France: Languedoc & Roussillon

Question 1

General observations on area under vine and yield (reasons for low yield)

Answer 1

1) 240,000ha under vine
2) More than the individual countries of Chile, South Africa, or Australia.
3) 220,000 situated in Languedoc
4) Common factor in the region: low yields due to low rainfall, warm and windy climate (evapotranspiration)
5) In the decade 2005-2015, the region had the lowest yield in France (lower than Champagne and Alsace)

Question 2

Climate, vineyard locations, grape varieties.

Answer 2

1) Mediterranean climate
2) Situated in low-lying alluvial plains
3) Ambitious growers are reclaiming hillside vineyards
4) Great range of varieties, including locals (PicPoul) and Southern Rhone varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Carignan)
5) Large volumes of IGP wine is produced here, labelled as varietal wines.

Question 3

Main historic points from Greek & Roman colonisations to modern day.

Answer 3

1) Long history of grape growing: Greeks, Romans and monasteries in the Middle Ages.
2) Canal du Midi, linking it to Bordeaux (late 17th century) and railways (mid 19th century) made it easy for wine to be transported to the rest of France and exported.
3) Coops became very important (especially in the 1950’s) and accounted for 90% of total production.
4) Post 1973: Languedoc and Roussillon became the main source of everyday wine in France (no longer Algeria)
5) Over production in relation to demand led to vineyards being pulled up.
6) Area under vines today is half what it was in 1968.
7) Nowadays production of inexpensive wine accompanies the production of higher quality wines.

Question 4

Overall climatic condition: type of climate, rainfall, sunshine levels, influence of the Tramontane and its effects.

Answer 4

1) Mediterranean climate
2) High levels of sunshine
3) Rainfall below 600mm / year
4) Very warm summers
5) Low moisture levels & cool dry Tramontane wind (200 days/ year): low disease pressure risk
6) Because of that, Languedoc produces 1/3 of organic wines in France
7) In dry year, drought can be a serious problem were irrigation systems aren’t installed.

Question 5

What are the 6 most planted grape varieties in Languedoc?

Answer 5

1) Carignan
2) Syrah
3) Grenache Noir
4) Merlot
5) Cabernet Sauvignon
6) Cinsault

Question 6

Vine training and mechanisation

Answer 6

1) Historically: bush vines (Provides shade / adds to cost)
2) In recent decades: vines trained on trellises, high level of mechanisation
3) IGP wines will be machine harvested; AOC wines may be machine harvested (where topography allows).

Question 7

1) 2 main approaches for the production of red wines?
2) Winemaking for high quality / low vol wines?
3) New trends in winemaking?

Answer 7

For red:

1) Carbonic maceration: employed to produce fruity, with medium to deep colour and low tannins. Mid-range temp fermentation to preserve primary fruit.
2) Most wines are made by crushing the grapes and fermenting them on the skins for 5-7 days (to limit tannin extraction; mid-range temp fermentation to preserve primary fruit; wines are stored in stainless steel / concrete vats for a few months before release. These are early drinking wines, med tannins and will hold for 2 to 3 years.
3) For high quality / small volume production: more use fo sorting tables, fermentation at warm temps, more use of ambient yeast, and barriques for maturation. These wines are intended for bottle ageing.
4) There is also experimentation with concrete tanks, eggs and large oak vats.

Question 8

1) Sized of production?
2) Yields?
3) Its importance as a category within the wine production in the region?

Answer 8

1) Represent 70% of production in the area
2) More flexible rules than AOC
3) Yields: 90hL/ha (white and red); 100hL/ha (rose)
4) This category (plus varietally labelled wines) are the root of the success in the region in recent decades.

Question 9

1) Importance of this IGP in French wine production?
2) Production levels by colour?
3) General profile of wines produced in this IGP?
4) Quality level?
5) Price level?

Answer 9

1) IGP Pays d’Oc: biggest producer of IGP wine in France: produces 10 - 15% of all wine in France (vintage dependant).
2) By colour: just over 1/2 is red, 1/4 white and under 1/4 rose.
3) Wines are typically fresh / fruity expressions of the variety used, with very little oak or no oak used in maturing.
4) Good to V. Good in quality.
5) Inexpensive to mid-priced.
6) Top 4 varieties grown and used for varietal labelling: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay and Syrah.

Question 10

Give an overview of the AOC laws and regulations for the region.

Answer 10

1) Languedoc AOC’s (red wine) require a minimum of 2 varieties, including one or more of the principal varieties
2) It also sets the upper limit for any one variety, meaning that all AOC wines are genuinely blends.
3) The rules for sub-zones can be different from parent AOC’s
4) Different %’s can be set for the varieties in the vineyard and in the final blend, giving producers more flexibility (eg 50% in the vineyard and 40% in the winery).
5) AOC sets a max yield, typically 45-50hL/ha
6) Subzones set a lower limit; in practice the yield much lower than the limit due to low rainfall and soils with low fertility.

Question 11

What are the rules for Languedoc AOC with regards:

1) Principal varieties?
2) Max use of principal varieties?
3) Min use of principal varieties?
4) Max quantities for other varieties?

