperature
The heat and wind help to produce berries that are over-mature and suitable for sweet wine production
What climatic threats are there to grape growing in Jurançon?
Rains can affect flowering, fruit set and harvest
Due to altitude, spring frost can be an issue, but planting on the slopes can help
Where and at what elevations are Jurançon’s vinyeyards?
Based in the foothills of the Pyrenees at 300m elevations
Why do most Jurançon producers plant their vines on slopes?
For better drainage
Can help offset windy conditions
What aspects are preferred for Jurançon vineyards and why?
Best sites are south and south west facing for maximum sunlight interception, aiding ripening.
Some slopes in Jurançon are steep enough to require ____, increasing ____ _____ and _____ ____.
Terracing
Increasing initial investment and maintenance costs
Which mountain range strongly influences Jurançon and how?
The region is strongly influenced by the Pyrenees giving rise to the hot, dry, southern Föhn wind.
Is noble rot a featurein Jurançon?
no
What factors in the vineyard might increase the final cost of a Jurançon wine?
Grapes are picked by hand in a series of passes through the vineyard;
Terracing
Low yields
How could Jurançon producers train vines to mitigate frost issues?
Train the budding zone high above the ground
Describe how the process of harvest is carried out in Jurançon.
Grapes are picked by hand in a series of passes through the vineyard; selective picking raises the cost.
First selection is typically in October, mainly for dry wines, but also some earlier drinking sweet wines.
Second or third selections in November/ December are for progressively sweeter wines.
These last two selections are carried out after over-ripe grapes have been dried on the vine (passerillage); this is the effect of extensive time on the vine, autumn sunshine and drying winds.
Describe the soils in Jurançon.
Soils are a mixture of limestone, sand, clay and sand.
What are the maximum yields for the following:
Jurançon Sec
Jurançon
Jurançon Venganges Tradives
JURANÇON SEC:
60hl/ha
JURANÇON:
40hl/ha
JURANÇON VENDANGES TARDIVES:
40hl/ha
Which grape variety is commonly used for Jurançon Sec wines?
Why?
Gros Manseng
Gros Manseng has higher yields, and so is more suited to dry wine production
Which grape variety is commonly used for Jurançon sweet wines?
Why?
Petit Manseng
Smaller berries and thicker skinned; more suitable for leaving to shrivel on the vine until November
Describe typical winemaking options for high quality Jurançon sweet wines.
- Made with Petit Manseng
- Typically fermented in barriques and aged in them for 12 to 18 months
- Top quality wines will use new oak
- For all sweet wines, MLF is avoided to retain acidity and primary fruit flavours
What percentage of Jurançon’s wines are sweet or medium sweet?
Dry?
70%
30% dry
How do Jurançon and Jurançon Vendages Tardives wines differ?
JURANÇON:
Medium sweet
Min. 40g/l sugar
JURANÇON VENDANGES TARDIVES
Richer, sweeter wines made from even more shrivelled grapes
Picked in at least 2 passages through the vineyard, picked after 2nd November.
Min. 55g/l sugar but typically higher.
Give a tasting note for a Jurançon Vendages Tardives wine
Pronounced intensity Lemon and mango High acidity Medium to high alcohol Full body Sweet Min. 55g/l sugar but typically higher
V.good to outstanding, mid to premium priced
Which co-op in Jurançon accounts for nearly half of all production?
Cave de Gan
What are the 3 most planted grapes in IGP Côtes de Gascoigne?
What styles of wine are produced and at what quality level?
Colombard
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Fruity, easy drinking white wines, usually varietally labelled
Acceptable to good
Where has marketing of IGP Côtes de Gascoigne wines been successful?
How did this affect production from 1990 to 2000?
UK and northern Europe, led by Tariquet and Plaimont.
This resulted in a three-fold rise in production from 1990 to 2000, 80% of which was exported
What is the main threat to IGP Côtes de Gascoigne wines on the market?
Competition in the inexpensive segment of the market from non eu countries
