Southwest France Flashcards
Which two native South-West grape varieties have found success in New World vineyards?
Cot (Malbec) in Argentina and Tannat in Uruguay
What is the origin of the term Gascony?
The Vascones, a pre-Roman tribe form which modern-day Basque Culture originated
What borders South-West France to the north, east, south and west?
North is Bordeaux east is the Massif Central, south is the Pyrenees and west in the Atlantic Ocean
What is “boulbène”?
Sandy clay soils found in the South-West AOC’s of Fronton and Buzet
What is the most important IGP in South-West France?
Cotes de Gascogne IGP, second in production to Pays d’Oc IGP of Languedoc and Roussillon
Which sub-region of the South-West has Mediterranean climatic influences?
The Garonne, Tarn and Lot sub-region
What was the most planted grape in South-West France before phylloxera?
Cot (malbec)
What do Monbazillac, Saussignac and Rosette have in common?
They are AOC’s in the Dordogne that make sweet or semi-sweet wines based on Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle
Which appellation makes red and rosé wines from Négrette?
Fronton AOC
The sale of wines from South-West France was historically curtailed by which rival wine region?
Bordeaux
What is the “méthode gaillacoise”?
A term used in Gaillac to indicate a sparkling wine made using the ancestral method.
Which appellation of South-West France may use the term SGN?
Monbazillac, if the wine contains R.S over 8.5% (85g/l)
Bergerac AOC may produce sweet wines. True or False?
False only dry white, red, and rose are authorized
Monbazillac is the largest dessert wine appellation by size and volume in France.
True or False?
TRUE
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What are the two styles of sweet wines made in Gaillac?
Vendanges Tardives
and Doux
Which South-West sub-region is affected by foehn winds?
The Pyrenees sub-region
What is “passerillage”?
The act of twisting the stalks of grape bunches in order to stop the flow of sap; this dessicates the grapes on the vine.
Madiran lies on the left bank of the Tarn river. True or False?
FALSE.
Madiran lies on the
left bank of the
Ardour River.
What are the three styles of sparkling wines made in Gaillac AOC?
Gaillac Méthode Ancestrale, traditional method and Blanc Sec Perlé
Len de L’El is a white grape. True or False?
TRUE
South-West France claims to have how many indiginous grape varieties?
120
Cabernet Franc may be used as a blending grape in Cahors AOC. True or False?
FALSE.
Only Merlot and Tannat can be blended with Côt in Cahors.
What is the local Jurançon name for galets (stones)?
Poudingues
What are the two primary red grapes of Irouléguy?
Tannat and
Cabernet Franc
Irouléguy is the southernmost AOC in South-West France? True or False?
TRUE
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What are the two most important grapes of Jurançon?
Petit Manseng
and Gros Manseng
Gaillac Primeur wines are made using what vinification technique?
Semi-carbonic maceration
What does “liquoreux” refer to?
Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes.
What does “moelleux” refer to?
Semi-sweet wines made from late-harvest grapes with or without botrytis.
What is “micro-oxygenation”?
A technique developed by Patrick Ducourau in Madiran to tame tannins. Minute amounts of oxygen are bubbled through must or wine.
