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French Wine Scholar COPY Donahue > Languedoc > Flashcards

Languedoc Flashcards

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1
Q

What is “Mutage”?

A

The process of arresting fermenting Must with the addition of grape spirits
All of the Languedoc VdN’s are made reductively

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2
Q

How is the Muscat VdN’s Crafted?

A

Fortified with neutral grape spirits to 15% ABV

Minimum RS is 11% except Saint Jean de Minervois which has a minimum RS of 12.5%

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3
Q

How many VdN’s does Languedoc produce?

A

4, All made with Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

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4
Q

What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Limoux Méthode Ancestrale AOC?

A

100% Mauzac
Min 7% ABV, RS 6 - 8%
Minimum 2 months aging

Can be produced in 2 distinct ways
1. Partially fermented Must is chilled in December and bottled in March, under a waning moon.
Lightly sparkling wine with yeast still in the bottle

  1. Partially fermented Must is chilled and bottled with yeast.
    Disgorged after 2-3 months
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5
Q

When did the Monks of Sainte Hilaire discover sparkling wine?

A

1531, 150 years before Dom Perignon

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6
Q

What is the Canal du Midi?

A

A canal that linked Sète in Languedoc to Toulouse allowing easy access to the Garonne river
Bordeaux enacted laws preventing the sale of wine

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7
Q

Who were the primary consumers of Languedoc wine in the 17th and 18th century?

A

17th it was the Dutch who wanted sweet wine

18th Languedoc output was dry white wine destined to become brandy for the Napoleonic army

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8
Q

What year were the protectionist policies of Bordeaux rescinded?

A

1776

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9
Q

Which of the 3 topographical zones is flat, fertile with alluvial plains?

A

The Coastal Plain

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10
Q

What is the average sunshine and rainfall of Languedoc?

A

Sunshine - 2,530 hrs
Rainfall averages 27” bookending the summer season
It often arrives in the form of violent storms

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11
Q

South winds from the Mediterranean are countered by?

A

The Tramontane winds and other strong winds from the north and west

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12
Q

What is the climate like in Languedoc?

A

Mild winters and hot, dry summers

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13
Q

What are the stats on the Atlantic corridor Crémant de Limoux AOC?

A

Minimum 40% Chardonnay with Chenin Blanc and Mauzac
12 months sur lie aging
Has a rosé version by adding up to 10% Pinot Noir to the assemblage

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14
Q

What is the Atlantic Corridor like in Languedoc?

A

It is the western extremity of Languedoc
The Atlantic and Mediterranean climate meet here
Bordeaux varieties planted alongside Mediterranean ones

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15
Q

What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Blanquette de Limoux AOC?

A

Oldest sparkling wine in the world
Min 90% Mauzac up to 10% Chenin and Chardonnay
Aged 9 months sur lie
Brut & Demi-Sec styles

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16
Q

What are the Mountain and Hillsides like in Languedoc?

A

Elevations up to 1,300’
Peaks block rain & clouds
This rainshadow effect traps sun and heat and provides cool air currents at night

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17
Q

What is the Coastal Plains area like in Languedoc?

A

From Narbonne and Breeziers to Beyond Montpelier
Flat, low lying and fertile area
Highest yielding vines
Grapes are destined for entry level IGP

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18
Q

What are the 3 topographical zones in Languedoc?

A

Coastal Plains
Hillsides & Mountains
Atlantic Corridor

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19
Q

What is the influence of the soils of the Languedoc?

A

Alluvial Soils: Produce fruity wines often utilized for whites and rosés

Granite/gneiss/marl/clay & schist: Produce powerful, spicy red wines good for aging

Garrigue: Produces red & white wines of high acidity and red wines with polished tannins

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20
Q

What are the stats of the Atlantic Corridor Limoux AOC?

A

Southernmost AOC in the Atlantic Corridor
Has 5 different AOC’s - 2 for still and 3 for sparkling
Soils: limestone, some sand, quartz and clay
Reds: Bordeaux varieties + Grenache, Syrah & Carignan
White: Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay

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21
Q

What are the soil types of the Languedoc?

A

The mountain slopes are stony shale and marly limestone
Garrigue: nutrient poor limestone
The vast lowland and foothills are younger sedimentary and/or alluvial soils
Pockets of granite, gneiss, and schist

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22
Q

What is the geological history of Languedoc?

A

251 - 145 mya: Languedoc and Rousillon were covered in seawater
65 - 45 mya: Pyrénées and alps formed
5-2 mya: The mediterranean basin fills when the sill of Gibraltar is breached by the Atlantic, Languedoc was not flooded
Languedoc and Rousillon soils are a mix of very old and very new materials

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23
Q

How many French Departments does Languedoc cover?

