France - Provence Flashcards
What is the climate in Provence?
Warm Mediterranean
What % of AOC wine production in Provence is rosé?
What % of France’s AOC rosé wine is from Provence?
How much white & red are produced?
88% and 40%!
9% of AOC production is red, 3% white
What is the regional IGP of Provence? How does it compare with Provence AOC production?
Méditerranée IGP; Province AOC production dwarfs Provence IGP production,
When did viticulture start in Provence?
In the 6th century BC when the greeks first arrived with grape vines and established cities.
Where does the place name “Provence” come from?
Marsailles allied itself with the roman republic to protect itself from the etruscians in the 2nd century BC, becoming the first Roman province outside the Italian peninsula. The Romans referred to it as Nostra Provincia, our province, which in time became Provence.
Is Provence affected by the Mistral winds? How so?
Cold, northerly Mistral wind provides a cooling influence and a drying influence that reduces fungal diseases, allowing for extensive organic viticulture
40% of the year the Mistral wind blows!
It can disrupt flowering to fruitset, causing couleur and drastically lowering yields, especially hazardous in late spring. The best sites provide shelter from these winds.
Is Provence flat like the Southern Rhone?
Provence is quite mountainous! Especially inland. There are significant altitudes inland, and many mountains provide shelter from the mistral winds.
What are the key grape varieties of Provence?
Grenache noir, Cinsaut, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre, Tibouren, Cab.
Vermentino, Clairette, Marsanne
What is the local name for vermentino?
Rolle
What change in vineyard management is occuring in provence?
Bush-vines are being replaced with trellised vines for better canopy manangement, increased mechanization, and reduced costs.
What is Garrigue? What kind of wines exhibit Garrigue?
Classic herbs de Provence (savory, rosemary, basil, thyme, & oregano), in addition to rose, lavender, bluebell, violet. Any bushy, brushy, low-to the ground herb that’s farmed or grows wild on the limestone escarpments of Provence, that contributes to the area’s unique terroir and subsequent aromaticity of its wines: whites, rosés, and especially reds.
Remind me of some differences between bush & trellised vines?
Bush vines create dense canopies that can shade fruit in hot climates, while trellised vines make it easier to control canopy size to acheive sugar, skin, & seed ripeness. Trellised vines are also easier to navigage.
When are grapes meant for rosé harvested?
Usually earlier than those intended for reds, in order to retain acidity.
If wine is made with short maceration method, it’s crucial not to pick too early; you need appropriate tannin ripeness to avoid bitterness.
Choosing your harvest date is essential.
How many acres are dedicated to rosé production?
65,000
What are the 3 major appellations for provence rose?
Cotes de provence & its 5 subs- 75% production
Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence 15%
Coteaux Varois en Provence 10%
