Southwest France Flashcards
1
Q
What does the southwest of France not cover?
A
Bordeaux
2
Q
What is the climate in Southwest France?
A
broadly similar to Bordeaux in that the whole region is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. South of Bordeaux (Jurancon and Madrian) the Atlantic influence extends inland for more than 100 m due to the flat slightly undulating territory
3
Q
Where in Southwest France does the Atlantic influence diminish with greater distance from the ocean?
A
Bergerac, Monbazillac, and Cahors which results in slightly less rainfall and warmer summers
4
Q
Where is the Dordogne located?
A
immediately to the east of Entre deux Mers
5
Q
What are the two largest producing appellations in Dordogne?
A
Bergerac AOC and Monbazillac AOC
6
Q
What styles of wine does Bergerac AOC include?
A
dry and sweet white, rose and red wines
7
Q
what are the percentages of each style of wine in Bergerac AOC?
A
red = 50%
white = just under 40%
rose = just over 10%
8
Q
What is the climate in Bergerac AOC?
A
slighter warmer and drier than Bordeaux
9
Q
What are the soils in Bergerac AOC?
A
clay and limestone with some gravel
10
Q
What must wines be made from in Bergerac AOC?
A
a blend of allowed varietals
reds must be a blend of at least 2 of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Malbec, Merlot and the blend must be at leats 50% of the final wine
11
Q
What are the max yields in Bergerac AOC?
A
67 hl/ha = whites
60 hl/ha = red
12
Q
How are wines aged in Bergerac AOC?
A
large stainless steel or older oak casks producing wines in easy drinking style that can be released earlier on the market.
13
Q
What varieties are Cotes de Bergerac AOC wines restricted to?
A
the main Bordeaux varieties - no local varieties permitted. most are predominantly Merlot
14
Q
What is the max yield for Cotes de Bergerac AOC ?
A
slightly lower at 50 hl/ha
15
Q
How do some producers age Cote De bergerac AOC wines?
A
in oak
16
Q
What quality are Bergerac AOC and COtes de Bergerac AOC wines?
A
good to very good
inexpensive to mid price
17
Q
How much Bergerac AOC wines are sold in France?
A
nearly 90%
18
Q
How does the market break out within France on how Bergerac AOC wines are sold.
A
supermarkets = 50%
direct sales = almost 30%
hospitality and specialty wine shopes = around 10%
19
Q
What are the largest export markets for Bergerac AOC?
A
China - 40%
Belgium and UK
20
Q
What style wine is made in Monbazillac AOC?
A
sweet white wines only
21
Q
HOw are the sweet wines made in Monbazillac AOC?
A
they much be late harvest picked or affected by botrytis
22
Q
Where does the region lie for Monbazillac AOC?
A
between the River Dordogne and one of it’s tributaries
23
Q
What helps to make Monbazillac AOC wines in a perfect area for noble rot
A
due to the location of it being between the river and tributaries, the funneling of moist air (mists and dew) along the rivers create high levels of humidity. in warm late summer and early autumn, the humidity is burnt off by the sun
24
Q
how are grapes harvested in Monbazillac AOC?
A
must be picked by hand in a number of passes through the vineyard
25
What varietals are used for Monbazillac AOC?
must be made of 80% of principal varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle
26
What is max yield in Moinbazillac AOC?
30 hl/ha
27
How are Monbazillac AOC wines fermented
in barrell with new oak is less common than in Sauternes
28
What is the quality and price point of Monbazillac AOC wines?
good to very good - similar in style to Bordeaux less prestigious appellations
inexpensive to mid priced
29
How much of Monbazillac wines are exported?
10%
30
How much of Monbazzillac wines are sold in France ?
most of wines are sold in France
about 50% of these are in supermarkets and deep discounters
31
What was the wine called that was transported from Cahors to Bordeaux and then exported from there in the Middle ages? why?
the Black wine of Cahors - due to its deep color
32
What happened in the 1900s that caused Cahor vineyards to be reduced to only a tenth of the size it had been
competition with Bordeaux wines where Bordeaux would only sell Cahors wine after their wines were released
phylloxera
devastating spring frost of 1956
33
How many ha's does Cahors have?
4,000 ha that are planted
18,000 ha that are currently not planted
33
How many ha's does Cahors have?
4,000 ha that are planted
18,000 ha that are currently not planted
34
How much percentage ha are planted with Malbec in Cahors?
85%
35
What is the only appellation in France that Malbec is the principal varietal?
Cahors
36
Describe Atlantic influences in Cahors?
despite being 250 km inland it still receives some Atlantic influences
37
What is the climate in Cahors?
warmer and slightly drier (800 mm rainfall per year) than Bordeaux
38
What does Malbec suffer less from in Cahors?
coulure and mildew
39
How does Malbec ripen in Cahors?
more regularly
40
What other varietal is authorized in Cahors although it is usually less than 10% of the wine
Tannat
41
What is the consequence of lower rainfall in Cahors
less need to spray allowing Cahors to practice organic grape growing (17% is well above the average for France as a whole)
42
What are the soil types next to the River Lot in Cahors?
they range from being rich alluvial soils (higher yields and lower fruit concentration) via mid-slope (poorer soils hence lower yields and higher concentration) to the higher plateau at just below 350 m (low nutrient limestone soils resulting in typically lower yields and higher concentration)
43
What training system is used in Cahors?
single Guyot is most commonly used but bush vine and cordon trained are also used
44
How are the grapes harvested in Cahors?
