South West France Flashcards
South West France
South West France
Regions of Dordogne
Bergerac
- Cotes de Bergerac AOC
Monbazillac
Bergerac AOC
50% red wine 10% rose 40% white
Slightly warmer than Bordeaux
Clay, limestone and some gravel
Bordeaux varieties grown
- wines must be blends
+ less internationally known varieties
max yield 55 hl/ha
Typically aged in steel or oak
Cotes de Bergerac AOC
- Bordeaux varieties only
- max yield 50 hl/ha
- more common ageing in oak
- predominantly Merlot
Cotes de Bergerac AOC
- Bordeaux varieties only
- max yield 50 hl/ha
- more common ageing in oak
- predominantly Merlot
Monbazillac AOC
sweet wines only
- botrytised or late harvested
Between two rivers, air funnels along river - humidity
Must be picked by hand
Min 80% of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon, Muscadelle
Max yield 30 hl/ha
Ferment in barrels with new oak is less common than in Sauternes
Which variety are wines of Cahors based on?
Malbec
only appellation in France based on Malbec
Cahors climate and terroir (+training systems)
Some influence of Atlantic
Warmer and drier than Bordeaux
- enables the region to grow Tannat
- lower rainfall (less spraying than Bordeaux)
Rich alluvial soils - higher yields, lower concentration Mid slope - poorer soils Highest plateau 300m - low nutrient limestone - great concentration
Bush vines, cordon, replacement cane with VSP all used
Picked by hand or machine depending on steepness
Malbec
also known as Cot
Vigorous (needs careful canopy management)
Susceptible to coulure
Deep ruby, med to pronounced violet, red and black plum, med to med+ acidity, med+ to high tannin
May be aged in French oak barriques (vanilla, sweet spice)
Synonym for Malbec
Cot
Region known as ‘black wines of ….)
Cahors
Cahors winemaking
Early drinking styles have more Merlot in blend
- 7-10 days on skins for limited tannin
Wines for ageing
- 15-25 days on skins
- often matured in oak (barriques)
Cahors wine law and regulations
Min 70% Malbec (rest Merlot or Tannat)
Destemming required by the appellation
Cooperative in Cahors
Vinovalie (20% of the region’s production)
Wine business in Cahors
Seeking to exploit success of Argentinian Malbec
- ‘original Malbec’, ‘the French Malbec’
80% private companies 20% cooperative Vinovalie
Producers: Château du Cèdre, Clos Triguedina
Producers in Cahors
Château du Cèdre, Clos Triguedina