Languedoc Flashcards
What is “Mutage”?
The process of arresting fermenting Must with the addition of grape spirits
All of the Languedoc VdN’s are made reductively
How is the Muscat VdN’s Crafted?
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%
How many VdN’s does Languedoc produce?
4, All made with Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Limoux Méthode Ancestrale AOC?
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
- Partially fermented Must is chilled and bottled with yeast.
Disgorged after 2-3 months
When did the Monks of Sainte Hilaire discover sparkling wine?
1531, 150 years before Dom Perignon
What is the Canal du Midi?
A canal that linked Sète in Languedoc to Toulouse allowing easy access to the Garonne river
Bordeaux enacted laws preventing the sale of wine
Who were the primary consumers of Languedoc wine in the 17th and 18th century?
17th it was the Dutch who wanted sweet wine
18th Languedoc output was dry white wine destined to become brandy for the Napoleonic army
What year were the protectionist policies of Bordeaux rescinded?
1776
Which of the 3 topographical zones is flat, fertile with alluvial plains?
The Coastal Plain
What is the average sunshine and rainfall of Languedoc?
Sunshine - 2,530 hrs
Rainfall averages 27” bookending the summer season
It often arrives in the form of violent storms
South winds from the Mediterranean are countered by?
The Tramontane winds and other strong winds from the north and west
What is the climate like in Languedoc?
Mild winters and hot, dry summers
What are the stats on the Atlantic corridor Crémant de Limoux AOC?
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
What is the Atlantic Corridor like in Languedoc?
It is the western extremity of Languedoc
The Atlantic and Mediterranean climate meet here
Bordeaux varieties planted alongside Mediterranean ones
What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Blanquette de Limoux AOC?
Oldest sparkling wine in the world
Min 90% Mauzac up to 10% Chenin and Chardonnay
Aged 9 months sur lie
Brut & Demi-Sec styles
What are the Mountain and Hillsides like in Languedoc?
Elevations up to 1,300’
Peaks block rain & clouds
This rainshadow effect traps sun and heat and provides cool air currents at night
What is the Coastal Plains area like in Languedoc?
From Narbonne and Breeziers to Beyond Montpelier
Flat, low lying and fertile area
Highest yielding vines
Grapes are destined for entry level IGP
What are the 3 topographical zones in Languedoc?
Coastal Plains
Hillsides & Mountains
Atlantic Corridor
What is the influence of the soils of the Languedoc?
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
What are the stats of the Atlantic Corridor Limoux AOC?
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
What are the soil types of the Languedoc?
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
What is the geological history of Languedoc?
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
How many French Departments does Languedoc cover?
4 They are from north to south Lozere Gard Hérault Aude
What is the production figures of Languedoc?
AOC = 19%
IGP = 68%
Vins Sans IG = 13%
T or F? Languedoc is the largest IGP wine producer in France…
True, it has 67% of France’s total production
Which VdN is not located on the coastal plain?
Saint Jean de Minervois
Can be harvested up to a month later
Has the most RS at 12.5%
What are the 4 VdNs of Languedoc?
Muscat de Lunel
Muscat de Mireval
Muscat de Frontignan (largest & oldest)
Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois
What are the historic red blends of Languedoc?
Historically they were Carignan based with Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache
What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Malepère AOC?
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
What are the stats on the Atlantic Corridor Cabardès AOC?
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
What are the AOC’s of the Atlantic Corridor of Languedoc?
Cabardès AOC Malepère AOC Limoux AOC Blanquette de Limoux AOC Crémant de Limoux AOC Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale AOC
What is the growing area of the Atlantic Corridor in Languedoc like?
This western corner of the Languedoc is more continental
It grows different grapes, both SW France and Bordeaux varieties
What are the stats on the Fitou AOC?
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 inlandWhat are the stats on the Corbièrs AOC?
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
What are the stats in the Clairette du Languedoc AOC?
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
What are the stats on the Minervois AOC?
