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D3: Wines of the World > Ch. 8 – South of France > Flashcards

Ch. 8 – South of France Flashcards

1
Q

Large regions in South of France

A

Languedoc
Roussillon
Provence

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2
Q

General climate in South of France

A

Low rainfall
Warm windy climate (high evapotranspiration rate)
- causes low yields for AOC wines

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3
Q

Languedoc climate and topography

A

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)
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4
Q

Wind which acts as cooling influence in Languedoc

A

Tramontane

North west wind

  • about 200 days a year
  • low disease pressure
  • reducing need for spraying
  • growth of certified organic vineyards
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5
Q

Grape varieties grown in Languedoc

A 
Carignan
Syrah
Grenache Noir
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon 
Cinsaut
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6
Q

Carignan

A

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

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7
Q

Vineyard management in Languedoc

A

historically bush vines (some remain)

Recently trellised - allowing mechanization
IGP mostly mechanized

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8
Q

Winemaking in Languedoc

A

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
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9
Q

IGP wines in Languedoc

  • regulations (yields and varieties)
A

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)
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10
Q

IGP Pays d’Oc

A

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
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11
Q

Languedoc AOC wines and regulations general

A

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)

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12
Q

Languedoc AOC

A

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
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13
Q

Style, quality and price grouping of AOC wines in Languedoc

A

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
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14
Q

Corbières AOC

A

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%

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15
Q

Sub-appellation in Corbières

A

Corbières-Boutenac AOC

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16
Q

Minervois AOC

A

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%
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17
Q

Sub-appellation of Minervois

A

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%
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18
Q

Saint-Chinian AOC

A

min 50% of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre

2 areas within:

  • Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC
  • Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC
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19
Q

Fitou AOC

A

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)

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20
Q

Faugères AOC

A

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

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21
Q

Pic Saint-Loup AOC

A

More continental climate (similar to Northern Rhone)

Considerable rainfall (1000mm)

Syrah min 50%
Only red wine and rose

22
Q

Terrasses du Larzac AOC

A

Range of different altitudes, high diurnal range, fresh acidity

Red wine only

Must be blend of min 3 varieties

Many premium wines (La Peira)

23
Q

La Clape AOC

A

Warm, sunny, windy

80% red (especially Mourvedre - needs heat)

  • but known for whites
  • min 60% of Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc
24
Q

Languedoc appellations

A 
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
25
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
26
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)
27
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
28
Languedoc promotional body
Sud de France also organises ViniSud wine fair
29
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
30
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
31
Grape varieties in Roussillon
``` Grenache Noir Syrah Carignan Muscat Blanc Muscat of Alexandria Macabeu ```
32
Vineyard management in Roussillon
Historically bush vines - providing shade for bunches - most work by hand Now plantings are trellised (but less than in Languedoc)
33
Main AOC for dry wines in Roussillon
Côtes du Roussillon AOC Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC Collioure AOC
34
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
35
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
36
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
37
IGP appellation for Roussillon
IGP Côtes Catalanes
38
Winemaking in Roussillon
Maceration on skins or carbonic maceration
39
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
40
Provence rose production size %
90% of Provence wine | 40% of French wine
41
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)
42
Wind affecting Provence
Mistral
43
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
44
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)
45
Provence rose grape varieties
Usually Grenache Noir and Cinsaut (+ local Tibouren) | - AOC allows 20% of white grapes
46
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 ```
47
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
48
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
49
Les Baux de Provence AOC
makes mostly red wines from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre | - must make up min 60% of blend
50
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
51
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%

D3: Wines of the World (30 decks)

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