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My WSET L4D3 > Southwest France > Flashcards

Southwest France Flashcards

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1
Q

What does the southwest of France not cover?

A

Bordeaux

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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

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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

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4
Q

Where is the Dordogne located?

A

immediately to the east of Entre deux Mers

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5
Q

What are the two largest producing appellations in Dordogne?

A

Bergerac AOC and Monbazillac AOC

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6
Q

What styles of wine does Bergerac AOC include?

A

dry and sweet white, rose and red wines

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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%

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8
Q

What is the climate in Bergerac AOC?

A

slighter warmer and drier than Bordeaux

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9
Q

What are the soils in Bergerac AOC?

A

clay and limestone with some gravel

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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

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11
Q

What are the max yields in Bergerac AOC?

A

67 hl/ha = whites
60 hl/ha = red

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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.

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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

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14
Q

What is the max yield for Cotes de Bergerac AOC ?

A

slightly lower at 50 hl/ha

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15
Q

How do some producers age Cote De bergerac AOC wines?

A

in oak

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16
Q

What quality are Bergerac AOC and COtes de Bergerac AOC wines?

A

good to very good
inexpensive to mid price

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17
Q

How much Bergerac AOC wines are sold in France?

A

nearly 90%

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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%

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19
Q

What are the largest export markets for Bergerac AOC?

A

China - 40%
Belgium and UK

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20
Q

What style wine is made in Monbazillac AOC?

A

sweet white wines only

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21
Q

HOw are the sweet wines made in Monbazillac AOC?

A

they much be late harvest picked or affected by botrytis

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22
Q

Where does the region lie for Monbazillac AOC?

A

between the River Dordogne and one of it’s tributaries

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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

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24
Q

how are grapes harvested in Monbazillac AOC?

A

must be picked by hand in a number of passes through the vineyard

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25
Q

What varietals are used for Monbazillac AOC?

A

must be made of 80% of principal varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle

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26
Q

What is max yield in Moinbazillac AOC?

A

30 hl/ha

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27
Q

How are Monbazillac AOC wines fermented

A

in barrell with new oak is less common than in Sauternes

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28
Q

What is the quality and price point of Monbazillac AOC wines?

A

good to very good - similar in style to Bordeaux less prestigious appellations
inexpensive to mid priced

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29
Q

How much of Monbazillac wines are exported?

A

10%

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30
Q

How much of Monbazzillac wines are sold in France ?

A

most of wines are sold in France
about 50% of these are in supermarkets and deep discounters

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31
Q

What was the wine called that was transported from Cahors to Bordeaux and then exported from there in the Middle ages? why?

A

the Black wine of Cahors - due to its deep color

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32
Q

What happened in the 1900s that caused Cahor vineyards to be reduced to only a tenth of the size it had been

A

competition with Bordeaux wines where Bordeaux would only sell Cahors wine after their wines were released

phylloxera

devastating spring frost of 1956

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33
Q

How many ha’s does Cahors have?

A

4,000 ha that are planted
18,000 ha that are currently not planted

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33
Q

How many ha’s does Cahors have?

A

4,000 ha that are planted
18,000 ha that are currently not planted

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34
Q

How much percentage ha are planted with Malbec in Cahors?

A

85%

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35
Q

What is the only appellation in France that Malbec is the principal varietal?

A

Cahors

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36
Q

Describe Atlantic influences in Cahors?

A

despite being 250 km inland it still receives some Atlantic influences

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37
Q

What is the climate in Cahors?

A

warmer and slightly drier (800 mm rainfall per year) than Bordeaux

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38
Q

What does Malbec suffer less from in Cahors?

A

coulure and mildew

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39
Q

How does Malbec ripen in Cahors?

A

more regularly

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40
Q

What other varietal is authorized in Cahors although it is usually less than 10% of the wine

A

Tannat

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41
Q

What is the consequence of lower rainfall in Cahors

A

less need to spray allowing Cahors to practice organic grape growing (17% is well above the average for France as a whole)

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42
Q

What are the soil types next to the River Lot in Cahors?

