Grapes and wines of Southern France Flashcards
Describe the climate and associated features of Southern France
Warm Mediterranean climate, summer temperatures often exceed 30oC - drought often a problem, fungal disease less-so.
Mild winters, low rainfall (especially during growing season). Occasional summer floods.
Region is not uniform: foothills of mountains around the region are cooler than those on coastal plain, with less fertile and well-drained soils
Strong, cool and dry winds from north: mistral through Rhone Valley and tramontane through Massif Central and Pyrenees
List the key red varieties of Southern France and comment on why they are used
Grenache - well-suited to warm, dry summer climate
Syrah - performs well in cooler sites
Carignan - used to produce high yields, naturally high in tannin and acidity and colour, lacks in fruit or finesse. Good examples can be found from old vines on poor soil
Mourvèdre - only ripens successfully in warmest sites, important in blends (richness, colour, complexity)
Cinsault - smaller plantings, mainly used in rosé, or adding red fruit flavours to red blends
Cabernet Sauvignon - IGP wines
Merlot - IGP wines
Describe typical winemaking features and practices
Significant investments in modern equipment, cellar hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management, careful use of new and old oak
Semi-carbonic maceration used by some produces, especially in softening tannins of Carignan
List key white varieties of Southern France, comment on what they are used for/wine styles
Sauvignon Blanc: IGP wine
Chardonnay: IGP wine
Viognier: small plantings
Muscat: some sweet fortified wines, or dry wines with grapey aromatic aromas
Grenache Blanc: dry wines with soft peachy fruitiness, full body and low acidity, early oxidation, usually blended with other local varieties
Local varieties: Picpoul in Pinet: wines with refreshing high acidity and green fruit and citrus flavours Mauzac in Limoux Maccabeu in Roussillon Rolle in Provence Clairette in Languedoc and Provence
List the key départements of Languedoc
Aude
Hérault
Gard
List the key département of Roussillon
Pyrénées-Orientales
Describe the appellation system of Southern France
Generic appellations e.g. Languedoc AC
Sub-regions can add name to appellation e.g. Pic-St-Loup Languedoc AC
More specific appellations have more regulations e.g. Côtes du Roussillon, Minervois
Areas within these specific appellations have their own sub-appellations e.g. Minervois-La Livinière
Appellations are continuously evolving in the Languedoc sub-regions
Most appellations permit production of red, white, rosé
Why is it difficult to describe a typical Languedoc/Roussillon wine? Give general examples of wines produced.
Vast majority are blends of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and sometimes Mourvèdre.
Many variations in the blends
Appellations cover wide geographical areas with different climatic and soil conditions
Cooler areas can produce wines with greater finesse and lighter tannins (e.g. best Syrahs),
Warmer areas best for Mourvèdre and produce wines with greater body, with gamey/meaty flavours
Best wines are full-bodied with concentrated spicy red fruit with oak flavours, while rosés are soft and fruity
Explain the relation between the terrain and wine style of Côtes du Roussillon
Consistently rugged and mountainous terrain than the rest of Languedoc.
Bright sunlight, low rainfall, strong winds
Produces concentrated wines
Best vineyards are in the north i.e. Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Explain the relation between the terrain and wine style of Fitou
Split into two separate areas:
- Warm coastal strip, fuller-bodied wines
- Cooler inland area at higher altitude, lighter wines
Explain the relation between the terrain and wine style of Corbières
Warm sites near the coast
Vineyards planted at altitude cooled by tramontane
11 sub-regions:
-Best is Boutenac AC
Explain the relation between the terrain and wine style of Minervois
Slopes of Massif Central
- Varying altitude, soil richness, extent of exposure to cooling influence from Atlantic
- Subdivided
- Best region is La Livinière AC
Explain the relation between the terrain and wine style of Picpoul de Pinet
Near the coast, cooling sea breezes
Help retain natural high acidity of Picpoul
Explain the relation between the terrain and wine style of Limoux
Cooling effect of altitude
Premium oaked Chardonnays
Describe the role of IGP wines in this region and the origins of their success
More IGP wines produced than anywhere else in France
Vital for commercial survival of grape growing in Southern France
Mostly sold under Pays d’Oc IGP (covers all départements of Languedoc-Roussillon)
Success:
-IGP regulations permit a wide variety of grape varieties and varietal labelling
-Warm sunny climate contributes to high volume of ripe fruity wines, many are excellent value for money
