Southwest France

Question 1

Which two native South-West grape varieties have found success in New World vineyards?

Answer 1

Cot (Malbec) in Argentina and Tannat in Uruguay

Question 2

What is the origin of the term Gascony?

Answer 2

The Vascones, a pre-Roman tribe form which modern-day Basque Culture originated

Question 3

What borders South-West France to the north, east, south and west?

Answer 3

North is Bordeaux east is the Massif Central, south is the Pyrenees and west in the Atlantic Ocean

Question 4

What is “boulbène”?

Answer 4

Sandy clay soils found in the South-West AOC’s of Fronton and Buzet

Question 4

What is the most important IGP in South-West France?

Answer 4

Cotes de Gascogne IGP, second in production to Pays d’Oc IGP of Languedoc and Roussillon

Question 5

Which sub-region of the South-West has Mediterranean climatic influences?

Answer 5

The Garonne, Tarn and Lot sub-region

Question 5

What was the most planted grape in South-West France before phylloxera?

Answer 5

Cot (malbec)

Question 6

What do Monbazillac, Saussignac and Rosette have in common?

Answer 6

They are AOC’s in the Dordogne that make sweet or semi-sweet wines based on Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle

Question 7

Which appellation makes red and rosé wines from Négrette?

Answer 7

Fronton AOC

Question 8

The sale of wines from South-West France was historically curtailed by which rival wine region?

Answer 8

Bordeaux

Question 9

What is the “méthode gaillacoise”?

Answer 9

A term used in Gaillac to indicate a sparkling wine made using the ancestral method.

Question 10

Which appellation of South-West France may use the term SGN?

Answer 10

Monbazillac, if the wine contains R.S over 8.5% (85g/l)

Question 11

Bergerac AOC may produce sweet wines. True or False?

Answer 11

False only dry white, red, and rose are authorized

Question 11

Monbazillac is the largest dessert wine appellation by size and volume in France.

True or False?

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

Front of card
What are the two styles of sweet wines made in Gaillac?

Answer 12

Vendanges Tardives

and Doux

Question 12

Which South-West sub-region is affected by foehn winds?

Answer 12

The Pyrenees sub-region

Question 12

What is “passerillage”?

Answer 12

The act of twisting the stalks of grape bunches in order to stop the flow of sap; this dessicates the grapes on the vine.

Question 13

Madiran lies on the left bank of the Tarn river. True or False?

Answer 13

FALSE.

Madiran lies on the

left bank of the

Ardour River.

Question 14

What are the three styles of sparkling wines made in Gaillac AOC?

Answer 14

Gaillac Méthode Ancestrale, traditional method and Blanc Sec Perlé

Question 14

Len de L’El is a white grape. True or False?

Answer 14

TRUE

Question 15

South-West France claims to have how many indiginous grape varieties?

Answer 15

120

Question 16

Cabernet Franc may be used as a blending grape in Cahors AOC. True or False?

Answer 16

FALSE.

Only Merlot and Tannat can be blended with Côt in Cahors.

Question 17

What is the local Jurançon name for galets (stones)?

Answer 17

Poudingues

Question 18

What are the two primary red grapes of Irouléguy?

Answer 18

Tannat and

Cabernet Franc

Question 19

Irouléguy is the southernmost AOC in South-West France? True or False?

Answer 19

TRUE

Question 19

Front of card What are the two most important grapes of Jurançon?

Answer 19

Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng

Question 20

Gaillac Primeur wines are made using what vinification technique?

Answer 20

Semi-carbonic maceration

Question 21

What does “liquoreux” refer to?

Answer 21

Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes.

Question 21

What does “moelleux” refer to?

Answer 21

Semi-sweet wines made from late-harvest grapes with or without botrytis.

Question 22

What is “micro-oxygenation”?

Answer 22

A technique developed by Patrick Ducourau in Madiran to tame tannins. Minute amounts of oxygen are bubbled through must or wine.