Languedoc Flashcards
Where does the name Languedoc come from?
- It comes from a reference to the Langue D’Oc. The language of Oc - Occitan. - Oc Means yes in this language. - It is nothing like French.
Who and when was Marseille founded?
- It was founded in 600 BC by the Phocaeans (Ancient Greeks from Asia Minor). - Originally named Massalia. - France’s Oldest city and thrived as a trading port of the Mediterranean sea.
Who brought vines and viticulture to Massalia?
The Phocaeans and it spread quickly throughout the entire souther portion of France.
When did the Romans arrive?
125 BC - (They build the first roads in France - the Via Domitia which connected Italy to Spain. Vineyards were planted on both sides of this thoroughfare and became important for Languedoc wine trade.)
Where did the Romans colonize between 125-118BC
Narbo (Narbonne at the mouth of the Aude river southwest o f Montpellier)
What enabled Narbonne to grow?
It was located on the Via Domitia, the Aude River and the Mediterranean. Cargo could go from River, Land, or Ocean and vice-versa.
What other city helped Narbonne to grow?
Carcassonne in the interior.
What wine producing regions surround Narbonne?
Corbières, Minervois, and La Clape
The wine surplus was exported to what city?
Rome (However under the edict of Domitius, wine trade was hastily curtailed by the Roman Empire in an effort to protect local Roman Produce and goods.)
When was viticulture revitalized and by who?
In the 8th century by the Monasteries. The catholic Church was also the prime consumer of the wines it made.
Who ruled Montpellier from 1204-1349?
The Aragon Empire in Barcelona.
Who discovered mutage?
Arnaud de Villeneuve in 1285.
What is mutage?
It is the process of adding spirit to must to obtain a stable sweet wine. This lead to a huge trade in vins doux naturels nearly 400 years before port was created.
What other cultural pillar was created in Montpellier?
The concept of the University. Started in 1289 by the Roman Catholic Church through an edict issued by Pope Nicholas IV. - Universitas Magistrorum et scholarium. - Law and medicine were in class as early as 1130. - Still great for learning grape growing.
What did the monks of St. Hilaire discover in 1531?
The sparkling phenomenon while crafting Blanquette de Limoux (150 years before Dom Pérignon)
What happened in 1681?
The first half of the Canal du Midi opened. This connected the Mediterranean port of Sète to the Garonne River in Toulouse. - (The Garonne flowed to the Port of Bordeaux and the Gironde Estuary and from there to the Atlantic.)
When was the second half of the Canal du Midi finished and what did it do?
It was finished between 1667-1694. It eliminated river travel altogether. - 150 miles long! 1996 became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What did the Canal du Midi do for wine?
Provided a Shortcut from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic by bypassing all of Spain. - Bordeaux passed laws preventing the sale of Languedoc wines to other French or European markets though. - Ended in 1776
Who was Languedoc’s primary trading partner during the 17th century?
The Dutch who sought sweet wine in quantity. (Bordeaux sweet wine was significantly more expensive.)
How had Languedoc wine changed by the 18th century?
It was mostly dry and white and destined for Brandy production for Napoleonic Armies.
What was created in 1838-1856?
A second canal linking Toulouse to the city of Castets, south of the city of Bordeaux. - 120 mile water way that ran parallel to the Garonne and was better for transferring goods.
What allowed Languedoc wine trade to quadruple over 25 years after 1885?
The French Railway between Paris, Lyon, & Marseille.
When did Phylloxer hit Languedoc?
1863
Which region was the first to be replanted on American Rootstock after Phylloxera?
Languedoc hence why in 1900 Languedoc was the number one supplier of wine in France. - Nearly half of the countries wine!
When did winemaking cooperatives begin in Languedoc?
1930s - Led to the tradition of bulk vin de table produciton.
Where was the first French Co-op?
Maraussan - near Montpellier.
How many co-ops are there in Languedoc?
approximately 150 and they are responsible for 65% of the wine produced in the region.
When was Languedoc & Roussillon officially administratively joined?
in 1972 - largest wine making region in the south of France.
When was the Vin de Pays category created?
In 1968 - revised in 1973 - formalized in 1979
What does Vin de Pays do?
It allows winemakers more flexibility to experiment outside the relatively restrictive structure of the AOC system. - It is now IGP Pays d’Oc can use grapes from both Languedoc and Roussillon.
How many appellations were there in Languedoc-Roussillon in 1980? Today?
- 10 - 50
What is the production breakdown for Languedoc-Roussillon?
AOC = 19% IGP = 68% Vin Sans IG 13%
How did Vin de Pays change in 2009?
Vin de Pays are now called IGP - Indication Géographique Protégée / Protected Geographical Indication. - Wine making and grapegrowing practices are regulated but not as strictly as those standards adhered to by AOC producers.
What are the regulations for IGP?
Max yields = 5 tons/acre (90 hl/ha) Over 220,000 acres (88,000 ha) produce IGP Pays d’Oc. 3x the volume of Languedoc AOCs and is Frances Largest wine export.
What départements are covered by Languedoc?
North to south they are: - Lozère - Gard - Hérault - Aude
What borders Languedoc?
- Rhône Valley to the North-east - Roussillon to the South - 3/4 of region is cradled by mountain ranges, - 1/4 of region is bordered by Mediterranean Sea
What is the Languedoc Climate/seasonality?
Languedoc has essentially 2 seasons : - Mild Winters and - Hot dry summers. 2,530 hours of sunshine (~316 days)
What is the average rainfall in Languedoc?
27 inches 686 mm per annum but arrives in the form of violent storms that can flood the parched landscape. - Rainy season bookends the summer months. - If too early in the fall, it can devastate a harvest.
What helps to counterbalance moisture in the Languedoc?
The Tramontane and other strong winds that blow from the North and or West. - North winds bring cool air during the summer months and chase humidity offsetting mold and mildew in the vineyard.
What helps certain Languedoc wines develop concentration?
Vines need to experience (1) true winter dormancy, (2) cooler summers, (3) significant diurnal temperature swings. These are found in the more mountainous areas.
What is the geological history of Languedoc?
251-145 million years ago - covered by seawater. - Shellfish lived, died and settled to the bottom of this sea to form limestone. - Gradually the waters receded leaving swamps, lakes, and riverland.
When did the Pyrenees and Alps form?
65-45 million years ago due to the collision of the Afro-Arabian and Euro-Asian crustal plates. - Rocks within the earths crust were buckled and bent and forced to the surface. - At this time the Mediterranean basin was dry.
What happened during the Pliocene Epoch
5-2 Million years ago the sill between Morocco and Gibralter was breached by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean basin filled with water. (Invading portions of the Rhône).
What did not affect Languedoc-Roussillon?
It was not flooded by the sea nor was it marred by Glaciers. - It did however receive extensive periods of rain which eroded the landscape and deposited new sedimentary soils on top of the older rock formations thurst upwards when the crustal plates had collided.
How is the Languedoc divided?
Into three different topographical zones: (1) The coastal Plains (2) Hillsides and Mountains (3) Atlantic Corridor
What is the geography of the Coastal Plains?
Coastal Plains stretch from Narbonne and Béziers to beyond Montpellier. This area is (i) Flat (ii) Low-Lying and (iii) fertile. These alluvial plains are where the highest yielding vines are situated, the grapes of which usually go to entry level IGP
What is the geography of the Hillsides and Mountains?
The hillsides and mountains are characterized by elevations of up to 1,320 ft (400m) plus a wide variety of mesoclimates.
