The Auswine Forum

KMP wrote:Pouilly Fumé?

Sancerre?

Both AOC's aren't they? [scratches head] It must be something more obscure... [/scratches head]

Loire Valley

Sort of a region...

Is it an appellation?

Bick wrote:

KMP wrote:Pouilly Fumé?

Sancerre?

Both AOC's aren't they? [scratches head] It must be something more obscure... [/scratches head]

Yes - more obscure

Vin de Pays d'Oc ?

KMP wrote:Loire Valley

No

Bick wrote:

KMP wrote:Pouilly Fumé?

Sancerre?

Both AOC's aren't they? [scratches head] It must be something more obscure... [/scratches head]

yes, I missed your post on AOC, and I have Didier Dagueneau on the brain.

Mike

n4sir wrote:Sort of a region...

Is it an appellation?

Not an appellation

Bick wrote:Vin de Pays d'Oc ?

No

Chateau?

My suggestion would be .... ask questions ... rather than stabbing at answers

KMP wrote:Chateau?

No

Is it predominantly known for whites or reds?

Is it a type of terrain or geographical feature found in France?

In France, not really a region, not an AOC.

Is it larger than vineyard?

n4sir wrote:Is it predominantly known for whites or reds?

Neither

Bick wrote:Is it a type of terrain or geographical feature found in France?

I'd run with ..... Yes

KMP wrote:In France, not really a region, not an AOC.

Is it larger than vineyard?

Yes

Found in, or associated with, Bordeaux?

Bick wrote:Found in, or associated with, Bordeaux?

hmmm .... indirectly, yes, but not what I'm looking for

Is it in the southwest?

Is it the French oak forests of Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Trancais and Vosges, used to make oak barrels?

Alex F wrote:Is it in the southwest?

No

Bick wrote:Is it the French oak forests of Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Trancais and Vosges, used to make oak barrels?

Yes, it's one of those....
Close enough

Is it the Gironde?

Quizmaster wrote:

Bick wrote:Is it the French oak forests of Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Trancais and Vosges, used to make oak barrels?

Yes, it's one of those....
Close enough

Cool - which one out of interest, and any particular reason for picking this answer this week?

The French oak forests constitute one of the largest oak-growing regions of Europe. The main forest regions are controlled and auctioned by the French government to assure availability and quality. Five primary forests used for wine barrel production are Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Troncais and Vosges.

Forest of origin is a significant factor in the choice of oak in that the terroir and climate of a given region affect, among other things, the density or tightness of grain in the wood. A tighter grain not only means a less porous wood, which ensures a watertight barrel, but releases oak flavour to the wine more slowly with characteristics of vanilla, spice and butter. Leeuwin Estate for example uses fine-grained woods from the Allier and Troncais for their Art Series chardonnay.

By contrast, tough, coarse, loosely-grained wood, such as oak from Limousin, imparts strong flavours more aggressively and is usually less suitable for wine barrels.

Troncais is especially prized for its extremely tight, slow-giving grain and the textured mouth-feel it produces in wines. Some of the finest burgundies are matured in Troncais oak, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée-St-Vivant, Grands Echézeaux, Echézeaux, Montrachet) for example, has its private supply of oak from the Troncais forests.

An individually-named oak-only forest within the Allier region, of over 10,000 hectares, the average age of trees is 250 years. Tronçais is significant not only for the desirable characteristics of its oak but due to history as well. Tronçais was one of many large tracts of forest planted in the 17th century under Loius XIV to provide oak for the French navy. The oak species is Quercus robur exclusively. In deep, rich, loamy soil, Tronçais oak grows to great height. The excellent growing conditions make for very rapid vertical growth and minimal lateral expansion, resulting in an extremely tight grain. Subtle oak flavours make Tronçais well suited for prolonged barrel aging.

A bit more trivia of Troncais
List of classified trees within the forest:

 Square Oak (circumference: 6.44 m, age: 370 years)
 Oak Emile Guillaumin (circ. : 3.80 m, age: 350 years)
 Oak Jacques Knight (circ. : 4.70 m, age: 370 years)
 Twin Oaks (circ. : 4,10 and 4.50 m, age: 400 years)
 Oak Louis-Philippe (circ. : 4.60 m, age: 350 years)
 Oak Montaloyer (circ. 5.48 m, age: 400 years)
 Oak of Resistance (circ. : 3.60 m, age: 350 years)
 Oak Saint-Louis (circ. : 6 m, age: 450 years)
 Oak Sentinel (circ. 6.55 m, age: 475 years)
 Oak Stebbing (circ. 4.60 m, age: 350 years)

Bick wrote:

Quizmaster wrote:

Bick wrote:Is it the French oak forests of Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Trancais and Vosges, used to make oak barrels?

Yes, it's one of those....
Close enough

Cool - which one out of interest, and any particular reason for picking this answer this week?

No reason in particular. I'm not sure how you managed to jump straight to the answer, but well done.

Thanks Quizmaster. I often can't particpate in the quiz, but it is always interesting.