South West France Flashcards
Name the appellations that are grouped in South West France.
Bergerac/Côtes de Bergerac, Monbazillac, Cahors, Madiran, Jurançon and IGP Côtes de Casgogne
Roughly describe the climate in South West France.
Broadly similar to Bordeaux, the whole region is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. South of Bordeaux the influence extends inland for 100km due to largely flat, gently undulating territory.
Bergerac AOC. In 2020 45% was what colour of wine? 11%? And 44%?
In 2020 Bergerac AOC produced 45% red wine, 11% rosé and 44% white.
The climate in Bergerac AOC is slightly warmer than Bordeaux. Clay and limestone soils with some gravel mean that both white and black Bordeaux varieties can ripen well. The red wine must be a blend of at least two of what varieties?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec or Merlot.
The wines of Bergerac AOC are typically aged in stainless steel or older oak casks to produce wines in an easy-drinking style. For higher quality there is another AOC within Bergerac AOC. Name it.
Côtes de Bergerac AOC
Côtes de Bergerac AOC is restricted to Bordeaux varieties (no local allowed) and the yield is lower than Bergerac AOC. What are maximum yields in Bergerac respectively Côtes de Bergerac?
In Bergerac max yields for white is 67 hL/ha and 60 hL/ha for red. In Côtes des Bergerac max yield is 50 hL/ha.
Most Bergerac AOC is sold in France. How many percent? Name the 3 largest export markets.
90% is sold domestically. Largest export markets are Belgium, China and UK.
What is the appellation for only sweet white wines in South west France called?
Monbazillac AOC
Monbazillac lies between the river Dordogne and one of its tributaries. How does this affect the regions wine style?
This creates humidity that in late summer and early autumn is burnt off by the sun in the afternoon creating good conditions for noble rot.
The wines of Monbazillac must be at least 80% of the principal varieties. Name them.
Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, sémillon and Muscadelle.
Name a winemaking reason for Monbazillac being cheaper than Sauternes.
Fermentation in new oak barrel is much less common, reducing cost.
Quality and price for Monbazillac?
Good to very good and inexpensive to mid-priced.
Monbazillac AOC is an appellation for sweet white wine only. This means that the grapes either are affected by what or harvested when?
Either affected by botrytis or late harvested.
What is the name of the river that runs through Cahors and later connect with Garonne?
River Lot
In the Middle Ages and down to the 19th century the deep coloured wines of Cahors was called what?
“The black wine of Cahors”
Three matters reduced the size of Cahors to a tenth of its size. Name them.
Export taxes from Bordeaux, phylloxera and a devastating frost in 1956.
Cahors is the only appellation in France where Malbec is the principal variety. How many hectares are planted and how many percent are Malbec?
3.300 ha with 85% being Malbec.
Malbec suffers less from coulure and mildew in Cahors compared to Bordeaux. Why is that?
Cahors is 250 km inland and is slightly warmer and drier than Bordeaux (800mm less of rainfall for example).
What other variety is also authorised in Cahors, and in blends it rarely exceeds 10% if used at all.
Tannat
The proportion of organic grape growing is well above the average in France. How many percent are organic, and why?
17%. The lower rainfall means lower disease pressure, which means less spraying and hence easier to grow organic.
What happens with soils and the yield/concentration as you move from the vineyards next to the river Lot up to the plateau?
Rich, alluvial soils next to the river gives higher yields and less concentration, mid-slope with poorer soils gives lower yields and higher concentration and the plateau at 350m with low nutrient limestone soils give even lower yields and higher concentration.
What is Malbec also known as?
Cot.
Tasting note for traditional Cahors with high percentage Malbec.
Deep ruby.
Medium to pronounced intensity violet, red/black plum.
Medium to medium(+) acidity.
Medium(+) to high tannin.
Very good or outstanding examples of Cahors may be aged in French barriques. What extra tasting notes might that give?
Vanilla and sweet spice.
Quality and price for Cahors?
Good to outstanding, mid- to premium priced.
Cahors AOC must be how many percent Malbec? What other two varieties might make up the blend?
70% Malbec. Merlot and/or Tannat can make up the rest.
Destemming is required in Cahors AOC. Why?
To eliminate underripe stems that might bring too aggressive tannins.
In the past, under ripeness was due to cool vintages. Today poor maturity is a sign of what instead?
Lack of water, preventing full ripeness.
80% of Cahors is produced by private companies, the rest from ONE single Co-operative. Name the Co-operative.
Cooperative des Vignerons d’Olt
Since 2000, Cahors are marketing themselves as what?
“Cahors Malbec”
Top 3 export markets for Cahors?
United Kingdom, Canada and USA
Name a significant Cahors producer.
Chateau du Cedre or Chateau de Chambert.
How far from the Atlantic Ocean is Madiran AOC?
80km
Within Madiran AOC is an appellation for white late harvest sweet wine, name it.
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC
Madiran has some Atlantic influence and relatively high rainfall. How much, and when does it usually fall?
1000mm that falls late winter and spring.
Name a few things that help ripen Tannat fully in most years (in Madiran).
Warm sunny summers, dry autumns with warm days and cool nights and a hot, dry southern Föhn-wind.
Madiran is comprised of four large parallel ridges. How are they oriented? In what direction are the steep slopes?
The ridges goes north-south and the steep slopes are west facing.
The west-facing slopes in Madiran produce grapes that make tannic wines suitable for long bottle-ageing, on the flatter land the wines are less tannic. What soils can you find on the slopes versus the flat land?
On the slopes mainly clay and limestone with good drainage. On the flatter land clay and clay and loam. The wines on the flatter land can be drunk earlier.
Four top varieties in Madiran?
Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Savadou
Why is Tannat best supported on trellis?
Tannat is highly vigorous and training it on trellises is one way to take control over the vigour.
