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Micky WSET Lv3 > C21 - Southern France - completed > Flashcards

C21 - Southern France - completed Flashcards

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
  • inland in 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 kind 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
  • lack of fruit or 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
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30
Q

What is the best known local variety in Southern France with refreshing, high acidity, green and citrus fruit flavours

A

Picpoul

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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

Which regions can add their names to the label alongside Languedoc AC? Give an example of one

A

Only the best sub-regions may add their names to the labels e.g. 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-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 wine are permitted in Languedoc?

A

Red, white and rosé in most appellations

41
Q

What style are the vast majority of Languedoc wines? Based on what quartet of grapes?

A
  • Red

- 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 the large areas covered by appellations each with varying climatic conditions and soils.

43
Q

How do styles broadly differ based on locations 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

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

62
Q

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

A

Rosés

63
Q

Describe typical Rosé wines from Provence

A
  • Pale
  • Light-bodied
  • Dry
  • Delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits
64
Q

Describe red wines of Provence

A

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

65
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

66
Q

What is the largest appellation in Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence

67
Q

What style dominates in Cote de Provence?

A

Rosé

68
Q

Describe how Cotes de Provence is organised

A

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

69
Q

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

A

Bandol

70
Q

Geographically, where is Bandol?

A

Just to the east of Marseille

71
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
72
Q

Where’s the Southern France wine region?

A

It lies along the Mediterranean coast between Italy in the East and Spain in the West.

73
Q

Which natural disaster is a less of a problem in Southern France?

A

fungal diseases

74
Q

Mourvedre can ripen successfully only in the ____ sites of the southern France.

A

warmest

75
Q

Grenache blanc is often blended with _____ varieities

A

other local or Rhone

76
Q

Where does the Pay d’Oc regional name cover in Southern France?

A

all the departements that make up Languedoc-Roussillon.

Micky WSET Lv3 (46 decks)

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