21 - Southern France Flashcards
Describe the area of Southern France.
Along the Mediterranean coast from Italy in the East to Spain in the West.
What are the 3 broad areas of S. France?
Languedoc
Roussillon
Provence
What styles of wine are produced in S. France?
A wide variety, as a result of the prevalence of the Pays d’Oc IGP alongside more traditional appellations.
What is the climate of S. France?
Describe it.
Mediterranean
Summer temps often in excess of 30C
Mild winters
Low Rainfall during growing season.
Most years, it’s ideal growing conditions for grapes.
How does climate vary in the S. France region?
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.
What effects do winds have on S. France?
Cool, dry winds from the north cool the eastern and western ends of the region.
What are the 2 winds that affect the region and where do they blow?
The Mistral - Southerly down the Rhone Valley
The Tramontane - Through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.
What is the greatest climatic grape growing challenge?
What is of lesser concern in this region?
Drought
Fungal Disease
Summer floods can sometimes occur however.
Are the majority of plantings in S. France Red or White?
Red
What are the most important black varieties in S. France?
Grenache Syrah Carignan Cinsault Mourvedre
Why do Grenache and Syrah perform well in S. France?
Grenache likes the dry warm summers.
Syrah performs better in the cooler sites.
What are the natural characteristics of Carignan.
Why was it traditionally popular.
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.
What is Cinsault used for in S. France?
To make rose
And Add red fruit flavours to red blends.
What does Mourvedre add to a blend and where does it ripen?
It ripens in only the warmest sites and plays an important role adding richness colour and complexity to blends.
What varietals are planted widely in production of OGP wines in S. France?
Merlot and Cab Sauv
What changes have contributed to an improvement in the quality of S. France wines?
Modern equipment Improved Cellar Hygiene Oxygen Management Temperature Control Judicious use of New and Old Oak
Is semi carbonic maceration used in S. France?
By some, in order to soften the tannins in Carignan.
What are the most widely planted local white varietals in S. France and what styles of wine are they used to make?
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.
What are the most widely planted white varietals in S. France and what are they used for?
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Viognier, smaller but significant plantings
IGP wines mostly
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?
Picpoul - Pinet
Mauzac - Limoux
Maccabeu - Roussillon
Rolle - Provence
Clairette - Loungedoc and Provence
Picpul most famous: Refreshing high acid and green fruit and citrus flavours.
What departments make up Languedoc?
Aude
Herault
Gard
Where (what vineyard area) do the majority of wines from the S. France region come?
Languedoc
What department makes up the vineyards of Roussillon?
Pyrenees- Orientales
What 2 cities in S. France are the large coastal plain located between.
Beziers and Montpellier
What is the Languedoc
It is a generic appellation that covers all the appellation vineyards between the Spanish border and Nimes.
What can the best sub-regions of Languedoc do as far as labelling is concerned?
Add their name to the label alongside Languedoc AC.
e.g. Pic-St-Loup
What types of wine are produced in Languedoc?
Red, White and Rose, the vast majority being red. based on the quartet of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and to a lesser extent Mourvedre.
Why is difficult to describe a typical wine form each of the appellations in Languedoc?
Because of:
The possible variations in the blend
Many appellations cover significant geographical areas with different climatic and soil conditions dominating in different zones.
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?
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.
