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Southwest France Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Gascony?

A

A cultural area that is divided between the two French regions of Aquitaine and MIDI-Pyrenees; this region is rural

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2
Q

What is unique about southwest France?

A

It is the only French wine region with two entirely different river systems making it difficult to find commonalities between all the appellations within it

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3
Q

What impact did Bordeaux have on the history of Southwest France appellations surrounding vineyards and tributaries that flow into Gironde?

A

Undermarketed and downplayed by Bordelais who controlled access to sea and global markets, at certain points Bordeaux enacted laws to prevent sales of upriver wines, this is why it’s still striving to become mainstay; only means of commercial access was through Gironde, in 13th and 14th century mandated that no wines of Southwest France could be sold till all if Bordeaux sent to market so vignerons could only produce what local market could bear; still overshadowed by power and prestige of Bordeaux though many of their wines very similar

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4
Q

What are the two different river systems in Southwest France?

A

Rivers emptying into Gironde and rivers emptying into Bayonne near Spanish border (largely undiscovered wine)

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5
Q

How many grape varieties have been identified in southwest France? How many are indigenous? What are native varieties of note?

A

300 varieties, 120 indigenous; Cabernet Franc originated in Pyrenees, successful crosses with Magdeleine Noire in Southwest France to produce Merlot; Malbec native to southwest France

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6
Q

What is micro-oxygenation?

A

Winemaking technique to develop and soften aggressive tannins

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7
Q

Where is the southwest France wine region located?

A

It is scatter over large expanse of land (148k acres), encompasses 12 French departments and 3 French region- bordered on west by Atlantic, east by Massif Central, south by Pyrenees and Spanish border, north by Bordeaux

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8
Q

What are the three primary geographic locations of Southwest France?

A
  • the bergerac and dordogne river area
  • area surrounding the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot rivers
  • Pyrenees foothills
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9
Q

What are the climates of each of Southwest france’s geographic locations?

A

Bergerac/dordogne: oceanic influences, slightly warmer temperatures than Bordeaux

  • Gargonne/Tarn/Lot: moving towards continental climate, higher temperatures and drier growing season, still somewhat impacted by both Atlantic and Mediterranean
  • Pyrenean foothills: maritime climate with alpine influences, proximity to Pyrenees ensures cool nights and puts region in effective rain shadow
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10
Q

What are the grapes of dordogne/bergerac?

A 
Wines similar in style to those of Bordeaux largely from the same varieties
White grapes:
-Sauvignon blanc 
-semillon
-Muscadelle
-Ugni Blanc
Ondenc
-Chenin Blanc
Red Grapes:
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Cabernet Franc (Bouchy)
-Fer Servadou (Braucol, Mansoi/Mansois, Pinenc)
-Merlot
Malbec (Cot)
-Merille (Perigord)
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11
Q

What are the grape varieties of Garonne, Tarn, and Lot?

A 
Still rather similar to Bordeaux grapes with several additions
White Grapes:
-Sauvignon Blanc 
-Semillon
-Muscadelle 
-Ugni Blanc
-Undenc
-Chenin Blanc (Rouchelein)
-Len de l’El (Loin de l’Oeil)
-Mauzac
-Mauzac Rose
-Saint Come (Rousselou)
Red Grapes:
-Gamay
-Cabernet Sauvignon 
-Cabernet Franc (bouchy)
-Merlot
-Malbec (Cot)
-Merille (Perigord)
-Tannat
-Negrette (Petit Noir)
-Duras
-Fer Servadou (Braucol, Mansoi/Mansois,Pinenc)
-Syrah
-Abouriou
-Cinsault
-Prunelard
-Jurancon Noir
-Mouyssagues
-Pinot Noir
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12
Q

What grape varieties are used in the Pyrenees foothills?

A 
Even lesser known grape varieties 
White Grapes:
-Camaralet
-Lauzet
-Gros Manseng
-Petit Manseng
-Arrufiac
-Raffiat
-Courbu
-Clairette Blanche
-Baroque
-Sauvignon Blanc 
Red Grapes:
-Manseng Noir
-Courbu Noir
-Tannat
-Fer Servadou
-Cabernet Sauvignon 
-Cabernet Franc 
-Merlot
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13
Q

What is the style of white wines in Southwest France?

A

Most region’s whites are dry, sweet wines either botrytized or late harvest in style, sparkling wines crafted from both ancestrale and traditional methods

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14
Q

What is the style of red wines in Southwest France?

A

All reds are dry and still, some reds are made Vin primeur

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15
Q

How are the AOCs in Southwest France divided?

