Fws-Provence Flashcards
What is garrigue?
A type of low scrubland found on limestone soils in southern France and other parts of the Mediterranean Basin (e.g. Gorges du Verdon). It is a composite of resinous herbs such as lavender thyme, juniper and rosemary. (Contrast to maquis which is grown over crystalline schist.)
Where is Montagne Sainte-Victoire?
east of Aix-en-Provence, blocks the mistral and creates a sun-trap
Name the city with 100 fountains?
Aix en Provence
When did viticulture start in Provence?
6th century BC, the Greek colonists, Phocaeans, from Asia Minor (not to be confused with Phoenicians, an earlier ancient Semitic culture from 1500 - 300 BC that was also a maritime power)
Where did viticulture start in France?
Provence, 6th century BC
What is the modern name for the city of Massalia?
Marseille
What is the etymological root of the name Provence?
Rome referred to this area as “nostra provincial”
What is first style of wine produced by the Romans in Provence?
Rose (duh!)
What was the stabilizing force of the Middle Ages in Provence?
Monastic orders (e.g. Benedictine monks).
When did Provence become part of France?
late 1400’s
What is the length of Provence from east to west? the length from north to south?
150 miles; 100 miles
What river form the northern geographic border of Provence?
Durance River (Coteaux de Peirrevert lies north of the river)
What is the climate of Provence?
Mediterranean (some alpine and continental influences are noted at higher elevations)
What are seasons of Provence?
mild, wet winter and hot, dry summer
What is the Mistral?
cold, dry north wind, up to 60 mph, up to 150 days per year
What is directionality of the Mistral?
generally from the north, but in Provence it moves is southeasterly direction from Aix
Where are the Les Alpilles?
low mountains south of Avignon in the Les Baux de Provence AOC
In which AOC do you find Sainte-Victoire?
Cote de Provence AOC
Where is Mont Ventoux located?
Vineyards are in Rhone, but culturally a part of Provence.
What is the Camargue?
a salt marsh in the western part of Provence, part of the Rhone Delta (western Europe’s largest river delta)
What is maquis?
a woody coastal scrub vegetation grown on a crystalline schist, supports various herbs
What is the largest AOC in Provence?
Cotes De Provence accounts for 75% of all wine produced in Provence
What are the two main soil types in Provence?
limestone (western part) and shist (eastern part)
What style of wine predominates in Cotes de Provence AOC?
rose (89%)
What style of wine predominates in Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC?
rose (81%)
What style of wine predominates in Les Baux de Provence AOC?
red (64%)
What style of wine predominates in Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC?
rose (88%)
Which AOC in Provence creates the most powerful rose?
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC (interior climate results in slower maturation)
What is the smallest AOC in Provence?
Palatte AOC, split by Arc River
Where is Chateau Simone located?
the famous producer in the Palette AOC in Provence?
What style of wine predominates in Palatte AOC?
red (44%)
What is Vin Cuit?
a non-commercial wine made from cooking grape must over an open fire and then fermented for a year in barrel, consumed on Christmas Eve. It is made in Palatte AOC in Provence.
What style of wine predominates in Cassis AOC?
white(70%), unusual for Provence; Marsanne is the primary grape
What is the predominant red grape in Bandol?
Mourvedre
What is the predominant white grape in Bandol?
Clairette Blanc
Which AOC in Provence is notable for the rose petal aroma?
Bellet AOC
Which AOC in Provence permits use of Chardonnay?
Bellet AOC
What are the 4 geographic designations of within Cote de Provence?
Sainte-Victoire, Pierrefeu, Frejus, La Londe (only for reds and roses, not whites) [mnemonic: SvP, Fraulein Lolly]
What is the classification system in Cote de Provence?
Cru Classe, 18 estates (no vineyard expansion allowed)
Which Provence AOC is known for organic production?
Les Baux de Provence
What style of wine predominates in Bandol AOC?
rose
When is the rain most prevalent in Provence?
winter
What is the Hercynian Trend?
an ancient line of crustal deformation that runs underneath the Mediterranean from the Pyrenees along the coast of the Languedoc to the Esterel Massif in Provence.
Where was Cabernet Sauvignon first introduced to Provence?
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
What is restanque?
raised level or terrace from river stone
The Provencal grape of Rolle is elsewhere know as what?
Vermentino
