Ch 21 - Southern France

Question 1

What is the climate and conditions in Southern France?

Answer 1

Warm mediterranean - often above 30 degrees. Mild winters, low rainfall especially during growing season. Most years offers ideal conditions for growing.

Question 2

Is the region uniform in Southern France?

Answer 2

No - the sites inland in the foothills of the mountains are noticeably cooler than those on the coastal plain and have less fertile, well-drained soils that are better suited to growing.

Question 3

What are the main hazards in Southern France?

Answer 3

Strong winds - cool dry winds blow from the north cooling the east and west ends of the region. Mistral and the tramontane winds come through too. Warm dry climate also risks drought. Sometimes they also have summer floods.

Question 4

What are the main varieties grown in Southern France?

Answer 4

Black varieties dominate: Grenach and Syrah. Carignan is also widely grown.

Question 5

Comment on why/how grenache and syrah thrive in Southern France?

Answer 5

Grenache is well suited tot he warm, dry summer climate. Syrah tends to perform better in the cooler sites.

Question 6

Comment on why/how Carginan became popular in Southern France and its character. How can tannins be softened?

Answer 6

Produces enormous yields. Naturally high in tannin, acidity and colour but can lack fruit or finesse although old vine Carignan on poor soil can produce quality wines. Permitted in all AC regulations. Semi-carbonic maceration.

Question 7

What grape is grown and used for rosé production or in red blends? When used in blends, what does it contribute?

Answer 7

Cinsault - adds red fruit flavours to red belnds

Question 8

Where does Mouverdre grow best in Southern France? How is Mouverdre used in Southern France and what does it contribute?

Answer 8

Can only ripen successfully in warmest sites, plays an important role in blends adding richness and complexity and colour.

Question 9

What other international black grapes are used in IGP wines?

Answer 9

Merlot, Cab Sav.

Question 10

What are the predominant white varieties in Southern France?

Answer 10

Chardonnay and Sav Blanc used in IGP wines. Viognier is also planted.

Question 11

What is Picpoul?

Answer 11

A local variety grown in Pinet. Produces wines with refreshing high acidity, green fruit and citrus flavours.

Question 12

What is Languedoc?

Answer 12

A generic appellation that covers all of the appellation vineyards from the Spanish border to Nîmes. The best sub regions can add their names to the label alongside Languedoc AC.

Question 13

What wines do most appellations in Southern France permit? What is the style made?

Answer 13

Most permit red, white and rose and will be based on Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mouverdre. It is hard to describe a typical wine for each appellation because of variations in blends and because of the large area each area covers with different climatic and soil conditions dominating different zones.

Question 14

What styles of wine would you expect of cooler sites in Languedoc?

Answer 14

WInes with more finesse and lighter tannins, often the best Syrahs.

Question 15

What styles of wine would you expect of warmer sites in Languedoc?

Answer 15

Mouvedre is at its best and wines have greater body and some meaty, gamey flavours.

Question 16

What wines are made in larger appellations?

Answer 16

Often blends of the cool and warm styles - the best are full bodied with concentrated spiced red fruit and flavours from oak.

Question 17

What are Languedoc Rosés like?

Answer 17

Soft and fruity.

Question 18

What are the main subregions in Languedoc with their own ACs?

Answer 18

Cotes du Roussillon, Fitou, Minervois, Corbieres, Picpoul de Pinet.

Question 19

Describe the AC of Cotes du Roussillon and its wines. Where are the best sites and what can they do?

Answer 19

More consistently rugged and mountainous than other areas - bright sunlight, low rainfall and strong winds can produce concentrated wines. Best ones in the north - qualify for Cotes du Roussillon Villages.

Question 20

Describe the AC of Fitou and its wines.

Answer 20

Just north of Cotes du Roussillon villages, split into two areas - warm coastal strip with fuller bodied wines and cooler inland area at altitude with lighter wines.

Question 21

Describe the AC of Corbieres and its wines.

Answer 21

Covers warm sites near coast and vineyards planted at altitude that are cooled by the tramontane. Divided into 11 subregions including Boutenac AC.

Question 22

Describe the AC of Minervois and its wines.

Answer 22

Lies on the slopes of the Massif Central. Vineyards to not reach the coast but vary in qualities due to altitude, richness of soil and exposure to cooling influences from the Atlantic. Also subdivided into smaller ACs (La Liviniere).

Question 23

Describe the AC of Picpoul de Pinet and its wines.

Answer 23

Whites - near the coast, cooling sea breezes help retain naturally high acidity of the Picpoul grape. Limoux gets altitude cooling and is source of premium oaked Chardonnays.

Question 24

What is Pays d’Oc wine?

Answer 24

IGp wine - covers all of the departements that make up Languedoc-Roussillon. Very successful.

Question 25

Why has Pays d’Oc wine been so successful?

Answer 25

IGP regulations permit wider range of varieties and varietal labelling. Warm, sunny climate means large volume of ripe, fruity wines can be produced easier than in other areas so many are excellent value for money.

Question 26

Describe the landscape in Provence.

Answer 26

Very varied and is broken up by many prominent ranges of hills which offer protection from the mistral and provide variety of different site climates and soils.

Question 27

What is the main wine made in Provence and what is the style?

Answer 27

Rosés - tend to be very pale in colour, light bodied and dry with delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits.

Question 28

What are Reds from Provence like?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

What is Cotes de Provence?

Answer 29

The largest appellation in Provence - mostly makes rosés. Has three smaller appellations. Most important is Bandol.

Question 30

What does Bandol produce?

Answer 30

Produces premium reds based on Mouverdre which can ripen reliably on south facing terraced slopes. Dark, full bodied wines with powerful tannins that require bottle age before they show full spectrum of bramble, meat and liquorice.