D3 France: South West France

Question 1

Describe the general climate of Southwest France.

Answer 1

Broadly similar to Bordeaux

The whole region is influenced by the Atlantic

Question 2

Describe the Atlantic influence based on geography in Southwest France.

Answer 2

In the areas south of Bordeaux the Atlantic influence extends in land for more than 100 km because of the largely flat, gently undulating territory (Madiran, Jurançon)

Everywhere else the Atlantic influence diminishes with greater distance from the ocean, resulting in slightly less rainfall and warmer summers. (Bergerac, Monbazillac, Cahors)

Question 3

Rainfall in Cahors? Comparison to Bordeaux? Why?

Answer 3

200 mm less than bored though, which has 950 mm

This is because the Atlantic influence is less here as it is further away from the ocean

Question 4

Where is the Dordogne area located?

Answer 4

Immediately east of Entre-Deux-Mers

Question 5

Name the two largest appellations within the Dordogne area

Answer 5

Bergerac AOC

Monbazillac AOC

Question 6

What styles of wines are produced in Bergerac AOC?

Answer 6

Dry and sweet whites, rose and red wines

50% red
Just over 10% rose
Just under 40% white

Question 7

What is the climate in soils in Bergerac AOC?

Answer 7

Climate is slightly warmer and drier than Bordeaux

Clay and lime stone soil‘s with some gravel

Question 8

Main grape varieties in Bergerac AOC? Maximum Yields? Style of final ones?

Answer 8

Red wines
Must be made from at least two of the following grape varieties:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Malbec
Merlot
The blend must be at least 50% of the final wine
Some less internationally recognized local varieties are allowed as a small part of the blends

Maximum Yields similar to Bordeaux AOC 67 hL/ha for whites and 60 hL/ha for reds
This results in some wines of low flavor intensity
Wines typically aged in large stainless steel or older oak to produce wines in an easy drinking style that can be released earlier on the market and that reduces cost

Question 9

Main grape varieties and maximum Yields and aging and style for the wines of Côtes de Bergerac AOC?

Answer 9

Restricted to the main Bordeaux varieties, no local varieties permitted
Maximum Yields is lower than Bergerac AOC at 50 hL/Ha
Aging an oak is used by some producers
Most wines are predominantly Merlot

Question 10

Percentage of Bergerac AOC sold in France versus export?

Answer 10

Nearly 90% sold in France
Supermarkets are the largest outlet at more than 50%
Followed by direct sales
And 10% each going to hospitality and specialist one shops

Question 11

Main export markets for Bergerac AOC?

Answer 11

China at 40%
Belgium
UK

Question 12

Styles of wines made in Monbazillac AOC?

Answer 12

Sweet wines only

Grapes may be affected by botrytis or simply late harvested

Question 13

Where does the region of Monbazillac lie? Why is this important?

Answer 13

In the Dordogne
Between the river Dordogne and one of its tributaries
This location plus the funneling of moist air along the rivers create high levels of humidity, burnt of by the sun in the afternoons
Perfect conditions for noble rot

Question 14

What are the grape varieties in Monbazillac AOC? Maximum Yields?

Answer 14

Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Gris
Sémillon
Muscadelle
These must make at least 80% of the blend

Maximums 30 hL/Ha

Question 15

One of the reasons why Monbazillac is much cheaper than Sauternes?

Answer 15

New oak is much less common which reduces the cost
Use our slightly higher at 30 hL/her versus 25
Can be late harvest not necessarily noble rot

Question 16

Why did the Cahors region thrive from the middle ages to the 19th century?

Answer 16

Transport via the river Lot that runs into the river Garonne into Bordeaux
Wine was then exported from Bordeaux

Question 17

What lead to the area under vine in Cahors being reduced to only a 10th of the size that it had been?

Answer 17

Competition with the wines of Bordeaux for export
Phylloxera
Devastating frost of 1956

Question 18

What is the greatest point of difference for Cahors?

Answer 18

It’s the only appellation in France with Malbec as its main grape variety
Malbec makes up 85% of hectares planted

Question 19

Why does Cahors receive some influence from the ocean despite being 250 km in land?

Answer 19

Because of the mostly flat and gently undulating landscape between Cahors and the Atlantic

Question 20

Which other black grape variety is also permitted in small quantities (less than 10%) in Cahors?

Answer 20

Tannat

Question 21

What does the warmer and dryer environment in Cahors in comparison to Bordeaux mean for grape growing?

Answer 21

Malbec suffers less from coulure and mildew and it ripens more regularly
Lower rainfall means less need for spraying against fungal diseases
Higher proportion of organic grape growing at 17% which is well above the average for France as a whole

Question 22

Describe the three types of soil/slopes where Malbec is grown in Cahors and the resulting style of wine.

Answer 22

Vineyards next to the river lot on rich alluvial soil’s result in higher yields and lower fruit concentration

On the mid slope, poor soil’s and hence lower yield and higher concentration

Highest plateau at just below 350 m, low nutrient lime stone soil’s, resulting typically in lower yields and higher concentration

Question 23

Vine training in Cahors?

