Southwest France Flashcards
(33 cards)
What southwestern French region is not considered part of “Southwest France”?
Bordeaux
What is the unifying climatic feature of southwest France?
Atlantic influence (similar to Bordeaux, and varying depending on distance from the ocean)
What climatic changes take place in southwest France as you move further away from the Atlantic?
Slightly less rain and warmer summers
Where is the Dordogne located?
Immediately east of Entre0Deux-Mers
What are the largest producing appellations of the Dordogne?
Bergerac AOC and Monbazillac AOC
Describe the terroir and grapegrowing of Bergerac AOC
Appellation for dry and sweet white, rose, and red. 50% red, 10% rose, balance white. Slightly warmer and drier than Bordeaux, with clay and limestone soils (and some gravel). Bordeaux varieties do well, and wines must be made from a blend of the allowed principal varieties. Red must be at least two of big four Bordeaux grapes making up at least 50% of the final wine. Some local varieties allowed. Max yields 67 hl/ha white, 60 hl/ha red
What distinguishes Cotes de Bergerac AOC from Bergerac AOC?
The wine is restricted to the main Bordeaux varieties and t, the max yield is lower (50 hl/ha), and some producers age in oak. Most wines are predominantly Merlot
What percentage of Bergerac production is sold in France?
90%
Describe Monbazillac AOC
Sweet whites only, may be late harvest or botrytized. Located between the Dordogne River and a tributary, funnelling mist and raising humidity which is burnt off by late summer heat (ideal conditions for botrytis). Grapes must be picked by hand through multiple passes. Min 80% SB, Sauv Gris, Semillon, and Muscadelle. Max yield 30 hl/ha. Barrel fermentation less common than in Sauternes. Qualitatively similar to lesser Bordeaux sweets
How was Cahors historically sold, and why did this change?
Until the 19th century, Cahors was transported via Lot River to Bordeaux, then exported. Changed when Bordeaux imposed taxes on Cahors export, only allowed Cahors to be exported after Bordeaux vintage had been released, plus phylloxera and frost in 1956 that reduced production and area under vine
What percentage of Cahors’ area under vine is planted to Malbec?
85%
Describe the climate and grapegrowing in Cahors
Continental with maritime influence, warmer and slightly drier than Bordeaux. Malbec ripens more regularly and suffers less coulure and mildew. Tannat is also authorized but is usually less than 10% of blend if used at all. Vineyards along the river rane from rich alluvial soils (higher yield, lower concentration) to mid slope (better drainage, better concentration) to high plateau at 350 M (low nutrient limestone, lowest yields and highest concentration). Single Guyot training, some bush vines. Machine harvesting widely practiced
Describe Malbec
Vigorous variety that needs canopy and yield management to produce quality. Susceptible to coulure and mildew. Deep color, violet red and black plum fruit, med to med+ acid and med+ to high tannin. Takes well to oak. Also called Cot
Describe Cahors AOC regulations and winemaking
Min 70% Malbec, rest Merlot and/or Tannat. Top quality are 90-100% Malbec. Destemming required by AOC to eliminate underripe stems. Early-drinking wines use more Merlot and see 7-10 days on the skin for limited tannin extrction, ageworthy wines use more Malbec and see 15-25 days on the skins, often matured in oak
Who are the Cooperative des Vignerons d’Olt?
The single co-op in Cahors, responsible for 20% of production (the rest being private companies)
What are the levels of the voluntary quality and price classification in Cahors?
Tradition (inexpensive, 70-85% Malbec, grown on rich alluvial soils at higher yields and lower concentration), Prestie (mid-priced, often grown on the mid-slope), and Speciale (often 100% Malbec, premium priced, usually grown on the high plateau)
Describe the climate and grapegrowing in Madiran
In sight of Pyrenees, continental with some Atlantic influence. Hot, dry southern Fohn wind enables Tannat to ripen fully in most years. There are four large, north-south rides with west facing slopes; the slope soils are mainly clay and limestone with good drainage, making tannic wines suitable for aging, while clay and loam on the flatter land result in less tannic, earlier-drinking examples
What is Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC?
A white late harvest sweet from Madiran similar in style to Jurancon
Describe Tannat
Vigorous variety best supported by trellis. Mid-ripening and picked before autumn rains. Prone to botrytis. Highly tannic and usually intended for aging, with deep ruby, pronounced blackberry and blackcurrant (plus oak), high tannin, acid, full body and alcohol
Describe Madiran AOC’s regulations and winemaking
60-80% Tannat blended with Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, or Fer Servadou. Grapes destemmed by law, max yield 55 hl/ha. Tannin softened by shorter macerations, aging in oak, bottle age, and (since 1991) micro-oxygenation. Can only be sold from the beginning of November in the year following harvest, allowing for some maturation
Name two significant producers in Madiran AOC
Alain Brumont and Ch d’Aydie
Name two important co-ops in Madiran AOC
Cave de Crouseilles and Plaimont (also dominant producer in Saint-Mont AOC)
Where is Jurancon located, and what types of wine are produced there?
In the Pyrenees foothills, around 300 M altitude. Dry and a range of sweet whites from Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng (plus local varieties)
What are the styles of wine produced in Jurancon, and what is the production breakdown between them?
Jurancon Vendanges Tardives (sweet), Jurancon (usually medium-sweet), and Jurancon Sec (dry). 70% med-sweet tor sweet and 30% dry
