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Matt's WSET level 3 > C21 - Southern France > Flashcards

C21 - Southern France Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the climate of Southern France

A

It has a warm mediterranean climate
Summer temperatures often in excess of 30C
Mild winters
Low rainfall

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2
Q

What are the two main areas of terrain in Southern France?

A

The foothills of the surrounding mountains

The coastal plains

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3
Q

Describe vineyards in the foothills of Southern France

A

Noticeably cooler, less fertile, better drained

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4
Q

What is an additional climatic problem in Southern France?

A

Strong winds

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5
Q

Describe the winds of Southern France

A

Cool winds blow from the north
The mistral blows down the Rhone
The tramontane blows through the gap between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central

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6
Q

What is the biggest grape growing challenge in Southern France?

A

Drought

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7
Q

Despite frequent drought conditions, Southern France can occasionally experience…

A

Summer floods

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8
Q

…varieties account for the majority of Southern France’s plantings

A

Black

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9
Q

What ind of varieties are used in Southern France?

A

Local and international

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10
Q

What are the two most important local grape varieties in Southern France?

A

Grenache and Syrah

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11
Q

Where are Syrah and Grenache respectively best suited within Southern France?

A

Syrah: The cooler sites
Grenache: The warmer, drier sites

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12
Q

What is Southern France’s third most grown grape variety?

A

Carignan

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13
Q

Describe Carignan in Southern France

A

High tannin
High acidity
Deep colour
Can lack fruit/finesse

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14
Q

In what circumstance can Carignan produce quality wines?

A

Old vine Carignan in poor soils

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15
Q

Where does Carignan’s historical popularity in Southern France stem from?

A

Its ability to produce very high yields

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16
Q

What has counteracted Carignan’s ability to produce massive yields?

A

Significantly reduced plantings

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17
Q

Which grape is permitted by all AC regulations in Southern France?

A

Carignan

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18
Q

What is the role of Cinsault in Southern France?

A

It’s used in Rose production or to add red fruit flavours to red blends

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19
Q

Which grape adds richness, colour and complexity to blends in Southern France?

A

Mourvèdre

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20
Q

Which grapes have a big role in the production of IGP wines in Southern France?

A

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

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21
Q

Describe contemporary winemaking in Southern France

A

Most wines now benefit from modern equipment, improved cellar hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management and judicious use of new and old oak

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22
Q

Which additional winemaking practice is practiced by some producers in Southern France

A

Semi-carbonic maceration

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23
Q

What is the chief aim of semi-carbonic maceration in Southern France?

A

To soften the tannins in Carignan

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24
Q

What are the two most widely planted white varieties in Southern France?

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

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25
Q

What is the third most significant white grape in Southern France?

A

Viognier

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26
Q

What are the most widely planted local varieties in Southern France?

A

Muscat and Grenache Blanc

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27
Q

What is Muscat used for in Southern France?

A

Production of sweet fortified wines

Dry wines with aromatic, grapey aromas

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28
Q

Describe the profile of Grenache Blanc in Southern France

A 
Dry wines
Soft, peachy fruitiness
Full body
Low acidity
Tend to oxidise easily
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29
Q

Name five additional local varieties in Southern France and the locales in which they are most prized

A 
Picpoul; Pinet
Mauzac; Limoux
Maccabeu; Rousillon
Rolle; Provence
Clairette; Languedoc and Provence
30
Q

What is the best known of the local varieties in Southern France? Describe the wine

A

Picpoul
Refreshing, high acidity
Green and citrus fruit flavours

31
Q

Which departements make up the Languedoc?

A

Aude, Herault and Gard

32
Q

Which department makes up Rousillon?

A

Pyrenees-Orientales

33
Q

Where do the majority of wines in Southern France come from?

A

Languedoc

34
Q

Roughly describe the terrains of Languedoc and Rousillon

A

There is a large coastal plain area between Beziers and Montpellier
Vineyards more hilly and rugged further inland and towards the Spanish border

35
Q

What area does the Languedoc appellation cover?

A

All vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes

36
Q

Under what circumstances may qualifying regions label their wines with more than just Languedoc AC? Give an example of one

A

The best subregions may add their names to the labels

Pic-St-Loup

37
Q

Give examples of areas within the Languedoc boundaries which do not need to apply ‘Languedoc’ to their label at all
Why is this?

A

Minervois
Cotes-du-Rousillon
Some of the more geographically specific appellations have their own individual regulations

38
Q

What is the smallest type of appellation area within Languedoc?

