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2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM > C21 - Southern France /checked > Flashcards

C21 - Southern France /checked Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the climate of Southern France

climate, summer temp, winters, rainfall

A
  1. It has a warm mediterranean climate
  2. Summer temperatures often in excess of 30C
  3. Mild winters
  4. Low rainfall
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2
Q

What is an weather/climatic challenge in Southern France?

A

Strong winds

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3
Q

Describe the 3 prevailing winds of Southern France

A
  1. Cool, dry winds blow from the north
  2. The MISTRAL blows down the Rhone
  3. The TRAMONTANE blows through the gap between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central
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4
Q

What is the biggest grape growing challenge in Southern France?

A

Drought

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5
Q

What colour variety accounts for the majority of Southern France’s plantings?

A

Black

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6
Q

What are the 2 most important local (black) grape varieties in Southern France?

A
  1. Grenache

2. Syrah

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7
Q

Where are Syrah and Grenache respectively best suited within Southern France? (weather wise)

A

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

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8
Q

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

A

CARIGNAN

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9
Q

Describe Carignan in Southern France

tannin, acidity, colour, fruit

A
  • High tannin
  • High acidity
  • Deep colour
  • Can lack fruit/finesse
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10
Q

In what circumstance can Carignan produce quality wines? (2)

A

Carignan

  1. OLD VINES
  2. POOR SOILS
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11
Q

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

A

Its ability to produce VERY HIGH YIELDS

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12
Q

What AC regulations permit Carignan in Southern France?

A

Carignan is permitted by all Southern France AC regulation.

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13
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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14
Q

What is the role of MOURVEDRE in Southern France?

body, colour, complexity

A

It adds richness, colour and complexity to blends in Southern France

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15
Q

Describe developments in contemporary winemaking in Southern France (5)

A

Most wines now benefit from:

  1. modern equipment,
  2. improved cellar hygiene,
  3. temperature control,
  4. oxygen management,
  5. judicious use of new and old oak
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16
Q

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

A

To soften the tannins in Carignan

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17
Q

What are the 3 most widely planted (non traditional) white varieties in Southern France?

A
  1. Chardonnay
  2. Sauvignon Blanc
  3. Viognier
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18
Q

What are the 2 most widely planted local (traditional) varieties in Southern France?

A
  1. Muscat

2. Grenache Blanc

19
Q

What is Muscat used for in Southern France?

A
  1. Production of sweet fortified wines

2. Dry wines with aromatic, grapey aromas

20
Q

Describe the profile of Grenache Blanc in Southern France (5)

sweetness, body, acidity, flavour, oxidation challenge

A
  • Dry wines
  • Soft, peachy fruitiness
  • Full body
  • Low acidity
  • Tend to oxidise easily
21
Q

Name 5 additional local varieties in Southern France and the locales in which they are most prized.

(beyond Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Grenache Blanc)

A
  1. Picpoul; Pinet
  2. Mauzac; Limoux
  3. Maccabeu; Rousillon
  4. Rolle; Provence
  5. Clairette; Languedoc and Provence
22
Q

Describe PICPOUL wine

acidity, flavours

A
  • Refreshing
  • high acidity
  • Green and citrus fruit flavours
23
Q

Which 3 departements make up the Languedoc?

A
  1. Aude
  2. Herault
  3. Gard
24
Q

Which 1 department makes up (the vineyard of) Rousillon?

A

Pyrenees-Orientales

25
Q

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

A

Languedoc

26
Q

Roughly describe the terrains of Languedoc and Rousillon

between what 2 cities

A

There is a large coastal plain area between Beziers and Montpellier

27
Q

What area does the Languedoc appellation cover?

A

All vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes

28
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

29
Q

Give 2 examples of areas within the Languedoc boundaries which are more geographically specific appellations with their own individual regulations.

Why is this?

A
  1. Minervois
  2. Cotes-du-Rousillon

Some of the more geographically specific appellations have their own individual regulations

30
Q

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

A

Red, white and rosé in most appellations

31
Q

What style are the vast majority of Languedoc wines? From which main 4 grapes?

A

Red

  1. Grenache
  2. Syrah
  3. Mourvedre
  4. Carignan
32
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)

33
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

34
Q

Which IGP name accounts for the appellations of Southern France

A

Pays d’Oc

35
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

36
Q

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

A

Rosés

37
Q

Describe typical Rosé wines from Provence

colour, body, sweetness, flavour

A
  • Pale
  • Light-bodied
  • Dry
  • Delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits
38
Q

Which 2 grapes can feature in the best white wines of Provence? What role do they play?

A
  1. Rolle
  2. Clairette

Their aromatic qualities are made use of in these wines

39
Q

What is the largest appellation in Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence

40
Q

What style dominates in Cote de Provence?

A

Rosé

41
Q

Describe how Cotes de Provence is organised

A

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

42
Q

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

A

Bandol

43
Q

Describe wines from Bandol

colour, body, tannin, flavour

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

2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM (52 decks)

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