8. South of France Flashcards
The Languedoc-Rousillon has a large area under vine (224,000) but the lowest yields of all French wine regions. Why?
Low rainfall and a warm, windy climate causing high levels of evapotranspiration.
What is the general climate of the Languedoc, Rousillon & Provence?
Mediterranean
What per cent of Languedoc’s production does AOC wine account for? Meaning what?
1) 15%
2) Inexpensive IGP/wine without GI dominates production
What per cent of Languedoc’s production do co-operatives account for?
60%
What is the Tramontane?
A cool, dry north-west wind that blows for about 200 days per year reducing disease pressure from fungal disease
What are the six most grown varieties in Languedoc (5 red, 1 white)?
1) Syrah
2) Grenache Noir
3) Merlot
4) Carignan
5) Cabernet Sauvignon
6) Chardonnay
When does Carignan bud and ripen
Late
Why is Carignan not particularly suited to machine harvesting?
The bunches are firmly attached to the vine
What three things is Carignan prone/susceptible to in the vineyard?
1) High yields
2) Powdery
3) Grape moths
How might a winemaker soften Carignan’s tannins? (2)
1) Blending
2) Carbonic
What regional IGP is the biggest producer of IGP wines in France?
Pays d’Oc accounting for up to 15% of all French wine depending on vintage
Considering the South of France is dominated by inexpensive production, what are four common winemaking choices?
1) Temperature controlled stainless steel or concrete
2) Cultured yeasts for reliable ferment
3) 5-7 day fermentation for limited extraction
4) Mid-range temperatures to preserve primary fruit
Which two Languedoc appellations do not require the use of Grenache Noir?
1) Cabardes
2) Malepere
What are the nine Languedoc AOCs (excluding the two Atlantic influenced regions and sub-regions?)
1) Corbieres
2) Minervois
3) Saint-Chinian
4) Fitou
5) Faugeres
6) Pic Saint-Loup
7) Terrasses du Larzac
8) La Clape
9) Picpoul de Pinet
In which two Languedoc appellations is Carignan the principal grape variety?
1) Corbieres
2) Fitou
What are the maximum yields for Languedoc AOC?
1) Red - 50 hL/ha
2) White - 60 hL/ha
AOC regulations state all Languedoc AOCs reds must be a minimum of how many varieties?
Two
What two aspects help grapes retain acidity in Corbieres?
1) Altitude (vineyards planted in Tauch and D’Alaric mountains)
2) Northern winds
What is the maximum yield for red, white, rose in Corbieres?
50 hL/ha
What sub-appellation of Corbieres requires Carignan, Grenache Noir and Mourvedre to make up 70% of the blend?
Corbieres-Boutenac AOC
Describe the terroir of Minervois La Liviniere AOC (4)
1) A limestone terrace up to 400m
2) Good sun exposure
3) Good drainage
4) Cooling influence from altitude
Describe the soils in the north and south of Saint-Chinian AOC
1) North: arid, fast-draining schist with low-yielding vines
2) South: clay and limestone producing higher yields of less concentration
What are the two sub-zones within the northern area of Saint-Chinian
1) Saint-Chinian Roquebrun
2) Saint-Chinian Berlou
Fitou is made up of two areas. Describe the differences
1) Coastal: flat plains of limestone and clay producing lower concentrated wines
2) Inland: mountainous with faster-draining schist and greater potential
Describe the terroir of Faugeres
250-400masl on well-drained, low fertility schist
Compared with many other Languedoc appellations, Pic Saint-Loup’s climate is what?
More continental with higher rainfall
Due to Pic Saint-Loup’s climate, what grape variety performs well?
Syrah
What wine styles may be made in Pic Saint-Loup?
Red and rose only
What wine style may be made in Terrasses du Larzac?
Red only
Terrasses du Larzac must be a blend of at least how many varieties?
Three
Name an example of a super-premium Terrasses du Larzac
La Peira
At what altitude are vineyards in Terrasses du Larzac planted?
120-400m
Describe La Clape AOC (climate)
A coastal Languedoc AOC established in 2015 with a warm, sunny, dry and windy climate
What is the only grape variety in Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
Piquepoul Blanc
Why is Piquepoul Blanc suited to the region?
It retains acidity even in the warm climate
What is the maximum yield of Picpoul de Pinet?
55 hL/ha
What is the primary business type in Picpoul?
Co-ops (90%)
Where is most Picpoul de Pinet sold?
Export 67% (UK 60%)
What is unusual about Malapere AOC’s variety requirement?
Must be at least 40% Merlot
What is unusual about Cabardes AOC’s variety requirement?
Must include 40% of the Cabernets and Merlot
Describe Malepere AOC’s climate
Influenced by the Atlantic due to mountain protection from the Mediterranean
Cabardes AOC must be a blend of what varieties?
