Southwest Flashcards
When was the English rule in SW France?
During the middle ages Gascony was incorporated into Aquitaine
This resulted in 300 years of English rule
What did Bordeaux do to stop the wine competition by SW France?
During the 13th & 14th Centuries, Bordeaux wine merchants imposed a tax against SW wine
They also passed a law stating no SW France wine could be sold until all Bordeaux wine was sold
This was a death blow to the SW France wine industry
Where is SW France located?
Bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean
On the east by the Massif Central
To the south by the Pyrénées and Spanish border
and to the north by Bordeaux
What are the 4 subregions of SW France that the AOC’s are divided into?
- The Bergerac & Dordogne River
- The Garonne and Tarn Rivers
- The Lot River
- The Pyrénées foothills
What are the 3 distinct climate groups of SW France?
- Bergerac & Dordogne - Maritime with Atlantic influences slightly warmer than Bordeaux
- Garonne/Tarn/Lot - More continental, warmer and dryer than Bordeaux impacted by both the Atlantic and Mediterranean
- Pyrénées foothills - Maritime with alpine influences. The Pyrénéese Mountains ensure cool nights and puts the area in a rain shadow
What are the red grapes of the Dordogne-Bergerac subregion of SW France?
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc (aka Bouchey) Fer Servadou (Braucol, Manoi/Mansois, Pinenc) Merlot Malbec (Côt ), native to SW France Merille (Perigord), native to SW France
What are the white grapes of the Dordogne-Bergerac subregion of SW France?
Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Muscadelle Ugni Blanc Ondenc Chenin
What are the white grapes of the Garonne/Tarn/Lot subregions of SW France?
In addition to the white grapes of the Dordogne region they are Len de l'El Mauzac/Mauzac Rose, native to SW France Saint Come (aka Rousselou) Chenin (aka Rouchelein)
What are the red grapes of the Garonne/Tarn/Lot subregions of SW France?
In addition to the red grapes of the Dordogne region they are: Gamay Tannat, native to SW France Negrette Duras Syrah Abouriou Cinsault Pronelard, native to SW France Jurançon Noir, native to SW France Muyssagues Pinot Noir
What are the white grapes of the Pyrénées subregion of SW France?
Arrufiac, native to SW France Baroque, native to SW France Camaret, native to SW France Lauzet, native to SW France Raffiat, native to SW France Clairette Blanche Courbu Gros Manseng Petit Manseng
What are the red grapes of the Pyrénées subregion of SW France?
Tannat
Fer Servadou
Corbu Noir
Manseng Noir
T or F? Merlot is native to SW France..
False, it is native to Bordeaux
What are the Synonyms for the following grapes in SW France:
Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Franc
Malbec
Mérille
Chenin Blanc - Rouchelein
Cabernet Franc - Bouchy
Malbec - Côt
Mérille - Périgord
T or F? Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng are grown in the Garonne/Tarn/Lot subregions..
False
What are the general white wine styles of SW France?
Most whites are dry
Dessert wines can be made with botrytized or late harvest grapes
Sparkling wines are done both via Traditionelle and Ancestral methods
What are the general red wine styles in SW France?
All are dry
Some are made as Vin Primeur (Gamay). Carbonic maceration
What grapes are Bergerac AOC reds and rosés crafted from?
At least 2 of the following: Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot Côt Mérille Fer Servadou
What grapes are the Bergerac Sec AOC dry Whites crafted from?
At least 2 of the following: Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Muscadelle Ondenc Chenin Ugni Blanc - if present there must be at least the same % of Sauvignon Blanc
What grapes are in Côtes de Bergerac: Red and Moelleux styled whites
Reds- the same as Bergerac AOC but lower yields
Moelleux - the same blending formula as Bergerac Sec but an RS of .4 - 5.4%, yields are lower
What grapes make up the Dordogne subregion Saussignac AOC liquoreux whites?
Any of the following: Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Muscadelle Grapes can be late harvest or botrytized RS >4.5%
What grapes make up the Dordogne subregion AOC of Rosette: Moelleux and Liquoreux wines?
Any or all of the following:
Sauvignon Blanc
Sémillon
Muscadelle
RS is .8 - 5.4%
What grapes make up the Dordogne subregion AOC of Monbazillac: Liquoreux whites?
