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Old_Full > Ch. 8 – South of France > Flashcards

Ch. 8 – South of France Flashcards

1
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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2
Q

Languedoc climate and topography

A

Mainly located on low-lying alluvial plain

Warm Mediterranean climate

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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3
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
- yields reduce naturally 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 has led to reduction of plantings

– High acidity and tannins (often try to soften by using carbonic maceration, or blending)
– Typically unoaked
– Medium ruby colour, simple blackberry fruit

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4
Q

Vineyard management in Languedoc

A

historically bush vines (some remain.. provide shade)

Recently trellised - allowing mechanization
(IGP mostly mechanized)

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5
Q

Winemaking in Languedoc

A

Carbonic maceration for fruity styles
- low tannins, 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
- ambient yeasts
- barriques for maturation

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6
Q

IGP wines in Languedoc

  • regulations (yields and varieties)
A

nearly 70% of production

More flexible regulations
- very high max yields (reduces costs)
- wide range of varieties allowed

Three types of IGP, which can overlap:
- Regional (IGP Pays d’Oc)
- Departmental (IGP Gard)
- A smaller unit named after a historical or geographical feature

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7
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

Fresh and fruity; little or no oak

Dominated by international varieties (e.g. Merlot, Chardonnay)

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8
Q

Languedoc AOC wines and regulations general

A

Each appellation lists principal varieties and other allowed varieties

Reds must blends
- Most state an upper limit for any one variety
- Nearly all require Grenache in blend and most require Syrah and Mourvedre

Different % can be set for vineyards and final blends
- allowing flexibility

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9
Q

Languedoc AOC

A

max 50 hl/ha for red wine, 60 hl/ha for white

Principal variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
- blend of at least 2 varieties (including at least 1 principal)
- no variety above 80%
- total of principal varieties at least 40%

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10
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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11
Q

Corbières AOC

A

hilly appellation
- Tauch and D’Alaric mountain ranges
- up to 450m
- cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds retains acidity

4th largest appellation in France (over 10,000 ha)

Nearly 90% red wine
- Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Carignan
- Remainder from other permitted varieties

30% exported; domestic sales largely in supermarkets

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12
Q

Sub-appellation in Corbières

A

Corbières-Boutenac AOC
- At least 70% Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre

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13
Q

Minervois AOC

A

Range of climatic zones based on altitude and proximity to Mediterranean Sea

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault

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14
Q

Sub-appellation of Minervois

A

Minervois La Livinière
- reds only
- limestone terrace of gentle slopes up to 400m
- very good drainage and sun exposure
- the higher altitude gives higher acidity

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15
Q

Saint-Chinian AOC

A

GSM blends

Northern area:
- fast-draining schist soil
- low yields & greater concentration

Southern area:
- clay & limestone
- higher yields & less concentration

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16
Q

Fitou AOC

A

Coastal area
- flat low-lying plains
- clay & limestone with good water retention
- less concentrated

Inland area
- more mountainous, less fertile, free draining soils
- more concentrated

Blend must include Carignan and Grenache

Mont Tauch co-op (50% of production)

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17
Q

Faugères AOC

A

250-400m in altitude

Free-draining low-fertility schist
- good concentration

Max yields are moderate
- actual yields are low

A lot of organic growers (40%)

Almost entirely sold in France

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18
Q

Pic Saint-Loup AOC

A

More continental climate (similar to Northern Rhone)

Considerable rainfall (1000mm)

At least 50% Syrah

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19
Q

Terrasses du Larzac AOC

A

Range of different altitudes, up to 400m
- high diurnal range, fresh acidity

Reds only
- Must be blend of at least 3 varieties

Many premium wines (La Peira)

20
Q

La Clape AOC

A

Warm, sunny, arid, windy

80% red (especially Mourvedre - needs heat)

Also known for quality of its whites
- min 60% of Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc

21
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
Picpoul de Pinet AOC
Malepère AOC
Cabardès AOC

22
Q

Atlantic influenced AOCs in Languedoc

A

Malepère AOC
- must be a blend
- at least 40% Merlot
- protected from Mediterranean by mountains

Cabardès AOC
- both Mediterranean and Atlantic influence
- must be a blend
- must contain Bordeaux varieties as well as Grenache and/or Syrah

23
Q

Picpoul de Pinet AOC

A

Low lying, close to coast

only whites made from Piquepoul Blanc
- retains acidity very well

Dry with medium body, med+ (high) acidity and med intensity lemon, floral notes

  • 65% exported (mainly to UK)
  • Sold in bottle with enbossed Languedoc cross
  • 90% cooperatives (e.g. Ormarine)
24
Q

Wine business in Languedoc

A

dominated by IGP (70%)
15% AOC

Increase in rose production

Exports are growing (US, China)

