The South-West

Question 1

Which two native South-West grape varieties have found success in New World Vineyards?

Answer 1

Cot (Malbec) in Argentina
Tannat in Uruguay

Question 2

What is the origin of the term Gascony?

Answer 2

The Vascones, a pre-Roman tribe from which modern-day Basque culture originated.

Question 3

What borders South-West France to the north, east, south and west?

Answer 3

North- Bordeaux
East- Massif Central
South- Pyrenees
West- Atlantic Ocean

Question 4

What is the most important IGP in South-West France?

Answer 4

Cotes de Gascone IGP, second in production to Pays d’Oc IGP of Languedoc and Roussillon.

Question 5

What was the most planted grape in South-West France before phylloxera?

Answer 5

Cot (Malbec)

Question 6

Which sub-region of the South-West has Mediterranean climatic influences?

Answer 6

The Garonne, Tarn and Lot sub-region.

Question 7

What is “Boulbene”?

Answer 7

Sandy clay soils found in the South-West AOCs of Fronton and Buzet.

Question 8

What do Monbazillac, Saussignac and Rosette have in Common?

Answer 8

They are AOCs in the Dordogne that make sweet or semi-sweet wines based on Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle

Question 9

The sale of wines from South-West France was historically curtailed by which rival wine region?

Answer 9

Bordeaux

Question 10

Which appellation makes red and rose wines from Negrette?

Answer 10

Fronton AOC

Question 11

Which appellation of South-West France may use the term SGN?

Answer 11

Monbazillac, if the wine contains R.S over 8.5% (85 g/l)

Question 12

What is the “methode gaillacoise”?

Answer 12

A term used in Gaillac to indicate a sparkling wine made using the ancestral method.

Question 13

Bergerac AOC may produce sweet wines.

Answer 13

False, Only dry white, red and rose are authorized in this AOC.

Question 14

Which South-West sub-region is affected by foehn winds

Answer 14

The Pyrenees sub-region

Question 15

What is “passerillage”?

Answer 15

The act of twisting the stalks of grape bunches in order to stop the flow of sap; this dessicates the grapes on the vine.

Question 16

Monbazillac is the largest dessert wine appellation by size and volume in France. True or False?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Vendages Tardives and Doux

Question 18

Madiran lies on the left bank of the Tarn River.
True or False?

Answer 18

False. It lies on the left bank of the Ardour River.

Question 19

South-West France claims to have how many indiginous grape varieties?

Answer 19

120

Question 20

What are the three styles of sparkling wines made in Gaillac AOC?

Answer 20

Gaillac Methode Ancestrale, Traditional Method and Blanc Sec Perle.

Question 21

Len de L’El is a white grape. True or False?

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Cabernet Franc may be used as a blending grape in Cahors AOC. True or False?

Answer 22

False. Only Merlot and Tannat can be blended with Cot in Cahors.

Question 23

What is the local Jurancon name for galets (stones)?

Answer 23

Poudingues

Question 24

What are the two primary red grapes of Irouleguy.

Answer 24

Tannat and Cabernet Franc.

Question 25

What are the two most important grapes of Jurancon?

Answer 25

Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng.

Question 26

Irouleguy is the southernmost AOC in South-West France?
True or False?

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Gaillac Primeur wines are made using what vinification technique?

Answer 27

Semi-Carbonic maceration

Question 28

What does “moelleux” refer to?

Answer 28

Semi-sweet wines made from late-harvest grapes with or without botrytis.

Question 29

What does “liquoreux” refer to?

Answer 29

Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes.

Question 30

What is “micro-oxygenation”?

Answer 30

A technique developed by Patrick Ducourau in Madiran to tame tannins. Minute amounts of oxygen are bubbled through must or wine.