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