France - Languedoc Flashcards
Languedoc is divided into 3 parts.
What are they? How do they differ?
Coastal Plains
- Highest yielding areas
.
Hillsides and Mountains
- “Slopes”
- Syrah on the schist soils of Faugeres.
- Grenache on Belesta and Carignan on Fitou
.
Atlantic Corridor
- Here we find more Bordeaux varietals in 3 main AOP:
- Cabardes AOP: Cabardes has more Cab Sauv.
- Limoux AOP: has more Merlot.
- Malpere AOP: is Rd, and Rs from Bdx varieties.
3 Definitions of Garrigue?
1) Nutrient poor sedimentary limestone
2) Scrub vegetation
3) Aromatic profile of the wines
AOP of
Languedoc
{there are 20!!}
.
Languedoc AOP
(has 15 Geographical Designations)
(must be a blend of 2 varieties)
Clairette du Languedoc AOP
Cabardes AOP
(pronouced “Cah Bar Dezs”)
Corbieres AOP
Corbieres-Boutenac AOP
(“Cru” of Corbieres)
Faugeres AOP
(Schisct soil)
Fitou AOP
(Two areas: Maritime and Montagnieu)
Limoux AOP
Cremant de Limoux AOP
Malepere AOP
Minervois AOP
Minervois-La-Liviniere AOP
(“Cru” of Minervois)
Picpoul de Pinet AOP
Saint Chinian AOP
(Berlou & Roquebrun are the other “Crus”)
Muscat de Frontignan AOP
(aka: Frontignan, -or- Vin de Frontignan)
Muscat de Lunel AOP
(lightest style Muscat)
Muscat de Mireval AOP
Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois AOP
Terrases du Larzac AOP
(upgraded from GD to AOP in 2014)
La Clape AOP
(upgraded from GD to AOP in 2015)
What are the most recent AOP in Languedoc?
La Clape
Terrases du Larzac
(2014)
Piquepoul de Pinet
(2013)
Malepere
(2007)
Corbieres-Boutenac
(2005)
Cabardes
(1999)
Minervois-La Liviniere
(1999)
(2015)
What were the first AOP in Languedoc?
Muscat de Frontignan
Limoux
- for sparkling wines -
(1938)
(1936)
Languedoc AOP
(Rd, W, Rs)
Red - White - Rose
White
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne,
Bourboulenc, Clairette, Tourbat, Vermentino
Piquepoul Blanc (50% Max)
(must be 2 none >80%)
~60 hl/ha~
~11.5% min ABV~
Red - Rose
40% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre,
Lladoner Pelut
30% Max accessory Varietals
~50 hl/ha~
~11.5% min ABV~
(can be Nouveau)
- Has 12 Crus - each with their own rules, “50 shades of Gres”
Geographical Designations of
Languedoc AOP
* Some sources say these are “Districts”
* Some sources say these are “Crus”
–(do not confuse with the “4 Cru of Languedoc _Region_”)
Sommeliers Majorly Pick 50 shades of Grey
(Sommieres, La Mejanelle, Pic-St-Loup, Quatorze, Gres de Montpellier)
====================
Sommieres - (Rd!)
.
La Mejanelle - (Rd!)
-within Gres de Montpellier
.
Quatourze - (Rd!)
- separated from the rest of Languedoc AOP
–this GD is down near Corbieres
.
Pic-St-Loup - (Rd, Rs)
-known for great acidity
- one of only 2 GD that is *_NOT_ Red Wine Only!*
Gres de Montpellier - (Rd!)
- contains 4 other GD:
(“Crystal Majorly Dreads George’s Orca”)
- Saint Christol; La Mejanelle;
Saint Drezery; Saint Georges d’Orques
.
Saint Christol - (Rd!)
- within Gres de Montpellier
.
Saint Drezery - (Rd!)
- within Gres de Montpellier
Saint Georges d’Orques - (Rd!)
- within Gres de Montpellier
.
Cabrieres - (Rd, Rs)
- one of only 2 GD that is *NOT Red Wine Only!
.
Pezenas - (Rd!)
.
Montpeyroux - (Rd!)
- within Terrasses du Larzac AOP
Saint Saturnin - (Rd!)
- within Terrasses du Larzac AOP
.
====================
.
GD’s upgraded to their own AOP since 2014:
* La Clape - (Rd, W)
- upgraded in 2015
.
* Terrasses du Larzac - (Rd!)
- upgraded in 2014
- huge diurnal temperature shift
- contains 2 Languedoc GD:
–(1) Montpeyroux
–(2) Saint Saturnin
Geographical Designations of
Languedoc AOP
that are NOT Red Only!
- *Cabrieires**
- (Rd, Rs)*
- *Pic-St-Loup**
- (Rd, Rs)*
Note:
- La Clape was on this list but was upgraded to its own AOP in 2015
What Geographical Designations of
Languedoc AOP are inside
Gres de Montpelier?
