Languedoc Flashcards
What was the first area of France to be replanted post phylloxera?
Languedoc
What is the local, gentler version of the Mistral that blows through Languedoc called?
the Tramontane. It blows from north-west in the bas Languedoc and Roussillon, bringing cool air from the mountains.
In the Languedoc, what are the top five most planted grape varieties in order of largest to smallest?
Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan, Merlot, Cab Sauv
What appellation of the Languedoc is only for still, dry white?
Picpoul de Pinet AOP
What Languedoc AOPs can make sweet white?
Clairette du Languedoc Muscat de Frontignan Muscat de Lunel Muscat de Mireval Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
What Languedoc AOPs are for still dry red only?
Corbieres-Boutenac
Fitou
Minervois-La Liviniere
Terrasses du Larzac
What Languedoc AOPs are for still dry red and rose?
Cabardes
Malepere
Pic Saint-Loup
What are the two subzones of Fitou, and what is the soil of each?
Fitou Maritime: Coastal clay and limestone
Fitou Mantagneux: 24 km inland, montainous schist
What AOP contains both sectors of Fitou AOP?
Corbieres AOP
What styles and grapes does Corbieres AOP produce?
White, Rose, Red
White: min 2 varieties, including at least one of the following: Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Macabeu, Roussanne, Vermentino. Min 40% principal varieties.
Red/Rose: min 2 varieties, including at least one principal variety, w no single variety exceeding 80% of the blend. Principal varieties: Cgrenache, Lladoner Pelut, Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignan. Min 40% principal varieties
What is the soil of Corbieres AOP?
Limestone alternating w schist, clays, marls and sandstone
What is Cartagene?
traditional strong, sweet aperitif of the Languedoc, similar to a VdL
What Languedoc AOP was subdivided in 11 “terroirs” in the 1990s?
Corbieres AOP
When was Corbieres-Boutenac elevated to AOP?
2005
What is the cepage of Corbieres-Boutenac AOP?
Red only.
Min 70% comb. Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan (30-50%). No one variety can exceed 80% of blend
What is the size difference in ha and hl between Corbieres AOP and Corbieres-Boutenac AOP?
Corbieres AOP: 13,000 ha (this is the largest AOP of the Languedoc) 461,000 hl
Corbieres-Boutenac AOP: 245 ha, 8,926 hl
Where is Minervois AOP in relation to Corbieres AOP?
Minervois is north of Corbieres
What are the 5 climactic zones of Minervois AOP?
La Cotes Noires- far NW, coolest, most Atlantic
La Clamoux-flatter, alluvial terraces in SW
La Zone Central-400 m elevation
La Causse-high land, poor soils in NE, low yield
Les Serres-SE, warmest, most mediterranean
Name the subzones of Corbieres AOP
Boutenac Durban Fontfroide Lagrasse Lezignan Montagne d'Alaric Queribus Saint-Victor Servies Sigean Termenes
What is the assemblage of Minervois AOP?
White: min 80 comb. Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino. Max 10% Muscat
Rose: min 50% comb. GSM, Cinsault and Carignan; no single variety over 80%. Max 10% white grapes.
Red: min 2 varieties (at least one principal variety). Min 50% comb. GSM, Cinsault, carignan. No one variety can be over 80%.
When was Minervois-La Liviniere AOP elevated?
1999
What is the assemblage of Minervois-La Liviniere AOP?
Red only.
Min 2 varieties.
Min 40% principal varieties: Grenache, Lladoner Pelut, Mourvedre, and Syrah.
At least 80% of blend is comb. GSM, Cinsault and Carignan
What is the cepage of Cabardes AOP?
Red and Rose.
min 40% comb. CF, CS and Merlot
min 40% comb. Greanche ans Syrah
Accessories: Cot, Cinsault, Fer
In what part of the Languedoc is Cabardes AOP located?
West of Minervois. Southwest in the region, close to border of Sud-Ouest. Malepere is just to the south. Limoux is to the south of that.
What is the assemblage fo Malepere AOP?
Red and Rose only.
Rose: min 40% CF, min 20% comb. CS, cinsault, Cot, greanche and Merlot
Red: Min 40% Merlot, min 20% comb. CF and Cot; plus cinsault, CS, grenche, lladoner Pelut
Compare and contrast Malepere and Cabardes AOPs
Both are in Languedoc but close to Sud-Ouest, where Midi meets Aquitaine. Malepere is wetter, more Atlantic that Cabardes, thus it focuses on merlot and CF, whereas Cabardes is more evenly divided between regional varieties. Malepere is mostly co-op, while Cabardes is more individual producer focused
What region claims to have started secondaty fermentation in bottle before Champagne?
Limoux, in 1531 at the abbey in Saint-Hillaire
What is a synonym for Mauzac?
Blanquette
What are some topographical features of Limoux?
Higher elevation- located in the foothills of the Pyrenees. 100-450 m above sea level
Strong winds- dry Atlantic wind “vent Cers” and warm mediterranean wind “vent marin”
Rocky soil w clay, sandstone and limestone
When were red wines added to Limoux AOP?
2005