France - Languedoc-Roussillon

Question 1

Which are the tiers for classification used in Languedoc?

Answer 1

-Structure of 5 Cru (Terroirs d’Ambition)
-27 Grand Vins de Languedoc
-Languedoc AOP

Question 2

Which are the 5 Crus of Languedoc?

Answer 2

Minervois La Laviniere
Corbieres-Boutenac
La Clape
Pic-Saint Loup
Terrasses du Larzac

Question 3

Describe Minervois region and its wines

Answer 3

North of Languedoc.
Limestone soil.
Red GSM blend
1 Cru La Liviniere
Small % rose and white

Question 4

Where is Corbieres and what is the main soil characteristic?

Answer 4

Situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Mainly sand and clay soil.

Question 5

Describe Corbieres wines

Answer 5

Main red variety is Carignan (max. 50%),
Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah and Lladoner Pelut.
Generally standard quality with outstanding Corbieres Boutenac AOC Cru (min. 30% Carignan)

Question 6

Describe La Clape and its wines

Answer 6

On the coast, with limestone and clay soil.
Cru status for reds from GSM blend.
Whites from min. 60% Bourbolenc and Grenache Blanc

Question 7

Describe Pic Saint Loup and its wines

Answer 7

Most northerly Cru status appellation. Mediterranean with high plateau of stone with limestone.
Min. 90% SGM plus max. 10% Cinsault & Carignan

Question 8

Describe Terrasses de Larzac and its wines

Answer 8

Southwest from Pic Saint Loup.
Cru status
Red only from SGM with small percentage of Cinsault & Carignan.
Typical soil is ‘Ruffes’, red rock soil high in iron oxide

Question 9

Describe Faugeres and its wines

Answer 9

Southwest from Terrasses du Laezac.
South facing schist slopes.
Reds from GSM blend

Question 10

Which are the 2 areas of Fitou?

Answer 10

Fitou Maritime (near the coast)
Fitou Montagneux (inland, higher elevation)

Question 11

Describe Fitou wines

Answer 11

min. 60% Carignan (main variety) with Grenache
min. 10% Syrah and Mourvedre

Question 12

Which wines is Limoux famous for?

Answer 12

Sparkling wines from Mauzac grape.
Methode Traditionelle
Methode Dioise Ancestrale

Question 13

Which are the 3 AOCs for sparkling wines in Limoux?

Answer 13

Blanquette de Limoux
Blanquette de Limoux Ancestrale
Cremant de Limoux

Question 14

Which wines are produced in Picpoul de Pinet?

Answer 14

White from 100% Picpoul grape

Question 15

Which wines can we find under Saint-Chinian AOC?

Answer 15

Good quality red, rose, white
Mainly reds from GSM blend

Question 16

Which are the 2 villages and how are their wines?
(In Saint-Chinian AOC)

Answer 16

-Berlou (Carignan predominant)
-Roquebrun (min. 70% Syrah, Grenache)

Question 17

Which wines can we find in Frontignan?

Answer 17

Muscat de Frontignan AOC, producing VDN and VDL from Muscat a Petit Grains.
Golden color with orange marmelade notes.
min. 252g/L VDN
min. 237g/L VDL

Question 18

Which is the difference between VDN and VDL?

Answer 18

In VDL the ‘eu de vie’ (brandy) is added before the start of fermentation.
In VDN is added to arrest the fermentation.

Question 19

Which is the main wine style in Roussillon?

Answer 19

VDN & VDL

Question 20

Which wines are produced in Cotes du Roussillon?

Answer 20

Still dry reds, rose, whites.
Reds from GSM and Carignan
Whites from Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne

Question 21

How many Villages can append their name to Cotes du Roussillon Villages appellation?

Answer 21

5

Question 22

Where is Banyuls situated?

Answer 22

Most southern AOC in France
Steep terraced schistous slopes

Question 23

How are this 3 wines made?
-Banyuls
-Banyuls Grand Cru
-Banyuls Rimage

Answer 23

-Banyuls min. 50% Grenache Noir
-Banyuls Grand Cru min. 75% Grenache Noir plus Grenache Blanc and Gris
min. 30 months matured
-Banyuls Rimage is mature min. 12 months

Question 24

Which wines are produced in Maury?

Answer 24

Red, white, rose VDN
Similar style to Banyuls

Question 25

Which are the main grape varietals in Rivesaltes?

Answer 25

Grenache Noir
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Gris
Muscat

Question 26

Describe the following 3 wines:
-Rivesaltes Ambre
-Rivesaltes Grenat
-Rivesaltes Tuile

Answer 26

-Ambre only from white grapes, oxidated for min. 30 months.
-Grenat is from min. 75% Grenache, matured min. 1 year in wood and 3 months in bottle.
-Tuile is from min. 50% Grenache, matured min. 2 years in wood

Question 27

What does ‘Hors d’Age’ means?

Answer 27

Indicates that the wine has been matured for min. 5 years.
Only for Rivesaltes Grenat or Ambre

Question 28

Describe Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

Answer 28

Wine from Muscat a Petit Grains or Muscat d’Alexandria.
Only white or rose

Question 29

What is Rivesaltes Rancio AOC?

Answer 29

When Rivesaltes wines are maderized, due to long time in wood or even in demi-johns left in the sun.

Question 30

What is the general appellation for the entire Languedoc-Roussillon region?

Answer 30

Pays d’Oc IGP