South-West AOCs Flashcards

Question

Coteaux du Quercy AOC

Answer 1

Wine Styles: Rose, Red Grape Varieties: Red: [P] Cabernet Franc [S] Merlot, Cot, Tannat, Gamay Coteaux du Quercy has the same climatic influences and terroirs as Cahors, yet it focuses on Cabernet Franc. Although reds must be a blend of 3 varieties and roses must be a blend of 2, Cabernet Franc dominates both blends.

Answer 2

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Grape Varieties: White: [P] Chenin Blanc [S] Mauzac Blanc, Saint-Come Red: [P] Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Negrette, Mouyssagues Entraygues-Le Del is located in the western foothills of the Massif Central. Vineyards are terraced on the soils of shale and granite. Most are south-facing, lie at 350m in elevtion and are located mid-slope. This position maximizes sunlight exposure and minimizes the risk of frost. The foothills themselves serve as suntraps. The region experiencecs some Mediterranean influences despite the east-west orientatio of its river valleys. Red wines are a blend of at least 3 grape varieties with Fer Servadou comprising at least 40%. Roses must have 85% of Fer Servadou and the 2 Cabernets. White wines are largely Chenin Blanc.

Answer 3

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Grape Varieties: White: [P] Chenin Blanc [S] Mauzac Blanc, Saint-Come Red: [P] Fer Servadous, Gamay [S] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mouyssagues, Pinot Noir, Abouriou, Castet, Duras, Negrette The terraced vineyards of Estaing lie up-river of Entrayges-Le Fel in similar topography and similar climatic influences; however, the elevations are higher (300-500m). Soils consist of limestone and mica schist. The reds must incorporate 3 grape vaerities with Gamay and Fer Servadous constituting at least 50% of the blend. Roses are primarily Gamay. Whites are comprised of at least 2 varieties. Production is mostly red.

Answer 4

Wine Styles: Rose, Red Grape Varieties: Red: [P] Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Prunelard Marcillac lies a short 10lm to the southwest of Estaing and expriences similar climatic influences. The terraced vineyards are positioned on the slopes of the Valley of Marcillac on iron-rich clay-limestone soils known as rougiers between 300-600m in elevation. The wines must be 90-100% Fer Servadou.

Answer 5

Wine Styles: Red Grape Varieties: Red: [P] Tannat [S] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Servadou Madiran is only a winegrowing area, it is also a village. Both lie deep within Gascony on the left bank of the Adour River. The appellation is equidistant from the Atlantic and the Pyrenees (approximately 100km) and is bordered by Saint-Mont to the north. The weather is warm and dry during the growing season, but ample rain falls in winter and spring. The warm dry foehn air mass generated by rain-shadow effect of the Pyrenes helps to mitigate disease pressure. Soils are pebble-studded limestone-rich clays and silts; many contain iron. The wines of this red-only AOC must contain more than 50% Tannat. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Fer Servadou does by the local name "Pinenc." Cabernet Franc bears the local nickname of "Bouchy." These are deepy tannic, well-structured bottlings that typically require time in the cellar to soften and mellow.

Answer 6

Wine Styles: Dry White, Sweet White Minimum Sweetness: Sweet White 4.5 % (45g/l) Grape Varieties: White: [P] Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu [S] Arrufiac, Sauvignon Blanc The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Madiran AOCs cover the same geographicl area, but Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is for whites only. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec (dry White) must contain at last 2 varieties, one of which must be a primary one. Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh follows the same blending formula as the sec version but must possess a minimum of 4.5% (45g/l) RS. Sweet wines are made by passerillage (raisining on the vine), not by botrytis infection.

Answer 7

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Grape Varieties: White: [P] Gros Manseng [S] Arrufiac, Courbu, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng Red: [P] Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon Fer Servadou [S] Cabernet Franc, Merlot Saint-Mont, like Madiran, is equidistant from the Atlantic and the Pyreness and experiences very similar weather patterns. It also benefits from the warm, dry foehn winds. The growing area is bisected by the Adour River. The western portion of the appellation is characterized by sandy sois, whereas the eastern section has a greater preponderance of limestone-rich clays. Vineyards are planted on hillsides to maximize sunlight. The region lays claim to a significant legacy of old vines. The average vine age ranges btween 30-50 years, while some plantings are over 150 years old! Reds must be at least 60% Tannat, whereas whites must be at least 60% Gros Manseng. Roses are mandatory blends utilizing at least 70% of the primary red varieties.

