Languedoc Flashcards by Megan O'Rahilly

Describe the general topography of Languedoc

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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What is the climate in Languedoc?

Warm Mediterranean

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

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

Why has this changed?

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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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?

The Tramontaine

Low fungal disease pressure
More organic production

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How much rainfall per year does the Languedoc receive?

What effect does this have?

Under 600mm

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

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

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

Carbonic maceration

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What percentage of production in the Languedoc is IGP wine?

70%

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

10 to 15% depending on the vintage

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What percentage of IGP Pays d’Oc wine is:

Red
White
Rose?

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

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

Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Syrah

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

What are the main markets?

50%

Germany, Netherlands and Belgium

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

What are the most important routes to market?

50%

Supermarkets, but hospitality is significant

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What are the principle varieties in Languedoc AOC?

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

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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What is the maximum yield for Languedoc AOC whites?

60hl/ha

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What is the maximum yield for Languedoc AOC reds?

50hl/ha

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Give a typical tasting note for Languedoc AOC red

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

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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

hilly

10,000ha

Tauch and d’Alaric

450m

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Describe the soils you would expect to find in Corbières

Limestone alternates with schist, clays, marls and sandstone

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What cooling influences does Corbières experience?

Altitude (vineyards up to 450m)

- Cold northern winds

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

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

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

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What is the maximum yield for Corbières?

Name the four principle varieties

50hl/ha

Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

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

70% GSM (combined or singly)

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What percentage of Corbières wine is sold in France? What is the main route to market domestically?

70% Mostly through supermarkets

What percentage of Corbières wine is exported? Where are the main export markets?

30% China, Germany and Belgium

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

Based on altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean Hotter drier land Less prized - fruit is used for inexpensive wines

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

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

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

Red Limestone soils on gentle slopes up to 400m Good drainage Sunlight exposure Cooling influence of altitude Higher acidity than Minervois AOC wines

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

- Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache must make up 40% minimum | - The above grapes plus Carignan and Cinsault must make up minimum 80%

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

North and west Above 600m

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

Fast draining, arid schist soils Lower yields and highly concentrated wines

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

ST CHINIAN BERLOU - Carignan marked reds ST CHINIAN-ROQUEBRUN - More Rhône varietals, mostly Syrah

Describe the soils in found in the south of Saint Chinian AOC How does this affect the wines from there?

Clay and limestone with greater water holding capacity Less concentrated wines, higher yields

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

-Minimum 50% Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

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

Fitou

Describe the topography and soils of Fitou Maritime. How does this affect the wines from there?

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

Describe the topography and soils of Fitou Haut. How does this affect the wines from there?

Inland area of Fitou More mountainous Schist soils Less fertile, more fast draining Wines are more concentrated than those from coastal areas

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

- 10 to 40% Carignan | - 20% Grenache

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

Mont Tauch

Describe the topography and soils of Faugères How does this affect the wines from there?

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

What are the average yields for Faugères wines?

33hl/ha - low yields

What percentage of vineyards in Faugères are organically farmed?

40%

What percentage of Faugères wines are sold in France?

90%

Describe the climate in Pic Saint Loup AOC How much annual rainfall does the region experience?

More continental (similar to Northern Rhône) with cold winters and warm summers 1000mm per annum

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

Syrah

Describe the soils in Pic Saint Loup AOC

Most vineyards are based on limestone

What types of wines can be produced in Terasses du Larzac AOC? What rules are there surrounding the final blend?

Red wines only Must be a blend of at least three varieties

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

Altitude - ripe flavours and high acidity

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

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

What percentage of wine from La Clape AOC is red?

80%

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

- Must include a minimum of 60% Bourboulenc and or Grenache Blanc

Describe the weather conditions in La Clape AOC.

Warm, sunny, arid and windy

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

Influenced by the Atlantic Protected from influence from the Mediterranean by mountains

What grapes are typically grown in Melapère AOC? What rules are there on the final composition of wines here?

Bordeaux varietals are grown alongside Languedoc varietals - Minimum 40% Merlot - Must be a blend of at least two grapes

Cabardes AOC is subject to influences from _____ and _____

The Atlantic and the Mediterranean

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

- Minimum 40% Bordeaux grapes (Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot) | - Minimum 40% Grenache and or Syrah

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

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

Give a typical tasting note for Picpoul de Pinet AOC wines

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

Who mainly consumes Picpoul de Pinet AOC domestically?

Tourists in the region

What percentage of Picpoul de Pinet AOC is exported? Where are the main export markets?

65% of production UK (accounts for 60%of exports) USA Netherlands

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

90%

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

Rosé

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

USA and China

Name 3 super premium wineries from the Languedoc

Mas de Daumas Gassac Peyre Rose Grange des Pères

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

Mid -priced wines

The Languedoc is a partner in which promotional body? What is the name of the wine fair organised by this body?

Sud de France Vini Sud

In which two Languedoc AOCs is Carignan a principle variety?

Corbières and Fitou

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

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