A 
4
They are from north to south
Lozere
Gard
Hérault 
Aude
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24
Q

What is the production figures of Languedoc?

A

AOC = 19%
IGP = 68%
Vins Sans IG = 13%

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25
Q

T or F? Languedoc is the largest IGP wine producer in France…

A

True, it has 67% of France’s total production

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26
Q

Which VdN is not located on the coastal plain?

A

Saint Jean de Minervois
Can be harvested up to a month later
Has the most RS at 12.5%

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27
Q

What are the 4 VdNs of Languedoc?

A

Muscat de Lunel
Muscat de Mireval
Muscat de Frontignan (largest & oldest)
Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois

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28
Q

What are the historic red blends of Languedoc?

A

Historically they were Carignan based with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache

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29
Q

What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Malepère AOC?

A

It is the most westerly AOC in Languedoc
Flatter and more open than most other Atlantic Corridor AOCs
Atlantic varieties make up the majority of the red blend with Merlot as the backbone
Majority red with about 1/3 rosé

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30
Q

What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Cabardès AOC?

A

This is where the cooler Atlantic breezes meet the humid Mediterranean winds
Mostly red some rosé
Grapes - Both Cabernets, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault
Soil - limestone with granite & gneiss on higher slopes
Only Languedoc AOC with an equal split of Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties

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31
Q

What are the AOC’s of the Atlantic Corridor of Languedoc?

A 
Cabardès  AOC
Malepère  AOC
Limoux AOC
Blanquette de Limoux AOC
Crémant de Limoux AOC
Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale AOC
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32
Q

What is the growing area of the Atlantic Corridor in Languedoc like?

A

This western corner of the Languedoc is more continental

It grows different grapes, both SW France and Bordeaux varieties

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33
Q

What are the stats on the Fitou AOC?

A 
One of the oldest AOCs in Languedoc
It is an enclave of the Corbière
Carignan/Grenache (Min 60%) based reds only
Soil - clay/limestone near coast
         limestone/sandstone in the interior
Divided into 2 regions
- Fitou Maritime near the coast
- Haut Fitou inland
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34
Q

What are the stats on the Corbièrs AOC?

A 
Biggest non-regional AOC in Languedoc
4th largest AOC in France
Mostly red, a little rosé and white
Soil - predominantly limestone
Red - Carignan based
1 cru - Boutenac
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35
Q

What are the stats in the Clairette du Languedoc AOC?

A

White only 100% Clairette
Limestone soils, some quartz and schist
Together with Fitou are the oldest still wine AOCs in the Languedoc
Along with Picpoul de Pinet are the only 2 AOCs dedicated to a single white grape variety in the Languedoc

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36
Q

What are the stats on the Minervois AOC?

A 
North of the Canal du Midi
Mostly red with a little rosé and white
Mixed soils - clay, limestone, sandstone, marble and schist
Reds are Syrah based GSMs
1 Cru La Livinière
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37
Q

What are the stats on the Saint Chinian AOC?

A

Mostly red, some rosé and a little white
Schist soils in the north, clay and limestone in the south
Reds - GSM + Lledoner Pelut (min 70%) with Carignan and Cinsault
2 Crus Berlou and Roquebrun

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38
Q

What are the white grapes of Languedoc?

A 
Bourboulenc
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
Mauzac Blanc
Muscat à Petits Grains
Picpoul Blanc
Roussanne
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39
Q

What are the stats of the Faugères AOC Cru?

A

Gray white schist soil
Mostly red, some rosé and very little white
Reds - GSM + Cinsault and Carignan
Whites - Grenache Blanc, r, m, v

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40
Q

What are the 2 AOC’s in Languedoc that produce white wines from a single grape?

A

Picpoul de Pinet - Picpoul grape

Clairette du Languedoc - Clairette grape

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41
Q

What are the oldest AOC’s in Languedoc?

A

Clairette du Languedoc AOC

Fitou AOC

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42
Q

What are the stats on the Terassaa du Larzac AOC?

A

Possesses a continental climate with a higher than average rainfall
With a 45 degree difference it has some of the highest diurnal temperature swings in the Languedoc
Red Only - GSM min 60%, Carignan and Cinsault minimum 30%

Mixed soils of clay, stone, iron rich clay and limestone

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43
Q

What are the 7 AOC’s located in the Mountain and Hillsides Zones in Languedoc?

A 
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
Clairette du Languedoc AOC
Faugères AOC
Saint Chinian AOC
Minervois AOC
Corbières AOC
Fitou AOC
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44
Q

What are the stats on the La Clape AOC?