Historically producing inexpensive wines by co-ops
- Shift towards mid-price and higher quality
- Increase in estate producers
- Some have left co-ops
- Some are investors from abroad (attracted by old vines and attractive land prices)

25
Q

Languedoc promotional body

A

Sud de France

also organises ViniSud wine fair

26
Q

Roussillon growing environment and climate

A

Dominated by Pyrenees
- vineyards on slopes or foothills

Warm, windy, Mediterranean climate
- moderate rainfall
- high sunshine hours
- drought can be issue
- low disease pressure
- low yields

high proportion of organic viti

27
Q

Composition of styles in Roussillon

A

70% AOC (no extensive flat area for high volumes)

Majority red, followed by rose and a bit of white

28
Q

Vineyard management in Roussillon

A

Historically bush vines
- providing shade for bunches
- most work by hand

Now plantings are trellised (but less than in Languedoc due to more slopes)

29
Q

Main AOC for dry wines in Roussillon

A

Côtes du Roussillon AOC
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Collioure AOC

30
Q

Côtes du Roussillon AOC

A

Lower slopes (100-250m)

Reds must be a blend
- Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah
- Max of 50% Carignan in vineyard
- No variety can be more than 80%

Wines are similar to Languedoc AOC

Some roses and whites as well

31
Q

Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC

A

Reds only

Slopes of 100-400m (greater acidity)

Same rules as Côtes du Roussillon about varieties in the blend

Max yields are slightly reduced

5 villages can append their names
- e.g. Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel AOC

Some villages require Carignan to be made by carbonic maceration

Similar to Languedoc sub-appellations

32
Q

Collioure AOC

A

Steep terraces on the coast, near the Spanish border

Full bodied, dry red and white wines

Reds are predominantly GSM

Whites are predominantly Grenache Gris

Extremely low yields, due to heat, low rain and poor soils

Similar to Languedoc sub-appellations

33
Q

IGP appellation for Roussillon

A

IGP Côtes Catalanes
- reds and whites, including some super-premium whites

34
Q

Winemaking in Roussillon

A

Maceration on skins or carbonic maceration, similar to Languedoc

35
Q

Wine business in Roussillon

and 1 producer

A

Co-ops are important (75% of production)

Increasing trend towards high quality individual wineries
- some of them set up by those from outside the region
- Domaine de Bila-Haut (Chapoutier)

20% exported

Promotional body Sud de France

36
Q

Provence rose production size %

A

90% of Provence AOC wine
40% of French AOC rose

37
Q

Provence growing environment and climate

A

Warm mediterranean climate
- adequate rainfall
- cold Mistral wind
- reduces fungal diseases
- can disrupt flowering and fruit set
- many organic vineyards
- up to 400m inland (moderating influence)

38
Q

Provence viticulture

A

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 bitterness (for roses made by short maceration)

Choosing right harvest date is crucial

39
Q

Provence Rose winemaking

A

Usually Grenache and Cinsaut
- AOC allows 20% of white grapes

Must is typically acidified

Fruit is handled protectively (e.g. chilling must, excluding oxygen)

Direct pressing (most common) or short maceration (only a few hours)

Fermentation typically in steel
- cultured yeast is more common
- cool temps but avoiding banana aromas
- must be fermented dry (AOC rules)

Malo is typically blocked

Fining to reduce colour if necessary

Stored for 2-3 months on the lees in steel (some keep it on the lees longer for texture)

A few producers make oak-aged premium rose (Chateau d’Esclans)

40
Q

Provence appellations

A

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 (mostly white)
Palette AOC

41
Q

Côtes de Provence AOC

A

20,000 ha under vine

Must be a blend
- Grenache, Cinsaut, Mourvedre, Syrah, Tibouren

Sub-zones
- Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOC (lower max yields)

Pale pink-orange, light to medium intensity raspberry, red plum, herbal notes, medium acidity, medium body medium alcohol

42
Q

Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC

A

Higher max yields

Counoise is also a principal variety

43
Q

Les Baux de Provence AOC

A

Makes mostly red GSM blends

44
Q

Bandol AOC

A

Historically produced more red wine than rose (though rose has now become the dominant style by volume)

South-facing terraces, protected from the wind
- rocky soil, low fertility

Mourvedre is the main component in both reds and roses
- Max yields are low
- Reds must be aged in oak for 18 months

Domaine Tempier

Co-ops produce 50%

Typically good to very good with outstanding examples

45
Q

Provence wine business

A

35% exported (US)
- exports have grown rapidly in recent years
- domestic sales are largely in supermarkets..

France is number one consumer of rose in the world
(also importing, especially from Spain)

Marketed with strong reference to lifestyle of Provence
- Celebrity wineries - e.g. Chateau Miraval

Negociants and co-ops are very important

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