Machine is used for areas that are easy to access
hand harvesting used depending on market price of the wine, machine accessibility, weather conditions and availability of labor
45
What is an advantage and disadvantage of hand harvesting in Cahors?
advantage = raising quality, allowing more careful sorting
disadvantage = raising the cost of production
46
What else is Malbec known as?
Cot
47
Why does Malbec need careful canopy and yield management?
it is a vigorous varietal
48
What is Malbec susceptible to?
coulure - which reduced yields
49
General SAT for traditional Cahors wines
high percentage of Malbec
deep ruby
med to pronounced levels of violet, red and black plum,
med to med+ acidity
med+ to high tannins
very good to outstanding may be aged in French Oak Barriques (adding vanilla and spice)
good to outstanding (outstanding can be bottled for several years)
mid to premium priced
50
What are the required varietal percentages for Cahor wines?
must be min 70% Malbec with the rest blending being Merlot or Tannat
51
What are top quality wines in Cahors made from?
90-100% Malbec
52
Why is destemming required in Cahors?
to eliminate underripe stems that can add aggressive tannins
53
Are Cahor wines meant to age?
the styles range from early drinking (using Merlot in the blend - 7-10 days on the skins for limited tannin extraction) to intended to age (15-25 days on the skins for greater extraction of tannins and flavors)
54
How much of Cahors are produced by private companies?
80%
55
What is the single co-operative that operates in 4 wine regions and produces 20% of Cahors wines?
Cooperative des Vignerons d'Olt - which belongs to Vinovalie
56
What are the three levels of quality and price in Cahors?
Tradition = inexpensive 70-85% Malbec often grown on rich alluvial soils and at higher yields and lower fruit concentration
Prestige - mid priced often grown the mid-slope - lower yields and higher fruit concentration - longer expected aging potential
Speciale - often 100% Malbec premium priced often grown on the highest plateau - lower yields and higher fruit concentration - longer expected aging potential
57
How much wine produced by vol is sold in France from Cahors?
70%
58
What are the two most important sales channels in Cahors?
supermarkets and direct sales
59
How much wine is exported in cahors?
30%
60
What are the top three export markets for Cahors?
UK, Canada, and US
61
Where is Madiran located?
in sight of Pyrenees mountain range (separate France and Spain) and 80nKM from Atlantic ocean
62
what kind of wines come from Madiran AOC?
high tannin red wine principally made from Tannat
63
what kind of wines come from Madiran AOC?
high tannin red wine principally made from Tannat
also sweet white late harvest wine called Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC is made from local varieties
64
Describe the climate in Madiran AOC?
warm sunny summers and dry autumns with warm days and cool nights and a hot dry southern Frohn wind enable Tannat to grow. 1000 mm of annual rain falls mainly in late winter and spring. Atlantic influences also in play
65
What does Madiran AOC comprise of?
4 large roughly parallel ridges oriented north-south with steep west facing slopes
66
What are the soils in Madiran AOC?
on the slopes soils are mostly clay and limestone with good drainage. producing grapes that make tannic wines suitable for long bottle aging
on flatter lands clay and clay and loam soils predominate and the resulting wines are less tannic and can be drunk earlier.
67
What type of grape is Tannat?
vigorous - best supported by trellis
mid ripening - needs to be picked before onset of autumn rains
highly tannic
68
What is Tannat prone to?
botrytis bunch rot
69
General SAT for Madiran AOC wines?
intended for aging
deep ruby
pronounced aromas and flavors of blackberry, black currant and oak flavors
high tannins
high acidity
full body
med (top end) - high alcohol
very good to outstanding
mid to premium priced
70
Besides the high tannic bottle aging styles of Tannat are there?
earlier drinking with lower levels of tannins and concentration
71
How much Tannat must be used in Madiran AOC wines?
60-80% blended with Cab Franc, cab Sauvignon, and/or the local varietal Fer (also known as Fer Servadou).
72
How are vines trained in Madiran AOC?
with Cordon de Royat or can replacement system
73
Why must grapes be destemmed in Madiran AOC?
to reduce the extraction of further tannins
74
what is the max yields for Madiran AOC?
55 hl/ha
75
How have winemakers sought to soften tannins in MAdiran AOC wines?
shorter maceration times aging in oak or bottle aging
76
What is a technique that Patrick Ducournau pioneer?
micro-oxygenation
77
What has the trend been recently for Madiran wines?
for accessible styles - early drinking styles which are achieved by picking only the ripest grapes, gentle pressing, and use of micro-oxygenization
78
When can wines in Madiran AOC only be sold
beginning of November in the year following the harvest allowing some time for maturation before release.
