France - Provence Flashcards
What is the region known for?
Pale pink rosé made principally from Grenache Noir and Cinsault
What styles of wines are produced? (incl. %)
- Rosé (90%)
- Red
- White (small amounts)
What varieties are used for red wine production?
- Grenache Noir
- Syrah
- Cinsault
- Mourvèdre
- Carignan
What varieties are used for white wine production?
- Vermentino (locally known as Rolle)
- Clairette
Why was the vineyard area in coastal areas reduced?
Competition for land from housing development and tourism
What are the top varieties (decreasing in ha planted)
- Grenache Noir
- Cinsault
- Syrah
- Carignan
- Rolle (WHITE)
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Describe the climate and grape growing conditions
- Warm Mediterranean climate
- Adequate rainfall
- Cold Mistral wind -> cooling influence and reduced diesease risk
- Cold winds can also interrupt flowering and fruit set
Is organic grape growing practiced?
- Yes, double than national avg.
- Climate favorable for it
Where are the best vineyards located?
- Shelter from the Mistral
- Altitudes up to 400m and inland -> moderating influence
How did the vine training system evolve?
Traditional: bush vines (shading)
Nowadays: Trellised vines, suitable for mechanization
Why is harvest timing important for Rosé wines?
- Ensuring fruit ripeness
- Tannin ripeness (if short maceration)
- Retaining acidity
Why is the Rosé pale in color
Because of the varieties used: Grenache Noir, Cinsault, and Tibouren (local)
What are the requirements regarding grape varieties?
- Up to 20% white varieties allowed
- Can help to reduce alcohol levels
What are the options for Rosé winemaking?
- Direct pressing (most common)
- Short maceration
Is acidification allowed?
Yes, commonly practiced
Describe the Rosé winemaking process (fruit handling, pressing, vessel, yeast, temp, malo, fining, lees ageing, oak)
- Protective winemaking
- Fruit is chilled to 4°C
- Whole bunch pressing or short maceration
- Fermentation in stainless steel using cultured yeast
- Mid-level fermentation temps (14-18°C)
- Malo is blocked
- Color may be reduced by fining
- 2-3 months on lees, sometimes longer
- Some produce oak-aged premium Rosé
Côtes de Provence
What is the area’s size?
- Large
- 20,000 ha
Côtes de Provence
What are the principal varieties for Rosé wines?
- Grenache Noir
- Cinsault
- Mourvèdre
- Syrah
- Tibouren
Côtes de Provence
What are requirements regarding grape varieties?
Must be blend
Côtes de Provence
What are the max and avg. yields?
- Max: 55 hL/ha
- Avg.: 45 hL/ha
Côtes de Provence
What is the largest sub-zone and what are the max yields?
- Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire
- Max yields: 50 hL/ha
Côtes de Provence
Describe the typical style of the Rosé (color, intensity, aromas, acidity, body, alcohol, quality, price)
- Pale pink-orange
- Light to medium intensity
- Raspberry, red plum, herbal notes
- Medium acidity
- Medium body
- Medium alcohol
- Good to very good quality
- Mid-priced (majority) to premium, but also some super- premium wines
What are the other two large appellations in the Provence?
- Coteaux Varois en Provence
- Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
Coteaux Varois en Provence & Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
What are max yields and the additional variety?
- 60 hL/ha
- Counoise
What three appellations produce 95% of AOC wines in Provence?
- Côtes de Provence
- Coteaux Varois en Provence
- Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
Les Baux de Provence
Where is the region located?
In the very west of the region
Les Baux de Provence
What types of wines are produced?
Mostly red
Les Baux de Provence
What are the principal grape varieties and requirements?
Min 60% of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Bandol
What are the types of wines produced and current trends?
- Red and Rosé
- Rosé became the most common in terms of volume
Bandol
Where are the vineyards located and what is the soil?
- Some on steep slopes that are terraced (labor costs)
- Rocky (limestone and clay) soils with low fertility
Bandol
What is the size and how did it evolve and why?
- 600 ha
- Reduced from formerly 1,400 ha
- Competition for land and labor costs
Bandol
What are the requirements for red wines?
- 50-95% Mourvèdre
- Aged in oak for 18 months
Bandol
What are the requirements for Rosé wines?
20-95% Mourvèdre
Bandol
What is the max yield?
40 hL/ha
Bandol
What role do co-ops have?
Important (50% of production)
Bandol
What is the typical quality and price of red wines?
- Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
- Mid-priced to super-premium
Name three further, smaller appellations
- Bellet (mainly white)
- Cassis (mainly white)
- Palette
Wine Business
How much of total rosé world wide is consumed in France?
36%
Wine Business
How much of the wine is exported and what are the main export markets?
- 35%
- USA, UK
Wine Business
What is the trend in exports?
Dramatic increase (500% in volume, 1000% in value)
Wine Business
What roles do co-ops and négociants have?
An important one!
Rosé winemaking
What are the advantages of hand harvesting and whole-bunch pressing?
- Less stress on grapes
- Fruit can be sorted in the vineyard
- Whole-bunch pressing is gentler
- Stems ensure lower pressure
Rosé winemaking
What are the disadvantages of hand harvesting and whole-bunch pressing?
- Large, well-trained picking teams required (availability a problem)
- Labour may not be available in the early morning
- More expensive and slower
- Whole-bunch pressing take more time
Rosé winemaking
What are the advantages of Machine harvesting and short maceration or hold in press?
- Fast
- Cheaper
- Not as much workers required
- Picking at night
- Fast refrigeration and/or pressing possible
Rosé winemaking
What are the disadvantages of Machine harvesting and short maceration or hold in press?
- Requires machine and driver
- Grapes are destemmed -> no whole bunch pressing possible
- Higher pressure required (no stems)