A

Almost all red some white
Massif de La Clap dominates the landscape
One of the hottest AOC’s in France
Soil - rock & limestone
One of the highest quality AOCs in Languedoc
Reds - minimum 70% GSM
Whites - >40% Bourboulenc

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45
Q

What are the 2 sub-zones of the Fitou AOC?

A

Fitou Maritime

Haut Fitou

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46
Q

What are the 2 oldest AOC’s in the Languedoc?

A

Clairette du Languedoc AOC

Fitou AOC

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47
Q

Why can the regional AOC and IGP in Languedoc pull fruit from both Languedoc and Roussillon?

A

They were administratively joined in 1972

48
Q

Who discovered Mutage?

A

Arnaud de Villeneuve of Montpellier in 1285

49
Q

What is the “Etang de Thau”?

A

A lake separating Picpoul de Pinet AOC from the sea

50
Q

Rolle is a synonym for what other grape variety?

A

Vermentino

51
Q

What grape is referred to as the “Lip Stinger”

A

Picpoul Blanc

52
Q

How was the impact of Phylloxera different in Languedoc as compared to other regions?

A

Languedoc was the first region to be replanted to American rootstock and the first to recover eventually becoming Frances largest wine exporter in the early 20th century

53
Q

What is the largest non-regional AOC in Languedoc in terms of size?

A

Corbières (it is also the 4th largest in France)

54
Q

Crémant de Limoux is based on what grape variety?

A

Must contain at least 40% Chardonnay

55
Q

What is the “Massif de La Clape”

A

A limestone outcrop separating Narbonne from the sea

56
Q

What Languedoc AOC is based on a minimum 50% Merlot?

A

Malepère AOC

57
Q

What grape is relate to Lledoner Pelut?

A

Grenache

58
Q

What style of wine is produced in the Limoux AOC?

A

The Limoux AOC is for still red and white wines

59
Q

What is mutage?

A

The addition of grape spirit to Must in order to stop fermentation and obtain a sweet wine

60
Q

What Languedoc AOC is evenly split between Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties?

A

Cabardès AOC

61
Q

What 2 Languedoc AOCs are known for single variety wines?

A

Clairette du Languedoc AOC

Picpoul de Pinet AOC

62
Q

What is the main grape of the Corbièrs AOC?

A

Carignan

63
Q

What AOC is nestled within the Corbièrs AOC?

A

Fitou AOC

64
Q

What Languedoc AOC grows Chenin Blanc?

A

Limoux AOC

65
Q

What is the “Méthode Ancestrale” of sparkling wine?

A

Inducing a second fermentation by “waking up” a chilled, partially fermented wine

66
Q

What are the 4 primary red grape varieties of the Languedoc AOC?

A

Grenache
Syrah
Mourvèdre
Lledoner Pelut

67
Q

What is the oldest sparkling wine in the world?

A

Blanquette de Limoux

It was discovered by the Monks of Saint Hilaire in 1531

68
Q

What grape is used in the Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale AOC?

A

100% Mauzac

69
Q

What AOCs are located in the Atlantic Corridor?

A

Cabardès AOC
Malepère AOC
Limoux AOC

70
Q

What are the 6 Cru AOC of Languedoc?

A 
Faugères AOC
Corbièrs -Boutenac
Saint Chinian Berlou
Saint Chinian Roquebrun
Minervois la Livinière
71
Q

T or F? The regional Languedoc AOC may pull fruit from Languedoc and Roussillon?

A

True

72
Q

What is the principal red grape in Minervois and Corbièr?

A

Minervois - Syrah

Corbièr - Carignan

73
Q

What grapes tend to be in the lead north and south of the Canal du Midi?

A

North - Syrah

South - Carignan

74
Q

What is the oldest sparking wine in the world?

A

Blanquette de Limoux

75
Q

Blanquette de Limoux is made from?

A

90% Mauzac (with some Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc)

76
Q

Crémant de Limoux is made from?

A

Up to 90% Chardonnay + Chenin
The rosé version can have some Pinot Noir added
12 Month on Lees and 15 months in the cellar

77
Q

What 2 AOCs are devoted only to white wines from a single grape?

A

Picpoul de Pinet - Picpoul Blanc

Clairette du Languedoc - Clairette

78
Q

Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale is made from ?

A

100% Mauzac

79
Q

All 4 Languedoc VdNs are made from?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

80
Q

What grape forms the historic backbone to the red blends of Languedoc?

A

Carignan

High tannins, acid and pigment

81
Q 
Which zone are these AOCs located in?
Picpoul de Pinet
Malepère 
Minervois
Limoux
Corbièr 
La Clape
A 
Picpoul de Pinet - Coastal Plains
Malepère - Atlantic Corridor
Minervois - Hillsides and Mountains
Limoux - Atlantic Corridor
Corbièr - Hillsides and Mountains
La Clape - Coastal Plains
82
Q

What does the Atlantic Corridor of Languedoc consist of?