79
How much Madiran AOC is sold in France?
80%
80
What is the breakdown of where Madiran AOC wines are sold within France?
supermarkets = 50%
Hospitality = 25%
directly or through specialty wine shops = 25%
81
What are the 3 top export markets for Madiran AOC?
UK, Belgium, and Germany
82
How is production split in MAdiran AOC?
50% = cooperatives
50% = private growers
83
Where is Jurancon located?
in teh foothills of the Pyrenes
at an altitude of around 300m
84
What kinds of wines does Jurancon produce?
dry wines and a range of sweet white wines
70% med sweet or sweet
30% dry
85
What white varietals are used in Jurancon?
Petit Menseng, Gros Manseng and other local varieties.
86
What are the three styles of Jurancon?
Jurancon Vendanges Tardives - sweet
Jurancon = med sweet
Jurancon Sec = dry
87
General SAT for Jurancon VT
intense aromas and flavors
lemon, mango
high acidity
med (high end) to high alcohol
fully body
87
General SAT for Jurancon VT
intense aromas and flavors
lemon, mango
high acidity
med (high end) to high alcohol
fully body
88
What is the style, quality and price point for Jurancon AOC?
medium sweet
good to very good
inexpensive to mid priced
89
What is the style, quality and price point for Jurancon VT?
sweet
very good to outstanding
mid priced to premium
90
What is the climate in Jurancon
mild humid climate with relatively high annual rainfall 1200 mm which is distributed throughout the year and can affect flowering and fruit set as well as the period of harvest
91
where are vineyards in Jurancon planted and why?
on slopes for good drainage - some slopes steep enough to require terracing
92
Where are the best sites found in Jurancon?
facing south and southwest for max sunlight interception
93
What are the principal grape varieties for Jurancon?
Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng
94
What gives rise to the Frohn wind?
Pyrenees
95
When does the Frohn wind blow
hot and dry wind blows in spring and autumn about one day in three drying the air and ventilating the canopy. as well as boosting the temperature
96
what causes spring frosts to be a risk Jurancon?
high altitude
97
What helps to produce overripe berries for sweet wines in Jurancon
the heat and wind
98
what is done in Jurancon to help mitigate the risk of frost in Jurancon?
the budding zone is trained well above the ground
99
What are soils in Jurancon?
limestone, sand, clay and stones
100
How are grapes picked for sweet wines in Jurancon?
by hand in a series of selective pickings
101
When is the first picking done in Jurancon
in October mostly for dry wines but also for some early consumption whites
102
When are the 2nd and 3rd pickings done?
(November to December) and are used for progressively sweeter wines
103
When are the 2nd and 3rd pickings done?
(November to December) and are used for progressively sweeter wines this is done after the overripe grapes have been dried on the vine (passerillage)
104
What is the drying process of passerillage due to in Jurancon?
due to the effect of prolonged time hanging on the vine, the autumn sunshine and the wind.
105
What type of variety is Petit Manseng
early budding (prone to springn frosts)
mid to late ripening
thick skins (resistant to botrytis bunch rot which makes it suitable for late harvesting
106
General SAT for Petit Manseng
moderately aromatic
high acidity
high alcohol
107
Describe Gros Manseng varietal?
shares characteristics with Petit Manseng but used mostly for dry wines, has higher yields, ususally less aromatic concentration and flavor intensity
108
How many style of Jurancon wines are there and what is the requirement for varietial for all of them?
there are 3
min 50% Petit Manseng/Gros Manseng although in practice these 2 varietals are used exclusively for an overwhelming majority of all the wines
109
what are the 3 Jurancon wines and their rules?
Jurancon Sec = dry - max yield 60 hl/ha
Jurancon = med sweet max 40 g/l, max yield 40 hl/ha
Jurancon VT - sweet min 55g/l, but typically higher, max yield 40 hl/ha, no enrichment allowed, Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng exclusively. May not be picked prior to Nov 2nd.
110
How are higher quality sweet wines mad with Petit Manseng fermented
BARRIQUES for about 12-18 months
111
What kind of oak do top quality wines in Jurancon use?
typically old oak, but some new oak is occasionally used as well - this adds complexity to the wine
112
Does malolactic conversion typically happen in Jurancon wines? why?
no because the pH is too low and the acidity is too high - retaining acidity and preserving primary flavors is important
113
How are high quality dr wines in Jurancon aged?
in stainless steel on the lees
114
How are sales divided in Jurancon
almost evenly between direct sales, supermarkets, and the hospitality sector with a very small percentage being exported
115
How many IGPs are in Southwest France?
14
116
Which IGP is the largest in SouthWest France?
IGP COtes de Gascogne in terms of vineyards planted
117
How much IGP wines are exported in SW France?
80% (UK and northern Europe largest)
118
What are the wines mostly made from in IGP
Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc amd Chardonnay
119
General SAT for IGP Cotes de Gascogne wines?
fruity easy to drink
med+ acidity
neutral white
acceptable to good
inexpensive to mid priced
