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Wine Diploma > Languedoc > Flashcards

Languedoc Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the general topography of Languedoc

A

Mainly located on low lying alluvial plain

Some producers are now reclaiming hillside sites with the aim of making higher quality wines

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2
Q

What is the climate in Languedoc?

A

Warm Mediterranean

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3
Q

What two key events led to an increase in fortunes for wines from the Languedoc?

A
  • Building of the Canal Midi in the 17th century connected the region to Bordeaux
  • Railway connecting the south to Paris built in the mid 19th century

These two events meant that the area was better connected enabling more export

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4
Q

Compare the amount of land under vine in Languedoc today with the mid 20th century.

Why has this changed?

A

The total area under vine has halved

Post 1973 Languedoc combined with Roussillon became France’s biggest source of wine (it was no longer sourcing wines from Algeria)

Over production in relation to demand led to the eventual removal of vineyards

Although today the region still produces inexpensive wines there is increasing interest in small, quality production

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5
Q

What is the name of the dry, north west wind that blows for 200 days a year?

What affect does this have on the growing environment?

A

The Tramontaine

Low fungal disease pressure
More organic production

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6
Q

How much rainfall per year does the Languedoc receive?

What effect does this have?

A

Under 600mm

Reduces disease pressure
Can reduce yields in very dry years (where irrigation is not installed)

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7
Q

How has the way that vines are typically trained in the Languedoc changed over time?

A

Historically vines were grown as bush vines (well adapted to the climate, providing some training), however most work must be done by hand, adding to cost

New vineyards are planted with trellises enabling mechanisation, reducing labour costs

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8
Q

If winemakers want to make deeply coloured, early drinking, low tannin wines (particularly with Carignan), describe what winemaking method might be used

A

Carbonic maceration

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9
Q

What percentage of production in the Languedoc is IGP wine?

A

70%

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10
Q

What percentage of French wine is labelled as IGP Pays d’Oc?

A

10 to 15% depending on the vintage

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11
Q

What percentage of IGP Pays d’Oc wine is:

Red
White
Rose?

A

Red: 50%
White: 25%
Rose: 25%

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12
Q

What are the top four varietals grown in Pays d’Oc IGP?

A

Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Syrah

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13
Q

What percentage of Pays d’Oc IGP wine is exported?

What are the main markets?

A

50%

Germany, Netherlands and Belgium

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14
Q

What percentage of Pays d’Oc IGP wine is consumed domestically?

What are the most important routes to market?

A

50%

Supermarkets, but hospitality is significant

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15
Q

What are the principle varieties in Languedoc AOC?

What rules are there on the final composition of the wine?

A

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

  • Must be minimum 2 varieties, including one principle variety
  • No variety can exceed 80%
  • Total combination of principle varieties must be 40% minimum
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16
Q

What is the maximum yield for Languedoc AOC whites?

A

60hl/ha

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17
Q

What is the maximum yield for Languedoc AOC reds?

A

50hl/ha

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18
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Languedoc AOC red

A 
Medium intensity
Simple blackberry, plum
Medium acidity
Medium tannin
Medium body
Medium alcohol
Acceptable to good
Inexpensive to mid-priced
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19
Q

Corbières is a ____ appellation south west of Narbonne with _____ha under vine.

Two key mountain ranges, _____ and ____ provide sites for vineyards on slopes up to _____m above sea lever

A

hilly

10,000ha

Tauch and d’Alaric

450m

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20
Q

Describe the soils you would expect to find in Corbières

A

Limestone alternates with schist, clays, marls and sandstone

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21
Q

What cooling influences does Corbières experience?

A
  • Altitude (vineyards up to 450m)

- Cold northern winds

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22
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of Corbières wines?

A
  • min 40% Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and/or Mourvedre

- Remainder from other varieties BUT cannot exceed 20% e.g. Cinsault

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23
Q

What is the maximum yield for Corbières?

Name the four principle varieties

A

50hl/ha

Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

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24
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of Corbières-Boutenac wines?

A
  • 70% GSM (combined or singly)
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25
Q

What percentage of Corbières wine is sold in France?

What is the main route to market domestically?

A

70%

Mostly through supermarkets

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26
Q

What percentage of Corbières wine is exported?

Where are the main export markets?

A

30%

China, Germany and Belgium

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27
Q

Minervois is an extensive appellation with a range of climatic zones based on ____ and proximity to _____

The _____, _____ land sloping towards the River Aude is _____ prized - fruit is used for ______ wines

A

Based on altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean

Hotter drier land

Less prized - fruit is used for inexpensive wines

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28
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of Minervois wines?

A
  • Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault must be 50% of the wine
  • No one variety may exceed 80%
29
Q

Minervois la Livinière is an AOC for ___ wine only.

It is situated on ____ soils, on _____ slopes up to ____ metres above sea level

Describe the influence this has on grapes grown here

A

Red

Limestone soils on gentle slopes up to 400m

Good drainage
Sunlight exposure
Cooling influence of altitude
Higher acidity than Minervois AOC wines

30
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of Minervois La Livinière wines?