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
What are the stats on the Saint Chinian AOC?
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
What are the white grapes of Languedoc?
Bourboulenc Chardonnay Chenin Blanc Clairette Grenache Blanc Mauzac Blanc Muscat à Petits Grains Picpoul Blanc Roussanne
What are the stats of the Faugères AOC Cru?
Gray white schist soil
Mostly red, some rosé and very little white
Reds - GSM + Cinsault and Carignan
Whites - Grenache Blanc, r, m, v
What are the 2 AOC’s in Languedoc that produce white wines from a single grape?
Picpoul de Pinet - Picpoul grape
Clairette du Languedoc - Clairette grape
What are the oldest AOC’s in Languedoc?
Clairette du Languedoc AOC
Fitou AOC
What are the stats on the Terassaa du Larzac AOC?
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
What are the 7 AOC’s located in the Mountain and Hillsides Zones in Languedoc?
Terrasses du Larzac AOC Clairette du Languedoc AOC Faugères AOC Saint Chinian AOC Minervois AOC Corbières AOC Fitou AOC
What are the stats on the La Clape AOC?
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
What are the 2 sub-zones of the Fitou AOC?
Fitou Maritime
Haut Fitou
What are the 2 oldest AOC’s in the Languedoc?
Clairette du Languedoc AOC
Fitou AOC
Why can the regional AOC and IGP in Languedoc pull fruit from both Languedoc and Roussillon?
They were administratively joined in 1972
Who discovered Mutage?
Arnaud de Villeneuve of Montpellier in 1285
What is the “Etang de Thau”?
A lake separating Picpoul de Pinet AOC from the sea
Rolle is a synonym for what other grape variety?
Vermentino
What grape is referred to as the “Lip Stinger”
Picpoul Blanc
How was the impact of Phylloxera different in Languedoc as compared to other regions?
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
What is the largest non-regional AOC in Languedoc in terms of size?
Corbières (it is also the 4th largest in France)
Crémant de Limoux is based on what grape variety?
Must contain at least 40% Chardonnay
What is the “Massif de La Clape”
A limestone outcrop separating Narbonne from the sea
What Languedoc AOC is based on a minimum 50% Merlot?
Malepère AOC
What grape is relate to Lledoner Pelut?
Grenache
What style of wine is produced in the Limoux AOC?
The Limoux AOC is for still red and white wines
What is mutage?
The addition of grape spirit to Must in order to stop fermentation and obtain a sweet wine
What Languedoc AOC is evenly split between Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties?
Cabardès AOC
What 2 Languedoc AOCs are known for single variety wines?
Clairette du Languedoc AOC
Picpoul de Pinet AOC
What is the main grape of the Corbièrs AOC?
Carignan
What AOC is nestled within the Corbièrs AOC?
Fitou AOC
What Languedoc AOC grows Chenin Blanc?
Limoux AOC
What is the “Méthode Ancestrale” of sparkling wine?
Inducing a second fermentation by “waking up” a chilled, partially fermented wine
What are the 4 primary red grape varieties of the Languedoc AOC?
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvèdre
Lledoner Pelut
What is the oldest sparkling wine in the world?
Blanquette de Limoux
It was discovered by the Monks of Saint Hilaire in 1531
What grape is used in the Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale AOC?
100% Mauzac
What AOCs are located in the Atlantic Corridor?
Cabardès AOC
Malepère AOC
Limoux AOC
What are the 6 Cru AOC of Languedoc?
Faugères AOC Corbièrs -Boutenac Saint Chinian Berlou Saint Chinian Roquebrun Minervois la Livinière
T or F? The regional Languedoc AOC may pull fruit from Languedoc and Roussillon?
True
What is the principal red grape in Minervois and Corbièr?
Minervois - Syrah
Corbièr - Carignan
What grapes tend to be in the lead north and south of the Canal du Midi?
North - Syrah
South - Carignan
What is the oldest sparking wine in the world?