A

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)

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43
Q

What training system is used in Cahors?

A

single Guyot is most commonly used but bush vine and cordon trained are also used

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44
Q

How are the grapes harvested in Cahors?

A

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

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45
Q

What is an advantage and disadvantage of hand harvesting in Cahors?

A

advantage = raising quality, allowing more careful sorting
disadvantage = raising the cost of production

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46
Q

What else is Malbec known as?

A

Cot

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47
Q

Why does Malbec need careful canopy and yield management?

A

it is a vigorous varietal

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48
Q

What is Malbec susceptible to?

A

coulure - which reduced yields

49
Q

General SAT for traditional Cahors wines

A

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
Q

What are the required varietal percentages for Cahor wines?

A

must be min 70% Malbec with the rest blending being Merlot or Tannat

51
Q

What are top quality wines in Cahors made from?

A

90-100% Malbec

52
Q

Why is destemming required in Cahors?

A

to eliminate underripe stems that can add aggressive tannins

53
Q

Are Cahor wines meant to age?

A

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
Q

How much of Cahors are produced by private companies?

A

80%

55
Q

What is the single co-operative that operates in 4 wine regions and produces 20% of Cahors wines?

A

Cooperative des Vignerons d’Olt - which belongs to Vinovalie

56
Q

What are the three levels of quality and price in Cahors?

A

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
Q

How much wine produced by vol is sold in France from Cahors?

A

70%

58
Q

What are the two most important sales channels in Cahors?

A

supermarkets and direct sales

59
Q

How much wine is exported in cahors?

A

30%

60
Q

What are the top three export markets for Cahors?

A

UK, Canada, and US

61
Q

Where is Madiran located?

A

in sight of Pyrenees mountain range (separate France and Spain) and 80nKM from Atlantic ocean

62
Q

what kind of wines come from Madiran AOC?

A

high tannin red wine principally made from Tannat

63
Q

what kind of wines come from Madiran AOC?

A

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
Q

Describe the climate in Madiran AOC?

A

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
Q

What does Madiran AOC comprise of?

A

4 large roughly parallel ridges oriented north-south with steep west facing slopes

66
Q

What are the soils in Madiran AOC?

A

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
Q

What type of grape is Tannat?

A

vigorous - best supported by trellis
mid ripening - needs to be picked before onset of autumn rains
highly tannic

68
Q

What is Tannat prone to?

A

botrytis bunch rot

69
Q

General SAT for Madiran AOC wines?

A

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
Q

Besides the high tannic bottle aging styles of Tannat are there?

A

earlier drinking with lower levels of tannins and concentration

71
Q

How much Tannat must be used in Madiran AOC wines?

A

60-80% blended with Cab Franc, cab Sauvignon, and/or the local varietal Fer (also known as Fer Servadou).

72
Q

How are vines trained in Madiran AOC?

A

with Cordon de Royat or can replacement system

73
Q

Why must grapes be destemmed in Madiran AOC?

A

to reduce the extraction of further tannins

74
Q

what is the max yields for Madiran AOC?

A

55 hl/ha

75
Q

How have winemakers sought to soften tannins in MAdiran AOC wines?

A

shorter maceration times aging in oak or bottle aging

76
Q

What is a technique that Patrick Ducournau pioneer?

A

micro-oxygenation

77
Q

What has the trend been recently for Madiran wines?

A

for accessible styles - early drinking styles which are achieved by picking only the ripest grapes, gentle pressing, and use of micro-oxygenization

78
Q

When can wines in Madiran AOC only be sold

A

beginning of November in the year following the harvest allowing some time for maturation before release.

79
Q

How much Madiran AOC is sold in France?

A

80%

80
Q

What is the breakdown of where Madiran AOC wines are sold within France?

A

supermarkets = 50%
Hospitality = 25%
directly or through specialty wine shops = 25%

81
Q

What are the 3 top export markets for Madiran AOC?

A

UK, Belgium, and Germany

82
Q

How is production split in MAdiran AOC?

A

50% = cooperatives
50% = private growers

83
Q

Where is Jurancon located?

