22. Southern France Flashcards
What are the 3 main groups of Southern France?
Provence, Languedoc and Roussillon
What is the largest vineyard area of France?
Southern France (not Bordeaux)
What is the climate of Southern France?
warm Mediterranean climate
What area accounts for 60% of the IGP wine made in France?
Pays D’Oc (Languedoc and Roussillon)
What are the 3 winds of Southern France?
tramontane (from the north between Massif Central and Pyrenees at the western end of region,) mistral (from the north down the Rhone at the eastern end of region,) and warm, moist winds from the south (can cause rain in the coastal regions)
Black grapes account for what percentage of Southern France production?
75%
What are the three main black grapes in Southern France?
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
Which Southern France varietal does best in moderate sites?
Syrah
Which Southern France varietal is known for enormous yields?
Carignan
What is the most widely planted grape in Southern
France?
Grenache
What are the 2 most widely planted white grapes in Southern France?
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
What white grape is used for VDN in Southern France?
Muscat
What is the most widely planted local white varietal planted in Southern France?
Muscat
What is the most widely planted local white varietal for dry wine planted in Southern France?
Granache Blanc
What is the biggest viticultural challenge in Southern France?
drought
What departements make up Languedoc?
Herault, Aude, Gard [mneumonic: HAGgLe]
What departement is in Roussillon?
Pyrenees-Orientales
What is the best AC within Minervois AC?
La Liviniere
What is the best AC within Corbieres AC?
Boutenac
Name 2 sub-regions of Languedoc AC.
La Clape (reds like Corbieres,) Pic Saint Loup (concentrated elegant reds)
What varietal is associated with white wines from Provence?
Rolle (Vermentino)
What varietal is associated with wines from Bandol?
Mourvedre
What varietal is associated with a dark, full-bodied red wine with powerful tannins that requires bottle age to demonstrate bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavors?
Mourvedre from Bandol
What is the largest AC in Provence?
Cotes de Provence AC
What is the main product of Cotes de Provence AC
roses 80%
What factor has contributed to successful red wine production in Provence?
allowance of up to 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
What varietals contribute to successful white wine production in Provence?
aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette
