France: Provence & Corsica Flashcards
Describe the climate of Provence.
Warm, mediterranean
Adequate rainfall (around 550ml)
Cool Mistral wind provides cooling influence and reduces the risk of fungal disease.
What characteristics do the best sites of Provence feature?
The best sites for consistent yields are those that have shelter from the Mistral. Altitudes up to 400 m in inland sites also provide a moderating influence on warm summer temperatures.
How are vines typically managed in Provence?
Bush vines are being progressively replaced by trellising
What methods of rosé production are used in Provence?
Direct pressing and short maceration
Outline the typical fermentation process of Provence rosé.
- Protective winemaking Wine is handled chilled (4°C) to protect from oxygen
- Vessel Stainless steel tanks
- Yeast Majority use cultured yeast
- Temperature Cool, 14-18°C
- MLF Blocked to retain acidity
Do Provence rosés typically see lees maturation?
Yes.
* 2-3 months on the lees in stainless steel for the majority of wines.
* Some producers carry out 8-10 months of lees ageing for texture
What are the sub-zones of Côtes de Provence AOC?
Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Pierrefeu, Notre-Dame des Anges
What are the principal black varieties for Côtes de Provence AOC?
Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Tibouren
What is the area under vine of Côtes de Provence AOC?
20,000ha
How much does rosè production account for in Côtes de Provence AOC?
95%
What are the max. permitted yields for Côtes de Provence AOC? Average?
55hL/ha
Average is around 45hL/ha
What are the max. permitted yields for Côtes de Provence AOC with a sub-zone designation?
50hL/ha
Pierrefeu is 45hL/ha for rouge
What are the accessory white grape varieties of Côtes de Provence Rouge and Rosè?
Clairette, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, and Vermentino
How much can white grape varieties account for in a Côtes de Provence rosé blend?
Up to 20% if Vermentino is included.
Up to 10% if Vermentino is NOT included
What are the principal varieties for Côtes de Provence AOC Blanc?
Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Sémillon, Vermentino, and Verdejo
Name three ‘Grand Cru’ producers of Côtes de Provence AOC.
Château Minuty
Clos Cibonne
Domaine de la Croix
Where is Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC located?
North west of Marseille
Where is Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC located?
North east of Marseille, wedged between Côtes de Provence areas
What styles of wines are made in Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC?
- Whites based on Vermentino
- Reds and rosès based on Grenache, Syrah, Mouvédre, Cinsault and Counoise (rosé with up to 20% whites).
What are the max. permitted yields for:
* Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
* Coteaux Varios-en-Provence AOC?
- 60hL/ha
- 55hL/ha
What are the principal soils of Bandol AOC?
Limestone, Sandy Marl, Sandstone
What is the area under vine in Bandol AOC?
Area under vine has reduced from 1,400 ha to fewer than 600ha in this century alone, due to a combination of competition for land and the difficulties of working on the slopes.
What is the typical aspect of vineyards in Bandol AOC?
South-facing towards the sea, protected from the wind
What are the max. permitted yields for Bandol AOC?
40hL/ha
What are the principal white grape varieties of Bandol AOC?
Clairette, plus Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc
What are the principal grape varieties for reds and rosès in Bandol AOC?
Mourvèdre, plus Cinsault and Grenache
Are the vineyards of Bandol AOC harvested with machinerary or manually?
Hand-harvested by law
What are the assemblage requirements for Bandol AOC rouge?
Principal Varieties: 50-95% Mourvèdre, plus Cinsault and Grenache
Accessory Varieties: Carignan and Syrah (neither may exceed 10%)
What are the élevage requirements for Bandol AOC rouge?
Min. 18 months in wood, may not be released before May 1 of the second year following the harvest
What are the assemblage requirements for Bandol AOC rosé?
Principal Varieties: 20-95% Mourvèdre, plus Cinsault and Grenache
Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% combined Bourboulenc, Carignan, Clairette, Syrah, and Ugni Blanc (none of these five grapes may exceed 10%)
What are the élevage requirements for Bandol AOC rosé and blanc?
May not be released before March 1 of the year following the harvest
What are the principal varieties for Bandol AOC Blanc?
50-95% Clairette, plus Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc
Name three producers of Bandol AOC.
- Domaine Tempier
- Domaine du Gros Noré
- Château de Pibarnon
How much of a role do co-operatives play in Bandol AOC? Example of Co-op?
50% of total production
Les Vignerons de La Cadiérenne
Where is Bellet AOC located?
Provence
Surrounds the city of Nice
What styles of wine are produced in Bellet AOC?
Whites based on Vermentino
Reds and rosés from Braquet and Fuella Nera
In which Provence appellation are Braquet and Fuella Nera the principal black varieties?
Bellet AOC
Where is Cassis AOC located?
Provence, South West of Marseille
What styles of wines are made in Cassis AOC?
Whites based on Marsanne and Clairette
Reds and rosés based on Cinsault, Grenache and Mouvédre
Name a producer from Bellet AOC.
Clos Saint-Vincent
Name three producers of Cassis AOC.
- Clos Saint Magdeline
- Domaine de la Ferme Blanche
- Domaine du Bagnard
Where is Les Baux-de-Provence AOC located?
North west of Provence
What styles of wines are produced in Les Baux-de-Provence AOP?
Whites based on Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Vermentino
Rosés from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah
Reds from Grenache, Mouvédre and Syrah
Where is Domaine Trevallon located?
Les Baux-de-Provence AOC, but declassified
What styles of wine does Domaine Trevallon produce?
Reds from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
Whites based on Marsanne, Roussane, Grenache Blanc etc
Where is Palette AOC located?
Provence, north of Marseille.
What styles of wine are produced in Palette AOC?
Whites from Picardin (Araignan), Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Clairette
Reds and rosés based on Grenache, Mouvédre and Cinsault.
In which Provence region is Picardin (Araignan) a principal grape variety?
Palette AOC
Name a producer of Palette AOC.
Château Simone
How many estates are in the Côtes de Provence 1955 Grand Cru Classé classification?
23
Outline the domestic and export markets of Provence wines.
58% sold in France
42% exported
US, UK and The Netherlands are the biggest export markets
What are the most important grape varieties of Corsica?
Black: Nielluccio, Grenache, Sciaccarello
White: Vermentino, Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc
What is Vermentino known as in Corsica?
Malvoisie de Corse
What styles of wine are made under the Muscat du Cap Corse AOC?
VDNs from Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
How many AOCs are there in Corsica?
Seven
Name a producer in Corsica.
Domaine de Vaccelli
