21 - Southern France

Question 1

Describe the area of Southern France.

Answer 1

Along the Mediterranean coast from Italy in the East to Spain in the West.

Question 2

What are the 3 broad areas of S. France?

Answer 2

Languedoc
Roussillon
Provence

Question 3

What styles of wine are produced in S. France?

Answer 3

A wide variety, as a result of the prevalence of the Pays d’Oc IGP alongside more traditional appellations.

Question 4

What is the climate of S. France?

Describe it.

Answer 4

Mediterranean

Summer temps often in excess of 30C
Mild winters
Low Rainfall during growing season.

Most years, it’s ideal growing conditions for grapes.

Question 5

How does climate vary in the S. France region?

Answer 5

Inland vineyards in the foothills of the mountains are noticeably cooler than those on the coastal plain and often have less fertile, well-drained soils suitable for quality wine production.

Question 6

What effects do winds have on S. France?

Answer 6

Cool, dry winds from the north cool the eastern and western ends of the region.

Question 7

What are the 2 winds that affect the region and where do they blow?

Answer 7

The Mistral - Southerly down the Rhone Valley

The Tramontane - Through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.

Question 8

What is the greatest climatic grape growing challenge?

What is of lesser concern in this region?

Answer 8

Drought
Fungal Disease

Summer floods can sometimes occur however.

Question 9

Are the majority of plantings in S. France Red or White?

Answer 9

Red

Question 10

What are the most important black varieties in S. France?

Answer 10

Grenache
Syrah
Carignan
Cinsault
Mourvedre

Question 11

Why do Grenache and Syrah perform well in S. France?

Answer 11

Grenache likes the dry warm summers.

Syrah performs better in the cooler sites.

Question 12

What are the natural characteristics of Carignan.

Why was it traditionally popular.

Answer 12

Naturally high in tannin, acid and colour. But old vine Carignan on poor soil can produce quality wine.

For it’s ability to produce high yields. Plantings have reduced significantly.

Question 13

What is Cinsault used for in S. France?

Answer 13

To make rose

And Add red fruit flavours to red blends.

Question 14

What does Mourvedre add to a blend and where does it ripen?

Answer 14

It ripens in only the warmest sites and plays an important role adding richness colour and complexity to blends.

Question 15

What varietals are planted widely in production of OGP wines in S. France?

Answer 15

Merlot and Cab Sauv

Question 16

What changes have contributed to an improvement in the quality of S. France wines?

Answer 16

Modern equipment
Improved Cellar Hygiene
Oxygen Management
Temperature Control
Judicious use of New and Old Oak

Question 17

Is semi carbonic maceration used in S. France?

Answer 17

By some, in order to soften the tannins in Carignan.

Question 18

What are the most widely planted local white varietals in S. France and what styles of wine are they used to make?

Answer 18

Muscat - Sweet fortified wines, but also dry white wines with aromatic grapey aromas.

Grenache Blanc - Dry whites with a soft peachy fruitiness, full body and low acidity, tending to oxidise easily. Often blended with other local or Rhone varieties.

Question 19

What are the most widely planted white varietals in S. France and what are they used for?

Answer 19

Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay

Viognier, smaller but significant plantings

IGP wines mostly

Question 20

Name some other local varieties grown in the S. France region that are prized in their local areas.

Which is most famous and what is it’s character?

Answer 20

Picpoul - Pinet

Mauzac - Limoux

Maccabeu - Roussillon

Rolle - Provence

Clairette - Loungedoc and Provence

Picpul most famous: Refreshing high acid and green fruit and citrus flavours.

Question 21

What departments make up Languedoc?

Answer 21

Aude
Herault
Gard

Question 22

Where (what vineyard area) do the majority of wines from the S. France region come?

Answer 22

Languedoc

Question 23

What department makes up the vineyards of Roussillon?

Answer 23

Pyrenees- Orientales

Question 24

What 2 cities in S. France are the large coastal plain located between.

Answer 24

Beziers and Montpellier

Question 25

What is the Languedoc

Answer 25

It is a generic appellation that covers all the appellation vineyards between the Spanish border and Nimes.

Question 26

What can the best sub-regions of Languedoc do as far as labelling is concerned?

Answer 26

Add their name to the label alongside Languedoc AC.

e.g. Pic-St-Loup

Question 27

What types of wine are produced in Languedoc?

Answer 27

Red, White and Rose, the vast majority being red. based on the quartet of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and to a lesser extent Mourvedre.

Question 28

Why is difficult to describe a typical wine form each of the appellations in Languedoc?

Answer 28

Because of:
The possible variations in the blend
Many appellations cover significant geographical areas with different climatic and soil conditions dominating in different zones.

Question 29

What is the difference in wine styles between cooler and warmer areas in the Languedoc?

What are the best wines of the region characterized by?

What are the roses of the region like?

Answer 29

Cooler areas tend to produce wines with more finesse and lighter tannins. Often produce the best Syrah’s.

Warmer areas are where Mourvedre shines, producing wines with greater body and some meaty, gamey flavours.

Larger appellations often produce wines that are a blend of these 2 styles. The best are full bodied and have concentrated spicy red fruit, often with oak flavours.

Roses tend to be soft and fruity.