A

Divided into four sub-areas within Gascony, no general Southwest France AOC nor regional AOC for each of the 4 sub-regions, only specific communal appellations

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16
Q

What is the style of wines in the Dordogne/Bergerac Sub-region AOCs?

A

Often indistinguishable from AOC Bordeaux wines of adjacent appellations, produced with same style abs grapes in 89 different communes along Dordogne River; reds made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec; whites made with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, ondenc, and Ugni Blanc

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17
Q

What are the requirements for wines in Bergerac AOC?

A

Makes reds and roses; reds must contain two of following- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cot (Malbec), Fer Servadou, and Merille (Perigord); min 10% alcohol

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18
Q

What are the AOCs of the Dordogne/Bergerac sub-region?

A
  • *Bergerac AOC (red and rose)
  • *Bergerac Sec AOC (dry white)
  • *Cotes de Bergerac AOC (red and moelleux-styled whites)
  • Cotes de Duras AOC (various)
  • Cotes de Montravel, Haut-Montravel (moelleux and liquoreux whites)
  • Montravel AOC (dry whites, a few reds)
  • Pecharmant AOC (dry, tannic reds)
  • *Saussignac AOC (liquoreux)
  • *Rosette AOC (moelleux, liquoreux)
  • *Monbazillac AOC (moelleux, liquoreux)
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19
Q

What is the style of wines in Bergerac Sec AOC?

A

Dry white; must contain at least two of the following- semillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle, Ondenc, Chenin Blanc plus up to 25% Ugni Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc in at least same percent)

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20
Q

What are the styles of wines in Cotes de Bergerac AOC?

A

Moelleux: same blending formula as Bergerac Sec, minimum alcohol 11%, RS .4-5.4%, lower yields
Reds: same varieties as Bergerac reds, minimum alcohol 11% and lower yields

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21
Q

What is the style of grapes in Saussignac AOC?

A

Liquoreux, can contain any of following- semillon, Sauvignon, and Muscadelle; RS greater than 4.5%, at least 12% alcohol

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22
Q

What is the style of wines in Rosette AOC?

A

Moelleux, liquoreux; can contain any of following- semillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle; RS .8-4.5%; alcohol at least 11%

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23
Q

What is the style of wine in Monbazillac AOC?

A

Moelleux, liquoreux; can contain any of the following- semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon gris, and Muscadelle; moelleux RS must be 4.5%+, grapes must be late harvested and/or botrytized and hand harvested; liquoreux must be hand harvested, botrytized, achieve 8.5%+ RS; minimum alcohol for both is 12%

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24
Q

What is the Garonne and Tarn sub-region named after?

A

The two rivers that run through it

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25
Q

What are the AOCs of the Garonne and Tarn Sub-region?

A
  • Brulhois AOC (red and rose)
  • Buzet AOC (red, white, and rose Bordeaux varieties)
  • Cotes du Marmandais (red, white, rose)
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26
Q

Where is Gaillac AOC located?

A

Northeast of Toulouse and east of Fronton, growing region flanks both sides of river Tarn

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27
Q

What kinds of grapes does Gaillac AOC grow?

A

It crafts distinctive wines out of non-mainstream grape varieties such as white Len d’El and red Duras, Pruneland, and Fer

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28
Q

How does the soil effect the wines of Gaillac?

A

The terraces of the left bank are comprised of sand, pebbles , and gravel- craft powerful red wines, right bank terraces comprised of clay and limestone-reds with smooth, polished tannins and lively whites; on plateau above the river limestone soils craft high-acid reds and whites

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29
Q

What are the requirements for dry whites in Gaillac AOC?

A

Dry whites must be comprised of Mauzac, Mauzac Rose, Muscadelle, and Len de l’El (four must constitute at least 50% of blend), min alcohol 10%

30
Q

What are the requirements for the sweet whites of Gaillac AOC? What are they labeled

A

Sweet whites are labeled Gaillac Vendage Tardive; include at least 50% Len de l’El and Ondenc, minimum alcohol 9% with 4.5%+ RS

31
Q

What are the two types of sparkling wine made in Gaillac AOC? How are they labeled?

A

Sparkling wines made in the traditional method, labeled Gaillac, or made in the methode ancestrale labeled Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise

32
Q

What grapes are Gaillac traditional method sparkling wines and ancestral method sparkling wines made from?

A

Traditional Method: same blend formula as for still whites

Ancestral Method: 100% Mauzac and/or Mauzac Rose

33
Q

What are the special regulations for special categories of sparkling wines in Gaillace AOC?