(Crystal Majorly Dreads George’s GREY Orca)
St Christol
La Mejanelle
St. Drezery
St. Georges d’Orques
Do IGPs of the Rhone and Languedoc overlap?
Yes
Where do you find Chardonnay in the Languedoc?
Only in Limoux
It is:
* required in Cremant de Limoux AOP - (50% min).
* allowed in Limoux AOP Blanc
* allowed in Limoua AOP Blanquette de Limoux - (10% Max)
What Geographical Designations of
Languedoc AOP are inside
Terrasses du Larzac?
Montpeyroux
St. Saturnin
What are the Two Parts of St. Chinian?
- *Saint Chinian Berlou**
- (in the West of Saint Chinian)*
- 30% min Carignan
- # 1 of the 4 crus of the Languedoc
- *Saint** Chinian Roquebrun
- (in the East of Saint Chinian)*
- Same cepage as regular Saint Chinian Rouge
- # 2 of the 4 Cru of the Languedoc
- Twice the size of Berlou
- One main producer, a Co-op
Note:
The other two Crus of Languedoc are:
-Corbieres-Boutenac
-Minervois-La Livière
4 Cru of the Languedoc?
Corbieres Boutenac
- *Minervois La Liviniere**
- (at higher altitude than the rest of Minervois)*
Saint Chinian Roquebrun
Saint Chinian Berlou
Note:
All of these “Cru” are Red Only!
Sparkling Wines of the Languedoc?
All are within the borders of Limoux!!
Cremant de Limoux AOP
-Traditional Method (as are all “Cremant de”)
-80-90% combined Chardonnay (50% min) + Chenin Blanc (10-40%)
-20% Max combined Mauzac + PN (15% Max)
*9 months min on lees
Limoux AOP - Blanquette de Limoux
-Traditional Method
-90% min Mauzac
-10% Max Chenin Blanc
*9 months min on lees
Limoux AOP - Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale
-Single fermentaion in bottle
-Sweet Style - “Asti like”
–Usually harvested later to get sugars higher
-100% Mauzac
*2 months min on lees
==========
NOTE:
Limoux AOP rouge is Merlot based
Cabardès AOP
(Rd, Rs)
Rouge - Rosé
40% min combined:
Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot
40% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah
also:
Cot, Cinsault, Fer
~50 hl/ha~
Rosé
~12% min ABV~
Rouge
~12.5% min ABV~
*released 4/15
Clairette du Languedoc AOP
(W, VdL)
Blanc
Rancio - Vin de Liqueur
100% Clairette
~50 hl/ha~
Blanc
12% min ABV
45 g/l Max RS
Rancio
~14% min ABV~
*3 years aging from 11/1
Vin de Liqueur
~21.5% min ABV~
{17% actual}
9-40g/l RS
Wine must be “fortified” before the end of harvest year.
(96° neutral grape spirit of 5-8% of total volume.)
===============
Note:
- This AOP is allowed in 12 communes which appear to be scattered all around Languedoc…
- Adissan, Aspiran, Le Bosc, Cabrières, Ceyras, Fontés, Lieuran-Cabrières, Nizas, Paulhan, Péret, Saint-André-de-Sangonis
Corbières AOP
(Rd, W, Rs)
Rouge - Blanc - Rosé
~50 hl/ha~
Blanc
40% min combined:
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne,
Bourbelenc, Macabeu, Vermentino
(must use at least 2)
also:
Clairette, Muscat a Pettite Grains,
Picquepoul, Terret Blanc
~11.5% min ABV~
Rosé
40% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre,
Llander Pelut, Carignan
(none more than 80%)
- *Rouge**
- (same as for Rosé)*
~12% min ABV~
Note:
Corbieres has one region that can append its name:
Boutenac.
It is Red Only!
Corbières-Boutenac AOP
(Rd!)
Rouge Only!!
70% min combined:
Carignan (30-50%),
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
(none more than 80%)
~45 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
(Carignan must be hand harvested)
What grape must be hand harvested in Corbieres-Boutenac?
Carignan
Note:
- It is the most important grape of the “Cru” appelation of Boutenac.
- Must be between 30-50% of the blend
Faugères AOP
(Rd, W, Rs)
Pronounced: “Faux - Gheres”
Rouge - Blanc - Rosé
~12% min ABV~
Soil:
Schist
Blanc
Majority combined:
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne,
Vermentino
(must be 2)
also:
Clairette, Viognier
~45 hl/ha~
Rosé
50% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre,
Cinsault, Carignan
(none more than 80%)
(G, S, or M must be used)
~50 hl/ha~
Rouge
(same for Rosé)
~45 hl/ha~
Note:
- Carignan here will often go through Carbonic Fermentation to soften the tannins.
Fitou AOP
(Rd!)
Rouge Only!!
50% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre,
Carignan
(none more than 80%)
~45 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Is comprised of two distinct areas that are not connected:
-Maritime: close to the coast.
-Haut Fitou/Montagnieu: higher elevation, and inland.
