21 - Southern France Flashcards
3 broad areas in Southern France
- Languedoc
- Roussillon
- Provence
Climate in Southern France
Warm Mediterranean
temp. & rainfall in Southern France
- summer temperatures often in excess of 30C
- mild winters
- low rainfall levels especially during the growing season
–> in most years this area can offer ideal conditions for growing grapes
differences in the climate & soil of Southern France, foothills vs coastal plain
- vineyards planted inland in the foothills of the mountains that surround this region are noticeably cooler than those on the coastal plain
- often have less fertile, well-drained soils that are better suited to quality viticulture
how does the wind affect the climate in Southern France?
- strong winds can also have a significant impact on the climate
- cool dry winds blow from the north, cooling the eastern & western ends of the region
1. the mistral blows down the Rhône valley
2. the tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central & the Pyrenees
how does the wind affect the climate in Southern France?
- strong winds can also have a significant impact on the climate
- cool dry winds blow from the north, cooling the eastern & western ends of the region
1. the mistral blows down the Rhône valley
2. the tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central & the Pyrenees
how does the mistral affect Southern Rhône?
the mistral blows down the Rhône valley, cooling the region
how does the tramontane affect Southern France?
the tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central & the Pyrenees, and cools down the region
what wind blows through the gap between the Massif Central & the Pyrenees
tramontane
biggest grape growing challenge in Southern France
drought
(warm dry climate)
is fungal diseases a problem in Southern France?
less of a problem here than anywhere else in France
occasionally Southern France can experience summer …
floods
grape varieties in Southern France
(general info, 7+10)
- black varities account for the majority of the plantings
- the last 20 years has seen dramatic changes to the composition of the vineyards & today both black & white wines reflect a mix of local & international varieties
Black
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Carignan
- Cinsault
- Mourvèdre
- Merlot
- CS
White
- Chardonnay
- SB
- Viognier
- Muscat
- Grenache Blanc
- Picpoul
- Mauzac
- Maccabeu
- Rolle
- Clairette
the most important local varieties of black grapes in Southern France
Grenache & Syrah
Grenache in Southern France
- well suited to the warm, dry summer climate
Syrah in Southern France
- tends to perform better in the cooler sites
Carignan in Southern France
- also widely grown
- naturally high in tannin, acidity & colour
- can lack fruit or finesse
- old vine on poor soil can produce quality wines
- its popularity in the past was due to its ability to produce enormous yields
- plantings have been reduced significantly, a trend that is likely to continue
- it is still so widely plantedit is permitted by all AC regulations
why was Carignan so popular in Southern France in the past?
its popularity in the past was due to its ability to produce enormous yields
Cinsault in Southern France
- used in rosé production or to add red fruit flavours to red blends
Mourvèdre in Southern France
- can ripen successfully only in the warmest sites
- plays an important role in blends adding richness, colour & complexity
- what international varities have significant plantings in Southern France?
- what wines are they used in?
- Merlot & CS
- IGP wines
Wm for red wine in Southern France
- most wines have benefited from investment in modern equipment, improved cellar hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management & the judicious use of new & old oak
- semi-carbonic maceration is practised by some producers as it can play an important role in softening the tannins in Carignan
what white grape varities dominate the plantings in Southern France?
- grape varieties that were not traditionally grown in the region
- Chardonnay & SB are the two most widely planted varieties
Chardonnay & SB in Southern France
- not traditionally grown in the region
- now dominate the plantings of white varieties
- the two most widely planted varieties
- used in the production of IGP wines
Viognier in Southern France
- smaller but still significant plantings
what is the most widely planted local varieties in Southern France?
Muscat & Grenache Blanc
Muscat in Southern France
- one of the most widely planted local varieties
- used in the production of sweet fortified wines
- also sometimes used to make dry wines with aromatic grapey aromas
Grenache Blanc in Southern France
- one of the most widely planted local varieties
- makes dry wines that have a soft peachy fruitiness, full body & low acidity
- tend to oxidise easily
- often blended with other local or Rhône varieties
local varieties in Southern France (5)
- Picpoul in Pinet
- Mauzac in Limoux
- Maccabeu in Roussillon
- Rolle in Provence
- Clairette in Languedoc & Provence
where is Pinet
Southern France
what local grape is grown in Pinet
Picpoul
where is Limoux
Southern France
what local grape is grown in Limoux
Mauzac
where is Roussillon
Southern France
what local grape is grown in Roussillon
Maccabeu
where is Provence
in Southern France
what local grape is grown in Provence
Rolle & Clairette
where is Languedoc
in Southern France
what local grape is grown in Languedoc
Clairette
Picpoul in Southern France
- grown in Pinet
- refreshing high acidity
- green fruit & citrus flavours
départements of Aude, Hérault and Gard is traditionally known as …
Languedoc
départements of Pyrénées-Orientales is traditionally known as …
Roussillon
the majority of the wines from the south of France come from the vineyards of
the départements of Aude, Hérault and Gard traditionally know as Languedoc
between Béziers & Montpellier
a large coastal plain area
further inland and towards the Spanish border the vineyards become …
(Southern France)
more hilly & rugged
further inland and towards the Spanish border the vineyards become …
(Southern France)
more hilly & rugged
Appellation wines in Languedoc & Roussillon (11)
- Languedoc
–> Pic-St-Loup (can add name to the label) - Côtes du Roussillon
- Côtes du Roussillon Villages
- Minervois
- Minervois-La Livinière
- Fitou
- Corbières
- Boutenac
- Picpoul de Pinet
- Limoux
Languedoc
- in Southern France
- generic appellation that covers all the appellation vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes
- the best sub-regions within Languedoc can add their names to the label alongside Languedoc AC
(ie. Pic-St-Loup)
red, white or rosé in Languedoc & Roussillon?