Answer 23

Single Guyot system is the most common but others are also used like bush vine and cordon trained

Question 24

Machine or hand harvesting in Cahors?

Answer 24

Machine harvesting widely practiced for the Vineyards that are easier to access

And harvesting does take place depending on the market prices of the ones as well as machine accessibility and weather conditions and availability of labor

Return on investment is often the decisive factor

Question 25

Why does Malbec need to care for canopy management?

Answer 25

It is a vigorous variety

Question 26

What is Malbec susceptible to?

Answer 26

Coulure

Question 27

Grape varieties rules in Cahors AOC?

Answer 27

Minimum 70% Malbec Rest of the blend can be Merlot and or tenant Top quality ones are increasingly 90 to 100% Malbec

Question 28

Whole bunch or stems in Cahors?

Answer 28

AOC rules say grapes must be de-stemmed. This is to eliminate underripe stems that could add aggressive tannins.

Question 29

Reasons for under mature grapes in Cahors now versus in the past?

Answer 29

In the past, a lack of maturity was most likely due to cool Seasons. Today it is as likely to be due to a lack of water preventing full ripeness.

Question 30

Describe the two different styles of wines in Cahors and the differences in winemaking.

Answer 30

For early drinking Using Marleau in the blend Typically 7 to 10 days on the skins for limited extraction of tannins Ones intended to bottle age Typically 15 to 25 days on the skins for greater extraction of flavour and colour Often matured in Oak

Question 31

What percentage of Cahors wine is produced by private companies versus cooperative?

Answer 31

80% produced by private companies | 20% by a single cooperative

Question 32

How has Cahors been marketing itself since 2000?

Answer 32

Cahors, the French Malbec | Cahors, the capital of Malbec

Question 33

What are the three levels of quality and price in Cahors

Answer 33

Tradition Inexpensive 70 to 85% Melbeck Often grown on the rich alluvial soil’s in at higher yield Prestige Mid priced Often growing on the mid slope Spéciale Often 100% Malbec Premium priced Often growing on the highest plateau

Question 34

Percentage of volume sold in France versus exported for Cahors? Two most important channels for domestic? Most important export markets?