A

Influenced by the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates

Have both Mediterranean grapes and Bordeaux grapes

83
Q

What does the Hillsides and Mountains of Languedoc consist of?

A

The Mountains go up 400 Meters
Act like a suntrap heating during the day but allowing cool air to come down at night
This allows the grapes to retain their acidity
They block the incoming northern winds and rain so the vineyards are dryer and sunnier

84
Q

What does the Coastal Plains of Languedoc consist of?

A

Low elevation
On alluvial flats (very fertile)
High yielding grapes destined mostly for IGP

85
Q

What are the 3 different topographical areas of Languedoc?

A

The Atlantic Corridor
The Hillsides and Mountains
The Coastal Plains

86
Q

How many co-ops are in Languedoc?

A

About 150 co-ops representing 65% of the productions

87
Q

Where was the 1st co-op celler in France?

A

Marasussan in 1905?

88
Q

Who was Arnaud de Villeneuve and what was his legacy to the wine industry?

A

He discovered the art of mutage in Montpellier in 1285

This triggered the trade in Vins doux Naturels VdNs

89
Q

What did Phylloxera do to Languedoc?

A

In 1863 Languedoc was the first region to be hit by Phylloxera
They were also the first region to graft and recover
At 1 point Languedoc was the #1 producer of French wines by 1900 @ about 50%

90
Q

What did the railway do for Languedoc?

A

In 1855 the railway allowed easy access to Paris for its wine

91
Q

What are the stats on Picpoul de Pinet AOC?

A 
100% white and 100% Picpoul
Limestone soils
Etang de Tau is a lake that separates the AOC from the sea
Co-ops are 80% of the production
Machine harvesting at night
92
Q

What are the 2 non-fortified AOCs in the Coastal Plain of Languedoc?

A

Picpoul de Pinet

La Clape

93
Q

What grape is the historical backbone of Languedoc?

A

Carignan

94
Q

What are the blending and labeling rules for IGP wines?

A

Wines must contain > 50% primary grapes
Only Primary grapes can be varietally labeled with >85% of listed grape
Multiple varieties can appear on the label if each is > 15%
Up to 20% white grapes can be added if fermented together

95
Q

Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet in which zone?

A

The Atlantic Corridor

96
Q

What are the current red blends of Languedoc?

A

Syrah and Grenache dominant and/or incorporate Bordeaux varieties

97
Q

Which AOC has an equal split between Mediterranean and Atlantic varieties and climates?

A

Cabardès AOC

98
Q

How many districts can append their name to the regional Languedoc AOC?

A

12 DGC may append their name

99
Q

What are the production stats of the regional Languedoc AOC?

A

Mourvèdre > 50% Carignan <40%
Must be blends with a minimum of 2 grapes
Production is mostly red, about 1/5 rosé and a small amount of white

100
Q

What are the 3 Departments in Languedoc with their own IGP?

A

IGP Aude
IGP Gard
IGP Hérault

101
Q

T or F? IGP Pays d’Oc may pull fruit from both Languedoc and Roussillon…

A

True

102
Q

What grapes dominate the wines of Fitou?

A

Reds only - Carignan

103
Q

What was the first true university in the world founded in Montpellier?

A

1280, the University of Montpellier

104
Q

What is the history of Languedoc?

A

Phocaeans came in 600 BC
Romans came in 125 BC
Aragon empire 1204-1349

105
Q

What is the Via Domitia?

A

A road the Romans built connecting Italy and Spain and passing thru Languedoc

106
Q

Where is Languedoc located?

A 
Located in the SW corner of France
Rhone is to the Northeast 
South is Roussillon
Mountains and hills on 3/4 of the sides
the Mediterranean on the other side
107
Q

What Languedoc AOC is known for Syrah based wines?

A

Minervois AOC

108
Q

What grape variety is used in the production of Languedoc VdNs?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

109
Q

What is the dominating geographic feature of Faugères?

A

Cévennes Mountains

110
Q

What is the dominating geographic feature of Minervois?

A

Montagne Noire

111
Q

What is the dominating geographic feature of Picpoul de Pinet?

A

Etang de Thau

112
Q

What is the dominating geographic feature of Terrasses du Larzac?

A

Larzac Plateau

113
Q

What is the dominating geographic feature of La Clape?

A

Massif de la Clape

114
Q

What is the most westerly AOC in the Languedoc?

A

Malepère AOC

115
Q

What Muscat VdN AOC is the oldest and largest?

A

Muscat de Frontignan

116
Q

What are the oldest still wine AOC’s in the Languedoc?

A

Clairette du Languedoc

Fitou

French Wine Scholar COPY Donahue (15 decks)

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