21. Southern France

Question 1

Describe the geography and climate of the vineyards of the Southern France.

Answer 1

• warm Mediterranean climate
• hot summers, mild winters, low rainfall
• inland vineyards are cooler, less fertile, well-drained soils
• biggest grape challenge: drought
• not much of a fungal disease problem
• Mistral blows down from the Rhone
• Temontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees

Question 2

What are the three main grape growing areas of Southern France?

Answer 2

• Languedoc
• Roussillon
• Provence

Question 3

Name the 7 most widely planted black grape varieties.

Answer 3

1. Grenache
2. Syrah
3. Carignan
4. Cinsault
5. Mourvedre
6. Merlot
7. Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 4

What are the two most important black grape varieties? Why?

Answer 4

Grenache: well-suited to the warm, dry summer climate
Syrah: performs better in the cooler sites

Question 5

Describe Carignan.

Answer 5

• widely grown
• naturally high in tannin, acidity, and color
• can lack fruit or finesse
• old-vine Carignan in poor soil can product high quality wines

Question 6

When is Cinsault used?

Answer 6

• rosé wines

- add red fruit flavors to red blends

Question 7

Why is Mourvedre used?

Answer 7

• can ripen successfully only in the warmest sites

- adds richness, complexity, and color to blends

Question 8

In what wines are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon used?

Answer 8

IGP wines

Question 9

What are the 6 white grape varieties of Southern France?

Answer 9

1. Chardonnay
2. Sauvignon blanc
3. Viogner
4. Picpoul
5. Muscat
6. Grenache blanc

Local:
Picpoul (Pinet)
Mauzac (Limoux)
Maccabeau (Roussillon)
Rolle (Provence)
Clairette (Languedoc, Provence)

Question 10

What are the two most widely planted grape varieties? In what wines are they used?

Answer 10

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

-IGP wines

Question 11

In what types of wines is Muscat used?

Answer 11

1. sweet fortified wines

2. dry, aromatic, grape-y wines

Question 12

In what types of wines is Grenache blanc used?

Answer 12

• dry wines
• soft peachy fruitiness
• full body
• low acidity
• tend to oxidize early
• often blended

Question 13

Describe Picpoul.

Answer 13

• refreshing high acidity
• green fruit
• citrus flavors

Question 14

What are some of the local white grape varieties and where are they grown?

Answer 14

Picpoul (Pinet)
Mauzac (Limoux)
Maccabeau (Roussillon)
Rolle (Provence)
Clairette (Languedoc, Provence)

Question 15

What is Languedoc?

Answer 15

• generic appellation that covers all the appellation vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes
• best subregions can add their names to the label alongside Languedoc AC
• many sub-appellations with their own individual regulations
• wide variation in style, soil, climate, etc.

Question 16

What grapes are prevalent in Languedoc?

Answer 16

• most appellations permit red, white, rose
• vast majority is red
• Carignan, Grenache, Syrah (some Mourvedre)

Question 17

Describe Languedoc wines from cooler areas.

Answer 17

• more finesse
• lighter tannins
• best Syrahs

Question 18

Describe Languedoc wines from warmer areas.

Answer 18

• Mourvedre is best
• higher body
• more meaty, gamey flavors

Question 19

Describe the best Languedoc wines.

Answer 19

• blends
• full body
• concentrated spicy red fruit
• some oak
• rosés: soft and fruity

Question 20

Describe Cotes du Roussillon.

Answer 20

• rugged and mountainous
• bright sunlight
• low rainfall
• strong winds
• concentrated wines
• best vineyards are in the North, qualify for Cotes du Roussillon Villages

Question 21

Describe Fitou.

Answer 21

• north of Cotes du Roussillon
• split into two areas:
  1. warm coastal strip (fuller bodied)
  2. inland (lighter wine)

Question 22

Describe Cobieres.

Answer 22

• warm sites near the coast
• vineyards planted at altitude cooled by the tramontana
• 11 subregions
• best: Boutenac AC

Question 23

Describe Minervois.

Answer 23

• lies on the slopes of the Massif Central
• variations in altitude, richness of soil, exposure to cooling Atlantic
• best subregion: La Liviniere AC

Question 24

Describe Picpoul de Pinet.

Answer 24

• near the coast
• cooling sea breeze
• naturally high acidity

Question 25

Describe Limoux. What grape does well there?

Answer 25

• benefits from cooling effects of altitude

- Chardonnay (premium, oaked)

Question 26

Describe IGP wines from this area.

Answer 26

• “Pays d’Oc”
• permits a wider range of grape varieties
• warm, sunny climate
• ripe, fruity wines
• excellent value

Question 27

Describe the geography of Provence.

Answer 27

• Varied landscape (climates, soils)

- broken up by many prominent ranges of hills (protection from the Mistral)

Question 28

What types of wines are most common in Provence?

Answer 28

• rosés
• very pale in color
• light body
• dry
• grapefruit, red fruit
• vary from fresh & fruity to more full bodied & barrel-matured.

Question 29

What grapes make the best white wines in Provence?

Answer 29

Rolle, Clairette

Question 30

Describe Cotes du Provence. What’s the most important sub-region?

Answer 30

• largest appellation in Provence
• roses account for vast majority in productions
• Bandol: located to the east of Marseille
• premium reds of Mourvedre
• dark
• full body
• powerful tannins
• require bottle age
• meat, liquorice-spice