Blanquette de Limoux
Blanquette de Limoux is made from?
90% Mauzac (with some Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc)
Crémant de Limoux is made from?
Up to 90% Chardonnay + Chenin
The rosé version can have some Pinot Noir added
12 Month on Lees and 15 months in the cellar
What 2 AOCs are devoted only to white wines from a single grape?
Picpoul de Pinet - Picpoul Blanc
Clairette du Languedoc - Clairette
Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale is made from ?
100% Mauzac
All 4 Languedoc VdNs are made from?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
What grape forms the historic backbone to the red blends of Languedoc?
Carignan
High tannins, acid and pigment
Which zone are these AOCs located in? Picpoul de Pinet Malepère Minervois Limoux Corbièr La Clape
Picpoul de Pinet - Coastal Plains Malepère - Atlantic Corridor Minervois - Hillsides and Mountains Limoux - Atlantic Corridor Corbièr - Hillsides and Mountains La Clape - Coastal Plains
What does the Atlantic Corridor of Languedoc consist of?
Influenced by the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates
Have both Mediterranean grapes and Bordeaux grapes
What does the Hillsides and Mountains of Languedoc consist of?
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
What does the Coastal Plains of Languedoc consist of?
Low elevation
On alluvial flats (very fertile)
High yielding grapes destined mostly for IGP
What are the 3 different topographical areas of Languedoc?
The Atlantic Corridor
The Hillsides and Mountains
The Coastal Plains
How many co-ops are in Languedoc?
About 150 co-ops representing 65% of the productions
Where was the 1st co-op celler in France?
Marasussan in 1905?
Who was Arnaud de Villeneuve and what was his legacy to the wine industry?
He discovered the art of mutage in Montpellier in 1285
This triggered the trade in Vins doux Naturels VdNs
What did Phylloxera do to Languedoc?
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%
What did the railway do for Languedoc?
In 1855 the railway allowed easy access to Paris for its wine
What are the stats on Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
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
What are the 2 non-fortified AOCs in the Coastal Plain of Languedoc?
Picpoul de Pinet
La Clape
What grape is the historical backbone of Languedoc?
Carignan
What are the blending and labeling rules for IGP wines?
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
Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet in which zone?
The Atlantic Corridor
What are the current red blends of Languedoc?
Syrah and Grenache dominant and/or incorporate Bordeaux varieties
Which AOC has an equal split between Mediterranean and Atlantic varieties and climates?
Cabardès AOC
How many districts can append their name to the regional Languedoc AOC?
12 DGC may append their name
What are the production stats of the regional Languedoc AOC?
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
What are the 3 Departments in Languedoc with their own IGP?
IGP Aude
IGP Gard
IGP Hérault
T or F? IGP Pays d’Oc may pull fruit from both Languedoc and Roussillon…
True
What grapes dominate the wines of Fitou?
Reds only - Carignan
What was the first true university in the world founded in Montpellier?
1280, the University of Montpellier
What is the history of Languedoc?
Phocaeans came in 600 BC
Romans came in 125 BC
Aragon empire 1204-1349
What is the Via Domitia?
A road the Romans built connecting Italy and Spain and passing thru Languedoc
Where is Languedoc located?
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
What Languedoc AOC is known for Syrah based wines?
Minervois AOC
What grape variety is used in the production of Languedoc VdNs?
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
What is the dominating geographic feature of Faugères?
Cévennes Mountains
What is the dominating geographic feature of Minervois?
Montagne Noire
What is the dominating geographic feature of Picpoul de Pinet?
Etang de Thau
What is the dominating geographic feature of Terrasses du Larzac?
Larzac Plateau
What is the dominating geographic feature of La Clape?
Massif de la Clape
What is the most westerly AOC in the Languedoc?
Malepère AOC
What Muscat VdN AOC is the oldest and largest?
Muscat de Frontignan
What are the oldest still wine AOC’s in the Languedoc?
Clairette du Languedoc
Fitou
