WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - South West France

Question 1

Climate of South West of France

Answer 1

Maritime with continental influence inland.

Question 2

Main appellations within Dordogne

Answer 2

• Bergerac AOC
• Monbazillac AOC

Question 3

Types of wines made in Bergerac AOC

Answer 3

Dry and sweet, red (50%), white (40%), and rosé (10%).

Question 4

Types of wines made in Monbazillac AOC

Answer 4

Sweet white wines only (botrytis or late harvest).

Question 5

Type of soils in Bergerac AOC

Answer 5

Clay and limestone soils with some gravel.

Question 6

Main grape varieties of Bergerac AOC

Answer 6

Mainly Bordeaux varieties, also locals.

Question 7

Blending regulations for red wines in Bergerac AOC

Answer 7

50+% of 2+ from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot.

Question 8

Key maturation practices for wines in Bergerac AOC

Answer 8

Large stainless steel or older casks for an early-drinking style.

Question 9

Climate conditions in Monbazillac AOC that make it suitable for the production of botrytized wines

Answer 9

High levels of humidity (moist air along the rivers) burnt off by the sun.

Question 10

Main grape varieties of Monbazillac AOC

Answer 10

Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

Question 11

Blending regulations for wines in Monbazillac AOC

Answer 11

80+% from Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sémillon and Muscadelle.

Question 12

Key winemaking operations for wines in Monbazillac AOC

Answer 12

No new oak for fermentation in order to have a less expensive product.

Question 13

Climate of Cahors AOC

Answer 13

Some influence from the Atlantic. Warmer and drier than Bordeaux.

Question 14

Type of soils in Cahors AOC

Answer 14

Alluvial soils next to the River Lot, poorer soils on the mid slope, and low nutrient limestone soils on the highest plateau.

Question 15

Main grape varieties of Cahors AOC

Answer 15

Malbec (85%), Tannat.

Question 16

Main training systems in Cahors AOC

Answer 16

Single Guyot is the most common. Also bush vines and cordon-trained.

Question 17

Harvest for wines from Cahors AOC

Answer 17

Mechanical harvest on flat land. Hand harvest according to market prices, topography, weather conditions, and availability of labour.

Question 18

Key winemaking operations for wines in Cahors AOC

Answer 18

Destemming is required.
Short skin contact (7-10 days) for early drinking style and longer (15-25 days) for wines intend to bottle ageing.

Question 19

Types of wines made in Cahors AOC

Answer 19

Mainly reds from Malbec.

Question 20

Levels of the voluntary code of Cahors AOC

Answer 20

• Tradition, inexpensive, 70-85% Malbec from rich alluvial soils, high yields and low fruit concentration.
• Prestige, mid-priced, from mid-slope, low yields and high fruit concentration.
• Spéciale, premium price, 100% Malbec from the highest plateau, low yields and high fruit concentration.

Question 21

Types of businesses that operate in Cahors AOC

Answer 21

80% private companies, 20% single co-operative (Cooperative des Vignerons d’Olt).

Question 22

Key maturation practices for wines in Cahors AOC

Answer 22

French oak barriques for the highest-quality wines. Foudres for slow oxidative process.

Question 23

Blending regulations for wines in Cahors AOC

Answer 23

70+% Malbec, the rest Merlot and/or Tannat.

Question 24

Type of soils in Madiran AOC

Answer 24

Clay, limestone and good drainage on the slope, while the flat is clay and clay and loam.

Question 25

Climate of Madiran AOC

Answer 25

Some Atlantic influence, high rainfall (mainly winter and spring).

Question 26

Main grape varieties of Madiran AOC

Answer 26

Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Savadou.

Question 27

Main training systems in Madiran AOC

Answer 27

Cordon de Royat or cane-replacement system.

Question 28

Key winemaking operations for wines in Madiran AOC

Answer 28

Destemming is required. Short maceration (high tannin). Micro-oxygenation by Patrick Ducournau to soften tannins.

Question 29

Blending regulations for wines in Madiran AOC

Answer 29

60-80% Tannat + Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Fer (local variety).

