5 Vin Doux Naturels Flashcards
Where is VDN made?
Roussillon, Languedoc, southern Rhône - 80% in Roussillon
Represents 2% of wine in Langeudoc, 45% of wine in Roussillon
Describe Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
- Most widely planted variety of Muscat in France –> increase in plantings for dry, unfortified wine
- Smaller grapes than Md Alexandria –> flavour intensity
- Tolerates dry weather –> Med climates
- Susceptible to powdery Mildew, botrytis, mites
Describe Muscat de Alexandria.
- Plantings in decline - wines thought to be less refined than MBPG
- Larger grapes than MBPG, more sugar
- Tolerant of dry weather
- Susceptible to powdery mildew and botrytis
Describe Grenache Noir.
- Late ripening –> accumulate sugar quickly –> fortified wine
- Drought resistant –> Med
- High yields –> pale colour if yield not controlled
- Susceptible to coulure, downy mildew, phomopsis, botrytis –> yields
Which other grapes may be used in the production of VDN?
Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Grenache Gris
Describe the winemaking process for a typical VDN (red and white)
- Fermented in SS for temp control (15c for white –> esters, 28c for reds –> extraction)
- Grape spirit 95-96% added when ABV is 5-8% –> 15-18%
- Min RS varies 100-125 g/L (Muscat-based), 45 g/L (Grenache-based)
For white VDN, describe the winemaking process.
- Pressed and fermented off-skins, 6-24hrs skin-contact maybe –> aroma
- May blend or separate press and free-run juice
- Must can be chilled and stored, fermented on demand for fresh style (oxygen contact also minimised)
- Fermented in SS at ~15c –> esters, oxygen contact
For red VDN, describe the winemaking process.
- Must fermented in contact with skin
- Fortification increased extraction –> necessary for ageing
- Pumping over, punching down –> extractive
- Fermented in SS at ~28c –> extractive
Outline the differences in maturation for different styles.
Youhtful - released few months after ferment, stored in SS at constant, cool temp with oxygen protection
- -> Muscat-based: floral, grape, peach, pear, honey
- -> Grenache-based: blackberries, raspberries, plum
Oxidatively Aged - various vessels for several years incl. old oak (part empty), glass demi-johns (part empty and left in sun)
Describe the terroir and wines of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
TERROIR
- Terraced vineyards facing SE
- Dentelles de Montmirail - shelter from Mistral
WINE
- Mainly Muscat BPG
- Muscat Petits Grains Rouge (dark-skinned mutation) used for red and rosé
- Protective winemaking
- Always in unaged style
- White: Med acid, low ABV ~15%, med body, blossom, grape, peach, honey
Describe the terroir and wines of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau.
TERROIR
- Gentle slopes facing S –> sunlight, Mistral protection –> ripeness and flavour
WINE
- Red, rosé, white - unaged or oxidised, majority red
- Rosé - saignee method
- Red - min 75% Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc; juicy, jammy flavour of cherry and plum (unaged); dried fruit, nutty (oxidised); 16-18% ABV
Describe the terroir and wines of Vin Doux Naturel in the Languedoc.
TERROIR + WINES
- Four appellations, all MBPG
1. Muscat de Frontignan (largest) - SW of Montpellier, low alt –> temp –> body, tropical fruit
2. Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois - NE of Minervois, continental with 250-400m alt –> acid, body, stone + floral
What styles of VDN are made in Roussillon?
- Grenat/Rimage
- Tuile/Traditionnel
- Ambré
- Hors d’age
- Rancio
- Grenat/Rimage – denotes unaged styles of red wines. Grenat is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes, Rimage in Banyuls. Blanc: denotes unaged styles of white wines.
- Tuilé /Traditionnel – denotes a red wine that has been matured oxidatively. Tuilé is the
term used in Maury and Rivesaltes, Traditionnel in Banyuls. - Ambré – denotes a white wine that has been matured oxidatively.
- Hors d’âge – denotes a wine that has been matured oxidatively for a longer period than
Tuilé or Ambré wines. The wines can be red or white. - Rancio – denotes a wine with ‘rancio’ character, red or white.
What is Grand Roussillon AOC?
Large area for wines outside the five leading AOCs (may include declassified wines too)
What is Banyuls AOC and Banyuls Grand Cru AOC?
BANYULS
- Eastern end of Pyrenees
- Vineyards on steep, terraced schist
- Mainly red wine - min 50% GN
- Some white VDN
GRAND CRU
- Same area
- Only red, min 75% GN
- Matured for min 30 months
- Wines may also be Hors d’age or Rancio