Answer 11

1) Principal varieties: GSM
2) Min of two varieties must be used, at least one of the principal
3) No variety may be more than 80% of the blend
4) Total combination of the principal varieties: min of 40% of the blend
5) The other varieties may not exceed 30% of the blend, which is much higher than specific AOC’s

Question 12

Style quality and price for:

1) Languedoc AOC?
2) Named Appellations?
3) Sub-appellations?

Answer 12

1) Regional Appellation: Languedoc AOC: typically med intensity, simple blackberry and plum fruit, med tannins, acid, alc and body. Acceptable to good, inexpensive to mid priced
2) Named Appellations: med to med(+) intensity, blackberry and black plum, herbal (lavender, rosemary), med to med(+) acid, med tannins, med to high alc, med(+) to full body); minority has oak aromas; good to very good, some outstanding; inexpensive to mid-priced.
3) Sub-appellations: med(+) to pronounced aromas, med(+) tannins; very good, with some outstanding; mid-priced with some premium.

Question 13

Describe:

1) Topography
2) Vineyard location
3) Principal grape varieties
4) Other permitted grapes (in %)
5) Yield
6) Domestic x export market

Answer 13

1) Hilly appellation south-west of Narbonne
2) Vineyards planted up to 450m on slopes.
3) Cooling Influences: altitude and northern winds
4) 90% of production is re wine
5) Principal grapes: Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah (40% of final final must be any of the above)
6) Max 20% of other grapes, including Cinsault
7) Max yield: 50hL/ha (red, white and rose)
8) 70% is consumed domestically

Question 14

What’s the key difference between this sub-appellation and Corbieres AOC?

Answer 14

Requires Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre to make up 70% of the blend.

Question 15

1) Main characteristics of the AOC?
2) Wines produced?
3) Principal varieties?
4) Blending rules?

Answer 15

1) Extensive appellation
2) Range of climatic zones based on altitude and proximity to the Med Sea.
3) Wines produced: red (majority), white & red
4) Principal varieties: GSM, Carignan & Cinsault
5) Blending rules: blending above must be 50% of the final blend; no one variety can exceed 80%.

Question 16

1) What styles can be produced in this AOC?
2) Vineyard location and aspect?
3) Difference in structural elements from Minervois AOC?
4) Principal grape varieties?
5) Other permitted grape varieties?

Answer 16

1) Red wine only.
2) Situated on a limestone terrace
3) Gentle slopes up to 400m ASL
4) Higher acidity levels (due to altitude)
5) GSM: must make up at least 40% of the blend
6) Plus Carignan and Cinsault: must make up at least 80% of the blend.

Question 17

1) Where is St Chinian located?
2) Main styles produced?
3) Sub-zones and their characteristics?

Answer 17

1) Large appellation between Minervois and Faugères
2) Produces mainly red & rose wines from GSM (min 50% of the blend)
3) Two areas within this AOC:
a) Northern zone: St C Roquebrum AOC and st Berlou AOC: South facing slopes, fast draining schist soil (higher concentration wines)
b) Southern zone: clay & limestone soils, more H20 retention, higher yields, less concentrated wines

Question 18

1) Where is Fitou AOC located?
2) What are the main characteristics of the 2 separate areas?
3) What are the principal grape varieties?
4) Who’s the largest producer in this AOC?

Answer 18

1) 2 areas separated by part of Corbieres AOC. First AOC formed in Languedoc (1948)
2) Coastal area: clay & limestone - better H20 retention, less concentrated wines.
3) Inland area: schistous soil, fast-draining, better concentrated wines.
4) Principal varieties: Carignan (10% - 40% of the blend) and Grenache (min 20%)
5) Largest producer: Mont Touch coop: 50% of production.

Question 19

1) Where is this AOC located?
2) Principal black & white varieties?
3) Min ageing requirement?
4) Domestic x export market?

Answer 19

1) Situated at 200 - 400m ASL
2) Principal black varieties: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Carignan.
3) Principal white varieties: Roussanne, Grenache Blanc Masanne and Vermentino
4) Wines must be aged for 1h before release.
5) 90% of production is sold withing France

Question 20

1) Climatic characteristics of this AOC?
2) Principal grape variety?
3) Styles produced?

Answer 20

1) The most continental of the appellations in Languedoc
2) Cold winters / warm summers
3) Syrah performs well in this climate and must be 50% of the blend.
4) Only produces red & rose wines

Question 21

1) Vineyard location?
2) When did it get AOC status?
3) Quality level of wines produced?

Answer 21

1) Gained AOC status in 2014.
2) Vineyards situated in a range of altitudes: 200m ASL t 400m ASL.
3) High diurnal range
4) Wines must be a blend of at last 3 varieties
5) Premium and super-premium wines.

Question 22

1) When did it get AOC status?
2) Where is it situated?
3) Main styles produced?

Answer 22

1) New appellation: gained AOC status in 2015
2) Coastal area: warm, sunny, arid and windy
3) Suitable for Mourvedre
4) Red (80%) & white wines are produced here
5) White wines are well known in France: min 60% of Grenache blanc and/or Bourbulenc.