A

in teh foothills of the Pyrenes
at an altitude of around 300m

84
Q

What kinds of wines does Jurancon produce?

A

dry wines and a range of sweet white wines
70% med sweet or sweet
30% dry

85
Q

What white varietals are used in Jurancon?

A

Petit Menseng, Gros Manseng and other local varieties.

86
Q

What are the three styles of Jurancon?

A

Jurancon Vendanges Tardives - sweet
Jurancon = med sweet
Jurancon Sec = dry

87
Q

General SAT for Jurancon VT

A

intense aromas and flavors
lemon, mango
high acidity
med (high end) to high alcohol
fully body

87
Q

General SAT for Jurancon VT

A

intense aromas and flavors
lemon, mango
high acidity
med (high end) to high alcohol
fully body

88
Q

What is the style, quality and price point for Jurancon AOC?

A

medium sweet
good to very good
inexpensive to mid priced

89
Q

What is the style, quality and price point for Jurancon VT?

A

sweet
very good to outstanding
mid priced to premium

90
Q

What is the climate in Jurancon

A

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
Q

where are vineyards in Jurancon planted and why?

A

on slopes for good drainage - some slopes steep enough to require terracing

92
Q

Where are the best sites found in Jurancon?

A

facing south and southwest for max sunlight interception

93
Q

What are the principal grape varieties for Jurancon?

A

Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng

94
Q

What gives rise to the Frohn wind?

A

Pyrenees

95
Q

When does the Frohn wind blow

A

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
Q

what causes spring frosts to be a risk Jurancon?

A

high altitude

97
Q

What helps to produce overripe berries for sweet wines in Jurancon

A

the heat and wind

98
Q

what is done in Jurancon to help mitigate the risk of frost in Jurancon?

A

the budding zone is trained well above the ground

99
Q

What are soils in Jurancon?

A

limestone, sand, clay and stones

100
Q

How are grapes picked for sweet wines in Jurancon?

A

by hand in a series of selective pickings

101
Q

When is the first picking done in Jurancon

A

in October mostly for dry wines but also for some early consumption whites

102
Q

When are the 2nd and 3rd pickings done?

A

(November to December) and are used for progressively sweeter wines

103
Q

When are the 2nd and 3rd pickings done?

A

(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
Q

What is the drying process of passerillage due to in Jurancon?

A

due to the effect of prolonged time hanging on the vine, the autumn sunshine and the wind.

105
Q

What type of variety is Petit Manseng

A

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
Q

General SAT for Petit Manseng

A

moderately aromatic
high acidity
high alcohol

107
Q

Describe Gros Manseng varietal?

A

shares characteristics with Petit Manseng but used mostly for dry wines, has higher yields, ususally less aromatic concentration and flavor intensity

108
Q

How many style of Jurancon wines are there and what is the requirement for varietial for all of them?

A

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
Q

what are the 3 Jurancon wines and their rules?

A

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
Q

How are higher quality sweet wines mad with Petit Manseng fermented

A

BARRIQUES for about 12-18 months

111
Q

What kind of oak do top quality wines in Jurancon use?

A

typically old oak, but some new oak is occasionally used as well - this adds complexity to the wine

112
Q

Does malolactic conversion typically happen in Jurancon wines? why?

A

no because the pH is too low and the acidity is too high - retaining acidity and preserving primary flavors is important

113
Q

How are high quality dr wines in Jurancon aged?

A

in stainless steel on the lees

114
Q

How are sales divided in Jurancon

A

almost evenly between direct sales, supermarkets, and the hospitality sector with a very small percentage being exported

115
Q

How many IGPs are in Southwest France?

A

14

116
Q

Which IGP is the largest in SouthWest France?

A

IGP COtes de Gascogne in terms of vineyards planted

117
Q

How much IGP wines are exported in SW France?

A

80% (UK and northern Europe largest)

118
Q

What are the wines mostly made from in IGP

A

Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc amd Chardonnay

119
Q

General SAT for IGP Cotes de Gascogne wines?

A

fruity easy to drink
med+ acidity
neutral white
acceptable to good
inexpensive to mid priced

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