5.3: Vins Doux Naturels - VDN Appellations and Wine Styles Flashcards
What are the 3 main VDN appellations?
- Rhone
- Languedoc
- Roussillon
What are the 2 VDN appellations in the Rhône?
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
2. Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau
Where are the vines for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise planted?
on terraces on the south-east facing slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, which provides shelter from the Mistral and aids ripening
What percent of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise production is white VDN made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains?
95%
What other grape, in addition to Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, is permitted in Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise production? What types of wines does it make?
- Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge, a dark-skinned mutation (Brown Muscat in Australia)
- red and rosé VDN wines
In what style are all Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines made?
- unaged
Describe typical White Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
- medium bodied
- medium acidity
- low alcohol for a fortified wine (around 15% abv)
- primary aromas and flavours including blossom, grape, peach and honey
Name a significant producer of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
Domaine des Bernardins
What style(s) of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau can be made?
- red, rosé or white
- unaged or oxidative styles
How is rose Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau made?
made by saignee method, and fortified off the skins
In what style is most Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau made?
- mostly red
- tiny proportion white
With what grapes must red Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau be made?
- minimum of 75 per cent Grenache Noir
- Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc as well as a number of other Southern Rhône varieties can also be blended in
Where is most Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau grown?
- gentle south-facing slopes
- maximum exposure to sunlight
- some protection from the cool Mistral
What does the location of the Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau vineyards mean for the final wine?
- grapes easily become very ripe
- suitable for the production of sweet fortified wines
- juicy, almost jammy fruit flavours
Describe unaged Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau.
- notes of cherries and plums
- low to medium alcohol (16-18% abv typical)
Describe oxidative Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau.
- dried fruit and nutty hints
- low to medium alcohol (16-18% abv typical)
How many VDN appellations are there in the Languedoc?
4
In the Languedoc, what must all wine be made from? in what style?
- Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
- unaged style
- subtle differences according to the location of the appellation
What is the largest VDN appellation in the Languedoc? Where is it located? What is the climate? What style does it produce?
Muscat de Frontignan
- south west of Montpellier
- low altitude
- relatively warm
- fuller body, aromas of tropical fruits
Name a VDN appellation in the Languedoc that has a more continental climate. Where is it located? What is the climate? What style does it produce?
Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois
- north east corner of Minervois
- 250-300m elevation
- cooler continental
- higher acidity, lighter body and more stone fruit and floral aromas
VDN represents what percent of all Roussillon AOC production? VDN represents what percent of all Languedoc AOC production?
- Roussillon: 45%
- Languedoc: 2%
What are the 6 main styles produced in Roussillon?
- Grenat/Rimage
- Blanc
- Tuilé /Traditionnel
- Ambré
- Hors d’âge
- Rancio
Describe the Grenat/Rimage style.
- denotes unaged styles of red wines
- Grenat used in Maury and Rivesaltes
- Rimage in Banyuls
Describe the Blanc style.
- denotes unaged styles of white wines
Describe the Tuilé /Traditionnel style.
- denotes a red wine that has been matured oxidatively
- Tuilé used in Maury and Rivesaltes,
- Traditionnel in Banyuls
Describe the Ambré style.
- denotes a white wine that has been matured oxidatively
Describe the Hors d’âge style.
- denotes a wine that has been matured oxidatively for a longer period than Tuilé or Ambré wines
- can be red or white
Describe the Rancio style.
- denotes a wine with ‘rancio’ character
- can be red or white
What are the 5 leading AOCs within the Roussillon region?
- Banyuls AOC
- Banyuls Grand Cru AOC
- Maury AOC
- Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
- Rivesaltes AOC
What is Grand Roussillon AOC?
- covers a wide yet specifically delineated area for VDNs produced outside the five leading AOCs
- can include declassified wines from 5 leading AOCs
Where is Banyuls AOC located?
at the eastern end of the Pyrenees, bordered by the Mediterranean to the east and Spain to the south
What grapes are used in Banyuls AOC?
red:
- minimum of 50% Grenache Noir
- can also include Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris
small amount of white VDN is also made
Where are the vineyards planted in Banyuls AOC?
- steep terraced slopes
- schist
Name a significant producer in Banyuls AOC.
Domaine Vial-Magneres
Where is Banyuls Grand Cru AOC located?
same area as Banyuls
What are the requirements for Banyuls Grand Cru AOC wines?
- wines can only be red
- minimum 75% Grenache Noir
- must be matured for a minimum of 30 months
(hence can only be Traditionnel, Hors d’âge or Rancio in style)
Where is Maury AOC located?
north Roussillon
Where are the vineyards planted in Maury AOC? Why?
- at 100-400 m in the foothills of the Pyrenees
- on dark-coloured schist soils that store heat from the day and release it at night, aiding ripening
What are the requirements for Maury AOC wines?
- red must be minimum of 75% Grenache Noir
- small amount of white is also made, usually in an unaged style
- dry, unfortified wines can also be made
If a dry, unfortified wine is made in Maury AOC, what must it be labelled?
Maury Sec AOC
What is, by far, the largest appellation in Roussillon in terms of production?
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
What styles and varieties are made in Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?
- often a blend of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria
- only made in an unaged style
Where is Rivesaltes AOC located?
north Roussillon close to the Mediterranean coast
What styles are made in Rivesaltes AOC?
- range of VDN styles
- red and white VDNs are made in Grenat, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d’âge and Rancio styles
What are the requirements for white Rivesaltes AOC wines?
- maximum 20% Muscat varieties
- the balance coming from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Malvoisie
What are the requirements for red Rivesaltes AOC wines?
- mainly made from Grenache Noir
Name a significant producer in Rivesaltes AOC.
Domaine Cazes