A

Traditional Method: 9% minimum alcohol
Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise: Minimum alcohol 8%, usually more than 1.7% RS
Gaillac Methode Gaillacoise Doux: Minimum alcohol 8%, at least 5% RS

34
Q

What are the main red grapes in Gaillac reds and roses? What are the alcohol requirements

A

At least 60% Syrah, Duras, and Fer Servadou; minimum 10.5% alcohol

35
Q

What are the requirements for Gaillac Primeur?

A

100% Gamay, hand harvested carbonic maceration, must undergo malo-lactic fermentation

36
Q

What is the overall production % in Gaillac AOC?

A

60% red, 30% white, 10% rose

37
Q

Where is Gaillac Premieres Cotes AOC located?

A

On the right bank of the Tarn within the Gaillac AOC, vineyards at average altitude of 460ft

38
Q

What is the soil in Gaillac Premieres Cotes AOC?

A

Soil is limestone/clay, boasts underground water supply that serves vines well in times of drought

39
Q

What are the primary grapes grown in Gaillac Premieres Cotes AOC?

A

White wine only- Primary grapes are Loin de l’Oeil/Len de l’El, Mauzac, Mauzac Rose, and Muscadelle (at least one of these in blend, at least 50%)

40
Q

What is the climate of Gaillac Premieres Cotes AOC?

A

Mediterraneana nd Oceanic influences, impacted by dry north winds and moist d’Autun (south-easterly wind that blows in excess of 48 mph)

41
Q

What are the AOCs of the Lot sub-region?

A
  • *Cahors AOC (red only)
  • Coteaux du Quercy AOC (red and rose)
  • Entraygues et le Fel AOC (red, white, rose)
  • Estaing AOC (red, rose, and white)
  • Marcillac AOC (red, rose)
42
Q

What is Cahors AOC known for? What is the style of wine?

A

By far most famous of all Southwest France AOCs, known for inky fascinating reds exhibiting tobacco, plum, and prune with hint of green apple. Minumum 70% Malbec (Cot, Auxerrois), up to 30% Merlot and/or Tannat; min 10.5% alcohol, max yield 3 tons

43
Q

What is the climate of Cahors?

A

Influenced by both the Atlantic and Mediterranean with warm southerly breezes impacting and prolonging, sunny, and dry autumn; Lot river tempers climate by providing frost protection to those vineyards closest to it

44
Q

What impact did the deep freeze of 1956 have on Cahors?

A

Deep freeze wreaked havoc on vineyards, Malbec especially vulnerable; wholesale replanting of Malbec in Cahors, most of Malbec vines in the AOC are under 60 years old

45
Q

What types of wines are grown in Pyrenees sub-region AOC?

A

It produces exotic white wines with an expressive amalgamation of grapefruit, peach, and cinnamon as well as heart, toothsome reds

46
Q

What are the AOCs of the Pyrenees sub-region?

A
  • Bearn AOC (red, white, and rose)
  • *Jurancon AOC (whites only)
  • *Trouleguy AOC (red, white, and rose)
  • *Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl Sec AOC (Whites only, dry)
  • *Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl AOC (whites only, moelleux or liquoreux)
  • *Madiran AOC (reds only)
  • Saint-Mont AOC (red, rose, white)
  • Tursan (red, rose, white)
47
Q

What is the terrain, soil, and climate of Jurancon AOC?

A

Steep terrain, soils are sandy-clay studded with galets washed down from Pyrenees. Climate is influenced by altitude, Atlantic breezes, and Mediterranean sun

48
Q

What is the style of Jurancon Sec style whites?

A

Dry whites made from Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu, and two obscure grapes (Camaralet and Lauzet). Mansengs must equal more than 50% of blend; grapes harvested at 18.7% sugar, RS can’t be more than .4%

49
Q

What is the style of Jurancon (moelleux and liquoreux)?

A

Made with same blending formula as Jurancon Sec, grapes hand-harvested late in season at 21/2% sugar (at least two passes through vineyard), at least 3.5% residual sugar

50
Q

What are the requirements of Vendange Tardive (Late Harvest Jurancon - moelleux to liquoreux) from Jurancon?

A

Must be 100% Petit Manseng and/or Gros Mangseng, cannot begin until at least 5 weeks after the first day of harvest, grapes must be 27.2% sugar, finished wine must have at least 3.5% RS, must be held for 18 months before being submitted to tasting panel that will confer AOC status

51
Q

What percent of Jurancon wines are sweet?

