SW France Pt 5 - AOCs Garonne, Tarn,Lot ( important ones) Flashcards
Where is the sub-region of Garonne, Tarn and Lot (G,T&L) located?
Between Bordeaux and Languedoc.
What is the climate of G,T&L?
It is overall continental however individual and groups of AOCs enjoy influence from Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
How is the climate of G,T&L described?
Cold winters, ample sunshine and significant summer warmth. Autimn brings southerly winds which mitigate humidity and reduce disease pressure.
What are the important white grapes of G,T&L?
Len de l’Lel (Loin de l’Oeil), Used in dry or sweet whites in Gaillac.
What are the important rose grapes of G,T&L?
Mauzac Rose used for dry and sweet white wines plus sparkling wines made by Traditionnelle and Ancestrale Methods.
What are the important red grapes of G,T&L?
Cot, Fer Servadou and Negrette
How is Cot used in G,T&L?
Used as a primary or secondary grape throughout G,T&L. It was the most planted grape pre-Phylloxera.
How is Fer Servadou used in G,T&L?
It is the primary red grape of Gaillac. It is known as Braucol here.
How is Negrette used in G,T&L?
It is the primary grape of Fronton.
Which other grapes are popular in G,T&L?
Gamay for ‘Primeur” wines;
Tannat, Syrah and Duras.
Which AOCs flank the Garonne River?
Cotes du Marmandais, Buzet, Brulhois and Saint-Sardos AOCs.
Which AOCs flank the Tarn River?
Fronton, Gaillac, Cotes de Gaillac, Cotes de Millau AOCs.
What factor influences the climate of AOCs along the Tarn River?
They are close to the Mediterranean which has an influence on the vineyards
Which G,T&L AOC produces the widest range of styles in in all of SW France?
Gaillac.
Which G,T&L AOC is the home of Negrette grapes?
Fronton.
When was Fronton AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 1975 for Rose and Red only.
Red: (P) Negrette
What are the blend rules for Fronton reds and roses?
Must contain at least 40% Negrette but can be 100%.
Whois said to have brought Negrette to Fronton?
The Knights Templar from Cyprus?
What are the soils of Fronton?
Sandy clay known as BOULBENES.
When was Gaillac AOC awarded? Styles?
Awarded in 1938 for Dry White, Rose, Red, Sweet White, VEndanges Tardives, Sparkling Whiet, Sparkling Rose.
Which grapes are authorised in Gaillac AOC?
White:(P) Len de l’El, Mauzac Blanc, Muscadelle;
Gris:(P) Mauzac Rose;
Red;(P) Duras, Fer Servadou, Syrah.
What are the soils of Gaillac?
Varied. There is clay, limestone, sand, flint and gravelly alluviums.
What is distinctive about Gaillac wine production?
It produces a diverse range from non-mainstream grape varieties in a diverse array of styles.
What are the main grapes in Gaillac dry whites?
Mauzac Blanc, Mauzac Rose and Len de l’El.
Which other style of dry white is produced in Gaillac?
A coll fermented, early bottled “primeur”.
What are the two styles of sweet wine made in Gaillac?
Doux and Vendanges Tardives.
Which grapes are used in Doux wines in Gaillac?
Mauzac, Len de l’El and Muscadelle.
Which grapes are used in Vendanges Tardives wines in Gaillac?
Len de l’El and Ondenc. Grapes are concentrated by passerillage or botrytis. Hand picked in several passes.
What styles of sparkling wines are produced in Gaillac?
Methode Ancestrale, Traditionnelle and Blanc Sec Perle.
Which grapes are used in Gaillac Methode Ancestrale wine?
Mauzac Blanc and/or Rose. Can be Brut, Demi-sec or Doux.
Which grapes are used in Gaillac Traditionnelle Method wine?
Prmarily Len de l’El and Mauzac. They re aged on lees for 9 months with less tahn 5% RS.
What is “Blanc Sec Perle” wine?
It is a ‘prickly’ wine containing ‘pearls’ of CO2.
How is “Blanc Sec Perle” made in Gaillac?
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.
What are the blend rules for wines in Gailac?
Dry red and Rose - two varieties. Primary varieties must make up majority of the blend.
How are rose smade in Gaillac?
Saignee or direct Press.
How are red wines aged in Gaillac?
Vats or barrels.
How is Gaillac red ‘primeur’ made?
By semi-carbonic maceration from 100% Gamay. Released third Thursday of November.
Which AOCs flank the Lot River?
Cahors, Coteaux de Quercy, Entraygues-le Fel, Estaing, Marcillac AOCs.
Which AOC focuses on Cot in G,T&L?
Cahors. Both the Cabs are not permitted here.
When was Cahors AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded in 1971 for Red only.
Red:(P) Cot; (S) Merlot, Tannat.
How is Cot known locally in Cahors AOC?
Auxerrois.
Where are the vineyards of Cahors located?
On the limestone plateau of the Causses or on gravelly slopes and river terraces.
What are the blend rules in Cahors?
Must be at least 70% Cot.
What is the local climate in Cahors?
It is equidistant from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic but is dry. Grapes achieve full phenolic ripeness.
What is the character of Cahors wines?
Ink black wines. They deeply pigmented, concentrated and cellar-worthy.
