South-West Flashcards
When was the English rule in SW France?
During the middle ages (500 - 1500AD) Gascony was incorporated into Aquitaine. This resulted in 300 years of English rule.
What did Bordeaux do to stop the wine competition by SW France?
- During the 13th & 14th centuries, Bordeaux wine merchants imposed a tax against SW wine.
- They also passed a law stating no SW France wine could be sold until all Bordeaux wine was sold.
- This was a death blow to the SW France wine industry.
Where is SW France located?
- East: Massif Central
- West: Atlantic Ocean
- North: Bordeaux
- South: Pyrénées and Spanish border
What are the three subregions of SW France that the AOCs are divided into?
- Dordogne/Bergerac
- Garonne, Tarn, and Lot
- Pyrenees
What are the primary red grapes of the Dordogne/Bergerac subregion of SW France?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Côt
Fer Servadou & Mérille are secondary.
What are the primary white grapes of the Dordogne-Bergerac subregion of SW France?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Sémillon
Others: Chenin, Colombard, Mauzac Blanc, Muscadelle, Ondenc, Ugni Blanc.
What is the primary white grape of the Garonne, Tarn & Lot subregion of SW France?
Len de l’El (Loin de l’Oeil)
Saint-Côme and Fel are secondary grapes.
What are the primary red grapes of the Garonne, Tarn & Lot subregion of SW France?
- Côt
- Fer Servadou
- Négrette
Gamay, Tannant, Syrah, Duras
What are the primary white grapes of the Pyrenees subregion of SW France?
- Gros Manseng
- Petit Manseng
Carmarelt, Lauzet, Courbu, Petit Corubu, Baroque, Arrufiac, Raffiat
What is the primary red grape of the Pyrenees subregion of SW France?
Tannat
Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon
T or F? Merlot is native to SW France.
False, it is native to Bordeaux
What are the synonyms for the following grapes in SW France:
Cabernet Franc
Fer Servadou
Malbec
Cabernet Franc - Bouchy
Fer Servadou - Pinenc (Madiran), Braucol (Gaillac)
Malbec - Côt
T or F? Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng are grown in the Garonne, Tarn & Lot subregion.
False
What are the general white wine styles of SW France?
- Most whites are dry
- Dessert wines can be made with botrytized or late harvest grapes
- Sparkling wines are done both via Traditional and Ancestral methods
What are the general red wine styles in SW France?
All are dry; some made as vin primeur
What are the wines of the Dordogne/Bergerac subregion Saussignac AOC?
Wines are similar style to Monbazillac AOC. Grapes may be late-harvest and/or botrytized.
What are the wines of the Dordogne/Bergerac subregion AOC of Monbazillac?
The largest dessert wine appellation by size and volume in France. As a general rule, the wines are sweeter than those from Sauternes.
Grapes must be hand harvested, late-harvest and/or botrytized.
Describe the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Irouléguy.
- Southernmost AOC in SW France
- Only AOC in the Basque Country
- Dry white, rosé, red
- Whites: Blend of at least two varieties.
- Reds: Must contain a majority of Tannat and/or Cabernet Franc (Cab Sauv can complete)
DescribeVendange Tardives in the Pyrénées subregion AOC Jurançon.
- From Petit Manseng and/or Gros Manseng only.
- Harvest can’t begin until November 2.
- Minimum of 2 passes in the vineyard.
- Cannot be released for sale until June 15th of second year after harvest.
- Minimum 5.5% RS.
What are the grapes in the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Jurançon for Sec, Moelleux and Liquoreux styles of white wine?
Gros Manseng & Petit Manseng must be majority
In the Dordogne/Bergerac subregion which AOCs include Liquoreux wines?
- Côtes de Bergerac
- Monbazillac
- Saussignac
- Haut-Montravel
In the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot subregion what AOC is for white only?
Gaillac Premières Côtes
In the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot subregion, what grapes lead in the Gaillac AOC: reds and rosés?
Duras
Syrah
Fer Servadou
In the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot subregion, what grapes are in the Gaillac Méthode Acenstrale?
Mauzac Blanc and/or Mauzac Rosé
In the Garonne, Tarn, and Lot subregion what grape is in Gaillac red primeur?
100% Gamay
What are the four major AOCs in the Pyrénées subregion?
- Madiran
- Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
- Jurançon
- Iroléguy
What Pyrénées subregion AOC is only red?
Madiran
In the Pyrénées subregion AOC of Madiran what is Fer Servadou known as?
Pinenc