40% each of Cabernets, Merlot, and Grenache and/or Syrah
What wine category has increased rapidly in response to demand in the Languedoc in the last 10 years?
Rose
Name a high quality producer found across the Languedoc
Mas de Daumas Gassac
What mountain range dominates the Rousillon?
Pyrenees in the foothills of which most vineyards are planted
Unlike the Languedoc, most of Roussillon’s production is AOC. Why?
There is no extensive flat, coastal plain suited to high volume grape growing
What is Roussillon’s climate?
Warm, windy, Mediterranean with moderate rainfall and high sunshine hours
What’s an advantage and a disadvantage of the wind through Rousillon?
1) Reduced threat of fungal disease
2) Yield reduction (evapotranspiration)
What are the three leading Roussillon AOCs?
1) Cotes du Roussillon AOC
2) Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC
3) Collioure AOC
What is the Rousillon IGP that covers the Pyrenees-Orientales deparment for red and white wines?
IGP Cotes Catalanes
Why are bush vines still more common in Rousillon compared with Languedoc?
The amount of flatter land is far than in Rousillon
What is the maximum yield of Cotes du Roussillon AOC?
48 hL/ha
Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC must be what wine style only?
Red only
What are the four blend requirements of Cotes du Rousillon AOC and Villages AOC?
1) Maximum 50% Carignan
2) Minimum 25% Syrah/Mourvedre
3) 2 varieties minimum
4) Highest percentage variety limited to 80%
What is the maximum yield of Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC?
45 hL/ha
Why might a Cotes du Roussillon Villages have higher acidity than a Cotes du Roussillon AOC?
Higher altitude with greater cooling influences (up to 400m compared with 250m)
What is an example of a named Cotes du Roussillon Villages?
Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel AOC
There are five named villages that may be appended to Cotes du Roussillon Villages. What is their maximum yield?
42 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield of Collioure AOC?
40 hL/ha though typically much lower
With which fortified appellation does Collioure AOC share its boundaries?
Banyuls AOC
What white variety is most used in Provence?
Rolle aka Vermentino
What wind has both positive and negative impacts on Provence?
Mistral
What are two positive effects of the Mistral?
1) Brings a cool wind
2) Mitigates fungal threat
What is a potential negative effect of the Mistral?
Can disrupt flowering and fruit set
What is the local black variety occasionally used in Provence rose?
Tibouren
Up to 20% of white varieties may be used in the blend of a Provence rose. Why might this be useful?
May reduce the alcohol in the blend
What is the most common form of making rose in Provence?
Direct pressing
What are four advantages of hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing fruit destined for Provence rose?
1) Less stress on the grapes especially if picked when coolest
2) Fruit can be sorted in the vineyard
3) Whole bunch is gentler extracting fewer solids and phenolics
4) More juice is produced at lower pressure due to the channels through which the juice can run created by the stems
What are four disadvantages of hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing fruit destined for Provence rose?
1) Requires large, well-trained team
2) Labour can be difficult to source and unavailable at the optimum time
3) Hand harvesting is slower
4) Whole bunch pressing is more time consuming as fewer bunches can be loaded into the press
What are four advantages of machine harvesting fruit destined for Provence rose?
1) Fast
2) Cheaper
3) Grapes can be picked whenever
4) Shortest possible delay between picking and refrigeration/pressing
What are three disadvantages of machine harvesting fruit destined for Provence rose?
1) Expensive cap-ex investment in machinery and op-ex of trained driver
2) Whole bunch is not possible
3) Destemmed grapes require higher pressure to extract the same amount of juice as whole bunch pressing
At what temperature range is Provence rose typically fermented?
14-18
May a Provence rose be anything other than dry?
No
How might the colour of the wine be adjusted if it’s deemed too deep?
Fining
Give an example of an oak-aged, premium Provence rose
Chateau d’Esclans Garrus
What is the maximum yield of Cotes de Provence AOC?
55 hL/ha
What is the largest sub-region of Cotes de Provence AOC?
Cotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOC
What is the principal variety in Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC?
Counoise
What is the maximum yield of Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC?
60 hL/ha
What two Provence AOCs are known for red wines?
1) Les Baux de Provence AOC
2) Bandol AOC
Describe the terroir of Bandol AOC
Steep, terraced slopes with low fertility rocky limestone and clay soils
What is the maximum yield in Bandol AOC?
40 hL/ha
Bandol reds are mostly what variety?
Mourvedre (20-95%)
What are three other small appellations in Provence mostly for white wine?
Bellet AOC
Cassis AOC
Palette AOC
In 1955 cru classe status was granted to 23 estates of which 18 remain. Name one
Domaine Rimaurescq
What country is the largest importer of Provence wine?
USA (nearly 50% of all exports)
How does Provence wine market itself?
On the Riviera lifestyle and with celebrity endorsement/winery ownership
What are the two dominant business types in Provence?
1) Co-ops (50%)
2) Privately-owned wineries (40%)