Question 30

Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh AOC

Answer 30

AOC in Madiran, sweet white wine from late-harvested local grapes.

Question 31

Types of businesses that operate in Madiran AOC

Answer 31

50% private growers (significant are Alain Brumont and Ch. D'Aydie) and 50% co-operatives (significant are Cave de Crouseilles and Plaimont).

Question 32

Types of wines made in Madiran AOC

Answer 32

Mainly reds from Tannat, both early drinking style and wine intended for long ageing.

Question 33

Location of the vineyards in Jurançon AOC

Answer 33

Vineyards on the slopes, terraces if steep. Soils are a mix of limestone, sand, clay and stones.

Question 34

Climate of Jurançon AOC

Answer 34

Mild, humid climate, high rainfall (1,200 mm). Föhn wind.

Question 35

Hazards in Jurançon AOC

Answer 35

Rainfall can affect flowering, fruit set or harvest. Spring frost due to altitude.

Question 36

Main grape varieties of Jurançon AOC

Answer 36

Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng.

Question 37

Main training systems in Jurançon AOC

Answer 37

High training (spring frost).

Question 38

Harvest for wines from Jurançon AOC

Answer 38

Hand harvest for sweet wines. First time in October for dry wines or sweet wines for early consumption. Second and third times in November and December for sweeter wines.

Question 39

Key winemaking operations for wines in Jurançon AOC

Answer 39

No malo. Fermentation in barriques (old oak) for the highest quality sweet wines. High quality dry wines have a small proportion of Petit Manseng.

Question 40

Blending regulations for wines in Jurançon AOC

Answer 40

50+% Petit and/or Gros Manseng.

Question 41

Key maturation practices for wines in Jurançon AOC

Answer 41

Long ageing (old oak) of 12-18 months for the highest quality sweet wines. High quality dry wines are aged in stainless steel tanks on the lees.

Question 42

Passerillage

Answer 42

Over-ripe grapes have been dried on the vine.

Question 43

Jurançon Vendages Tardives

Answer 43

Sweet, 55+ g/l sugar, no enrichment, max yield 40 hL/ha, only Petit and Gros Manseng picked after 2 November;

Question 44

Jurançon Sec

Answer 44

Dry, max yield 60 hL/ha.

Question 45

Jurançon (wine type)

Answer 45

Medium-sweet, 40+ g/L sugar, max yield 40 hL/ha.

Question 46

Categories for wine from Jurançon

Answer 46

- Jurançon Sec - Jurançon - Jurançon Vendages Tardives

Question 47

Types of wines made in Jurançon AOC

Answer 47

70% medium-sweet and sweet, 30% dry.

Question 48

Types of businesses that operate in Jurançon AOC

Answer 48

50% co-operative Cave de Gan.

Question 49

When the wines from Madiran AOC can legally be released

Answer 49

From the beginning of November in the year following the harvest.

Question 50

The effect of the Föhn wind on the production of sweet wines in Jurançon

Answer 50

The wind is warm and blows frequently throughout the spring and autumn. This ventilates the canopy, moving the air around and protecting the berries against rot/diseases etc. which is important for passerillage as the berries need to be clean. The warm wind also boosts temperature, therefore helping to further ripen the fruit. This boosts sugar levels to levels required for sweet wines.

Question 51

How many IGPs are in the South West of France

Answer 51

14

Question 52

IGP Côtes de Gascogne

Answer 52

The largest IGP in the South West of France, in terms of planted vineyards. The wines are mainly white and made from blends of Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Good reputation for whites in a fruity and easy-to-drink style, labelled with the name of the varieties.

Question 53

Comparison between sweet wines of Monbazillac and Bordeaux

Answer 53

Lower prices than Sauternes wines, similar style to sweet wines from Bordeaux's less prestigious appellations.

Question 54

Côtes de Bergerac AOC

Answer 54

Sub-appellation within Bergerac AOC. Main Bordeaux varieties (Merlot predominantly), lower max yields, oak ageing.