- most appellations permit production of all
the vast majority of the appellation wines in Languedoc & Roussillon are … and based on the quartet of grapes: …..
- red
- Carignan, Grenach, Syrah and to a lesser extent Mourvèdre
a typical wine from each of the appellations of Languedoc & Roussillon is …
- very difficult to describe
- because of
–> the possible variations in the blends
–> many appellations cover significant geographical areas with different climatic & soil conditions dominating in different zones - the cooler areas produce wines with more finesse & lighter tannins & often produce the best Syrahs
- in the warmer areas Mourvèdre is at its best & wines have greater body and some meaty, gamey flavours
- in the larger appellations, wines can often be blends of these different styles
- best: full-bodied & have concentrated spicy red fruit often with oak flavours
- rosés: tend to be soft & fruity wines
Côtes du Roussillon
(geografy, climate/weather, wines, best vy)
- more consistently rugged & mountainous than the other areas of the Languedoc
- bright sunlight, low rainfall & particularly strong winds
- concentrated wines
- the best vineyards are in the north and qualify for Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Fitou
(where, 2 areas, wines)
- north of Côtes du Roussillon Villages
- split into two separate areas
–> a warm coastal strip: produces fuller-bodied wines
–> a cooler area inland & at altitude: lighter wines predominate
Corbières
(where, climate/weather, divided)
- between Minervois & Cotes du Roussillon Villages (& Fitou)
- covers warm sites near the coast & vineyards planted at altitude that are cooled by the tramontane
- subdivided into 11 sub-regions
–> the best, Boutenac, has its own AC
Corbières
(where, climate/weather, divided)
- between Minervois & Cotes du Roussillon Villages (& Fitou)
- covers warm sites near the coast & vineyards planted at altitude that are cooled by the tramontane
- subdivided into 11 sub-regions
–> the best, Boutenac, has its own AC
Boutenac
- sub-region of Corbières in Southern France
Minervois
- north of Corbières, Southern France
- on the slopes of the Massif Central
- vary in quality due to altitude, the richness of the soil & the extent of their exposure to the cooling influences from the Atlantic
(??? s 107) - subdivided
- the best sub-region, La Livinière, has its own AC
Picpoul de Pinet
- where
- climatic infl on grape
- South of France
- near the coast
- the cooling sea breezes help retain the natural high acidity
Limoux
(where, effects, wine)
- South of France
- near the Pyrenees
- benefits from the cooling effect of altitude
- a source of premium oaked Chardonnays
- local grape: Mauzac
Limoux
(where, effects, wine)
- South of France
- near the Pyrenees
- benefits from the cooling effect of altitude
- a source of premium oaked Chardonnays
- local grape: Mauzac
IGP wines in Languedoc & Roussillon
- more IGP wines are made in this area than in any other region of France
- vital for the commercial survival of grape growing in the south of France
- most are sold under the regional name of Pays d’Oc
(covers all the départements that make up Languedoc-Roussillon) - the success of these wines is the result of a number of factors
–> the IGP regulations permit a wider range of grape varieties as well as varietal labelling
–> the warm, sunny climate means that large volumes of ripe, fruity wines can be produced relatively easily compared with other areas of France and therefore many of the wines are excellent value for money
Pays d’Oc
- most are sold under the regional name of Pays d’Oc
- covers all the départements that make up Languedoc-Roussillon
the success of the IGP wines of Languedoc/Roussillon is the result of …
… a number of factors
- the IGP regulations permit a wider range of grape varieties as well as varietal labelling
- the warm, sunny climate means that large volumes of ripe, fruity wines can be produced relatively easily compared with other areas of France and therefore many of the wines are excellent value for money
Provence
(where, geography, wines, appellations)
- South of France
- the landscape is very varied & is broken up by many prominent ranges of hills
- these offer protection from the mistral, and provide a great variety of different site climates & soils
rosés
- account for the vast majority of production
- tend to be very pale in colour, light-bodied & dry on the palate, and display delicate flavours of grapefruit & red fruits
red
- range from fresh & fruity to more full-bodied, barrel-matured styles
white
- best: often make a feature of the aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette
Côtes de Provence
- by far the largest appellation in Provence
- rosés account for the vast majority of production
Along the coast there are three isolated pockets of vineyards, each with its individual Appellation contrôlée
Bandol:
- located to the east of Marseile
- produces premium reds based on the Mourvèdre grape, which is able to ripen reliably on the region’s south-facing terraces slopes
- dark, full-bodied, powerful tannins, require bottle age before they show their full spectrum of bramble, meat & liquorice-spice flavours
Provence
(where, landscape)
- South of France
- the landscape is very varied & is broken up by many prominent ranges of hills
- these offer protection from the mistral, and provide a great variety of different site climates & soils
Rosé in Provence
- account for the vast majority of production
- very pale in colour
- light-bodied & dry on the palate
display delicate flavours of grapefruit & red fruits
Red wine in Provence
range from-to
- fresh & fruity
- more full-bodied, barrel-matured styles
White wine in Provence
- best: often make a feature of the aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette
Côtes de Provence
- by far the largest appellation in Provence
- rosés account for the vast majority of production
- Along the coast there are three isolated pockets of vineyards, each with its individual Appellation contrôlée
Bandol
(where, grape, vy, wines)
- along the coast of Provence in southern France there are 3 isolated pockets of vineyards, each with its individual AC
–> Bandol is one of these - located to the east of Marseile
- produces premium reds based on the Mourvèdre grape, which is able to ripen reliably on the region’s south-facing terraces slopes
- dark, full-bodied, powerful tannins, require bottle age before they show their full spectrum of bramble, meat & liquorice-spice flavours
