Southwest France Flashcards
Describe the historical relationship between the Bordelais and the producers of SW France
- Back in the Middle Ages wines would travel along the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers to be sent to market from the Port of Bordeaux
- The Bordelais soon considered these wines as direct competition between the 3rd and 14th centuries, wine merchants imposed taxes and other protectionist policies against these wines
- This resulted in the wines of SW France only being able to be sold in their local market so never gained international recognition.
What are the names of the 4 sub-regions?
- Dordogne/Bergerac Rivers
- Garonne & Tarn Rivers
- Lot River
- Pyrénées
What are the 3 distinct climate zones?
1) Bergerac and Dordogne Rivers
- Maritime climate with slightly warmer temps than Bordeaux
2) Areas surrounding the Tarn, Lot and Garonne Rivers
- Continental climate with maritime influences from both the Atlantic and Mediterranean
3) Pyrénéan foothills
- Maritime climate with alpine influences
What major AOCs are located within the Dordogne/Bergerac Rivers sub-region? Which styles of wine do these AOCs make?
- Bergerac (red & rosé)
- Bergerac Sec (dry whites)
- Cotes de Bergerac (red & semi-sweet whites)
- Saussignac (sweet whites)
- Rosette (semi-sweet and sweet whites)
- Monbazillac (semi-sweet and sweet whites)
What major AOCs are located within the Garonne & Tarn Rivers sub-region? Which styles of wine do these AOCs make?
- Gaillac (red, rosé, dry, sweet & sparkling whites)
- Gaillac Premieres Cotes (dry whites)
What major AOCs are located within the Lot River sub-region? Which styles of wine do these AOCs make?
- Cahors (red)
What major AOCs are located within the Pyrénéan foothills sub-region? Which styles of wine do these AOCs make?
- Jurancon (dry, semi-sweet and sweet whites)
- Irouléguy (red, dry white & rosé)
- Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec (dry whites)
- Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh (semi-sweet and sweet whites)
- Madiran (reds only)
What are the synonyms for the following red grapes?
- Cab Franc
- Fer Servadou
- Malbec
- Mérille
- Négrette
- Cab Franc (Bouchy)
- Fer Servadou (Braucol, Mansoi/Mansois Pinenc)
- Malbec (Côt, Auxerrois)
- Mérille (Périgord)
- Négrette (Petit Noir)
What are the synonyms for the following white grapes?
- Chenin Blanc
- Len de l’El
- Saint Côme
- Chenin Blanc (Rouchelein)
- Len de l’El (Loin de l’Oeil)
- Saint Côme (Rousselou)
What are the main varietals in Bergerac?
- Cab Sav
- Cab Franc
- Merlot
- Malbec
- Fer Servadou
- Mérille
What are the main varietals in Bergerac Sec?
- Sémillon
- Sauvignon
- Muscadelle
- Ondenc
- Ugni Blanc
What are the main varietals in Cotes de Bergerac? What are the RS levels for semi-sweet?
- Same as Bergerac
- 4-54g/L
What are the main varietals in Saussignac? What are the conditions of grape picking? What are the RS levels?
- Sémillon, Sauvignon & Muscadelle
- Late harvest and/or botrytised
- > 45g/L
What are the main varietals in Rosette? What are the RS levels?
- Sémillon, Sauvignon & Muscadelle
- 8-54g/L
What are the main varietals in Monbazillac? What are the conditions of grape picking? What are the RS levels?
- Sémillon, Sauvignon & Muscadelle
- For semi-sweet: late harvest and/or botrytised. RS > 45g/L.
For sweet: only botrytised grapes. RS > 85g/L