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D3 Wines of the World > 8 - South of France > Flashcards

8 - South of France Flashcards

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1
Q

How large is the Languedoc-Roussillon?

A

240,000ha > Chile, Australia, South Africa

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2
Q

Generally speaking how well do AOCs within L-R yield? Why?

A

Lowest of all regions - about 1/2 Champagne or Alsace on average - low rainfall + warm, windy climate –> high evapotranspiration

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3
Q

Describe the growing environment of the Languedoc

A

Climate: Mediterranean, sunny, 600mm rain

Winds: Tramontane (cool, dry, NW) –> disease pressure

Topography: most production in the alluvial plain near sea, hillier areas further north

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4
Q

Outline the history of wine production in the Languedoc

A

Large production by c19th - railways to Paris

90% co-ops in 1950s

Growth when wine stopped being imported from Algeria post-1937

Area under vine halved between 1968 and today as demand fell

Inexpensive wine is bulk of production + increased small production

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5
Q

What are the climatic challenges for growers in Languedoc?

A

Low levels of rainfall + warmth + wind = water stress –> yields

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6
Q

What are the most widely grown grapes in Languedoc?

A
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7
Q

Describe Carignan

A

Late budding

Late ripening - requires warm climate

High yields - 200 hL/ha –> concentration (old vines limit yield and improve concentration)

Vulnerable to: powdery mildew, grape moth

Difficult to harvest mechanically - grapes attached to vine

Typical: med ruby, simple black fruit, high acid, high tannin, acceptable-good/inexpensive

HQ: intense black fruit, spice, earth, premium-SP

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8
Q

How has vineyard management evolved in the Languedoc?

A

Bush vines - provides shade but required labour - increasingly scarce

Trellised vines –> mechanisation which has improved

IGP wines = machine harvested, many AOC wines machine harvested

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9
Q

Describe the winemaking process for inexpensive red wine in Languedoc

A

1. Ferment - Crushed Fruit

Crushed fruit ferment with short maceration (5-7 days) –> tannins

Ferment in SST or concrete

Cultured yeast –> speed and consistency

Mid-range - primary fruit

2. Ferment - Wholebunch

Carbonic maceration - fruity wines from Carignan by limited tannin extraction

Can also make HQ wines (see below)

Maturation

Limited with wines stored in SST or concrete –> early drinking

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10
Q

How do IGP regulations differ from AOC within Languedoc?

How much IGP is made cf. to AOC?

A

Higher max yields e.g. 90 for red/whites cf. 40-60 for AOCs

More varieties - up to 58 authorised

Varietal labelling common

IGP = 70% of production

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11
Q

How can different IGP’s in Languedoc overlap?

A

Regional e.g. IGP Pays d’Oc

Departmental e.g. IGP Gard

Local e.g. IGP Côtes de Thongue

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12
Q

Break down the quantities and styles of wine produced within IGP Pays d’Oc.

Where is it sold?

A

Largest single IGP - 10-15% of annual French production

50% red, 25% white, 25% rose

Fresh, fruity, little or no oak, early drinking. Good-VG/inexpensive-mid-priced.

50 domestic - mainly supermarkets

50 export - Germany, Netherlands, Belgium

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13
Q

Describe the general rules on blends applied within Languedoc AOCs

A
  • Each AOC has principal and allowed grapes
  • All require at least two varieties –> all AOCs wines are blends
  • Most have an upper limit for any one variety allowed e.g. 80%
  • Almost all AOCs require Grenache Noir, and most require Syrah and Mourvedre
  • Carignan is a principal grape in Corbieres and Fitou
  • Sub-regions may have different rules from the larger appellation e.g. Saint-Chinian-
    Roquebrun AOC requires more GSM than S-C AOC
  • Different % can be set for plantings - this also unused grapes to be used for other wines e.g. rose, IGP or VDF
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14
Q

What yields are typical of AOCs in Languedoc?

A

Languedoc AOC - 50 red, 60 white

Sub-regional AOCs - 45-50

Sub-zones - may be lower e.g. 40

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15
Q

Compare the style of a regional, sub-regional (named) and sub-zone (sub-appellation)

A
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16
Q

Describe the situation, climate, wines, sub-zones and business of Corbieres AOC

A

Situation: hilly with mountain ranges Tauch and D’Alaric and altitude up to 450m

Climate: cool northern winds + altitude = moderation

Wines: 90% red wine + white + rose

Sub-zones: Corbieres-Boutenac - higher % of principals

Business: mainly sold in France (70) via supermarkets, China, Ger and Belgium are main export markets

Nota bene:

  • 10,000ha, 4th largest appellation in France
17
Q

Describe the situation, climate, wines, sub-zones of Minervois AOC

A

Situation: extensive, just north of Corbieres

Climate: varies depending on altitude and proximity to Med

Wines: Mostly red + white and rose

Sub-zone: La Livinière AOC –> limestone terrace up to 400m, generally cooler

18
Q

Describe the situation, wines, sub-zones of Saint-Chinian AOC

A

Situation: between Minervois and Faugeres

Wines: mainly red and rose

Northern zone: arid, well-drained schist (yields, concentration), home to Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian Berlou

Southern zone: clay and limestone - more water retention - yields and concentration

