Southwest France Flashcards
True or False
Bordeaux is part of the Southwest France wine region.
False. Though Bordeaux is in Southwest France and adjacent appellations are included in the Southwest France region, it is considered its own area.
How does the climate in the Southwest France wine region compare to Bordeaux?
It is broadly similar in that it is also affected by the Atlantic Ocean.
Near Madiran in the south, the Atlantic influence extends 100km due to flat terrain while in others it is less impactful due to hilly, mountainous, and forest terrain
Does Southwest France produce low or high volumes of PDO and PGI wines?
High volumes
Is there more or less rainfall in Cahors AOC than in Bordeaux? Why or why not?
There is less rainfall due to the greater distance between Cahors AOC and the Atlantic Coast
What is the Dordogne in relation to wine appellations in Southwest France?
A winemaking region east of Entre-Deux-Mers along the Dordogne River. The varieties grown are the same as in Bordeaux.
What are the two major appellations of the Dordogne?
Bergerac AOC
Monbazillac AOC
What types of wine are produced in Bergerac AOC?
Dry and sweet wines
Red, rosé, and white wines
What percentage of Bergerac AOC wine is white, rosé, and red?
40% white
10% rosé
50% red
How does the climate of Bergerac AOC compare to Bordeaux? What type of soil is found in Bergerac AOC?
It is slightly warmer and drier than Bordeaux
Clay and limestone soils with some gravel
What rules govern the use of varieties in Bergerac AOC red wine?
The wine must include at least two of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Malbec, and/or Merlot. These varieties must be at least 50% of the final wine.
Local varieties may also be included in the wine.
What are the maximum yields permitted in Bergerac AOC? How does this compare to Bordeaux AOC?
67 hL/ha for white wines
60 hL/ha for red wines
Similar to Bordeaux AOC and producing low aromatic intensity at those levels
How are the wines of Bergerac AOC matured? What effect does this have on the wine?
They are typically aged in stainless steel or old oak casks. This produces an easy-drinking style that can be released earlier and reduce costs.
What is Côtes de Bergerac AOC?
An appellation within Bergerac AOC for higher quality wines produced with a lower maximum yield (50 hL/ha).
These wines can only be made with the Bordeaux varieties (mostly Merlot)
What is the typical quality and pricing of Bergerac AOC and Côtes de Bergerac AOC wines?
Good to very good
Inexpensive to mid-priced
What percentage of Bergerac AOC wine is sold in France? Where are they typically sold?
90% is sold within France.
Supermarkets (50%), direct sales (30%), hospitality (10%), and wine shops (10%) all sell Bergerac AOC wines
What are the major export markets for Bergerac AOC wines?
China (40%)
Belgium
UK
What types of wine are made in Monbazillac AOC?
Sweet white wines only
They may be botrytized or simply late harvest
Where is Monbazillac AOC situated?
On the south of the Dordogne River, between the river itself and its tributary, the Gardonnette River
What conditions in Monbazillac AOC make it suitable for the production of botrytized wine?
The moisture caused by the Dordogne and Gardonnette rivers
The humidity is dissipated by warm late summer and early autumn sunlight
Are grapes in Monbazillac AOC harvested by hand or by machine? Why?
By hand on several passes so as to select appropriately botrytized or unaffected grapes for winemaking.
What varieties may be used in the production of Monbazillac AOC wine?
Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon, and Muscadelle (minimum 80% of the blend)
What is the maximum yield permitted in Monbazillac AOC?
30 hL/ha
True or False
Fermentation in Monbazillac AOC is commonly carried out in new oak barrels
False. Barrel fermentation in new oak is more commonly seen in Sauternes AOC than in Monbazillac AOC.
What effect does the typical fermentation vessel in Monbazillac AOC have on the price of the wine?
Since new oak is not commonly used in Monbazillac AOC prices for the wines are typically lower than nearby Sauternes AOC wines
What is the typical quality and pricing of Monbazillac AOC wines?
Good to very good
Inexpensive to mid-priced
True or False
Cahors AOC is one of two appellations in France in which Malbec is the principal grape variety
False. Cahors is the only French AOC in which Malbec is the principal variety
When did Cahors AOC see its prime in the wine trade? What led to its downfall?
From the middle ages to the nineteenth century.
Cahors was reliant on trade via the Lot River into the Garonne River and through Bordeaux. The Bordelais withheld Cahors wines until Bordeaux wine was sold and imposed a tax on Cahors wines. Phylloxera, 1956 frost that crushed 90% of vineyard area, and here we are.
What is the size of Cahors AOC? How much is planted?
About 23,000 total hectares available
About 4,700 hectares planted (4,000 ha is Malbec)
What percentage of Cahors AOC is planted to Malbec?
85%
How does the climate of Cahors compare to Bordeaux? Why?
It is warmer and slightly drier (less than 800mm rainfall per year)
It is farther inland from the Atlantic, though it still receives some influence
Why does Malbec perform well in Cahors?
It suffers from less coulure and mildew there
It also ripens more regularly
What percentage of viticulture in Cahors is organic? Why is this possible?
17% is organic
Cahors is drier and warmer than Bordeaux. This reduces disease pressure and the need to spray
What soil type can be found in Cahors?
There are three distinct zones:
The Valley Floor has rich, alluvial soils
The Mid Slope has poorer soils
The Highest Plateau (about 350m) has low nutrient limestone
Which areas of Cahors AOC tend to produce the most concentrated fruit? Why?
The Mid Slopes due to the poor nutrition found there
The Highest Plateau, also due to the poor nutrition from the limestone soils
What is the most common training system in Cahors AOC?
Single Guyot
Bush vines and cordon trained systems are also used
Is harvest typically conducted by hand or by machine in Cahors AOC? Why?
Machine harvesting is most common
Hand harvesting may take place due to the vineyard’s accessibility, the weather, the market prices of the wines, and the availability of labor
What river runs through the Cahors AOC?
The Lot River
What type of vineyard management techniques are necessary in Cahors AOC? Why?
Canopy and yield management. Malbec is a vigorous and high yielding variety, and with 85% of area planted to Malbec, such activity is necessary.
What is the traditional style of Cahors AOC wines?
Deep ruby color
Medium to medium (+) acid
Medium (+) to high tannins
Medium to pronounced violet, red plum, and black plum
Do Cahors AOC wines usually spend time in oak?
Yes. Very good and outstanding examples may see French oak barriques, which add vanilla and sweet spice notes. This also adds to cost.
Some producers prefer foudres as they allow slow oxidative development without oak aromas.
What is the general quality and pricing of Vahors AOC wines?
Good to outstanding
Mid-priced to premium
What are the varietal requirements for Cahors AOC wine? What is typically used?
70% (min) Malbec, the rest being Merlot and/or Tannat
The top quality wines are increasingly 90-100% Malbec. Tannat generally never exceeds 10% and many producers don’t use it.
True or False
Whole bunch pressing is required by the Cahors AOC rules
False. Destemming is required as stems add additional tannins.
What has been the reason grapes in Cahors didn’t ripen fully? What is the most likely reason today?
Before, the weather may have been to cold.
Today, there may not be enough water.
How long does maceration typically take in Cahors AOC?
7-10 days for early drinking wines
15-25 for wines designed for bottle aging