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WSET 3 (2nd Edition) > Chap 21: Southern France > Flashcards

Chap 21: Southern France Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the climate of Southern France:
* Cool, Mod, Warm
* Continental, Maritime, Med
* Describe the seasons

A

It has a warm mediterranean climate
Summer temperatures often in excess of 30C
Mild winters
Low rainfall levels, esp during growing season

Most years this area is ideal for growing grapes due to these conditions

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2
Q

What are the two main areas of terrain in Southern France?

A

Vineyards planted inland in the foothills of the mts that surround the region and those on the coastal plains

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3
Q

Describe how the vineyards in the inland foothills of Southern France differ from the ones on the coastal plain?

A

Noticeably cooler, less fertile, well-drained soils that are better suited to quality viticulture

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4
Q

What is an additional climatic factor in Southern France?

A

Strong winds

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5
Q

Describe the winds of Southern France
(what are they, where do they come from, what impact do they have on the climate)

A

Cool dry winds blow from the north, cooling the E and W ends of the region.
* 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? Why is this?
What is less of a problem here than anywhere else in France?

A

Drought due to the warm climate vs. fungal diseases are less of a problem here than anywhere else in France.

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7
Q

Despite frequent drought conditions, Southern France can occasionally experience what other issue?

A

Summer floods

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8
Q

What color varieties account for the majority of Southern France’s plantings

A

Black

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9
Q

What are the two most important local grape varieties in Southern France?

A

Grenache and Syrah

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10
Q

Where are Syrah and Grenache respectively best suited within Southern France?

A

Syrah: The cooler sites
Grenache: The warmer, sunnier and drier sites

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11
Q

Aside from Grenache and Syrah, which other black grape varieties are commonly grown in Southern France? Are they local or international?

A

Local:
* Carignan
* Cinsault
* Mourvedre

International:
* Merlot
* Cabernet Sauvignon

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12
Q

Describe Carignan in Southern France:
* Tannin
* Acidity
* Color
* Flavor
* Quality

A

High tannin
High acidity
Deep colour
Can lack fruit or finesse, but old vine Carignan on poor soil can produce quality wines.

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13
Q

In what circumstance can Carignan produce quality wines?

A

Old Carignan vines on poor soils

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14
Q

Where does Carignan’s historical popularity in Southern France stem from?

A

Its ability to produce very high yields

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15
Q

What has counteracted Carignan’s ability to produce massive yields?

A

Significantly reduced plantings

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16
Q

Which grape is permitted by all AC regulations in Southern France?

A

Carignan

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17
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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18
Q

What is the role of Mourvèdre in Southern France?

A

It adds richness, color and complexity to blends

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19
Q

Where can Mourvedre ripen successfully?

A

Only in the warmest sites

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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 - what improvements have been made to wineries?
What are some common wine making practices that are employed? Why?

A
  • Most wines now benefit from modern equipment, improved cellar hygiene, temperature control and oxygen management
  • Judicious use of new and old oak
  • Semi-carbonic maceration is practiced by some producers as it can play an important role in softening the tannins in Carignan
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22
Q

What are the two most widely planted white varieties in Southern France? What are they commonly used for?

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc - used in IGP wines.

They were not traditionally grown here, but now dominate white plantings

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23
Q

What is the third most significant white grape in Southern France?

A

Viognier

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24
Q

What are the most widely planted local varieties in Southern France?

A

Muscat and Grenache Blanc

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25
Q

What is Muscat used for in Southern France?

A

Production of sweet fortified wines and sometimes used to make dry wines with aromatic, grapey aromas

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26
Q

Describe the wines made from Grenache Blanc in Southern France:
* Sweetness
* Flavor
* Body
* Acidity
* Oxidation?

A 
Dry wines
Soft, peachy fruitiness
Full body
Low acidity
Tend to oxidise easily
27
Q

Name five additional local varieties (other than Muscat and Grenache Blanc) in Southern France and the locales in which they are most prized

A
  • Picpoul in Pinet
  • Mauzac in Limoux
  • Maccabeu in Rousillon
  • Rolle in Provence
  • Clairette in Languedoc and Provence
28
Q

What is the best known of the local white varieties in Southern France? Describe the wine:
* Acidity
* Flavors

A

Picpoul
* Refreshing, high acidity
* Green fruit and citrus flavours

29
Q

Which departements make up the Languedoc?

