7. South of France

Question 1

Climate

Answer 1

• Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence
• Warm Mediterranean -> low rainfall, warm and windy climate, lower yields

Question 2

Languedoc

Answer 2

o 220,000 ha of vines / low-lying alluvial pain
o Vineyards on hillside slopes recently (schist soils, small batches)
o GSM, Carignan, Cinsault, Merlot and CS (AOC wines are blends)
o Corbières, St-Chinian, Minervois, Faugères, La Clape, Fitou,
Terrasses du Larzac, Pic Saint-Loup, Picpoul de Pinet, Malepère, Cabardès
o 70% is IGP -> varietal wines (Pays d’Oc)
o High-volume to small batches

Question 3

Roussillon

Answer 3

o 20,000 ha of vines, lower yields than Languedoc (no flat plain,
poorer soils, at slopes)
o GSM and Carignan for reds / Grenache Blanc and Gris for whites
o Côtes du Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Collioure
o High-volume to small batches

Question 4

Provence

Answer 4

o Rosés -> 90% of AOC wine (Grenache Noir and Cinsault)
o Mistral influences
o Reds from GSM, Cinsaut and Carignan (new focus), whites from
Rolle and Clairette
o Côtes de Provence, Coteaux Varois en Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Les Baux de Provence, Bandol, Bellet, Cassis, Palette
o High-volume to small batches