Any or all of the following: Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon Muscadelle Grapes may be late harvest or Botrytized
RS is > 4.5%
What grapes make up the Garonne and Tarn subregion AOC of Gaillac: red & rosé
60% red, 30% white and 10% rosé
Reds and rosés: Duras, Fer and Syrah with Gamay and both cabs as blending partners
Gaillac Primeur is 100% Gamay, hand harvested and fermented via carbonic maceration
Describe the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Irouléguy..
Southernmost AOC in SW France
Only AOC in the Basque Country
Whites: Petit & Gros Manseng and or Courbu in any percentage
Reds & rosés: At least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc (together), plus Tannat
Describe the Pyrénées subregion AOC Jurançon: Vendange Tardives..
100% Petit Manseng and or Gros Manseng
Harvest must begin at least 5 weeks after the first day of Jurançon AOC harvest
There must be at least 2 passes in the vineyard
Wines must be held at least 18 months before being submitted to a tasting panel
Minimum 3.5% RS
What are the grapes in the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Jurançon: Sec (dry), Moelleux and Liquoreux whites?
Sec (dry): made from Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu, Camaralet and Lauzet < 4.5% RS
Moelleux & Liquoreux: same blending formula as for Jurançon Sec; grapes hand harvested late in the season with at least 2 passes in the vineyard > 3.5% RS
What grape variety is Fer Servadou similar to?
Cabernet Franc
What grape variety is Prunelard related to?
Malbec
In the Bergerac-Dordogne subregion which AOC is only dry whites?
Bergerac Sec AOC, similar grapes to Bordeaux
In the Dordogne-Bergerac subregion which AOC’s include Liquoreux wines?
Saussignac, Rosett & Monbazillac AOC’s
In the Dordogne-Bergerac subregion which AOC’s include reds & rosés?
Bergerac AOC similar to Bordeaux grapes
In the Garonne & Tarn subregion what AOC is for white only?
Gaillac Premières Côtes
Mauzac & Mauzac Rose are the major grapes
In the Garonne and Tarn subregion what grapes lead in the Gaillac: reds and rosés?
Syrah
Duras
Fer-Servadou
In the Garonne & Tarn subregion what grapes are in the Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise?
Mauzac and/or Mauzac Rose
In the Garonne & Tarn subregion what grape is in Gaillac Primeur?
Gamay
In the Lot River subregion what is the major AOC?
Cahors
What is the major grape variety in the Lot River subregion?
70% min Malbec
up to 30% Merlot and/or Tannat
What are the major AOC’s in the Pyrénées subregion?
Jurançon Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec Irouleguy Madiran Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
What Pyrénées subregion AOC is only red
Madiran
In the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Madiran what is Fer Servadou known as
Pinenc
In the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Madiran what is Cabernet Franc known as?
Bouchy
What 3 Pyrénées subregion AOC’s can only produce white wines?
Jurançon
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
Mansengs rule here
What are the grapes in the Pyrénées subregion AOC’s?
Reds: Artisanal, rustic largely from Tannat
Whites: Largely local, obscure varieties that are unique in character and flavor profile
What are the grapes in the Lot River sub-region sub region AOC of Cahors?
Long referred to as Black wines
Reds are a minimum of 70% Malbec (Côt ) with up to 30% Merlot and/or Tannat added to the blend
Malbec is indigenous to this area
T or F? Malbec is indigenous to SW France..
True
What grapes are in the Garonne & Tarn subregion AOC of Gaillac: dry and sweet whites?
Dry whites at least 50% Mauzac, Mauzac Rose, Muscadelle and Len de l’El. Ondenc & Sauvignon are optional blanding partners
Sweet whites (Gaillac Vendange Tardives): at least 50% Len de l'El and Ondenc with an RS of > 4.5% Muscadelle, Mauzac and Mauzac Rose are authorized blending partners
What grapes are in the Garonne & Tarn subregion AOC of Gaillac Premières-Côtes: dry whites?
A new white only AOC on the right bank of the Tarn River
Located within the Gaillac AOC at an altitude of 460-990’
Primary grapes: Len de l’El, Mauzac, Mauzac Rose and Muscadelle, at least 1 of these must be in the blend
Sauvignon Blanc and Ondenc complete the mix
What grapes are in the Garonne & Tarn River subregion AOC of Gaillac: sparkling white?
