21. Southern France Flashcards
What is the climate of Southern France?
Warm Mediterranean. Mild winters and low rainfall during growing season
What are the climatic factor that moderates the weather in Southern France
Cool winds from the north:
- Mistral blows down the Rhone Valley
- Tramontane blows throughthe gap between Massif Central and Pyrenees
What are the most important climatic hazards in Southern France?
- Drought (most important)
- Summer floods (rare)
Which grape variety dominates in Southern France, black or white?
Black varieties
What are the important black local grape varieties grown in Southern France?
- Grenache
- Syrah (better in cooler sites)
- Carignan
- Cinsault
- Mouvedre
Which black grape varieties are used for the production of IGP wines in Southern France?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
Tasting notes for Carignan
- Dark color
- High acid
- High tannins
- Lacks fruit or finesse
What does Cinsault add to a blend? What is it used for primarily in Southern France?
- Add red fruit flavors
- It is used for rose wine production
What are the most widely planted local white grape varieties in Southern France?
- Muscat
- Grenache Blanc
What are the most widely planted white grape varieties in Southern France?
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
What kinds of wines can be produced from Muscat in Southern France?
- Sweet fortified wines generally
- Sometimes dry wines with grapey aromas
Tasting notes for Grenache Blanc wines
- Low acidity
- Full body
- Soft peachy fruitiness
- Oxidize easily
- Often blended with other local or Rhone varieties
Tasting notes for Picpoul wines
- High acidity
- Green fruit and citrus flavors
What kind of appellation is Languedoc?
It is a generic appellation that covers the area from Spanish border to Nimes
Name the important appellations in Languedoc and Rousillion and the way the climate is moderated in these areas?
- Picpoul: Sea breezes
- Minervois: Altitude, cooling from Atlantic
- Corbieres: Altitude, tramontane wind
- Limoux: Altitude
- Fitou: Altitude in inland part
- Cotes du Rousillion: Altitude
- Cotes du Rousillion Villages: Altitude
Why is it not possible to describe a typical wine from Languedoc and Rousillion?
- Possible variations in the blends
- Big area with different climatic and soil conditions
Compare the wines produced in cooler and warmer parts of Languedoc and Rousillion
- Cooler sites: Produce best Syrahs. Wines with more finesse and lighter tannins
- Warmer sites: Mouvedre is at its best. Wines with greater body, meaty, gamey flavors
What is the best sub-region of Minervois?
La Liviniere
What kinds of wines are produced in Fitou?
- Warm coastal area: Full bodied wines
- Cooler inland area: Lighter wines
What is the rank of Languedoc and Rousillion in terms of IGP wine production in France?
Number one
How are the IGP wines labelled in Languedoc and Rousillion?
Pays d’Oc
How is Provence protected from mistral?
Prominent range of hills
Which kind of wine (red/white/rose) accounts for the most majority of wine produced in Provence
Rose
Tasting notes of a typical Provence rose wine
- Very pale in color
- Dry
- Light bodied
- Delicate flavours grapefruit and red fruits
Best white wines of Provence are made with which grapes?
- Rolle
- Clairette
What is the biggest appellation of Provence?
Cotes de Provence
Name the most important appellation in Provence
Bandol
What kind of wines does Bandol produce. Describe the tasting notes
- Premium reds based on Mouvedre
- Dark, full bodied, powerful tannins, with bottle aging shows bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavors
