WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - South West France Flashcards
Climate of South West of France
Maritime with continental influence inland.
Main appellations within Dordogne
- Bergerac AOC
- Monbazillac AOC
Types of wines made in Bergerac AOC
Dry and sweet, red (50%), white (40%), and rosé (10%).
Types of wines made in Monbazillac AOC
Sweet white wines only (botrytis or late harvest).
Type of soils in Bergerac AOC
Clay and limestone soils with some gravel.
Main grape varieties of Bergerac AOC
Mainly Bordeaux varieties, also locals.
Blending regulations for red wines in Bergerac AOC
50+% of 2+ from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot.
Key maturation practices for wines in Bergerac AOC
Large stainless steel or older casks for an early-drinking style.
Climate conditions in Monbazillac AOC that make it suitable for the production of botrytized wines
High levels of humidity (moist air along the rivers) burnt off by the sun.
Main grape varieties of Monbazillac AOC
Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
Blending regulations for wines in Monbazillac AOC
80+% from Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Monbazillac AOC
No new oak for fermentation in order to have a less expensive product.
Climate of Cahors AOC
Some influence from the Atlantic. Warmer and drier than Bordeaux.
Type of soils in Cahors AOC
Alluvial soils next to the River Lot, poorer soils on the mid slope, and low nutrient limestone soils on the highest plateau.
Main grape varieties of Cahors AOC
Malbec (85%), Tannat.
Main training systems in Cahors AOC
Single Guyot is the most common. Also bush vines and cordon-trained.
Harvest for wines from Cahors AOC
Mechanical harvest on flat land. Hand harvest according to market prices, topography, weather conditions, and availability of labour.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Cahors AOC
Destemming is required.
Short skin contact (7-10 days) for early drinking style and longer (15-25 days) for wines intend to bottle ageing.
Types of wines made in Cahors AOC
Mainly reds from Malbec.
Levels of the voluntary code of Cahors AOC
- Tradition, inexpensive, 70-85% Malbec from rich alluvial soils, high yields and low fruit concentration.
- Prestige, mid-priced, from mid-slope, low yields and high fruit concentration.
- Spéciale, premium price, 100% Malbec from the highest plateau, low yields and high fruit concentration.
Types of businesses that operate in Cahors AOC
80% private companies, 20% single co-operative (Cooperative des Vignerons d’Olt).
Key maturation practices for wines in Cahors AOC
French oak barriques for the highest-quality wines. Foudres for slow oxidative process.
Blending regulations for wines in Cahors AOC
70+% Malbec, the rest Merlot and/or Tannat.
Type of soils in Madiran AOC
Clay, limestone and good drainage on the slope, while the flat is clay and clay and loam.
Climate of Madiran AOC
Some Atlantic influence, high rainfall (mainly winter and spring).
Main grape varieties of Madiran AOC
Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Savadou.
Main training systems in Madiran AOC
Cordon de Royat or cane-replacement system.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Madiran AOC
Destemming is required. Short maceration (high tannin). Micro-oxygenation by Patrick Ducournau to soften tannins.
Blending regulations for wines in Madiran AOC
60-80% Tannat + Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Fer (local variety).
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC
AOC in Madiran, sweet white wine from late-harvested local grapes.
Types of businesses that operate in Madiran AOC
50% private growers (significant are Alain Brumont and Ch. D’Aydie) and 50% co-operatives (significant are Cave de Crouseilles and Plaimont).
Types of wines made in Madiran AOC
Mainly reds from Tannat, both early drinking style and wine intended for long ageing.
Location of the vineyards in Jurançon AOC
Vineyards on the slopes, terraces if steep. Soils are a mix of limestone, sand, clay and stones.
Climate of Jurançon AOC
Mild, humid climate, high rainfall (1,200 mm). Föhn wind.
Hazards in Jurançon AOC
Rainfall can affect flowering, fruit set or harvest. Spring frost due to altitude.
Main grape varieties of Jurançon AOC
Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng.
Main training systems in Jurançon AOC
High training (spring frost).
Harvest for wines from Jurançon AOC
Hand harvest for sweet wines. First time in October for dry wines or sweet wines for early consumption. Second and third times in November and December for sweeter wines.
Key winemaking operations for wines in Jurançon AOC
No malo.
Fermentation in barriques (old oak) for the highest quality sweet wines. High quality dry wines have a small proportion of Petit Manseng.
Blending regulations for wines in Jurançon AOC
50+% Petit and/or Gros Manseng.
Key maturation practices for wines in Jurançon AOC
Long ageing (old oak) of 12-18 months for the highest quality sweet wines.
High quality dry wines are aged in stainless steel tanks on the lees.
Passerillage
Over-ripe grapes have been dried on the vine.
Jurançon Vendages Tardives
Sweet, 55+ g/l sugar, no enrichment, max yield 40 hL/ha, only Petit and Gros Manseng picked after 2 November;
Jurançon Sec
Dry, max yield 60 hL/ha.
Jurançon (wine type)
Medium-sweet, 40+ g/L sugar, max yield 40 hL/ha.
Categories for wine from Jurançon
- Jurançon Sec
- Jurançon
- Jurançon Vendages Tardives
Types of wines made in Jurançon AOC
70% medium-sweet and sweet, 30% dry.
Types of businesses that operate in Jurançon AOC
50% co-operative Cave de Gan.
When the wines from Madiran AOC can legally be released
From the beginning of November in the year following the harvest.
The effect of the Föhn wind on the production of sweet wines in Jurançon
The wind is warm and blows frequently throughout the spring and autumn. This ventilates the canopy, moving the air around and protecting the berries against rot/diseases etc. which is important for passerillage as the berries need to be clean.
The warm wind also boosts temperature, therefore helping to further ripen the fruit. This boosts sugar levels to levels required for sweet wines.
How many IGPs are in the South West of France
14
IGP Côtes de Gascogne
The largest IGP in the South West of France, in terms of planted vineyards. The wines are mainly white and made from blends of Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Good reputation for whites in a fruity and easy-to-drink style, labelled with the name of the varieties.
Comparison between sweet wines of Monbazillac and Bordeaux
Lower prices than Sauternes wines, similar style to sweet wines from Bordeaux’s less prestigious appellations.
Côtes de Bergerac AOC
Sub-appellation within Bergerac AOC. Main Bordeaux varieties (Merlot predominantly), lower max yields, oak ageing.
