FWS Languedoc Flashcards
What is the historical significance of the Romans in Languedoc?
Built Via Domita to connect Italy to Spain via France and planted vineyards on both sides of the road.
Narbonne became linked to Carcassonne and wine was exported.
What notable adaptation did Languedoc make at the start of the 21st century?
Grubbed up vines when there was a ‘wine lake’.
This shows Languedoc’s ability to adapt to market conditions.
Where is Languedoc located?
- Southwest Mediterranean coast, with…
- Rhône in the NE,
- Roussillon in the S,
- Cévennes mountains in NW &
- Pyrenees in SW.
Encompasses 4 départements.
What was the role of the Catholic Church in the evolution of Languedoc vineyards?
The Catholic Church was a prime consumer of Languedoc wines after the fall of Rome.
Monastic networks expanded vineyards.
What are the three topographic sub-zones of Languedoc?
1) Coastal plains
2) Remote mountains and hillsides
3) Hilly Atlantic corridor
Each sub-zone has distinct wine styles and grape varieties.
Define ‘garrigue’.
1) Limestone soil
2) Herbs like thyme and rosemary
3) The aroma of the herbs
Garrigue is often associated with the Mediterranean landscape.
What is the major grape variety used in Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
Piquepoul (blanc).
It is the sole variety used in this AOC.
What are the main soil types found in Languedoc?
Diverse soils:
limestone, granite, gneiss, schist, and sedimentary or alluvial in lowlands.
Some soils support ‘garrigue’ vegetation.
What viticultural practices have changed in Languedoc due to mechanization?
- Switch from gobelet to Guyot vine training
(For mechanical harvesting and easy pruning)
There is also a focus on drought-resistant rootstocks and organic practices.
What is the climate of Languedoc and how do winds affect it?
Mediterranean climate with lots of sun; Tramontane and Mistral winds bring cool air and reduce humidity.
Best wines come from mountainous areas.
What is ‘mutage’ in winemaking?
Stopping a partially complete alcoholic fermentation through the addition of spirits to retain residual sugar in VDN wine.
The process involves destemming, crushing, and pressing grapes before adding neutral grape spirit.
What are the 4 primary grape varieties for red wines in Languedoc?
- Grenache Noir
- Syrah
- Mourvèdre
- Carignan.
These varieties are often blended together.
What is the significance of the Pays d’Oc IGP category?
- It’s the most successful and most exported IGP in France,
- it covers half the planted area of Languedoc and Roussillon.
Produces 92% of France’s varietal wine.
Fill in the blank: Languedoc and Roussillon were administratively joined in _______.
1972
This created the largest winemaking region in southern France.
What are the major soil types found in the coastal plains of Languedoc?
Flat, fertile soils suitable for entry level IGP wines and specific AOCs like Picpoul de Pinet.
These soils support a variety of wine styles.
True or False: The Canal du Midi opened up sales opportunities for Languedoc wines.
True but…
- Bordelais merchants made sales illegal until the late 18th Century.
- Railway (1855) quadrupled production!
What is the primary grape in Clairette du Languedoc AOC?
Clairette.
It is known for producing fresh dry white wines.
What major change occurred in Languedoc’s wine production after the Phylloxera crisis?
Replanted with American rootstock quickly and became France’s number one supplier of wine.
This adaptation was crucial for the region’s recovery.
Languedoc map
What was the role of the Aragon empire in Languedoc?
13th Century: Montpellier was part of the Aragon empire.
They started trading VDNs
What was the influence of the Dutch in Languedoc?
17th century Dutch bought cheap sweet white wines from Languedoc
What was the role of the Bordelais in Languedoc’s history?
They prevented the sale of Languedoc wines to other markets via the canal du midi from 1680s to 1770s
Explain the role of co ops in Languedoc.
1905 first co-op near Béziers
Now 150 co-ops responsible for 70% of production.
How has Languedoc embraced change historically & now?
- 19th Century took advantage of railway, quadrupled production
- 1863 post Phylloxera, replanted with American rootstock to become no 1 supplier of wine in France
- Founded France’s first co-op
- embraced Vin de Pays
- trialling mildew resistant RedDur hybrids
