SW France Pt 4 - AOCs Dordogne -Bergerac(Important ones)

Question 1

What is the regional AOC for SW France or its sub-regions?

Answer 1

There is no overall SW France AOC nor any sub-regional AOCs. There are only specific communal or village-sized appellations.

Question 2

What are the three sub-regions of SW France?

Answer 2

Dordogne-Bergerac;
Garonne, Tarn and Lot;
Pyrenees.

Question 3

Where is Dordogne-Bergerac located?

Answer 3

It is inland, east of Bordeaux vineyards, flanks the Dordogne River and is in the uplands of the Massif Central.

Question 4

How is Dordogne-Bergerac similar to Bordeaux?

Answer 4

Grape varieties and proximity.

Question 5

How is Dordogne-Bergerac dissimilar to Bordeaux?

Answer 5

It has a slightly warmer climate with longer hang times. This often leads to dusty, slightly rustic tannins in the finished wines.

Question 6

How is wine fermented and aged in Dordogne-Bergerac?

Answer 6

Uisng barriques and large oak foudres.

Question 7

What is the character of Bergerac red wines?

Answer 7

Red blends focus on early ripening Merlot to offset the astringent tannins of the two cabernets.

Question 8

What are the main white grapes used in Dordogne-Bergerac?

Answer 8

Sauvignon Blanc for Dry whites;
Semillon for sweet whites especially in Monbazillac.

Question 9

Which Gris grapes are used in Dordogne-Bergerac?

Answer 9

Suavignon Gris , vinified as white wine can be used in a blend of the dry or sweet wines.

Question 10

What are the main red grapes used in Dordogne-Bergerac?

Answer 10

Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot and Cot.

Question 11

What is the overall climate of Dordogne-Bergerac?

Answer 11

Overall it has a continental climate. Montravel in the west has some oceanic influence. Average temperatures are warm, summers are hot and winters are short.

Question 12

What are the soils of Dordogne-Bergerac?

Answer 12

Dominated by clay and limestone. Pecharmant has red clay, flint and gravel.

Question 13

Which zones within Dordogne-Bergerac have the largest area under vine?

Answer 13

Bergerac, Cotes de Bergerac, Cotes d Duras and Pecharmant. They also produce the majority of wine in the sub-region.Most wien are dry and still here.

Question 14

When was Bergerac AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 14

Awarded in 1936 for Dry white, rose and red.
White:(P) Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle;
Gris:(P) Sauvignon Gris;
Red:(P) Cab. Sauv.,Cab Franc, Merlot, Cot.

Question 15

What are the blend rules for White, Rose and Red wines in Bergerac AOC?

Answer 15

Must all be a blend of at least two varieties, with at least 50% of the primary varieties.

Question 16

What are the additional blend rules for Rose wines in Bergerac AOC?

Answer 16

May contain up to 20% of the primary white varieties with a maximum of 10% Musacdelle and/or Sauvignon Blanc and Gris combined.

Question 17

When was Cotes de Bergerac AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 17

Awarded in 1936 for Dry Red, Semi-sweet to sweet white.
White:(P) Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle;
Gris:(P) Sauvignon Gris;
Red:(P) Cab. Sauv.,Cab Franc, Merlot, Cot.

Question 18

What is the RS level of sweet wines in Cotes de Bergerac AOC?

Answer 18

4g/l (0.4%/l)

Question 19

How does wine of Cotes de Bergerac AOC differ from Bergerac AOC wine?

Answer 19

Thye must have a higher minimum ABV level.

Question 20

What are the white wine rules in Cotes de Bergerac AOC?

Answer 20

They must not be dry. They can be made in a range of sweetness levels. Must be a blend of the three primary varieties.

Question 21

What are the red wine rules in Cotes de Bergerac AOC?

Answer 21

Must be blend of at least two varieties. Generally reds are aged in oak barrels.

Question 22

Which three AOCs of Dordogne-Bergerac produce sweet wines only?

Answer 22

Monbazillac, Rosette and Saussignac. Thye flank the Dordogne on both sides - Monbazillac and Saussignac on the left Bank. Rosette on the right.

Question 23

Which AOC of Dordogne-Bergerac is the largest dessert wine producer in France?

Answer 23

Monbazillac AOC. By volume and size.
Wiens are generally sweeter than Sauternes.

Question 24

When was Monbazillac AOC awarded? Styles?Grapes?

Answer 24

Awarded in 1936 for Sweet white and SGN.
White:(P) Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Muscadelle;
Gris:(P) Sauvignon Gris.

Question 25

What are the harvest method for the sweet wines of Monbazillac AOC?

Answer 25

Hand harvest. Can be late-harvest and/or botrytised. SGN must be Botrtyised.

Question 26

What are the blend rules for Mobazillac AOC wines?

Answer 26

Must contain at least 80% of the primary varieties and must be at least 12% ABV.

Question 27

What is the RS level for Monbazillac wines?

Answer 27

Sweet White - 4.5%(45 g/l);
SGN - 8.5% (85g/l)

Question 28

Which other AOCs form the Dordogne-Bergerac sub-region?

Answer 28

Cotes de Duras; Pecharmant; Montravel; Haut-Montravel; Cotes de Montravel; Correze.

Question 29

Which AOC of Dordogne-Bergerac can make Vin de Paille? Which grapes can be used?

Answer 29

Correze AOC.
White: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc;
Red: Cab. Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot.