France: Languedoc & Roussillon Flashcards
What is Languedoc’s climate?
Warm Mediterranean
High levels of sunshine, very warm summers, low moisture
What is the Canal du Midi?
A canal built in the late 17th century connecting the Languedoc to Bordeaux
How much do AOC wines account for in Languedoc’s total production?
Only 15%
Large volumes of wine are produced under IGP.
How much of Languedoc’s total production do Co-operatives account for?
60%
Down from 90% in the 1950s
What is the average rainfall of Languedoc?
629mm
What is a major climactic influence encouraging the dry climate of Languedoc?
The cool, dry Tramontane wind (coming from NW) blows for about 200 days per year.
How does the Tramontane wind affect Languedoc?
The Tramontane wind is a cool dry wind coming from the North West that blows for about 200 days per year.
The low moisture and the drying wind means there is low fungal disease pressure.
What are the five most planted black grape varieties of the Languedoc?
- Syrah
- Grenache
- Merlot
- Carignan
- Cabernet Sauvignon
(In order)
What are the viticultural characteristics of Carignan?
- Late budding, very late ripening (avoids frosts, needs warm mediterranean climate to successfully ripen).
- Vigourous, can produce high yields (sometimes 200hL/ha)
- Prone to powdery mildew, less so to botrytis and downey.
- Prone to grape moths
- Bunches cling firmly to the vine, so not suitable for mechanical harvesting
- High acid and tannin
What is another common name for Carignan?
Mazuelo
Why is bush vine training well adapted to the climate of Languedoc?
Provides shading in the mediterranean climate
Why are producers moving away from bush vines in Languedoc?
Many producers are using trellises to allow a high degree of mechanisation, reducing costs.
The reduced availability of labour, and the better quality machines on the market have contributed to this trend.
What are the three regions in France where carbonic maceration is a common technique?
- Burgundy
- Beaujolais
- Languedoc
What are the strengths of the Languedoc region for grape growing?
- Low moisture levels, dry tramontane wind, warm and sunny, adequate rainfall all mean little disease pressure and more organic producers.
What are the weaknesses of the Langudoc region for grape growing?
- In dry years, low rainfall can reduce production levels where irrigation is not installed.
- Reduced availability of labour
Outline the style of wines produced with carbonic maceration in the Languedoc.
Fruity wines with medium to deep colour and low tannins, particularly with tannic varieties such as Carignan, Grenache and Syrah.
Give an example of a high quality and ageable wine made with carbonic maceration in the Languedoc?
Château La Voulte Gasparet with Grenache, Carignan, Mouvédre and Syrah.
How much of Languedoc’s total production do IGP wines account for?
Nearly 70%
What are the key regulations for Languedoc IGP wines?
- Max. yields of 90hL/ha for reds and whites, 100hL/ha for rosé.
- A total of 58 varieties may be used.
What is the biggest IGP (in terms of volume) in France?
Pays d’Oc IGP
How much of France’s total production does the Pays d’Oc IGP account for?
10-15% depending on the vintage
Outline the domestic and export markets of the Pays d’Oc IGP.
Half of the production of IGP Pays d’Oc is sold in France, mostly in supermarkets, but hospitality sales are also significant. The top three export markets are Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
What are the max. permitted yields for Languedoc AOC?
- Rouge: 50hL/ha
- Rosé: 54hL/ha
- Blanc: 60hL/ha
- With GI: 42-50hL-ha
What are the principal black grape varieties for Languedoc AOC?
Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, and/or Lledoner Pelut (a mutation of Grenache Noir).
What are the assemblage requirements for Languedoc AOC rouge?
- Min 2 grapes, with a max. 80% of any single variety.
- Min. 40% combined principal varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Lladoner Pelut)
What are the principal white grape varieties of Languedoc AOC?
Piquepoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Tourbat, and Vermentino
Corbières AOC
Location?
Area under vine?
- Western Languedoc, south-west of Narbonne
- Over 10,000ha under vine.
What are the two key mountain ranges of Corbières AOC?
Tauch and D’Alaric
What are the cooling influences of Corbières AOC?
Altitude (up to 450m) provided by the Tauch and D’Alaric mountain ranges, and cool northern winds.
How much do red wines account for in Corbières AOC total production?
90% by volume
What are the assemblage requirements for Corbières AOC rouge?
Min. 2 varieties (including at least one principal variety), and no single variety may exceed 80% of the blend. Min. 40% principal varieties.
