South West France

Question 1

Latitude, Climate, Topography, Soils, rain

Cahors Growing Envionment

Answer 1

44 Latitude

Moderate Maritime, but slightly warmer & drier than Bordeaux - Atlantic infuenced

Range of sites next to River Lot:
1. Next to it: Rich alluvial = fertile
2. Mid slope: poorer & more free draining
3. Highest Plateau: Low nutrient limestone, low fertility, free draining

<800mm

Question 2

Grapes, training, harvest method

Cahors Grape Growing Options

Answer 2

Malbec (80% of plantings) + Merlot & Tannat

Machine mostly, by hand where necessary due to topography, weather, cost considerations, and availability of labour

Question 3

Method, length, aging

Cahors Winemaking

Answer 3

de-stemming required

Min 70% Malbec required, often 90-100% in top quality
Mid price = 7-10 days, foudres
Premium = 15-25 days, French barriques

Question 4

Main producers, export % & top markets

Cahors Commerce

Answer 4

80% estates, 20% co-ops

30% to UK, Canada, USA

Question 5

Bergerac AOC Growing Environment & Soils

Answer 5

Slightly warmer & drier than Bordeaux - Atlantic influenced

Clay & limestone soils w/ some gravel

Question 6

Grapes permitted for Bergerac & Cotes de Bergerac, Max Yields, and Common aging vessel

Answer 6

Bergerac AOC:
1. CS, CF, Merlot, Malbec - Min 50% from these varieties
2. 60hl/ha (whites are 67)
3. stainless or old oak

Cotes de Bergerac AOC:
1. 100% CS,CF, and Merlot. But mostly Merlot
2. 50 hl/ha
3. New oak used by some

Question 7

Monbazillac Style

Answer 7

Sweet, botrytised white wines that are similar in SQP to Bordeaux’s less prestigious appellations (Graves Superieur, Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux, Loupiac, St Croix du Mont