Answer 8

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Grape Varieties: White: [P] Gros Manseng, Baroque [S] Chenin Blanc, Claverie, Petit Manseng, Raffiat de Moncade, Sauvignon Blanc Rose: [S] Sauvignon Gris Red: [P] Cabernet Franc, Tannat [S] Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Servadou, Merlot Tursan lies a scant 70km from the Atlantic and experiences more pronounced maritime influences. Rainfall is higher here than in madiran and Saint=Mont. Soils are sandstone, silt, gravel and limestone-rich clays. All wines are mandatory blends consisting of 2 primary grapes. These primary grapes must represent at least 50% of the mix. No single grape can be more than 60% of the blend.

Answer 9

Wine Styles: Dry White, Semi-Sweet to Sweet Wine, Vendanges Tardives Minimum Sweetness: Semi-Sweet to Sweet White 4% (40g/l), VT 5.5% (55g/l) Grape Varieties: White: [P] Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng [S] Camaralet, Courbu, Lauzet, Petit Courbu The terrain gets quite steep here. Soils are sandy-clays studded with galets (known locallt as pudingues) washed down from the Pyrenees. The climate is influenced by altitude, Atlantic precipation, the warm, dry foehn winds coming over the Pyrenees and a Mediterranean sun. Juancon Sec is a dry white. Sec must appear on the label so that consumers know there is no RS. Both Gros Manseng and Petit Mansseng take the spotlight here and msut represent the majority if the wine is a blend. Varietal bottlings from both these primary white grape varieties are also allowed. Jurancon is sweet. The same 2 grapes must represent the majority of the blend, and varietal bottlings are also allowed. Grapes undergo a passerillage (raisining on the vine) and are hand harvested in late October (into November). Wine law mandates at least 2 passes in the vineyard even though the fruit is not affected by botrytis. Jurancon VT must be crafted from Petit Manseng and/or Gros Manseng only. These grapes also undergo passerillage, are not botrytized and are picked with a minimum of 2 passes in the vineyard, however, harvest cannot begin until November 2nd. Although the finished wines must contain at least 5.% 55 g/l RS., they often carry a great deal more and cannot be released for sale until June 15th of the 2nd year after the harvest.

Answer 10

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Grape Varieties: White: [P] Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Raffiat de Moncde [S] Camaralet, Courbu, Lauzut, Petit Courbu, Sauvignon Blanc Red: [P] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat [S] Courbu Noir, Fer Servadou, Manseng Noir Bearn experiences a maritime climate, but humidity and rainfall are offset by foehn winds arcing over the Pyrenees. Vineyards are on hillsides in sandy-clay soils. There are 3 non-contiguous growing areas. The main area lies along the Gave de Pau RIver. The other 2 areas overlap the Jurancon and Madiran/Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh appellations. Reds are made from at least 50% Tannat, whereas whites must be at least 50% Raffiat de Moncade. Roses must be made from at least 70% of the primary vaerieties, with Tannat being at least 25% of the blend. Wines from Jurancon and Madiran/Pacherend du Vic-Bilh areas can go to market as any style of Bearn; however, usually the Bearn appellation is only use for styles not authorized in those appellations.

Answer 11

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Minimum Sweetness: Grape Varieties: White: [P][S] Rose: [P][S] Red: [P][S]

Answer 12

Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red Grape Varieties: White: [P]Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu Red: [P] Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon The vineyards of Irouleguy are ffound on steep or terraced slopes sheltered from the north and west winds. Nonetheless, the Pyrenees and elevation play their parts; grapes are harvested with vibrant acidity. Autumns are mild and extended thanks to warm foehn winds. Despite being only 40km from the Atlantic, rainfall is winter-dominant. 3 distinct soil types are found here: sandstone, limestone and clay. Whites must be a blend of at least 2 varieties. Reds must contain a majority of Tannat and/or Cabernet Franc; Cabernet Sauvignon can complete the blend. Roses must be made from at least 90% of the primary red varieties; white varieties can complete the blend. This is the southernmost AOC of South-West France and the only AOC within the French Basque country. The majority of wine production is red.