Question 23

1) Distinct climatic characteristic?
2) Most planted varieties?
3) Blend composition?

Answer 23

1) More continental than the other AOC’s
2) Protected from Med by mountains
3) Cold winters / warm summers
4) Most planted varieties: Bordeaux + local varieties
5) Must be a blend of at least 2 varieties and min 40% Merlot

Question 24

1) What are the climatic influences on this AOC?
2) Principal grape varieties and blending proportions?

Answer 24

1) Subject to both Atlantic and Med influences
2) Must be a blend of 40% each of the Bordeaux varieties (2 Cabs & Merlot) and Grenache and / or Syrah.

Question 25

1) Where is this AOC located?
2) What style of wine is produced?
3) Export x domestic markets?

Answer 25

1) Low lying land close to the cost
2) White wines only
3) Permitted grape variety: Picquepoul Blanc
4) Wine was primarily used for the production of vermouth
5) With modernisation, fruit wines were produced, which led to the rapid growth in demand.
6) 65% of the wine is exported (60% to UK alone)

Question 26

1) Wine production (vol): IGP x AOC?
2) Current trend

Answer 26

1) Volume: IGP dominates (nearly 70%); AOC (15%)
2) AOC wine exports are rapidly growing (+15% up to 2016)
3) Languedoc has historically focused on inexpensive wines made by coops
4) There has been a resurgence in quality (Mas de Daumas, Domaine Gerard Bertrand)

Question 27

1) Size of area under vines?
2) Topography?
3) Overall structure of the industry?
4) Styles of wine produced?

Answer 27

1) 21,000ha
2) Region is dominated by the Pyrenees - many of the vineyards are on its foothills
3) There’s no flat plains suited to high vol grape growing
4) 1/4 of production is dedicated to Vin du Naturel
5) Coops produce 75% of the wine
6) Majority is red, followed by rose and small vol of white

Question 28

1) Describe the overall climatic conditions in the Roussillon and its influence in viticulture and wine production.

Answer 28

1) Warm, windy Med climate
2) Mod rainfall and high sunshine hours
3) Drought can be an issue in dry years
4) Frequent winds & low rainfall reduces the risk from fungal diseases.
5) These conditions also reduce yield, which raises fruit concentration but reduces income..
6) 15% of the ha planted are farmed organically (Warm, dry, windy and sunny conditions)

Question 29

1) What are the most important black and white grape varieties in Roussillon?

Answer 29

1) Black: Grenache Noir, Syrah Carignan, Mourvèdre (reds & Roses)
2) Muscats (Blanc & Alexandria - mainly use in fortified wines) & Macabeo (Viura in Spain)

Question 30

1) HIstorically, how were vines grown in Roussillon and why?
2) What’s changed?

Answer 30

1) Historically bush vines - many still remain
2) Well adapted to climate, provide some shading to the fruit
3) Recently, vines have been planted in trellises
4) Machine harvesting is less used here than in Languedoc because Roussillon has less flat lands.

Question 31

1) Size of appellation?
2) Vineyard location?
3) Principal black varieties?
4) Varietal limitation in the vineyard in %?
5) Blending limitation in %?

Answer 31

1) Large appellation in this area = 5000ha
2) Styles produced: red, rose and white
3) Situated on lower slopes (av 200m ASL)
4) Principal varieties: Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre & Syrah (reds & roses)
5) In the vineyard: Carignan = max 50%; Syrah and Mourvèdre = min 25% (separate or together)
6) In the wines: min of 2 varieties; variety with highest % cannot exceed 80%.

Question 32

1) What’s the size of this appellation?
2) What style is produced here?
3) Where are the vineyards situated?
4) General climatic influence and its effects on wine?
5) How many villages are there?

Answer 32

1) Less than half the size of Cotes du Roussilon
2) Red wines only
3) Situated on slopes from 100m - 400m ASL
4) Cooling effect from altitude and mountains resulting in more acidity
5) Yields are limited to 45hL/ha; often they are smaller due to the hot, dry climate = more concentration.
6) 5 villages may add their names to the label - max yields are lower and quality, style and price mirror those from sub-appellations in Languedoc.
7) Principal varieties in the vineyard and blending rules are the same as Cotes du Roussillon.

Question 33

1) Where is this AOC located?
2) What styles are produced here?
3) Principal black and white grape varieties?

Answer 33

1) Along the coast / Spanish boarder
2) Same boundaries as Banyuls (fortified sweet wines)
3) Styles produced: full body dry red and white
4) Majority red wines: GSM
5) White wines: Grenache Gris
6) Very low yields: max is 40hL/ha, rarely achieved; more commonly 20-25hL/ha.

Question 34

1) Structure of the industry (coops x independent wineries)?
2) Recent trend?
3) Domestic x export markets?

Answer 34

1) Coops are still very important
2) Recent trend towards high quality by individual wineries, most of whom are owned by other wineries outside the region
3) 80% of production is sold in France.