Principal varieties: Grenache, Lladoner Pelut, Mourvèdre, and Syrah; plus Carignan
What is the max. permitted yield for Corbières AOC?
50hL/ha
What are the soils of Corbières AOC?
Limestone alternates with schist, clays, marls and sandstone.
Outline the domestic and export markets for Corbières AOC.
The wines of Corbières AOC are predominantly sold in France (70 per cent) and through supermarkets; 30 per cent by volume produced is exported, with China, Germany and Belgium being the leading export markets.
What are the principal white grape varieties of Corbières AOC?
Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Macabeu, Roussanne, and Vermentino
Boutenac AOC
Location?
Assemblage requirements?
- Northern Corbières, Languedoc
- Min. 70% combined Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Carignan. No variety may exceed 80% of the blend.
Name three producers of Corbières AOC.
- Maxime Magnon
- Château d’Aussières
- Château Ollieux Romanis
Where is Minervois AOC located?
Western Languedoc, to the north of Corbières
Name two producers of Minervois AOC?
Clos Centeilles
Domaines Borie de Maurel
What styles of wines are made in Minervois AOC?
- Red and Rosé wines from Grenache Noir, Mouvédre, Syrah and (less commonly Lledoner Pelut).
- Whites from Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Vermentino
Where is La Livinière AOC located?
Within Minervois AOC, western Languedoc
When did La Livinière AOC receive its own appellation?
1999
What styles of wine are made under the La Livinière AOC?
Red wine only
What are the assemblage requirements for La Livinière AOC?
At least 2 varieties must be present in the blend. Principal varieties compose at least 40% of the blend. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan together compose at least 80% of the blend.
Outline the sub-climate and soils of La Livinière AOC.
Limestone terrace of gentle slopes at up to 400 m of altitude, giving very good drainage, exposure to the sun and some cooling influences from altitude.
How do the wines of La Livinière AOC differ from those of Minervois AOC?
The cooler temperatures can lead to higher acidity levels in these wines than those from the lower, warmer parts of Minervois AOC.
Where is Saint-Chinian AOC located?
Between Minervois and Faugères in western Languedoc
What are the two sub-zones of Saint-Chinian AOC?
Berlou, Roquebrun
What are the different soil types of Saint-Chinian AOC?
- Fast draining schist soils in the north, leading to lower yields and wines with higher concentration - this area includes Berlou and Roquebrun.
- Water retaining clay, limestone soils in the south.
Berlou and Roquebrun are the two sub-zones of which AOC?
Saint-Chinian AOC
West Languedoc.
Which IGP is Grange des Peres labelled as?
Pays de l’Hérault IGP
What is the river flowering through Saint Chinian AOC?
The Orb
Name three producers from Saint Chinian
- Chateau La Dournie
- Thierry Navarre
- Clos Bagatelle
What are the two sectors of Fitou AOC?
Fitou Maritime and Fitou Montagneux
There is a part of Corbières AOC between the two sectors
What was the first AOC established in Languedoc? In what year?
Fitou
1948
Outline the growing conditions of Fitou Maritime.
The coastal area of Fitou is relatively flat, low-lying plains, with clay and limestone soils that have good water retention, resulting in wines with less concentration.
Outline the growing conditions of Fitou Montagneux.
The inland area is more mountainous and has less fertile and fast-draining schistous soils, resulting in wines of potentially higher flavour concentration.
What are the assemblage requirements for Fitou AOC?
No grape may account for more than 80% of the blend. Grenache and/or Carignan must account for at least 60% of the blend.
What is the largest producer of Fitou AOC?
he largest producer in Fitou is the Mont Tauch co-operative, responsible for approximately half of the total production of the appellation
What style of wine is Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois AOP?
Vin Doux Naturel Blanc: 100% Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc
Where is Malepère AOC located?
To the very west of Languedoc
North of Limoux
What styles of wines are made in Malepère AOC?
Red and rosé blends made based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Where is Cabardès AOC located?
Directly west of Minervois AOC, western Languedoc
What styles of wine are made in Cabardès AOC?
Red and rosé blends based on Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Where is Limoux AOC located?
West of Corbières AOC, west Languedoc
What are the white grape varieties of Limoux AOC?
Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
What are the principal and complementary black varieties of Limoux AOC?
Merlot based blends with Grenache, Syrah and Cot.
Cab Sauv and Cab Franc are accessory varieties.
What is the most important grape variety for sparkling Limoux wines?