When is Tannat ripening?
Mid-ripening, before the autumn rains.
Is Tannat low, mid- or high in tannin levels?
Tannat is highly tannic, which is reflected in the winemaking descisoins.
Typical tasting note for Madiran wines intended for ageing?
Deep ruby
Pronounced intensity of blackberry, blackcurrant + oak
High tannins
High acidity
Full body
Medium to high alcohol
Quality and price for age-worthy Madiran wines?
Very good to outstanding, mid- to premium in price
Minimum percent Tannat in Madiran AOC? Name the blending partners.
50%. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Savadou
Why must grapes be destemmed in Madiran AOC? And what is max yield?
To reduce further tannin extraction. 55 hL/ha
To soften the high levels of tannin in Tannat winemakers can use 3 methods, name them (not including micro-oxygenation).
Shorter maceration, oak ageing and bottle ageing.
Micro-oxygenation was developed in Madiran. When? By whom? And why is it used?
A technique seeking to soften the tannins. Developed 1991 by Patrick Ducournau .
There is a recent trend in Madiran to make a more accessible style. How is that achieved?
Picking only the ripest grapes, gentle pressing and micro-oxygenation.
According to Madiran AOC rules wines can’t be sold to consumers until beginning of November in the year following harvest. Why?
To allow some time for maturation before release (remember, high levels of tannin)
How many percent of Madiran production is sold in France?
80%
Name top 3 export markets for Madiran.
Belgium, Germany and Canada
How is production split between private growers and Co-operatives in Madiran?
50/50
Name a significant producer in Madiran besides Chateau d’Aydie.
Alain Brumont (Chateau Bouscassé & Chateau Montus)
Name a significant producer in Madiran besides Alan Brumont (Chateau Bouscassé and Chateau Montus)
Chateau d’Aydie
Name an important Co-operative in Madiran.
Cave de Crouseilles and Plaimont
Jurançon is at the foothills of what mountain range? At what altitude (approx)?
The Pyrenees at around 300 m .
Name the two major varieties used in Jurançon.
Petit Manseng and Gris Manseng
There are three styles of wines in Jurançon. Name them.
Jurançon Vendanges Tardives (sweet)
Jurançon (typically medium sweet)
Jurançon Sec (dry)
Of Jurançon wines, how many percent are sweet/medium sweet, and how many are dry?
70% are sweet/medium sweet and 30% dry.
Typical tasting note for Jurançon Vendanges Tardives?
Pronounced lemon and mango
Sweet
High acidity
Medium to high alcohol
Full body
Quality and price for medium sweet Jurançon, and Jurançon Vendanges Tardives?
Jurançon is typically good to very good, inexpensive to mid-priced.
Jurançon Vendanges Tardives is very good to outstanding and mid- to premium priced.
The climate in Jurançon is mild and humid. Annual rainfall is relatively high. How high? And when does it fall?
About 1.200 mm, distributed throughout the year.
Rain and humidity in Jurançon can affect flowering and fruit set, it can also increase attacks of downy mildew. Where are the vines in Jurançon planted to offset these issues?
Planted on slopes with good drainage. Some slopes are steep enough to require terracing (cost!)
Best sites in Jurançon are facing what aspects?
West and south-west for max sunlight interception
Jurançon’s proximity to the Pyrenees creates a special wind. What is it called and what does it do to the growing environment?
Föhn wind. A hot and dry wind that blows in spring and autumn. Dries the air and ventilates the canopy (bunches in autumn) as well as boosting the temperature.
Help to produce over-ripe berries for sweet wines.
Due to altitude, spring frosts are a risk in Jurançon. What is done to mitigate this risk?
Budding zone is trained well above the ground.
What soil types are there in Jurançon?
A mixture of limestone, sand, clay and stones.
Why are vines trained high in Jurançon (frost risk not being the reason)?
To allow sufficient canopy to produce high levels of sugar required for medium sweet and sweet wines.
Grapes in Jurançon are picked in a series of selective pickings. When is the first and mainly for what?
October, mainly for dry wines and some sweet wines for early consumption.
When is the second and third picking done in Jurançon?
November to December, for progressively sweeter wines
The two last pickings in Jurançon are carried out after over-ripe grapes have been dried on the vine. What is that called?
Passerillage
When is petit Manseng budding and ripening?
Early budding (frost!) and mid- to late ripening.
Petit Manseng is resistant to botrytis bunch rot making it suitable for late harvesting. What are the grape properties that make that possible? Name 3 more things that make it good for production of balanced sweet wines.
Petit Manseng has thick skins and open bunches.
It is moderate aromatic and retains acidity, it can reach high levels of potential alcohol.
Gros Manseng is principally used for dry wines in Jurançon. In what ways does it differ from petit Manseng?
Higher yields, usually less aromatic and intense.
All 3 styles of wine in Jurançon must be made with a minimum of 50% of petit and/or gros manseng. But what are regulated sugar levels for them?
Jurançon Sec is dry
Jurançon is medium sweet min 40 g/L residual sugar
Jurançon Vendanges Tardives is sweet min 55 g/L residual sugar
Malolactic conversion doesn’t typically happen in Jurançon sweet wines. Why?
pH is too low and acidity to high. Not converting will retain the acidity and preserve primary fruit flavours.
The production in Jurançon is divided by the Co-operative Cave de Gan (64%) and private companies. Name a significant producer.
Domaine Cauhapé
What are producers focusing more and more on dry wines in Jurançon?
There is competition from other French regions to sell sweet wines, and sweet wines are generally more difficult to sell.
There are 14 IGP in south-west France. Name the largest. What grapes are typically used for the successful white blends (fruity, easy to drink, inexpensive and acceptable to good in quality)
IGP Côtes de Gascogne. Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
