Ch. 8 – South of France Flashcards
Large regions in South of France
Languedoc
Roussillon
Provence
General climate in South of France
Low rainfall
Warm windy climate (high evapotranspiration rate)
- causes low yields for AOC wines
Languedoc climate and topography
Mainly located on low-lying alluvial plain
Mediterranean climate
- high levels of sunshine
- rainfall below 600mm
- very warm summers
- very favourable for grape growing
Cool, dry Tramontane north-west wind - about 200 days a year - low disease pressure - reducing need for spraying - growth of certified organic vineyards (1/3 of France organic vineyards)
Wind which acts as cooling influence in Languedoc
Tramontane
North west wind
- about 200 days a year
- low disease pressure
- reducing need for spraying
- growth of certified organic vineyards
Grape varieties grown in Languedoc
Carignan Syrah Grenache Noir Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsaut
Carignan
Buds late, ripens late
Can produce high yields (200 hl/ha and more)
- yield has to be sharply reduce to produce quality
- yield also reduces with age of vine (50+)
Prone to powdery mildew and grape moths
Not particularly sited to mechanical harvesting as bunches are very tightly attached to vine
Vine pull scheme - reduction of plantings
High acidity and tannins (often used carbonic maceration to soften, or blended)
Typically unoaked
Medium ruby colour, simple blackberry fruit
Vineyard management in Languedoc
historically bush vines (some remain)
Recently trellised - allowing mechanization
IGP mostly mechanized
Winemaking in Languedoc
Carbonic maceration for fruity styles
- low tanins, preserving primary aroma
- Carignan
Most wine is crushed and fermented on skins for 5-7 days (to limit tannins)
- mid range temperatures to preserve primary fruit
High quality wines
- warm fermentation
- barriques for maturation
IGP wines in Languedoc
- regulations (yields and varieties)
nearly 70% of production
More flexible regulations
- 90 hl/ha for white and red wine, 100 hl/ha for rose
- wide range of varieties allowed (58)
IGP Pays d’Oc
biggest producer of IGP wine in France
(10-15% of all French wine)
Half red, quarter white and quarter rose
Little or no oak
- 90 hl/ha for white and red wine, 100 hl/ha for rose
Languedoc AOC wines and regulations general
Each appellation lists principal varieties and other allowed varieties
In all cases Languedoc AOC for red wine requires minimum of 2 varieties including one or more of the principal varieties.
Most state upper limit for any one varieity
- all AOC is blend
- may also state maxium for single variety or combination of varieties
Nearly all require Grenache in blend and most require Syrah and Mourvedre
Different % can be set for vineyards and final blends
- allowing flexibility
Each AOC also sets max yields (typically between 40-50 hl/ha) sub-zones may reduce them further
- average is lower in practise (due to rainfall and low fertility)
Languedoc AOC
max 50 hl/ha for red wine, 60 hl/ha for white
Principal variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
- blend of min 2 varieties (incuding min 1 principal)
- no variety above 80%
- total of principal varieties min 40%
- other varieties max 30% together
Style, quality and price grouping of AOC wines in Languedoc
Regional appellation
- Languedoc AOC
- med intensity, simple blackberry red plum, med tannins acidity, body and alcohol
Named appellation
- e.g. Corbières AOC
- med to med+ intensity, fruity and herbal notes, medium tannins, med to med+ acidity, med+ to full body
- minority of wines have oak influence
Sub-appellations
- e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC
- med+ to pronounced aromas, med+ tannin
- very good to outstanding quality
Corbières AOC
hilly appellation
- Tach and D’Alaric mountain ranges
- up to 450m
- cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds
4th largest in France (over 10,000 ha)
Nearly 90% red wine
Min 40% must be of any principal varieties:
- Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre and Syrah
Remainder from other permitted varieties
- But Cinsaut only up to 20%
Max yield for any colour 50 hl/ha
Rose from Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne or Rolle
Sub-appellation - Corbières-Boutenac AOC
- Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre min 70%
