France (General Knowledge) Flashcards
When and where did viticulture originate in France?
Marseille during the Classical age by Greek colonists.
Vines were originally planted in the south near the Rhone Valley and Bordeaux through the 1st Century CE
Who was responsible for expanding France’s area under vine in the 9th century CE?
Charlemagne, made Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE.
Who was responsible for expanding France’s area under vine in the 11th century CE?
Catholic monasteries
Which key wine markets developed during the Middle Ages?
England, Scotland, Flanders, and Holland
What was the principal method of transporting wine? Why?
By river due to the difficulties of transporting wine over land at the time
Vineyards in what parts of France supplied Paris with wine?
Paris (now abandoned)
Auxerre
Chablis
Loire Valley
When did wine exports from France, especially from Bordeaux, expand greatly?
17th-19th Centuries CE
What key development allowed Bordeaux to increase its production? When did it occur?
The swamps of Bordeaux were drained in the 17th Century CE, revealing fast-draining, gravel soils.
What viticultural challenges did Bordeaux experience in the 19th Century CE?
Powdery Mildew
Downy Mildew
Black Rot
Phylloxera
What happened to the area under vine between 1970 and the early 2010s?
It fell for all products - wine grapes, table grapes, and brandy grapes - by roughly one-third due to EU vine pull schemes
What latitudes does French wine production inhabit?
42°-49°N
What are the dominant vineyard management systems used in France? Where is the exception?
High density planting with the use of trellises. Vine training is generally cane-replacement Guyot with vertical shoot positioning.
Bush training continues to take place in southern France.
Which ten varieties are most cultivated in France?
Merlot
Ugni Blanc
Grenache Noir
Syrah
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Carignan
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Why is Ugni Blanc the second-most planted grape in France?
It is planted extensively in southwest France for use in Cognac and Armagnac
Why is Merlot the most planted grape in France?
It is popular in Bordeaux (France’s largest wine producing region) and Languedoc
What is France’s largest wine producing region?
Bordeaux
Where is Chaptalization used in France? What has been the trend in its use? Why?
Chaptalization is mostly used in cooler climates, though climate change has reduced its use
How are French wines typically matured?
In oak barrels provided by a cooperage industry that is highly regarded around the world
What is the INAO?
Founded in 1935 as the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine, it oversaw the creation of the AOC system and, from 2009, IGP oversight. It is responsible for appellation requirements in France.
It was renamed the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité.
What are some of the rules INAO establishes for denominations?
Acceptable varieties
Planting density
Permitted training systems
Maximum yields
Minimum ABV
Required maturation
Earliest date of sale
What are INAO decisions based on?
The concept of Terroir
In 2009, France and the EU permitted winemakers to place what on their wine labels?
The name of the grape variety used to produce the wine
Wine without GI may also place the variety and vintage on their label
What is the average vineyard holding size in France?
10.5 hectares
What percentage of wine is processed by cooperatives in France?
40%
What has been the trend for wine consumption in France?
Long term and steep decline. Consumption is less than half that of 100 years ago.
Where do volume wine sales in France typically occur? What effect does this have on the market?
Through small- and medium-sized local companies or through private label sales. The sector is highly fragmented.
Who are the largest three wine producers in France?
Castel Frères
Carrefour France
ITM Enterprises
Describe France’s wine export by volume and value compared to Italy and Spain.
France exports less than Italy and Spain, but French wines are 50% more valuable than Italian wines and 300% more valuable than Spanish wines.
Is France a major importer of wine?
Yes, primarily of inexpensive Spanish wine.
Which French wine region is the lowest yielding in the country?
Languedoc-Roussillon, which produces half as much wine as Champagne or Alsace