A

Aude, Hérault and Gard

30
Q

Which department makes up Rousillon?

A

Pyrénées-Orientales

31
Q

Where do the majority of wines in Southern France come from?

32
Q

Roughly describe the terrains of Languedoc and Rousillon (location and topography)

A

There is a large coastal plain area between Beziers and Montpellier
Vineyards more hilly and rugged further inland and towards the Spanish border

33
Q

What area does the Languedoc (AC) appellation cover?

A

All vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes

34
Q

Under what circumstances may qualifying regions label their wines with more than just Languedoc AC? Provide examples

A
  • Geographically specific appellations such as Cotes du Roussillon and Minervois which have their own individual regulations
  • Certain areas that have been recognized for their quality and now have their own sub-appellation such as Minervois-La Liviniere
35
Q

What styles of still, dry wine are permitted in Languedoc (white, red, rose)?

A

Red, white and rosé in most appellations

36
Q

What style are the vast majority of Languedoc wines? From which grapes?

A

Red

From Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and some Mourvedre

37
Q

How do styles broadly differ based on location within Languedoc? Which varieties flourish? Describe based on:
* Cooler Areas
* Warmer Areas
* Larger Areas

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
38
Q

Describe the best wine(s) of the Languedoc:
* White, Red, Rose
* Body
* Flavor

A

Reds:
* Full-bodied
* Concentrated spicy red fruit, often with oak flavours

39
Q

Describe rosés of Southern France
* Flavor

A

Soft and fruity

40
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 particularly strong winds can produce concentrated wines

41
Q

What constitutes Cotes du Rousillon Villages?

A

The best vineyards in the north of Cotes du Rousillon

42
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

43
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

44
Q

How many subregions make up Corbieres? Which is the best?

A

11

Boutenac (which has its own AC)

45
Q

Where is Minervois in relation to Southern France’s other sub-regions?
How do the vineyards here vary and why?

A

North of Corbieres on the slopes of the Massif Central the vineyards do not reach the coast, but vary in quality due to altitude, soil quality and exposure to cooling influences of the Atlantic

46
Q

How is Minervois organized?

A

Sub-divided

47
Q

What is the best sub-region of Minervois?

A

La Livinière (which has its own AC)

48
Q

Describe the location of Picpoul de Pinet & the locations impact on the grapes.

A

Located near the coast & cooling sea breezes help to retain the grape’s natural high acidity of the Piquepol grape.

49
Q

Describe the wines of Limoux and the climatic influence(s)

A

Benefits from the cooling effect of altitude and it’s a source of premium, oaked Chardonnays

50
Q

Describe the role of IGP wines in Southern France

A

More IGP wines are made in Languedoc than any other region of France & they are vital for the commercial survival of grape growing in Southern France

51
Q

Most are sold under which regional IGP name and which area does this cover?

A

Pays d’Oc - covers all the departments that make up Languedoc-Roussillon

52
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 relatively easily here compared with other regions of France, resulting in wines that are excellent value for money
53
Q

Describe the landscape/topography of Provence and how does this influence the climate/wine?

A

Very varied and broken up by many prominent ranges of hills - these offer protection from the mistral and provide a great variety of different site climates and soils

54
Q

Where is Provence?

A

East of Pays d’Oc, on the coast

55
Q

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

56
Q

Describe typical Rosé wines from Provence:
* Color
* Body
* Sweetness
* Flavors

A

Pale
Light-Med bodied
Dry
Delicate flavours of red fruits

57
Q

Describe the style(s) of red wines in Provence

A

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

58
Q

Which grapes can feature in the best white wines of Provence? What role do they play?

A

Make a feature of the aromatic qualities of Rolle and Clairette

59
Q

What is the largest appellation in Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence

60
Q

What style dominates in Cote de Provence?

61
Q

Describe how Cotes de Provence is organised

A

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

62
Q

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

A

Bandol - located to the east of Marseille

63
Q

Describe wines from Bandol
* Color (White, Red, Rose)
* Varietal(s)
* Body
* Tannin
* Flavor

A
  • Premium reds based on Mourvedre
  • Dark color
  • Full-bodied
  • Powerful tannins
  • Require bottle age before showing full spectrum of bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavours
64
Q

Why/Where is Mourvedre able to ripen reliably in Bandol?

A

ripens reliably on the southern facing terraced slopes

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (29 decks)

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