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WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World > D3 - South of France > Flashcards

D3 - South of France Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of the South of France.

1
Q

What are the 3 départements within the Languedoc region?

A
  1. Aude;
  2. Hérault;
  3. Gard.
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2
Q

What is the département within the Roussillon region?

A

Pyrénées-Orientales

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3
Q

What causes the high rates of evapotranspiration in Languedoc-Roussillon?

A
  • Low rainfall;
  • Warm, windy climate.
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4
Q

What is the climate of Languedoc?

A

Mediterranean

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5
Q

Select the correct answer.

Languedoc is mainly located:

a. on a low-lying alluvial plain
b. in the foothills of the Alps
c. at the highest elevations of the Pyrénées

A

a. on a low-lying alluvial plain

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6
Q

What 2 advancements allowed grape growing and winemaking to become important drivers of the Languedoc’s economy?

A
  1. Canal du Midi (connecting it to Bordeaux in the late 17th century);
  2. Railways (mid-19th century).
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7
Q

Languedoc’s annual rainfall averages below __mm per year.

A

600mm

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8
Q

What is the name of the wind that blows through Languedoc?

A

The cool, dry, northwest Tramontane.

This wind reduces disease pressure which reduces the need for spraying, which in turn decreases consequent cost and enables organic farming.

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9
Q

Carignan buds __ and ripens __.

A

Buds late and ripens late.

Carigna needs a warm climate with a long ripening season.

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10
Q

Why is Carignan not particularly well suited to mechanical harvesting?

A

Its bunches are firmly attached to the vine.

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11
Q

Select the correct answer.

Carignan’s acidity and tannin levels are:

a. low
b. medium
c. high

A

c. high

This makes it a good blending grape and a good varietal for carbonic maceration.

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12
Q

Describe 4 production methods for how inexpensive RED Languedoc wines are made.

A
  • Crushing the grapes and fermenting them on the skins for 5–7 days;
  • Mid-range fermentation temperatures using cultured yeasts;
  • Stored for a few months in stainless steel or concrete tanks;
  • Carbonic maceration is also commonly employed.
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13
Q

Describe 5 production methods for higher quality, smaller-volume RED Languedoc wines are made.

A
  1. More use of sorting tables;
  2. Fermentation at warm temperatures;
  3. More use of ambient yeast;
  4. More use of barriques or tonneaux for maturation;
  5. Experimentation with concrete tanks, concrete eggs, and large format oak vats.
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14
Q

What is the maximum yield for IGP reds, whites, and rosés in the Languedoc (e.g. IGP Pays d’Oc)?

A
  • IGP Reds and whites: 90 hL/ha
  • IGP Rosés: 100 hL/ha
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15
Q

How many grape varieties are allowed to be used in Languedoc?

A

58

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16
Q

What is the largest production area for IGP wines in France?

A

IGP Pays d’Oc

This IGP makes 10-15% of all French wine depending on the vintage.

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17
Q

What are top four grape varieties grown and mainly used for single variety wines in IGP Pays d’Oc?

A
  1. Merlot;
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon;
  3. Chardonnay;
  4. Syrah.
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18
Q

In all cases for red wine production in Languedoc AOCs, wines require a minimum of __ varieties including one or more of the principal varieties.

A

Minimum of 2 varieties

This means that all AOC Languedoc wines are genuinely blends, though AOCs may set minimum and maximum amounts for a single variety or combinations of varieties.

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19
Q

What is the principal grape variety for Corbières AOC and Fitou AOC?

A

Carignan

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20
Q
  • Maximum yields for the AOCs within Languedoc range between __ - __ hL/ha.
  • The maximum yield for the regional appellation Languedoc AOC is __ hL/ha.
A
  • 45-50 hL/ha for AOCs within Languedoc;
  • 50 hL/ha (reds) and 60 hL/ha (whites) for the regional Languedoc AOC.
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21
Q

Describe the 5 rules regarding varieties and blending for the regional appellation Languedoc AOC.

A
  1. Principal varieties are Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre;
  2. Minimum of 2 varieties must be used including at least one of the principal varieties;
  3. No variety may be more than 80% of the blend;
  4. Total combination of the principal varieties must make up a minimum of 40% of the blend;
  5. Other varieties (e.g. Cinsaut, Carignan) may not make up more than 30% of the blend.
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22
Q

What are the 3 categories of red wines by style, quality and price in the Languedoc?

A
  1. Regional appellation (Languedoc AOC);
  2. Named appellations (e.g. Corbières AOC);
  3. Sub-appellations (e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC).
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23
Q

Describe the Corbières AOC appellation.