A

60% of Jurancon’s total production is sweet whites, 40% is dry whites

52
Q

What is the terrain, soil, and climate of Irouleguy AOC?

A

Vineyards are found on terraced slopes sheltered from North Winds; three distinct soil types- sandstone, limestone, and clay; autumns mild and extended thanks to warm southern breezes; unique meso-climate allows grapes to ripen and mature

53
Q

What are the requirements for the whites of Irouleguy AOC?

A

Made from Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, and/or Courbu; minimum 10.5% alcohol

54
Q

What are the requirements for the reds and roses of Irouleguy AOC?

A

Must contain at least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc, destemming mandatory, minimum 10% alcohol

55
Q

What is the location and production of Irouleguy AOC?

A

It is the southern-most AOC of Southwest France and only AOC from Basque country; production is 60% red, 25% rose, and 15% white

56
Q

What is the location of the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec AOC? What other AOC do they share the same geographical area with?

A

Shares the geographic area with Madiran AOC, solely red, while Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC is white only. Equidistant between Atlantic and Pyrenees, bordered by AOCs of Saint Mont to north and east, Tursan to west

57
Q

What is the climate of Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl?

A

Landscape is divided between forest and vineyard, climate influenced by Atlantic and Pyrenees- provide temperate growing season, ample sunshine. Autumns mild and extended that to warm southerly breezes (Foehn effect)

58
Q

What are the soils of Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl?

A

Clay, marl, and gravel

59
Q

What are the requirements for Pacherenc du Vic-Bihl?

A

Must contain at least 60% Courbu, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng and/or Gros Manseng, min alc 11%; Moelleux and Liquoeux follow same blending formula, lower yields and min alcohol of 12% (at least 3.5% RS)

60
Q

What does Pacherenc mean in local dialect? What does Vic Bihl mean

A

Pacherenc means Vine Stake, Vic Bihl means village or “old country”

61
Q

What are the requirements for Madiran AOC?

A

Red only, wine must contain more than 70% Tannat- Cabernet Franc (Bouchy), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Fer Servadou (Pinenc) can complete blend; Grapes must be destemmed, 11% minimum alcohol (Many 100% Tannat)

62
Q

What are the style of wines in Madiran?

A

Tannat crafts deeply tannic, well structured wines that has traditionally required bottle aging to soften adn mellow, now needs less due to micro-oxygenation

63
Q

What is the process of Micro-oxygenation?

A

Minute amounts of oxygen slowly bubbled through vat of wine, causes tannin molecules to bond with other tannin molecules and lose aggressive edge on palate; mimics barrel-aging step (well-received by wine industry, now practiced around globe)

64
Q

What are the largest and most significant IGPs in Southwest France?

A

IGP Cotes de Gascogne and IGP Comte Tolosan

65
Q

What is the production of IGP Cotes de Gascogne?

A

One of the principle white IGP exports. Approximately 80% of IGP Cotes de Gascogne is white (dry or moelleux), 10% is red, 10% is rose; 75% is exported

66
Q

What does Cotes de Gascogne share its production zone with?

A

Armagnac (11,500 of 37,000 acres are dedicated to Armagnac, remainder is IGP Cotes de Gascogne)

67
Q

Why do most producers declare themselves either Armagnac of Cote de Gascogne producers?

A

Vine management is different in vineyards designated for Armagnac production

68
Q

What are the three principal soil types of IGP Cotes de Gascogne and Armagnac?

A
  • To the West in Bas Armangnac, land is flat- soil is mux of sand and iron-rich sands (sables fauves) and boulbenes (rock hard sand clay conglomerate); most of grapes here are Armagnac
  • Tenareze growing area, centrally located within Armagnac/Cotes de Gascogne, more rolling hills- clay/limestone, peppered with boulbenes
  • To the east, in Haut-Armagnac, the weather is warmer and soils are limestone based, most of Cotes de Gascogne is produced here
69
Q

Where is IGP Comte Tolosan located?

A

It encompasses 8 departements of Midi-Pyrenees plus 4 departements of Pyrenees Atlantiques, Landes, Lot et Garonne, and Cantal; zone of production large; most reds and whites hail from specific departements within Midi-Pyrenees (whites: Gers departement, reds from Haute-Garonne, Tarn et Garonne, and Tarn departements)

70
Q

When should you drink the wines of Southwest Franc?

A

Can age gracefully for decades, red Bordeaux-like wines and tannic wines form Cahors and Madiran mature similar to those of Bordeaux- 5-7 years for modest bottling, decade or more for top vintages; simple whites, roses and light reds made for more immediate consumption

French Wine Scholar (12 decks)

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