Mauzac
How long must Blanquette de Limoux wines be aged on the lees?
A min. of 9 months
Where is La Clape AOC located?
Western languedoc, on the coast.
Surrounds the city of Narbonne and includes some areas of Corbières AOC.
Outline the growing conditions of La Clape AOC?
Warm, sunny, arid and windy
When was La Clape AOC recieve its own appellation?
2015
What styles of wine are made in La Clape AOC?
Whites based on Bourboulenc
Reds based on Grenache, Mouvédre and Syrah
Where is Faugères AOC located?
Eastern Languedoc
Outline the growing conditions of Faugères AOC.
Faugères is situated at 250–400 m of altitude on well-drained and low fertility schistous soils.
What are the max. permitted yields of Faugères AOC rouge? Average yields?
50hL/ha for red wines, however the average yields are low at 33hL/ha.
How much of Faugères AOC’s vineyards are organic?
40% + 10% in conversion.
What is the biggest market for Faugères AOC?
Almost all wines (90%) are sold in France.
Outline the growing conditions for Pic Saint-Loup AOC.
Pic Saint-Loup has a more continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers and considerable rainfall (1,000 mm per year).
Where is Pic Saint-Loup AOC located?
Eastern Languedoc
North of Montpellier
What styles of wine are made in Pic Saint-Loup AOC?
Reds and rosé blends based on Syrah, Mouvédre and Grenache.
Where is Terrasses du Larzac AOC located?
Eastern Languedoc
When did Terrasses du Larzac AOC recieve its appellation?
2014
What factors influence the growing conditions of Terrasses du Larzac AOC?
Range of altitudes from 120-200 to 400m
High diurnal range
What are the assemblage requirements for Terrasses du Larzac AOC?
The wine must be a blend of at least three varieties, including at least two of the four principal grapes (Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan). Principal grapes must account for at least 75% of the blend; no single grape may account for more than 70% of the blend.
Name a premium producer of Terrasses du Larzac AOC.
La Peira
Where is the producer La Peira located?
Terrasses du Larzac AOC Languedoc
Where is Picpoul de Pinet AOC located?
Eastern Languedoc on the coast
What is the grape variety of Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
Piquepoul Blanc
What is the max. permitted yields for Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
55hL/ha
What was the Piquepoul Blanc grape variety traditionally used for?
It was used for the local vermouth industry
Outline the domestic and export market of Picpoul de Pinet AOC.
The wine is mainly exported (67 per cent, 2020) with tourists in the region also accounting for a considerable part of the domestic consumption. The top export market is the UK, which accounts for nearly 60 per cent of exports, followed by the USA and Germany.
Describe the bottle used for Picpoul de Pinet AOC.
Slender with an embossed Languedoc cross
How much wine do co-operatives of Picpoul de Pinet produce for the region?
90%
Ormarine is a major Co-Op in the region.
What are the appellations in Languedoc that produce Vin Doux Naturels?
- Muscat de Frontignon
- Muscat de Lunel
- Muscat de Mireval
- Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
Mas de Daumas Gassac and Grange des Peres are two producers located in Langudoc, but have declassified to Pays d’Herault.
Where are they located?
Terrassess du Larzac AOC
Where is Domaine Gerard Bertrand located?
Corbières, Languedoc
Mas de Daumas Gassac is a producer located where?
Terrasses du Larzac AOC, Languedoc
They have declassified to Pays d’Herault.
What are the biggest export markets for Languedoc wine?
UK, USA and China
What is the area under vine of Roussillon?
21,000ha
This has reduced dramatically in the last few decades.
What is the biggest influence on Roussillon’s climate?
The Pyrenees
How much of Roussillon’s total production is dedicated to fortified wine?
Around a quarter
How much do Co-Operatives account for in Roussillon’s total production?
Around 75%
Describe the climate of Roussillon.
- Warm, windy, Mediterranean climate
- Moderate rainfall (500-600mm per year)
- High sunshine hours
What factors reduce the risk of disease pressure in Roussillon?
Frequent winds, low rainfall and a dry, sunny climate
What are the most important black grape varieties in Roussillon?
Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre
What are the most important white grape varieties in Roussillon?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains, Muscat of Alexandria, Macabeu, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris
What is the most common vine training method in Roussillon?
Bush vine
Why are there less trellised vineyards in Roussillon compared to the Languedoc?
Because the amount of flatter land suitable for trellising is far less than in the Languedoc.