A
  • Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache must make up 40% minimum

- The above grapes plus Carignan and Cinsault must make up minimum 80%

31
Q

The most characterful wines of Saint Chinian AOC are from the ____ and ____ of the appellation, at altitudes often well above ____m

A

North and west

Above 600m

32
Q

Describe the soils in found in the north and west of Saint Chinian AOC

A

Fast draining, arid schist soils

Lower yields and highly concentrated wines

33
Q

Name two subzones found in the north and west of Saint Chinian. Name the main grapes

A

ST CHINIAN BERLOU - Carignan marked reds

ST CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN - More Rhône varietals, mostly Syrah

34
Q

Describe the soils in found in the south of Saint Chinian AOC

How does this affect the wines from there?

A

Clay and limestone with greater water holding capacity

Less concentrated wines, higher yields

35
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of St. Chinian reds and roses?

A

-Minimum 50% Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

36
Q

Which was the first AOC in Languedoc, first formed in 1948?

A

Fitou

37
Q

Describe the topography and soils of Fitou Maritime.

How does this affect the wines from there?

A

Coastal area of Fitou
Relatively flat, low lying plains
Clay and limestone soils
Good water retention

Wines are less concentrated than those from inland areas

38
Q

Describe the topography and soils of Fitou Haut.

How does this affect the wines from there?

A

Inland area of Fitou
More mountainous
Schist soils
Less fertile, more fast draining

Wines are more concentrated than those from coastal areas

39
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of Fitou AOC reds?

A
  • 10 to 40% Carignan

- 20% Grenache

40
Q

Which co-op is responsible for 50% of Fitou AOC’s production?

A

Mont Tauch

41
Q

Describe the topography and soils of Faugères

How does this affect the wines from there?

A

Vineyards between 250 - 400m
Schist soils
Well-draining, low fertility

Concentrated wines

42
Q

What are the average yields for Faugères wines?

A

33hl/ha - low yields

43
Q

What percentage of vineyards in Faugères are organically farmed?

A

40%

44
Q

What percentage of Faugères wines are sold in France?

A

90%

45
Q

Describe the climate in Pic Saint Loup AOC

How much annual rainfall does the region experience?

A

More continental (similar to Northern Rhône) with cold winters and warm summers

1000mm per annum

46
Q

Which variety in Pic Saint Loup AOC must make up at least 50% of the blend?

A

Syrah

47
Q

Describe the soils in Pic Saint Loup AOC

A

Most vineyards are based on limestone

48
Q

What types of wines can be produced in Terasses du Larzac AOC?

What rules are there surrounding the final blend?

A

Red wines only

Must be a blend of at least three varieties

49
Q

What cooling influence in Terasses du Larzac AOC allows a high diurnal range?

A

Altitude - ripe flavours and high acidity

50
Q

Name the well known premium wine grown that is made in Terasses du Larzac AOC

A

La Peira

Terasses du Larzac is attracting investment and is seeking to establish a reputation for quality

51
Q

What percentage of wine from La Clape AOC is red?

A

80%

52
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of La Clape AOC whites?

A
  • Must include a minimum of 60% Bourboulenc and or Grenache Blanc
53
Q

Describe the weather conditions in La Clape AOC.

A

Warm, sunny, arid and windy

54
Q

Climate in Melapère AOC is influenced by _____, protected from influence from _____ by _______

A

Influenced by the Atlantic

Protected from influence from the Mediterranean by mountains

55
Q

What grapes are typically grown in Melapère AOC?

What rules are there on the final composition of wines here?

A

Bordeaux varietals are grown alongside Languedoc varietals

  • Minimum 40% Merlot
  • Must be a blend of at least two grapes
56
Q

Cabardes AOC is subject to influences from _____ and _____

A

The Atlantic and the Mediterranean

57
Q

What rules are there on the final composition of wines from Cabardes AOC?

A
  • Minimum 40% Bordeaux grapes (Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot)

- Minimum 40% Grenache and or Syrah

58
Q

Why has Picpoul de Pinet AOC seen rapid growth over the latter part of the 20th / early 21st century?

A

Arrival of new techniques in 70s and 80s (gentle pressing, temperature control, stainless steel)

Fruity wines are popular

59
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Picpoul de Pinet AOC wines

A 
Medium (-) intensity
Lemon, light floral note
Medium (+) to high acidity
Medium bodied
Acceptable to good
60
Q

Who mainly consumes Picpoul de Pinet AOC domestically?

A

Tourists in the region

61
Q

What percentage of Picpoul de Pinet AOC is exported?

Where are the main export markets?

A

65% of production

UK (accounts for 60%of exports)
USA
Netherlands

62
Q

How much wine in Picpoul de Pinet AOC is produced by co-operatives?

A

90%

63
Q

What style of wine in Languedoc has seen a 35% rise in production between 2010 and 2017?

A

Rosé

64
Q

AOC wine from Languedoc is experiencing rapid growth - which are the two biggest markets for this?

A

USA and China

65
Q

Name 3 super premium wineries from the Languedoc

A

Mas de Daumas Gassac
Peyre Rose
Grange des Pères

66
Q

Main business development focus for Languedoc is on what price range?

A

Mid -priced wines

67
Q

The Languedoc is a partner in which promotional body?

What is the name of the wine fair organised by this body?

A

Sud de France

Vini Sud

68
Q

In which two Languedoc AOCs is Carignan a principle variety?

A

Corbières and Fitou

69
Q

Which Languedoc AOC has a more continental climate and higher rainfall than other appellations here?

A

Pic-Saint-Loup AOC: warm summers, cold winters and up to 1,000mm of rain per annum

Wine Diploma (62 decks)

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