Answer 34

``` 70% sold in France Supermarkets and direct sales to most important channels 30% export United Kingdom Canada USA ```

Question 35

Main grape variety in Madiran?

Answer 35

Tannat

Question 36

What is the name of the sweet white wine made within the same geographical area as Madiran?

Answer 36

Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC

Question 37

What enables tannat to ripen fully in Madiran?

Answer 37

Warm, sunny summers and dry autumns with warm days and cool nights and a hot, dry southern wind

Question 38

What is the name of the wind in Madiran and Jurançon?

Answer 38

Föhn

Question 39

describe the topography of Madiran.

Answer 39

Comprises for large, roughly parallel ridges oriented north south, with steep west facing slopes.

Question 40

What are the soil’s in Madiran?

Answer 40

The soils on slopes are mainly clay with limestone with good drainage. Produces ones with high tannins suitable for a long bottle aging. On the flatter land, clay and Clay loam soil’s predominate and the resulting wines are less tannic and can be drunk earlier

Question 41

Name the four top grape varieties in Madiran.

Answer 41

Tannat Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Fer savadou

Question 42

Why is Tannat Best supported on a trellis?

Answer 42

Because it is a vigorous variety

Question 43

What is Tannat prone to?

Answer 43

Botrytis bunch rot

Question 44

Tannat is a mid-ripening grape variety. Why is this an advantage?

Answer 44

It can usually be picked before the onset of autumn rains

Question 45

What are the Madiran AOC rules around grape varieties?

Answer 45

Must be made with 60 to 80% tannat blended with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and/or the local black variety Fer

Question 46

What are the Madiran AOC rules around wine making and yields?

Answer 46

Grapes must be D stemmed to reduce the extraction of further tannins Max yield is 55 hL/Ha

Question 47

How are winemakers in Madiran reducing the tannins in their wines?

Answer 47

Shorter maceration times Aging in Oak Bottle aging Micro oxygenation

Question 48

Who invented micro oxygenation? When? Why?

Answer 48

Patrick Ducournau 1991 Seeking to soften the tannins in tannat wines

Question 49

How are more accessible and early drinking styles of Madiran achieved?

Answer 49

By picking only the ripest grapes Gentle pressing Use of micro oxygenation

Question 50

By law, When can Madiran wines begin to be sold?

Answer 50

From the beginning of November in the year following harvest, allowing time for maturation before release.

Question 51

Percentage of sales of Madiran AOC in France versus export? Where are most of the domestic sales done? Important export markets?

Answer 51

80% sold in France 50% of this is through supermarkets 25% through hospitality 25% directly or through specialist one shops UK Belgium Germany

Question 52

Where is the Jurançon AOC located?

Answer 52

In the foothills of the Pyrenees, at an attitude of around 300 m

Question 53

What styles of wines are produced in Jurançon? What are their names? Maximum Yields and residual sugar?

Answer 53

70% medium sweet or sweet 30% dry Jurançon Vendanges Tardives (sweet) Minimum 55 g/L of residual sugar but typically much higher No enrichment allowed Maximum 40 hL/ha Petit and Gros Manseng exclusively Grapes cannot be picked before second of November Jurançon (medium-sweet) Minimum of 40 g/l residual sugar Maximum 40 hL/Ha Jurançon Sec (dry) Maximum 60 hL/Ha

Question 54

What grape varieties are permitted in Jurançon?

Answer 54

Petit Manseng Gros Manseng Other local varieties

Question 55

What is the climate in Jurançon?

Answer 55

Mild, humid climate with relatively high annual rainfall at about 1200 mm which is distributed throughout the year

Question 56

How does the topography in Jurançon vineyards mitigate the issues that can arise from high rainfall?

Answer 56

Vineyards are planted on slopes for good drainage

Question 57

What can increase the initial investment and maintenance costs in the vineyards of Jurançon?

Answer 57

Some vineyards are on steep enough slopes that they require terracing which increases the initial investment and maintenance cost

Question 58

What issues can arise from the high rainfall in Jurançon?

Answer 58

Can affect flowering and fruit set and the period of harvest

Question 59

What is an important influence on the climate of Jurançon?

Answer 59

The Pyrenees | This gives rise to a Föhn wind

Question 60

Describe the impacts on grape growing of the Föhn wind in Jurançon.

Answer 60

It is a hot and dry wind which blows in spring and autumn It blows about one day in three It dries the air and ventilate the canopy and the bunches in autumn It boosts the temperature The heat and the wind help produce over ripe berries for the sweet wines

Question 61

What is the main climatic hazard in Jurançon ? How is this mitigated?

Answer 61

Because of the altitude, spring frosts | The budding zone is trained well above the ground to mitigate this risk

Question 62

How and when are the grapes picked in Jurançon?

Answer 62

By hand For the sweet wines, in a series of selective pickings, raising cost The first selection is in October mainly for dry wines but also some sweet wines for early consumption Second and third selections are in November to December and are used for progressively sweeter wines wines, after grapes have dried on the vines

Question 63

What is passerillage?

Answer 63

Leaving the grapes to dry on the vines | This is done in Jurançon for some of the sweet wines

Question 64

What enables passerillage in Jurançon?

Answer 64

prolonged time hanging on the vine the autumn sunshine the wind

Question 65

What makes Petit Manseng suitable for lard harvest sweet wines?

Answer 65

- It has think skins and is resistant to botrytis bunch rot - It is moderately aromatic - It retains its high acidity (balance with sweetness)

Question 66

Why do growers have to be precise with picking dates of Petit Manseng?

Answer 66

It can reach hi alcohols so they must be careful to ensure balance between full flavor ripeness, acidity and potential alcohol

Question 67

What is the main difference between petit manseng and Gros Manseng?

Answer 67

They share the same characteristics but Gros Manseng has higher Yields and usually less aromatic concentration and flavor intensity It is mostly used for dry wines

Question 68

Typical wine making for the higher quality sweet wines of Jurançon?

Answer 68

Made with petit M Typically fermented in barriques and aged in them for 12 to 18 months Top quality wines typically use old oak though some new oak is occasionally used Malolactic conversion typically does not happen

Question 69

Why does malolactic conversion typically not happen in the sweet wines of Jurançon?

Answer 69

Because the PH is too low and the acidity too high

Question 70

Producers in Jurançon are increasingly making high-quality dry wines. What will producers usually do to make them of better quality?

Answer 70

They will include a small proportion of Pizzi M | Typically age on the lees, often in stainless steel

Question 71

Where are most of the sales for Jurançon?

Answer 71

Mostly on the domestic market with only a small percentage being exported Sales divided almost equally between direct sales, supermarkets and the hospitality sector

Question 72

I who accounts for roughly half of the production of Jurançon?

Answer 72

The co-operative Cave de Gan

Question 73

Why are producers in Jurançon giving more attention to dry wines?

Answer 73

There is competition with other French regions for the sale of sweet wines Sweet wines are generally more difficult to sell

Question 74

What is the largest of the 14 IGP in Southwest France?

Answer 74

IGP Côtes de Gascogne

Question 75

What style of wine is made in IGP Côtes de Gascogne?

Answer 75

White wine made from mainly colombard, SB, Chardonnay | The style of wine is fruity and easy to drink, labeled with the name or names of the variety or a varieties

Question 76

Has IGP Côtes de Gascogne been successful in recent decades?

Answer 76

Yes With exports to the UK and Northern Europe lead to a threefold rise in production between 1990 and 20 80% is exported Continue to have commercial success in export markets around the world but now have more competition from the ones from non-European countries Tariquet