Limoux AOP
(Rd, W, Spk)
Rouge - Blanc
Blanquette - Ancestrale
Blanc
Mauzac, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
(must be barrel fermented!)
~50 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Rouge
45-70% Merlot
20% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Cot
35% Max combined:
Cab Sauv, Cab Franc
~50 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Metode Ancestrale
100% Mauzac
~60 hl/ha~
~10% min ABV~
Single fermentation inside bottle.
No Tirage - No Dosage
*2 months min on lees
3 bars min pressure
Blanquette de Limoux
(Traditional Method!)
90% min Mauzac
10% Max combined:
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
~60 hl/ha~
~9.5% min ABV~
*9 months min on lees
3.5 bars min pressure
Note:
Cremant de Limoux is 20% Max Mauzac
Cremant de Limoux
(Spk!)
Sparkling Only!!
80-90% combined: Chardonnay (50-80%) Chenin Blanc (10-40%)
20% Max combined:
Mauzac, Pinot Noir (15% Max)
~70 hl/ha~
~9.5% min ABV~
*9 months min on lees
*12 months min aging from date of tirage
3.5 bars min pressure
100 Liters / 150 kg Max press yield
Note:
Blanquette is 90% min Mauzac.
Ancestrale is 100% Mauzac.
Malepère AOP
(Rd, Rs)
Means: “Bad Stones”
because you cannot build with it.
This AOP is freakish because it is Languedoc,
but it is primarily Bordeaux Varietals
Rouge - Rosé
~50 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Rosé
40% min Cab Franc
20% min combined:
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cot,
Cinsault, Grenache
Rouge
40% min Merlot
20% min combined:
Cab Franc, Cot
also:
Llander Pelut, Cinsault, Grenache
Minervois AOP
(Rd, W, Rs)
Rouge - Blanc - Rosé
~48 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Blanc
80% min combined:
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne,
Macabeu, Bourboulenc, Vermentino
10% Max Muscat a Petite Grains
Rosé
50% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre,
Cinsault, Carignan
(none more than 80%)
10% Max white varieties
Rouge
50% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre,
Cinsault, Carignan
(none more than 80%)
Note:
Minervois has one region that can append its name:
La Livinière.
It is Red Only!
Minervois-La Livinière AOP
(Rd!)
Rouge Only!!
80% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre,
Cinsault, Carignan
~45 hl/ha~
~12.5% min ABV~
Picpoul de Pinet AOP
(W!)
Blanc Only!!
100% Picpoul
(aka: Picquepoul)
~55 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Was a G.D. of Languedoc AOP.
Granted its own AOP in 2013.
Saint-Chinian AOP
(Rd, W, Rs)
Rouge - Blanc - Rosé
Berlou - Roquebrun
Blanc
Majority combined:
Grenache Blanc (required!),
Marsanna, Roussanne, Vermentino
(none more than 70%)
~45 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Rosé
Majority combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre,
Llander Pelut
~50 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Rouge
(same as Rosé)
~45 hl/ha~
~12% min ABV~
Roquebrun
(same as Rouge/Rosé)
~40 hl/ha~
~12.5% min ABV~
Berlou
40% min combined:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre,
Llander Pelut
10% min Carignan
~40 hl/ha~
~12.5% min ABV~
4 Muscats of the Languedoc?
Muscat de Lunel
- *Muscat de Mireval**
- most elegant
- *Muscat de Frontignan**
(aka: Frontignan -or- Vin de Frontignan) - makes both VdN or VdL
- *Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois**
- lightest style by far due to cooler climate
- highest required min RS of all VdN (125 g/l)
Muscat de Frontignan AOP
(VdL, VdN)
Vin de Liqueur - Vin Doux Naturel
100% Muscat a Petite Grains Blanc
~30 hl/ha~
~21.5% min ABV~
{15% actual}
Vin de Liqueur
234 g/l min Must Weight
185 g/l min RS
(fotified before fermentation)
Vin Doux Naturel
252 g/l min Must Weight
110 g/l min RS
(fortified after fermentation)
Muscat de Lunel AOP
(VdN!)
Vin Doux Naturel Only!!
100% Muscat a Petite Grains Blanc
~30 hl/ha~
~21.5% min ABV~
{15% actual}
252 g/l min Must Weight
110 g/l min RS
There is also a Muscat de Nöel made here.
-must bottled before 12/1
Muscat de Mireval AOP
(VdN!)
Vin Doux Naturel Only!!
100% Muscat a Petite Grains Blanc
~30 hl/ha~
~21.5% min ABV~
{15% actual}
252 g/l min Must Weight
110 g/l min RS
Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois AOP
(VdN!)
Vin Doux Naturel Only!!
100% Muscat a Petite Grains Blanc
~30 hl/ha~
~21.5% min ABV~
{15% actual}
252 g/l min Must Weight
125 g/l min RS
- Muscat de Nöel* is made here.
- must bottled before 12/1