Sub-appellation in Corbières
Corbières-Boutenac AOC
Minervois AOC
Range of climatic zones based on altitude and proximity to Mediterranean Sea
Min 50% of Grenache, Syrahm, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault
- But no variety exceding 80% alone
Sub-zones:
Minervois La Livinière AOC
- red wine only
- limestone terrace of gentle slopes up to 400m
- very good drainage and sun exposure
- the higher altitude the higher acidity
- min 40% of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache
- together with Carignan and Cinsault min 80%
Sub-appellation of Minervois
Minervois La Livinière
- red wine only
- limestone terrace of gentle slopes up to 400m
- very good drainage and sun exposure
- the higher altitude the higher acidity
- min 40% of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache
- together with Carignan and Cinsault min 80%
Saint-Chinian AOC
min 50% of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
2 areas within:
- Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC
- Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC
Fitou AOC
2 areas with Corbières in between them
First AOC in Languedoc
Coastal area
- flat, clay, limestone with good water retention
- less concentrated than inland
Inland
- more mountainous, less fertile, free draining soils
Carignan (10-40%), Grenache (min 20%)
Mount Tauch cooperative (half of the production)
Faugères AOC
250-400m schist, free draining, good concentration
- low average yields
- a lot of organic grape growers (40%)
Must be aged for min 1 year
almost entirely sold in France
Pic Saint-Loup AOC
More continental climate (similar to Northern Rhone)
Considerable rainfall (1000mm)
Syrah min 50%
Only red wine and rose
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
Range of different altitudes, high diurnal range, fresh acidity
Red wine only
Must be blend of min 3 varieties
Many premium wines (La Peira)
La Clape AOC
Warm, sunny, windy
80% red (especially Mourvedre - needs heat)
- but known for whites
- min 60% of Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc
Languedoc appellations
Pays d'Oc IGP Corbières AOC Minervois AOC - Minervois La Livinière AOC Saint-Chinian AOC Fitou AOC Faugères AOC Pic Saint-Loup AOC Terrasses du Larzac AOC La Clape AOC Malepère AOC Cabardès AOC Picpoul de Pinet AOC
Atlantic influenced AOCs
Malepère AOC
- blend of min 2 varieties, min 40% Merlot
- protected from Mediterranean by mountains
Cabardès AOC
- both Mediterranean and Atlantic influence
- min 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grenache and Syrah
Picpoul de Pinet AOC
only white wine from Piquepoul Blanc
- retains acidity very well
- used to be used for Vermouth
Max yield 60 hl/ha
Dry with medium body, med+ (high) acidity and med intensity lemon , floral notes
65% exported
Sold in bottle with enbossed Languedoc cross
90% cooperatives (e.g. Ormarine)
Wine business in Languedoc
dominated by IGP (70%) and ‘wine’
15% AOC
Increase in Rose production
Exports are growing
Historically producing inexpensive wines by cooperatives
Now winemakers stop in cooperatives and make their own wine, lots of investment, attraction of old vine stock, variable lanscape and low land prices
Languedoc promotional body
Sud de France
also organises ViniSud wine fair
Roussillon growing environment and climate
dominated by Pyrenees
- vineyards on slopes or foothills
70% AOC (no extensive flat area for high volumes)
Warm, windy, Mediterranean climate
- moderate rainfal 500-600mm
- high sunshine hours
- very favourable for viti
- drought can be issue
- frequent wind, low rainfall - low disease pressure
- reduced yields
high proportion of organic viti
Composition of styles in Roussillon
70% AOC (no extensive flat area for high volumes)
Quarter Vin Doux Naturel
Strong influence of cooperatives 75%
Majority red followed by rose and a bit of white
Grape varieties in Roussillon
Grenache Noir Syrah Carignan Muscat Blanc Muscat of Alexandria Macabeu
Vineyard management in Roussillon
Historically bush vines
- providing shade for bunches
- most work by hand
Now plantings are trellised (but less than in Languedoc)
Main AOC for dry wines in Roussillon
Côtes du Roussillon AOC
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Collioure AOC
Côtes du Roussillon AOC
lower slopes 100-250m
max yield 48 hl/ha
