Ch.14 Dordogne and SW France

Question 1

Name the two WSET3 regions of the Dordogne

Answer 1

Bergerac

Monbazillac

Question 2

Name the four WSET3 regions of South West France

Answer 2

Cahors AOP
Madiran AOP
Jurancon AOP
Cotes de Gascogne IGP

Question 3

In terms of the types of grapes grown, the Dordogne is similar to what other French region

Answer 3

Bordeaux (just to the west)

Question 4

What are the four principal grapes in South West France and associate each with a region

Answer 4

Malbec - Cahors.
Ugni Blanc - Cotes de Gascogne.
Tannat - Madiran.
Petit Manseng - Jurancon.

Question 5

What is the river that flows through Cahors

Answer 5

The River Lot

Question 6

What are the 3 different terroirs found in Cahors

Answer 6

(1) Fertile river valley bottom.
(2) Poor-soil slopes
(3) High plateau

Question 7

What grapes are grown in Cahors

Answer 7

Malbec.
Tannat.
Merlot.

Question 8

Are Cahors wines oaked and what are their tannins and color depth.

Answer 8

The best have high tannins, are deeply colored and are aged in oak

Question 9

What subregion is Monbazillac similar to

Answer 9

Sauternes/Barsac

Question 10

What is the river that flows through Bergerac

Answer 10

The Dordogne

Question 11

Where is Monbazillac relative to the Dordogne

Answer 11

On its South side

Question 12

Why is Monbazillac suited to sweet wine production.

Answer 12

It is close to the Dordogne (and tributaries) and the same morning mists experienced in Graves are felt here. Also the steeper slopes closest to the river (North size of Monbazillac) trap the morning mists and lead to better botrytized grapes than other parts of Monbazillac

Question 13

What grapes are grown in Bergerac

Answer 13

As Bordeaux. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc

Question 14

What grapes are grown in Monbazillac

Answer 14

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon

Question 15

How is the climate of the Dordogne different to Bordeaux

Answer 15

Less moderating maritime influence

Question 16

What is the grape of Cotes de Gascogne and (broadly) what style of wine is produced and name the dominant flavor

Answer 16

Ugni Blanc is used to make dry light-bodied whites with aromas/flavor of green apples.

Question 17

What is the principal grape of Madiran and what type of wine is produced

Answer 17

Tannat, often blended with other grapes to soften the super high tannins. Deeply colored.

Question 18

How are tannins in Tannat-based wines tamed in Madiran (3 ways)

Answer 18

(1) Gentler extraction
(2) Blending
(3) Extended bottle ageing

Question 19

Where is Jurancon, what is the principal town and river

Answer 19

Southwest of Madiran, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The principal town is Pau. The river is the Gave de Pau

Question 20

What is Jurancon famous for and why is the region suited for this style.

Answer 20

Sweet wines made from Petit Manseng. The grape is prone to mildew but in Jurancon a warm dry wind (the Foehn) allows grapes to be harvested very late (December) with concentrated sugars.

Question 21

Which SW Region of France is famous for wines made from Petit Manseng

Answer 21

Jurancon

Question 22

What is Passerillage and where is it practiced?

Answer 22

Drying of grapes on the vine to concentrate flavors and sugars. Used in Jurancon to make sweet wines from Petit Manseng

Question 23

What is a Foehn

Answer 23

A dry warm down-slope wind from the leeward side of mountains. The Pyranees foehn keeps dry the mold-prone Petit Manseng in Jurancon