A
  • Hilly;
  • Two mountain ranges provide sites for vineyards up to 450m asl;
  • Has two cooling influences: elevation + cold northern winds.

The two mountain ranges are Tauch and d’Alaric.

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24
Q

Minervois AOC has a range of climatic zones.

What is that range?

A

Altitude to proximity to the Mediterranean.

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25
Q

Describe the features that differentiate
Minervois La Livinière AOC from Minervois AOC.

A
  • Red wine only;
  • Limestone terraces up to 400m asl;
  • Cooler temps from elevation lead to fresher wines (higher acidity levels).
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26
Q

What are the 2 areas within the Saint-Chinian AOC?

A
  1. Northern zone: arid, fast-draining schist soils resulting in low yields and wines with greater concentration;
  2. Southern zone: clay and limestone soils with better water-holding capacity resulting in higher yields and less concentrated wines.
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27
Q

What are the 2 sub-zones within the northern sector of Saint-Chinian AOC?

A
  1. Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC;
  2. Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC.
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28
Q

Describe the 2 distinct wine-growing areas of Fitou AOC.

A
  1. Coastal: flat, low-lying plains with clay and limestone soils (good water retention); tend to be less concentrated;
  2. Inland: mountainous, less fertile/fast-draining schist soils; tend to be have more flavor concentration.

Carignan is the principal variety in Fitou AOC.

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29
Q

What is the elevation range in Faugères AOC?

A

250-400m asl

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30
Q

What are the soils of Faugères AOC?

A

Low-fertility schistous soils.

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31
Q

Select the correct answer.

Versus other Languedoc appellations, Pic Saint-Loup has a climate that is more:
a. Mediterranean
b. Continental
c. Maritime

A

b. Continental

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32
Q

What is the average annual rainfall in Pic Saint-Loup AOC?

A

1000mm per year

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33
Q

List 3 key features of the Terrasses du Larzac AOC appellation.

A
  • Range of elevation (120-400m asl);
  • Red wines only;
  • Must be at least 3 varieties.
34
Q

La Clape AOC is inland or coastal?

A

Coastal

35
Q

Why is La Clape AOC an area that is suitable for Mourvèdre?

A

It is warm, sunny, arid and windy which allow it to achieve full ripeness.

36
Q

What appellation is devoted entirely to the Piquepoul Blanc grape variety?

A

Picpoul de Pinet AOC.

Picpoul de Pinet AOC is a low-lying appellation near the coast.

37
Q

What is the maximum yield for Picpoul de Pinet AOC?

A

55 hL/ha

38
Q

What are the 2 appellations in Languedoc that are most westerly?

A
  1. Malepère AOC;
  2. Cabardès AOC
39
Q

Describe the climate influences and blend requirement for Malepère AOC.

A
  • Influenced by the Atlantic; protected from Mediterranean influence by mountains;
  • Must be minimum 40% Merlot and a blend of at least 2 varieties.
40
Q

Describe the climate influences and blend requirement for Cabardès AOC.

A
  • Influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean;
  • Must be blend of 40% each Bordeaux varieties and Grenache Noir and/or Syrah.
41
Q

What is the climate of Roussillon?

A

Warm, windy Mediterranean.

42
Q

What is the rainfall of Roussillon?

A

Moderate (500-600mm per year).

43
Q

What climate factors reduce yield but raise concentration of the fruit in Roussillon?

A
  • Warm Mediterranean climate;
  • Moderate rainfall;
  • High sunshine hours;
  • Drought can be an issue in dry years;
  • Frequent winds.
44
Q

Historically, vines in Languedoc and Roussillon are trained as ___.

A

Bush vines.

45
Q

What is the elevation range of Côtes du Roussillon AOC?

A

100-250m asl

46
Q

What is the maximum yield of Côtes du Roussillon AOC?

A

48 hL/ha

47
Q

The maximum percent of Carignan allowed to be planted in Côtes du Roussillon AOC is __%.

A

50%

48
Q

Côtes du Roussillon AOC wines must be made from a minimum of 2 varieties with a requirement that the grape with the highest percentage is limited to __% of the final blend.

A

80%

49
Q

Select the correct answer.

Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC is for:
a. white wines only
b. rosé wines only
c. red wines only

A

c. red wines only

50
Q

What is the elevation range for Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC?

A

100-400m asl

51
Q

What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC?

A

45 hL/ha

52
Q

The 5 villages allowed to append their name to Côtes du Roussillon Villages have a maximum yield of __hL/ha.

A

42 hL/ha

53
Q

What appellation in Roussillon shares the same boundaries as Banyuls AOC?

