South West France - Cahors
5 important questions on South West France - Cahors
What is set in the regulations for AOC Cahors?
- Minimum of 70% malbec (rest Merlot and/or Tannat)
- Top is 90-100% Malbec
- Destemming required
Styles: early drinking to bottle ageing
Organic grape growing in Cahors is above average in France, how come? Which grapes do well?
- 250km inland with Atlantic influences but drier and warmer than Bordeaux.
- Low rainfall, therefore less spraying needed
- Malbec and Tannat
- Semi maritime climate
Where are the vineyards of Cahors located? Which soils and training systems are in use
- Next to River Lot
- Alluvial rich soils on valley floor; higher yields, lower fruit concentration
- on mid slope poorer soils; lower yields, higher concentration
- Plateau, 350m - limestone soils with large stones; low yield, high concentration
- single Guyot (but also some bushiness, cordon)
- Machine harvesting most
- Some hand harvesting for quality wines
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80% of Cahors is produced by private companies, 20% by whom?
Cahors markets itself since 2000, which slogans and what is a voluntary code to indicate three levels of quality and price? What is the export %?
- Cahors, the French Malbec
- Cahors, the Capital of Malbec
3 levels:
- Tradition; inexpensive, from the valley, 70-85% malbec
- Prestige: mid slopes, mid priced
- Spéciale: plateau, 100% malbec, premium priced
Export: 30% to UK, Canada and USA
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