Languedoc Flashcards
What is the Roman road linking Italy to Spain, through the Languedoc?
Via Domitia
Who introduced the concept of adding spirit to fermenting must to produce a stable sweet wine
Arnaud de Villeneuve
Who invented mutage
Arnaud de Villeneuve
When did the canal du midi open?
1681
What does the original canal du midi connect?
Seté and the Garonne in Toulouse
Who were the Languedoc’s main trading partners in the 17th C?
The Dutch buying sweet wine
How did Languedoc overcome Philloxera?
It was the first French region to plant grafted vines
What led to the development of bulk wine production in the Languedoc?
The development of co-operatives
Where was the first French co-operative founded?
Maraussan near Beziers in 1905
What enabled the creation of the Pays d’Oc IGP
The joining together of Languedoc and Rousillon administratively in 1972
What % of production do AC wines account for in the Languedoc?
c. 10%
What is the climate of the Languedoc?
Mediterranean
What is the episode Cevenol?
A weather phenomenon causing heavy rains for days in the autumn. Can cause significant flooding
What are the two Northerly winds that affect the Languedoc?
Mistral
Tramontane
What are the 3 different topocgraphical zones in the Languedoc?
Coastal Plains
Mountains
Atlantic corridor
What general level of wine is produced on the coastal plains in the Languedoc?
Inexpensive bulk wines
What AOCs can be found on the coastal plains in the Languedoc?
Picpoul de Pinet
Muscat de Frontignan
Muscat de Mireval
Muscat de Lunel
What AOCs can be found in the Mountains in the Languedoc?
Pic st Loup
Minervois
Saint-Chinian
Faugeres
Muscat St Jean de Minervois
What grapes become predominant in the Languedoc Atlantic Corridor?
Bordeaux varieties
What AOCs can be found in the Languedoc Atlantic corridor?
Cabardès
Limoux
Malepère
What is “garrigue”
Limestone soil
Herbs
Smell of the herbs
What’s the predominate soil type on the Languedoc coastal plains?
Sedimentary or alluvial soils
What is the main white variety in La Clape AC?
Bourboulenc
What is the primary grape variety in Blanquette method ancestrale?
Mauzac
What is the only grape of the Languedoc VDNs?
Muscat a petit grains blanc
What are the primary red grapes of most Languedoc AC reds?
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre
What is the primary training method used for Languedoc AC wines?
Gobelet
What is the typical orientation of Languedoc AC vineyards
east-west
Which hot climate grapes are now being experimented with in the Languedoc?
Agiorgittiko
Assyrtiko
Marselan
Marselan is a cross of which two grapes?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grenache
Which white Languedoc wines undergo barrel fermentation?
Limoux
What technique is used in the Languedoc to reduce some of Carignan’s tannins?
Carbonic Maceration
True or False: The Languedoc AC covers Rousillon as well
True - although it’s not widely used in Rousillon
What styles of wine are made under Languedoc AC?
Dry white, red, rosé
True or False. Red Languedoc AC wines must be a blend of at least two varieties?
True
How many DGCs are there in the Languedoc AC?
11
Which Languedoc ACs make only white wines?
Clairette de Languedoc
Picpoul de Pinet
What styles of wine foes Clairette de Languedoc AC make?
Dry white
Semi-Sweet to sweet whites
Fortified white
What styles of wine does Pic Saint Loup produce?
Rosé
Red
What are the two limestone outscrops that dominate Pic Saint Loup?
Pic Saint Loup
Falaise de l’Hortus
Which Languedoc AOC has the highest diurnal range?
Terrasses du Larazac
What wines styles are made in Terraces du Larzac AC?
Red only
What styles of wine does Faugeres AC produce
Red
white
rosé
What styles of wine does Minervois AC produce
Red
white
rosé
What styles of wine does Saint-Chinian AC produce
Red
white
rosé
What is the main grape of Minervois?
Syrah
Which AC can be found in the northern portion of Minervois?
Minervois-La Livinere
How is Minervois-La Livinere AC distinguished from Minervois AC?
Soil types
Schists in La Livinere
Clay/ limestone in Minervois
What styles of wine can be made in La Clape?
Red
white
What are the primary white varieties of La Clape AC?
Bourboulenc
Grenache Blanc
Which is the largest non-regional AC in Languedoc?
Corbieres AC
What styles are made in Corbieres AC?
White
Rosé
Red
What’s the primary soil type found in Corbieres?
Limestone
What’s the primary vine hazard in Corbieres?
Wild boar
What style of wine is produced in Fitou AC?
Red only
What is the predominant soil type found in Fitou maritime?
Clay/ limestone
What is the predominant soil type found in Haut Fitou?
Limestone
Sandstone
What is the typical blend of Fitou AC?
Carignan and Grenache - Syrah is only a secondary grape
Which ACs can be found in the Atlantic corridor in the Languedoc?
Cabardès
Malpere
Limoux
Cremant de Limoux
Which AC in the Languedoc has an equal split between Bordeaux and Mediterranean varieties?
Cabardès
What style of wine is made in Cabardes AC
Red
Rosé
What is the most westerly AC of the Languedoc?
Malpere
Which Languedoc AC is dominated by Bordeaux varieties?
Malpère - mainly Cabernet Franc and Merlot
What river flows through Limoux AC?
Aude
What is the principal red variety of Limoux AC?
Merlot
What are the principal white varieties of Limoux AC?
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Mauzac
What is the primary variety of Blanquette de Limoux?
Mauzac
What is the primary variety of Blanquette Methode Ancestrale?
needs to be 100% Mauzac
What is the typical blend for Cremant de Limoux AC?
60% Chardonnay
30% Chenin Blanc
10% Mauzac
What red grape is used to make rosé Cremant de Limoux AC
Pinot Noir (added at c. 15%) to the assemblage
What style are all the Languedoc VDNs made in?
Reductive style
What’s the only grape allowed for all the Languedoc VDNs?
Muscat a petit grains blanc
Which Languedoc VDN is the furthest east?
Lunel
Which Languedoc VDNs border the Mediterranean?
Frontignan
Mireval
Which Languedoc VDN is found inland?
Saint-Jean de Minervois
Which is the oldest of the Languedoc VDNs?
Frontignan
Which is the largest of the Languedoc VDNs?
Frontignan
What are the main ACs in Languedoc Coastal Plains?
Picpoul de Pinet
Muscat de Frontignan
Muscat de Mireval
Muscat de Lunel
What are the main AC in Languedoc Mountains?
Pic St Loup
Terrasses du Lazarac
Faugeres
Saint-Chinian (2 DGCs)
Minervois
Minervois-La Livinere
What are the main ACs in the Languedoc coast?
La Clape
Corbieres
Corebieres- Boutanac
Fitou (2 separate areas)
What are the Languedoc ACs in the Atlantic Corridor?
Cabardes
Malpere
Limoux
Cremant de Limoux