A

Sub-regional appellations such as Minervois-La Liviniere

39
Q

The…system continues to evolve in Languedoc, as the sub-regions…

A

Appellation

Continue to apply for full AC status

40
Q

What styles of still, dry wine are permitted in Languedoc?

A

Red, white and rosé in most appellations

41
Q

What style are the vast majority of Languedoc wines? From which grapes?

A

Red

From Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and some Mourvedre

42
Q

Describe the wines of Languedoc

A

They are very difficult to describe due to the variations in blend possibilities and because of the large areas covered by appellations (each with varying climatic conditions and soils)

43
Q

How do styles broadly differ based on location within Languedoc? Which varieties flourish

A

Cooler areas produce wines with more finesse and lighter tannins - Syrah is at its best here
Warmer areas produce more gamey, meaty flavours and greater body - Mourvedre is at its best here
In larger appellations, wines can be blends of these styles

44
Q

Describe the best wines of the larger appellations within Languedoc

A

Full-bodied
Spicy, concentrated red fruit
Often with oak flavours

45
Q

Describe rosés of Southern France

A

Soft and fruity

46
Q

What is the most rugged and mountainous appellation of the Languedoc? Describe its climate and wine styles

A

Cotes du Rousillon
Bright sunlight, low rainfall and strong winds
Concentrated wines

47
Q

What constitutes Cotes du Rousillon Villages?

A

The best vineyards in the north of Cotes du Rousillon

48
Q

Describe and name the appellation just to the north of Cotes du Rousillon Villages

A

Fitou
It’s split into two separate areas; a warm coastal strip producing fuller bodied wines and a cooler inland area at altitude, which produces lighter wines

49
Q

Describe and name the appellation just north of Fitou

A

Corbieres

Warm sites near the coast and cooler vineyards at altitude, cooled by the tramontane

50
Q

How many subregions make up Corbieres? Which is the best?

A

11

Boutenac (which has its own AC)

51
Q

Where is Minervois in relation to Southern France’s other sub-regions?

A

North of Corbieres

52
Q

Describe the aspect/topography of Minervois

A

On the slopes of the Massif Central

Varies in quality due to altitude, soil quality and exposure to cooling influences of the Atlantic

53
Q

Like Corbieres, Minervois is…

A

Sub-divided

54
Q

What is the best sub-region of Minervois?

A

La Liviniere (which has its own AC)

55
Q

Describe the location of Picpoul de Pinet

A

Near the coast

Cooling sea breezes help to retain the grape’s natural high acidity

56
Q

Describe the wines of Limoux and its terroir

A

It’s a source of premium, oaked Chardonnays

Benefit from the cooling effect of altitude

57
Q

Describe the role of IGP wines in Southern France

A

More IGP wines are made in Languedoc than any other region of France
Vital for the survival of grape growing in Southern France

58
Q

Which IGP name accounts for the appellations of Southern France

A

Pays d’Oc

59
Q

What has contributed to the success of Pays d’Oc wines?

A

The IGP regulations permit a wider range of grape varieties and varietal labelling
The warm sunny climate means that large volumes of ripe, fruity wines can be produced easily here compared with other regions of France, resulting in excellent value for money

60
Q

Describe the landscape of Provence

A

Very varied and broken up by many prominent ranges of hills

61
Q

Where is Provence?

A

Just east of Pays d’Oc, on the coast

62
Q

What purpose do the hills of Provence serve relating to wine?

A

They protect vineyards from the mistral and provide a variety of soils and climates

63
Q

What style of wine accounts for the vast majority of wines within Provence?

A

Rosés

64
Q

Describe typical Rosé wines from Provence

A

Pale
Light-bodied
Dry
Delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits

65
Q

Describe red wines of Provence

A

Range from fresh and fruity, to more full-bodied, barrel matured styles

66
Q

Which grapes can feature in the best white wines of Provence? What role do they play?

A

Rolle and Clairette

Their aromatic qualities are made use of in these wines

67
Q

What is the largest appellation in Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence

68
Q

What style dominates in Cote de Provence?

A

Rosé

69
Q

Describe how Cotes de Provence is organised

A

There are three isolated pockets of vineyards along the coast, each with its own AC

70
Q

What is the most important of Cotes de Provence’s three coastal ACs?

A

Bandol

71
Q

Geographically, where is Bandol?

A

Just to the east of Marseille

72
Q

Describe wines from Bandol

A

Premium reds based on Mourvedre (ripens reliably on the southern facing terraced slopes)
Dark
Full-bodied
Powerful tannins
Require bottle age
Bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavours

Matt's WSET level 3 (44 decks)

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