Wines Of France

Question 1

8 significant French wine regions

Answer 1

1. Northeast: Alsace, Burgundy, Champagne
2. Western: Bordeaux, Loire valley
3. Mid central: Rhône valley
4. South: Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence

Question 2

Main wines of the 8 main French wine regions

Answer 2

1. Alsace: White wines (Riesling, Gewürtztraminer, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris
2. Burgundy: Pinot noir, Gamay; Chardonnay
3. Champagne: Sparkling (Pinot noir/Pinot meunier/Chardonnay blend)
4. Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc; Sauvignon blanc, Semillon
5. Loire valley: Chenin blanc, Sauvignon blanc; Cabernet franc
6. Rhône valley: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre; Viognier
7. Languedoc-Roussillon: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache; fortified wine
8. Provence: Similar to Languedoc

Question 3

Barrique

Answer 3

Barrel (60 gallons, esp Bordeaux)

Question 4

Cépage

Answer 4

Vine or grape variety

Question 5

Clos

Answer 5

Enclosed vineyard (esp Burgundy)

Question 6

Côte

Answer 6

Slope or hillside

Question 7

Domaine

Answer 7

Single vineyard (esp Burgundy)

Question 8

Piéce

Answer 8

Barrel (60 gallons, esp Burgundy)

Question 9

Vendage

Answer 9

Grape harvest or vintage

Question 10

4 French wine classification systems (from strict to less strict standards)

Answer 10

1. AOC = Appellation ‘origins controlée: Further classified into Grand cru, Premier cru, Deuxieme cru
2. VDQS = Vins delimited de quality superieur
3. VDP = Vins de pays (still some geographic affiliation)
4. VDT = Vins de table

Question 11

Burgundy: 5 districts

Answer 11

1. Chablis
2. Côte d’Or = Côte de Nuits & Côte de Beaune
3. Côte Chalonnaise
4. Mâconnais
   5 Beaujolais

Question 12

Burgundy Vineyard ranking system

Answer 12

1. Grand crus (top 33 vineyards)
2. Premier crus: Often identified by varietal name
3. Village
4. Regional wines / Bourgogne (grapes from anywhere in Burgundy)

Question 13

Chablis 4 classification levels

Answer 13

1. Grand cru Chablis
2. Premier cru Chablis
3. Village Chablis
4. Petit Chablis