SW France Pt 5 - AOCs Garonne, Tarn,Lot ( important ones)

Question 1

Where is the sub-region of Garonne, Tarn and Lot (G,T&L) located?

Answer 1

Between Bordeaux and Languedoc.

Question 2

What is the climate of G,T&L?

Answer 2

It is overall continental however individual and groups of AOCs enjoy influence from Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

Question 3

How is the climate of G,T&L described?

Answer 3

Cold winters, ample sunshine and significant summer warmth. Autimn brings southerly winds which mitigate humidity and reduce disease pressure.

Question 4

What are the important white grapes of G,T&L?

Answer 4

Len de l’Lel (Loin de l’Oeil), Used in dry or sweet whites in Gaillac.

Question 5

What are the important rose grapes of G,T&L?

Answer 5

Mauzac Rose used for dry and sweet white wines plus sparkling wines made by Traditionnelle and Ancestrale Methods.

Question 6

What are the important red grapes of G,T&L?

Answer 6

Cot, Fer Servadou and Negrette

Question 7

How is Cot used in G,T&L?

Answer 7

Used as a primary or secondary grape throughout G,T&L. It was the most planted grape pre-Phylloxera.

Question 8

How is Fer Servadou used in G,T&L?

Answer 8

It is the primary red grape of Gaillac. It is known as Braucol here.

Question 9

How is Negrette used in G,T&L?

Answer 9

It is the primary grape of Fronton.

Question 10

Which other grapes are popular in G,T&L?

Answer 10

Gamay for ‘Primeur” wines;
Tannat, Syrah and Duras.

Question 11

Which AOCs flank the Garonne River?

Answer 11

Cotes du Marmandais, Buzet, Brulhois and Saint-Sardos AOCs.

Question 12

Which AOCs flank the Tarn River?

Answer 12

Fronton, Gaillac, Cotes de Gaillac, Cotes de Millau AOCs.

Question 13

What factor influences the climate of AOCs along the Tarn River?

Answer 13

They are close to the Mediterranean which has an influence on the vineyards

Question 14

Which G,T&L AOC produces the widest range of styles in in all of SW France?

Answer 14

Gaillac.

Question 15

Which G,T&L AOC is the home of Negrette grapes?

Answer 15

Fronton.

Question 16

When was Fronton AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 16

Awarded 1975 for Rose and Red only.
Red: (P) Negrette

Question 17

What are the blend rules for Fronton reds and roses?

Answer 17

Must contain at least 40% Negrette but can be 100%.

Question 18

Whois said to have brought Negrette to Fronton?

Answer 18

The Knights Templar from Cyprus?

Question 19

What are the soils of Fronton?

Answer 19

Sandy clay known as BOULBENES.

Question 20

When was Gaillac AOC awarded? Styles?

Answer 20

Awarded in 1938 for Dry White, Rose, Red, Sweet White, VEndanges Tardives, Sparkling Whiet, Sparkling Rose.

Question 21

Which grapes are authorised in Gaillac AOC?

Answer 21

White:(P) Len de l’El, Mauzac Blanc, Muscadelle;
Gris:(P) Mauzac Rose;
Red;(P) Duras, Fer Servadou, Syrah.

Question 22

What are the soils of Gaillac?

Answer 22

Varied. There is clay, limestone, sand, flint and gravelly alluviums.

Question 23

What is distinctive about Gaillac wine production?

Answer 23

It produces a diverse range from non-mainstream grape varieties in a diverse array of styles.

Question 24

What are the main grapes in Gaillac dry whites?

Answer 24

Mauzac Blanc, Mauzac Rose and Len de l’El.

Question 25

Which other style of dry white is produced in Gaillac?

Answer 25

A coll fermented, early bottled “primeur”.

Question 26

What are the two styles of sweet wine made in Gaillac?

Answer 26

Doux and Vendanges Tardives.

Question 27

Which grapes are used in Doux wines in Gaillac?

Answer 27

Mauzac, Len de l’El and Muscadelle.

Question 28

Which grapes are used in Vendanges Tardives wines in Gaillac?

Answer 28

Len de l’El and Ondenc. Grapes are concentrated by passerillage or botrytis. Hand picked in several passes.

Question 29

What styles of sparkling wines are produced in Gaillac?

Answer 29

Methode Ancestrale, Traditionnelle and Blanc Sec Perle.

Question 30

Which grapes are used in Gaillac Methode Ancestrale wine?

Answer 30

Mauzac Blanc and/or Rose. Can be Brut, Demi-sec or Doux.

Question 31

Which grapes are used in Gaillac Traditionnelle Method wine?

Answer 31

Prmarily Len de l’El and Mauzac. They re aged on lees for 9 months with less tahn 5% RS.

Question 32

What is “Blanc Sec Perle” wine?

Answer 32

It is a ‘prickly’ wine containing ‘pearls’ of CO2.

Question 33

How is “Blanc Sec Perle” made in Gaillac?

Answer 33

In two ways:
1) CO2 is captured during MLF so that when bottled it retains the ‘pearls’;
2) CO2 can be added after MLF is complete.
Thye use the same grapes as for the dry whites.

Question 34

What are the blend rules for wines in Gailac?

Answer 34

Dry red and Rose - two varieties. Primary varieties must make up majority of the blend.

Question 35

How are rose smade in Gaillac?

Answer 35

Saignee or direct Press.

Question 36

How are red wines aged in Gaillac?

Answer 36

Vats or barrels.

Question 37

How is Gaillac red ‘primeur’ made?

Answer 37

By semi-carbonic maceration from 100% Gamay. Released third Thursday of November.

Question 38

Which AOCs flank the Lot River?

Answer 38

Cahors, Coteaux de Quercy, Entraygues-le Fel, Estaing, Marcillac AOCs.

Question 39

Which AOC focuses on Cot in G,T&L?

Answer 39

Cahors. Both the Cabs are not permitted here.

Question 40

When was Cahors AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 40

Awarded in 1971 for Red only.
Red:(P) Cot; (S) Merlot, Tannat.

Question 41

How is Cot known locally in Cahors AOC?

Answer 41

Auxerrois.

Question 42

Where are the vineyards of Cahors located?

Answer 42

On the limestone plateau of the Causses or on gravelly slopes and river terraces.

Question 43

What are the blend rules in Cahors?

Answer 43

Must be at least 70% Cot.

Question 44

What is the local climate in Cahors?

Answer 44

It is equidistant from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic but is dry. Grapes achieve full phenolic ripeness.

Question 45

What is the character of Cahors wines?

Answer 45

Ink black wines. They deeply pigmented, concentrated and cellar-worthy.