Principal varieties Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Max Carignan in vineyard 50%
Min 25% of Syrah and Morvedre (alone or together) in the vineyard
Blend of min 2 varieties
- variety of highest percentage max 80%
Wines are similar to Languedoc AOC
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Red wine only
Slopes of 100-400m (greater acidity)
Same rules as Côtes du Roussillon about varieties:
Principal varieties Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
Max Carignan in vineyard 50%
Min 25% of Syrah and Morvedre (alone or together) in the vineyard
Blend of min 2 varieties
- variety of highest percentage max 80%
max yield 45 hl/ha
5 villages can append their names
- e.g. Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel AOC
Some villages require Carignan vini carbonic
Equivalent to Languedoc sub-appellations
Collioure AOC
Same boundaries as Banyuls AOC (fortified)
Full bodied, dry, red and white wines
Steep terraces
Predominantly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Whites: Grenache Gris
Max yield 40 hl/ha (white/red)
- still rarely achieved due to heat, low rain and poor soils
IGP appellation for Roussillon
IGP Côtes Catalanes
Winemaking in Roussillon
Maceration on skins or carbonic maceration
Wine business in Roussillon
and producers
Cooperatives are important
Increasing trend towards high quality individual wineries
- some of them set up from outside of the region
- Thunevin-Calvet
- Domaine de Bila-Haut (Chapoutier)
- Domaine Gauby
- Clos des Fees
- Le Soula
80% sold in France
Promotional body Sud de France
Provence rose production size %
90% of Provence wine
40% of French wine
Provence growing environment and climate
Warm mediterranean climate
- adequate rainfall
- cold Mistral wind - reducing fungal diseases
- many organic vineyards
- up to 400m inland (moderarting influence)
Wind affecting Provence
Mistral
Provence viticulture
Traditional bush wines are being replaced with trellised vines
- reducing cost
- mechanization
Grapes for rose are picked earlier (acidity) than for red
Important that tannins are sufficiently ripe to avoid biterness
Choosing right date is crucial
Provence Rose winemaking
Usually Grenache Noir and Cinsaut (+ local Tibouren)
- AOC allows 20% of white grapes
Fruit is handled protectively
Direct pressing or short maceration (few hours)
Fermentation typically in steel
- ambient or selected yeast
- 14-18 degrees (top end of cool/low end of mid range)
- preserving primary aromas but avoiding banana aromas associated with very low temp
- must be fermented dry (AOC rules)
Malo is typically blocked
Fining to reduce colour if necessary
Stored for 2-3 monthson on the lees in steel
Few producers make oak-aged premium rose (Chateau d’Esclans)
Provence rose grape varieties
Usually Grenache Noir and Cinsaut (+ local Tibouren)
- AOC allows 20% of white grapes
Provence appellations
Côtes de Provence AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC Les Baux de Provence AOC Bandol AOC Bellet AOC Cassis AOC Palette AOC
Côtes de Provence AOC
20,000 ha under vine
- 90% rose
Principal varieties: Cinsaut, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, Syrah, Tibouren
Must be a blend
max yield 55 hl/ha (average 45)
Sub-zones
- Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOC (50 hl/ha)
Pale pink-orange, light to medium intensity raspberry, red plum, herbal notes, medium acidity, medium body medium alcohol
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
higher maximum yield 60 hl/ha
Counouise principal variety
+ Cinsaut, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, Syrah, Tibouren
Les Baux de Provence AOC
makes mostly red wines from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
- must make up min 60% of blend
Bandol AOC
produces more red wine than rose (rose still dominates by volume)
South-facing terraces, protected from the wind
Mourvedre (generally ripens reliably)
- must be 50-95% of blend (20-95% for rose)
- max yield 40 hl/ha
Domaine Tempier
Typically good to very good with outstanding examples
Provence wine business
65% sold in France (half in supermarkets)
France is number one consumer of rose in the world
(also importing, especially spain)
Export - USA, UK
Marketed with strong reference to lifestyle of Provence
Celebrity wineries - Chateau Miraval
Cooperatives are still important 60%