A

Collioure AOC

54
Q

The main red and white grape varieties for Collioure AOC are:

A
  • Reds - Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre;
  • Whites - Grenache Gris.
55
Q

The maximum yield for red and white wines from Collioure AOC is __hL/ha.

A

40 hL/ha, but typical is 20-25 hL/ha due to the heat, low rainfall, and poor soils.

56
Q

Rosé accounts for roughly __% of Provence’s AOC wine.

A

90%

57
Q

In Provence, the grape Vermentino is known as ___.

A

Rolle

58
Q

What is the climate of Provence?

A

Warm Mediterranean.

59
Q

What is the cooling influence in Provence that also helps reduce fungal disease?

A

The cold Mistral wind.

The Mistral can also interrupt flowering and fruit set, reducing yields

60
Q

Altitudes in Provence can reach up to __m asl inland.

A

400m asl

61
Q

In Provence, traditional bush vines are being replace with trellised vines.

Why?

A
  1. To aid in mechanization;
  2. To reduce cost;
  3. To make it easier to control canopy size;
  4. To achieve sugar and phenolic ripeness at the same time.
62
Q

Why are rosés from Provence so pale in color?

A

Low color of the skins from the most commonly used grapes (Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Tibouren).

63
Q

Provence AOC regulations allow for rosés to have up to __% of white grapes in the blend.

A

20%

In practice, it’s typically less than 10%.

64
Q

Why is it useful to use white grapes in rosé blends in Provence AOC?

A

Using the white grapes can reduce alcohol levels.

65
Q

Which 2 rosé making methods are used to make Provence rosés?

A
  1. Direct pressing (most common);
  2. Short maceration (only a few hours).
66
Q

Are rosé musts in Provence usually acidified?

A

Yes – to achieve good balance between fruit and acidity.

67
Q

For best quality rosé in Provence, to what temperature is fruit chilled to reduce the rate of oxidation?

A

4°C (39°F)

68
Q

Describe the typical production methods for making rosé from Provence.

A
  • Fermentation in stainless steel tanks between 14°–18°C (57–64°F);
  • Ambient or cultured yeasts (cultured more often used);
  • Fermented dry per AOC rules;
  • Malo routinely blocked to retain acidity and preserve primary fruit flavors;
  • If color is too deep, winemaker can fine the wine to make it lighter.
69
Q

The maximum yield for Côtes de Provence AOC is __ hL/ha.

A

55 hL/ha, but most average 45 hL/ha.

70
Q
  • What is the largest subzone of Côtes de Provence AOC?
  • What is its maximum yield?
A
  • Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOC;
  • 50 hL/ha.
71
Q

Counoise is the principal variety in which 2 Provence AOCs?

A
  1. Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC;
  2. Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC.

Both AOCs have a maxiumum yield of 60 hL/ha.

72
Q

What are the soils in Bandol AOC?

A

Rocky limestone and clay.

73
Q

Red wines from Bandol must be what percentage Mourvèdre and aged in oak for __ months.

A
  • 50-95%;
  • 18 months.
74
Q

Rosés from Bandol must be what percentage of Mourvèdre?

A

20-95%

75
Q

What are the maximum yields for Bandol?

A

40 hL/ha

76
Q

Name 3 small, historic appellations in Provence located mostly on the coast.

A
  1. Bellet AOC;
  2. Cassis AOC;
  3. Palette AOC.
77
Q

__% of Provence’s rosé wine by volume is sold in France.

A

58%

25% of this is sold in French supermarkets.

78
Q

What are the 4 advantages of hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing for Provence rosés?

A
  1. Less stress on grapes if picked at coolest time of day (~4am);
  2. Can sort fruit in vineyard;
  3. Whole-bunch pressing gentler/extracts fewer phenolics and solids;
  4. More juice produced at lower pressure as stems create channels for juice.
79
Q

What are the 5 disadvantages of hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing for Provence rosés?

A
  1. Hand harvesting requires a large, trained group of people who know how to pick correctly;
  2. Increasingly difficult to find this well-trained labor;
  3. Labor may not be available at such an early hour;
  4. Hand harvesting slower and more expensive than machine harvesting;
  5. Whole-bunch pressing is time consuming as fewer bunches can be loaded into press.
80
Q

What are the 5 advantages of machine harvesting Provence rosés?

A
  1. Fast;
  2. Cheaper than hand harvesting;
  3. Doesn’t require big team of labor;
  4. Grapes easily picked at night;
  5. Shortest delay between picking and refrigeration and/or pressing.

WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World (47 decks)

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