19
Q

Describe the situation, sub-zones, wine and business of Fitou AOC

A

Situation: two areas separated by Corbieres, next to Roussillon

Coastal zone: flat, low altitude, clay and limestone

Inland zone: mountainous, infertile and draining schist soils

Wine: Carignan must be 10-40% of blend, at least 20% Grenache

Business: Mont Tauch co-op = 50% production

Nota bene:

  • Languedoc’s first AOC in 1948
20
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and business of Faugeres AOC

A

Situation: east of St-Chinian

Growing environment: 250-400m altitude, schist soils –> average yield is 33 vs max of 50

Business: sold almost entirely in France, 90%

Nota bene

  • wines require one year of ageing
  • 40% organic
21
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and wine of Pic Saint-Loup AOC

A

Situation: east of Terrasses du Larzac

Growing environment: more continental, more rainfall 1,000mm, climate similar to N. Rhone

Wine: Syrah 50% of the final blend, red and rose only

22
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and wine of Terrasses du Larzac AOC

A

Situation: between Faugeres and Pic Saint-Loup

Growing environment: range of altitudes 100-400m, large diurnals

Wines: red wines only with at least three varieties

Nota bene:

  • Reputation for quality
23
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and wine of La Clape AOC

A

Situation: coastal near Narbonne

Growing environment: warm, sunny, dry, windy –> good for Mourvedre

Wines: 80% red with good rep for white from Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc

Nota bene:

  • Established in 2015
24
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment, wine and business of Picpoul de Pinet AOC

A

Situation: coastal

Growing environment: low-lying, warm, dry, sunny

Wine: 100% white from Piquepoul Blanc - med intensity lemon and floral, dry, med(+)-high acid, med body, acceptable-good, inexpensive-mid

Business: 65% exported with tourists drinking lots, top export is to UK, co-ops like Ormarine account for 90% of production

25
Q

Name the two Atlantic influenced Languedoc appellations. What are the notable difference in grapes used?

A

Malpere - protected from Med by mountains, min 40% Merlot

Cabardes - both Atlantic and Med, min 40% BDX varieties and 40% Grenache, Syrah

26
Q

Outline trends in production and exports in the Languedoc (5)

A

Rose - production up 35% 2010-7

Exports - up 15% 2011-16

Large focus on mid-priced wines made with blends of traditional varieties under named appellation - growers leaving co-ops

Investment from elsewhere in France - old vines, cheap land, variety of growing environments

Premium - super-premium producers e.g. Domaine de la Grange des Pères, Mas de Daumas Gassac

27
Q

How has the Languedoc used regional bodies to promote the region?

A

Sud de France - promotes wine, food and tourism

ViniSud wine fair - export market

28
Q

How large is the Roussillon? What kind of wines does it produce?

A

21,000ha (<1/10th Languedoc) - used to be 3x as large

70% vineyard area is AOC but production of AOC:IGP is 1:1

Mostly red, 25% VDN, rose and some wihite

Co-ops produce 75% of vol

29
Q

Describe the growing environment of the Roussillon. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

A

Climate: warm, windy, Med, moderate rainfall (~550mm), sunny –> drought can be an issue

Topography: dominate by Pyrenees foothills; no flat coastal areas

Advantages: low disease pressure (wind and low rain), lower yields = more concentration

Disadvantages: lack of fertile plains for bulk production, wind and low rain reduce yields

30
Q

Which varieties are most widely planted in Roussillon?

A
31
Q

Why are bush vines important in Roussillon?

A

Well adapted to climate - shade

While trellising allows for mechanisation, less flat land means manual labour is needed in many vineyards anyway cf. Languedoc

32
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and rules of the Cotes du Roussillon AOC

A

Situation: across most of the region (5,000ha)

Growing environment: lower slopes (100-250m)

Rules: max 48 hL/ha, min two varieties, main variety can be no more than 80%, max 50% Carignan, principals (Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, Syrah) - all in all similar to Languedoc

33
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and rules of the Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC

A

Situation: < 1/2 size of CdR AOC

Growing environment: higher slopes 100-400m –> more work by hand

Rules: red only, same blending rules, max yield a bit lower (but in practice is lower still)

Named villages: five named villages e.g. CdRV Tautavel with lower max yields, some require carbonic for Carignan

34
Q

Describe the situation, growing environment and rules of the Collioure AOC

A

Situation: same area as Banyuls on coast near Spain

Growing environment: steep terraces, poor soil

Wines: full body red and white from GSM or Grenache Gris

Rules: lower max yield but actual much lower (20-25hL/ha) due to climate and poor soil

35
Q

Describe the region covered by IGP Côtes Catalanes

A

Entire Pyrénées-Orientales département

Includes super-premium whites e.g. Gauby

36
Q

How does the winemaking in Roussillon compare to Languedoc?

A

Extremely similar - reds can be made with crushed fruit or carbonic

Although a large % of HQ wine made so crushed fruit more likely - ripe tannin

37
Q

Explain what makes Roussillon attractive to winemakers producing premium and super-premium wine? (4)

A
  • Hot, arid, windy climate encourages low yields –> concentration
  • Prevalence of old vines and bush vines
  • Land relatively cheap
  • No risk of mass production devaluing name - little flat land
38
Q

Name some notable producers from Roussillon

A

Thunevin-Calvet

Domaine de Bila-Haut

Gauby

Clos des Fees

Le Soula

39
Q

Where is Roussillon wine sold?

A

80 domestic

20 export - China, Belgium, Germany

D3 Wines of the World (55 decks)

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