What are the max. permitted yields for Côtes de Roussillon AOC?
48hL/ha
How big is the Côtes de Roussillon AOC?
Nearly 6000ha
What are the encépage requirements for Côtes de Roussillon? (Principal varieties).
Min. 80% combined Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah (min. 25% combined Mourvèdre and Syrah), and Carignan (max. 50%).
Max. 30% accessory varieties.
What are the assemblage requirements for Côtes de Roussillon?
Min. 2 varieties. No principal variety may exceed 80% of the blend, and the accessory varieties may not exceed a combined 20%.
What styles of wine are produced in Côtes de Roussillon Villages AOC?
Red wine only
What are the max. yields permitted for Côtes de Roussillon Villages AOC?
45hL/ha
42hL/ha for wines with village on the label
What are the five villages that may append their name of the label of Côtes de Roussillon Villages AOC?
Caramany, Latour-de-France, Lesquerde, Tautavel, Les Aspres
What are the key differences between Côtes de Roussillon AOC and Côtes de Roussillon Villages AOC?
Styles CDR can produce blanc, rosè and rouge whereas CDRV can produce only rouge
Yields CDRV has slightly lower max. permitted yields.
Climate Vines of CDRV are planted at slightly higher altitudes (100-400m) compared to CDR (100-250mm).
Encépage Fewer grape varieties are permitted for CDRV. Village appellations have their own regulations.
Where is Collioure AOC located?
Roussillon
On the border with Spain, on the coast.
Covers the same area as Banyuls AOC
What are the principal white grape varieties of Collioure AOC?
Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne, Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon), and Vermentino
What is the max. permitted yields of Collioure AOC? Typical yields?
40hL/ha
20-25hL/ha
What are the principal black grape varieties of Collioure AOC?
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Carignan
Why does Collioure AOC typically achieve much lower yields than the max. permitted?
Heat, low rainfall and poor soils
Where is IGP Côtes Catalanes?
Covers the Pyrénées-Orientales département
Name a producers that make wine under the IGP Côtes Catalanes?
Domaine Gauby
Where is Danjoy Bannessy located?
Côtes de Roussillon Villages, near the town of Rivesaltes
Banyuls AOC
Location?
Styles of wines produced?
- Roussillon, on the border with Spain and the coast
- Vin Doux Naturel Blanc, Ambré, Rosè, Rimage, Traditionnel, Hors d’Age
What does the term ‘Ambré’ refer to for Roussillon Vin Doux Naturels?
Denotes a white wine that has been matured oxidatively.
What do the terms Grenat/Rimage refer to and where are they used?
Denotes unaged styles of red VDN wines. Grenat is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes, Rimage in Banyuls.
What do the terms Tuilé/Traditionnel refer to and where are they used?
Denotes a red wine that has been matured oxidatively. Tuilé is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes, Traditionnel in Banyuls.
What does the term Hors d’Age refer to in Roussillon?
Denotes a wine that has been matured oxidatively for a longer period than Tuilé or Ambré wines. The wines can be red or white.
What are the élevage requirements for Roussillon VDNs labelled with the term ‘Hors d’Age’?
These wines may not be released until September 1 on the fifth year after harvest.
What does the term ‘Rancio’ refer to?
Rancio is a tasting term used to describe a collection of aromas and flavours that are found in some styles of wines. Aromas are varied but typical descriptors include leather, wood varnish and strong coffee.
What is the min. residual sugar for Roussillon VDNs (all appellations)?
45g/l
What are the élevage requirements for Banyuls Grand Cru AOC?
Min. 30 months in barrel, not to be released until June 1 of the third year following the harvest
What are the six VDN AOCs in Roussillon?
- Banyuls
- Banyuls Grand Cru
- Grand Roussillon
- Maury
- Muscat de Rivesaltes
- Rivesaltes
Give an example of a producer of Banyuls AOC.
Domaine Vial-Magneres
Give an example of a producer of Maury AOC?
Mas Amiel
Where is the producer Clos de Fées located?
In the Côtes de Roussillon Villages AOC
Where is the producer Le Soula located?
Roussillon
What are the principal grape varieties of Rivesaltes AOC?
Grenache (Blanc, Gris, and Noir), Tourbat (Malvoisie de Roussillon), Macabeu
What are the principal grape varieties of Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat d’Alexandrie
What are the principal varieties of Maury AOC?
Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Tourbat
What are the principal varieties of Banyuls AOC?
Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon)