Can be made both Traditionelle and Ancestral methods
Traditionelle follows the same blending formula as still whites
Ancestral uses 100% Mauzac and/or Mauzac Rose
Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise: > 1.7% RS
Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise Doux: > 5% RS
When did formal viticulture begin in SW France?
1st century BC by the Romans. Long before Bordeaux was ever planted to the vine
What makes the SW Region of France unique?
2 Distinct River Systems
AOC’s & subregions are more dissimilar than similar
Most AOC’s are unknown
Describe the Pyrénées AOC of Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec: Dry white..
Pacherenc and Madiran cover the exact geographic area
Pacherence is for white and Madiran is for red
The Sec is at least 60% Courbu, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng and/or Gros Manseng plus (optionally) Arrufiac, Sémillon and/or Sauvignon
What are the grapes of AOC Pacherenc du Vic Bilh: Moelleux & Liquoreux whites?
Follows the same blending formula as Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Sec but with > 3.5% RS
What grapes are in the Pyrénées AOC of Madiran?
Wines must contain > 70% Tannat
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Fer Servadou can complete the blend
What are the IGP’s of SW France?
The largest and most significant IGPs are Côtes de Gascogne and Comté-Tolosan
What is the grape mixture for the Côtes de Gascogne IGP’s?
About 80% white, finished dry or Moelleux, 10% red, 10% rose
75% of total is exported
Côtes de Gascogne shares the same zone of production as Armagnac
Which SW France subregion grows Petit and Gros Manseng?
Pyrénées
T or F? Gaillac Premières-Côtes makes late harvest wines from Chenin..
False
T or F? Cahors is located in the Garonne/Tarn subregion
False
Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise is crafted from?
Mauzac & Mauzac Rose
Braucol, Mansoi and Pinenc are all synonyms for what grape varieties?
Fer Servadou
What grape variety is most associated with the Cahors AOC?
Malbec
What 3 grapes are used to make the sweet wines of Saussignac, Rosette and Monbazillac AOC’s?
Sémillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Muscadelle
The term Liquoreux refers to?
Sweet wines made from Botrytized grapes
What wine styles are produced in Côtes de Bergerac?
Red
Moelleux White
What SW France AOC is located within French Basque Country?
Irouléguy AOC
What SW France AOC makes wines mainly form Tannat?
Madiran
What SW subregion produces wines the closest in style to Bordeaux?
Dordogne- Bergerac
What style of wine is made in the Saussignac, Rosette and Monbazillac AOC’s?
Sweet wines
What is the name of the river that runs through Gaillac?
The Tarn
Where was micro-oxygenation invented?
The Madiran AOC in SW France
“Methode Gaillacoise” refers to?
The term used in Gaillac to indicate a sparkling wine made using the Ancestral method
What SW France subregion lies in a rain shadow?
The Pyrénées Foothills
Which AOC within the Dordogne-Bergerac subregion does not make white wine?
Bergerac AOC (red & rosé)
Who invented the micro-oxygenation winemaking technique?
Patrick Ducournau
What grape variety is used to make Gaillac Primeur?
Gamey
What SW France AOC makes sparkling wine using Ancestral Method?
Gaillac AOC
The term Moelleux refers to?
Semi-sweet wines made from late-harvest grapes with or without Botrytis
What SW France AOC is most associated with Len de l’El grapes?
Gaillac AOC
The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC overlaps which appellation?
The Madiran AOC
What style of wine is produced in the Jurançon AOC?
White wines based on Gros & Petit Manseng
Côt is a synonym for what other grape variety?
Malbec
In SW France, Cabernet Franc is also known as?
Bouchy
What is the river that runs through Cahors?
The Lot
What is the river the runs through Bergerac?
The Dordogne
What are the climates of the SW France subregions?
Dordogne-Bergerac is maritime: similar to Bordeaux but slightly warmer and slightly less rain
Lot & Tarn areas are Mediterranean: with maritime influences, less rain, more sun & warmth
Pyrénées maritime: with alpine influences, rain shadow effect and drastic diurnal temperature swings
What are the major AOC’s of Dordogne-Bergerac subregion?
Saussignac, Rosette, Monbazillac AOC’s
Bergerac AOC
Côtes de Bergerac AOC
Bergerac AOC