Languedoc Flashcards
Describe the Languedoc AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Tourbat, Vermentino
Red grapes: Granche, Syrah, Mourvedre, Lledoner Pelut
Wines must be blends of at least two permitted grape varieties
Red wines are based on Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Lledoner Pelut
AOC covers all of Languedoc, even areas covered by separate AOCs
This also covers Roussillon, although it’s not often used as a label
This AOC has 11 DCGs, which make red wine only
Languedoc Cabrieres is the only except, as it can make rose as well
Describe the Clairette du Languedoc AOC.
Dry white, semi-sweet white, and fortified white
White grapes: Clairette
Almost all production is dry white
Describe the Picpoul de Pinet AOC.
Dry white wine only
White grapes: Picpoul
Grapes typically harvested at night and fermented in SS
Some barrel-aged styles also produced
Describe the Pic Saint-Loup AOC.
Rose and red wine
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Syrah must be included in the blend
Describe the Terrasses du Larzac AOC.
Red wine only
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
Describe the Faugeres AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Lledoner Pelut
Overall production is red
White wines must contain Roussanne
Vines planted at altitude, giving wines ripe fruit with underlying freshness
Describe the Saint-Chinian AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Lledoner Pelut
Most production is red as GSM blend
AOC has two DCGS that make red wine only
Describe the Minervois AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Lledoner Pelut
Red wines tend to be Syrah based
White wines are blends of all primary grapes listed above
Describe the Minervois-La Liviniere AOC.
Red wine only
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Lledoner Pelut
Wine is Syrah based
Describe the La Clape AOC.
Dry white and red wine
White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Piquepoul
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
One of the hottest, driest, and sunniest parts of France
Vines are constantly battered by winds and soils are all stones
Recent reputation for producing some of the best Languedoc wines
White wines are based on Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc
Red wines are based on GSM blend
Describe the Corbieres AOC.
Dry white, rose, and red wine
White grapes: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Lledoner Pelut
AOC is the largest non-regional appellation in Languedoc and the 4th largest by volume in France
All wines are a blend of at least two varieties
Overwhelming majority of production is Carignan-based red wine
Describe the Corbieres Boutenac AOC.
Red wine only
Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
Sits within the Corbieres AOC
Describe the Fitou AOC.
Red wine only
Red grapes: Carignan, Grenache
Wines are typically blends of the two grapes above
AOC has two non-contigous zones of production
Fitou Maritime is close to the coast
Haut Fitou is further inland, in the mountains
Describe the Cabardes AOC.
Red and rose wine
Red grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Syrah
Only AOC in Languedoc with an equal split between Bordeaux and Mediterranean grape varieties
Blends must use all of the main varieties listed above
Describe the Malepere AOC.
Red and rose wine
Red grapes: Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Describe the Limoux AOC.
Dry white, red, and sparkling white wine
White grapes: Mauzac Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
Red grapes: Merlot
White grapes must be hand harvested
Limoux Chardonny are considered some of the best Languedoc white wines
Describe the Cremant de Limoux AOC.
Dry sparkling white and sparkling rose wine
White grapes: Chardonnay
Rose style is made by adding a minimum 15% of Pinot Noir to the assemblage
Describe the Muscat de Lunel AOC.
Fortified, sweet white wine only
Grape: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
One of Languedoc’s four AOCs for VDN wine
Made in reductive style
Grapes are hand harvested
No irrigation allowed
Describe the Muscat de Mireval AOC.
Fortified, sweet white wine only
Grape: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
One of Languedoc’s four AOCs for VDN wine
Made in reductive style
Grapes are hand harvested
No irrigation allowed
Describe the Muscat de Frontignan AOC.
Fortified, sweet white wine only
Grape: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
One of Languedoc’s four AOCs for VDN wine
Made in reductive style
Grapes are hand harvested
No irrigation allowed
Describe the Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois AOC.
Fortified, sweet white wine only
Grape: Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
One of Languedoc’s four AOCs for VDN wine
This AOC has higher sweetness than the others, and wine is more fragrant and floral
Made in reductive style
Grapes are hand harvested
No irrigation allowed
Describe the Pay d’Oc IGP.
Dry white, rose, red, and sweet white wines
Most wines are varietal
58 permitted grapes
Most common red varietals are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah
Most common white varietals are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier
Most common rose varietals are Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah
Covers the entire Languedoc and Roussillon region
France’s largest and most exported IGP
Which 2 Languedoc appellations are known for producing single-varietal wines?
Clairette du Languedoc AOC
Picpoul de Pinet AOC
Do the VDN appellations of Languedoc make wine reductively or oxidateively?
Reductively
Which grape variety is used in all Languedoc VDN AOCs?
Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc
