Languedoc and Roussillon Flashcards
Which Languedoc appellation claims to have first produced sparkling wines?
Limoux - sparkling discovered by the monks of Saint-Hilaire in 1531
How was the impact of Phylloxera different in Languedoc compared to the other French regions?
They quickly respond to that adhering to the American rootstock (the first to do that) and the first to recover
Which two appellation of Languedoc are known for producing single-varietal wines?
Clairette du Languedoc and Picpoul de Pinet AOCs
Which grape variety is used in the production of Blanquette Methode Ancestrale?
Mauzac, 100%
What is an Episode Cevenol?
Autumn weather phenomenon - trapped hot and cold air masses results in heavy rains that can last for days
Languedoc has equal amounts of rainfall all year around. True or false?
False - rainy season before and after summer and can arrive in the form of violent storms
What are the three topographical zones of the Languedoc region?
Coastal Region, Hinterland and Atlantic Corridor
The VDN appellations of the Languedoc can be made reductively and/or oxidatively. True or false?
False - just reductively
Languedoc’s soils are fairly homogenous. True or false?
False - there are a wide range of soils in Languedoc
What is the western extremity of Languedoc known as?
The Atlantic corridor - here the Atlantic and Mediterranean weather patterns meet
Most Languedoc red wines, at the AOC level, are single varietal. True or False?
False - most are blends including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan
Historically, what effect did the Bordelais have on the Languedoc wine trade?
They blocked Languedoc wines from being sold through the Bordeaux port system to protect Bordeaux wine trade.
In Languedoc, which grape variety is often fermented using Carbonic Maceration?
Carignan - to soften tannins
Which grape variety is used in all Languedoc VDN AOCs?
Muscat a petit grains blanc
What is garrigue?
scrub vegetation grown in Languedoc - can also be the name of the limestone soil and the name of the aroma found on those wines
In what year was France’s first wine co-operative founded?
1905 in Maraussan near Beziers
What are the name of the two sessions of the Fitou AOC?
Fitou Maritime (close to the coast) and Haut Fitou (further inland)
In what year were Languedoc and Roussillon joined administratively?
1972
Which Roman road traversed through the Languedoc, connecting Spain and Italy
Via Domitia
What percentage of France’s organic vineyards are found in the Languedoc
38%
Who discovered mutage?
Arnaud de Villeneuve of Montpellier in 1285
What is the largest non-regional AOC in Languedoc in terms of geographic size?
Corbieres
What are the 2 DGCs of Saint-Chinian AOC?
Berlou and Roquebrun
What is the most westerly appellation in Languedoc?
Malepere AOC
Languedoc is currently experimenting with which two Greek grape varieties?
Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko
Which Languedoc appellation has planted an equal split of Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties?
Cabardes
What is the climate of Roussillon
Mediterranean
Roussillon is best known for what style of wine?
VDN
What is Tramontane?
a cold, north wind that blows through Roussillon
What grape is the most commonly used in the production of the dry whites of Roussillon?
Grenache Blanc
What are the names of the three main rivers that weave through Roussillon?
The Agly, Tet and Tech
Muscat de Riversaltes AOC extends into Languedoc. True or False?
True. It compasses the Fitou AOC
What IGT covers most of the Pyrenees-Orientales departement?
Cotes Catalanes IGT
Which VDN AOCs in Roussillon produce white, rose and red fortified wines?
Riversaltes AOC, Banuyls AOC
What is the minimum number of grapes that must be in the Cotes du Roussillon-Villages blend?
at least of 2 varieties from the main varieties
What is mutage?
addition of neutral spirit to fermenting must
Many of Roussillon’s key red grape varieties originated in Spain. True or false?
True. Example are carinena (Carignan), Mataro/Mourvedre (Monastrell) and Macabeu (Macabeo), Garnacha (Grenache)
What is the traditional form of vine training in Roussillon?
Gobelet
Maury AOC only produces VDN wines. True or False.
False. Within the borders of Maury AOC, white and red can also be produced.
Which important IGP is shared between Languedoc and Roussillon?
Pays d’Oc IGT
Banyuls Grand Cru must be made from at least 75% Grenache Noir. True or False?
True
What is Muscat de Noel?
wines from Muscat de Riversaltes marketed for the Christmas period of the year of the harvest
What are the name of the three mountains ranges that surround Roussillon?
Alberes mountains in the south, Corbieres to the North and Pyrenees to the west
What is the main grape variety used to produce red VDN?
Grenache
What is the southernmost appellation in mainland France?
Banyuls/Collioure
The Languedoc AOC covers Roussillon vineyard areas. True or False?
True
What are 2 labeling terms on VDNs that refer to red wines that have aged reductively?
Grenat (used in Riversaltes and Maury) and Rimage (used in Banyuls)
What is meant by tuile?
VDN labelling term for slightly oxidised red wines that take on a tuile (clay-tile) colour
What is meant by ambre?
VDN labelling term for white VDN - refers to the colour amber - controlled oxidation
To what does Hors d’Age refer?
Oxidised VDNs aged for a minimum of 5 years
What type of soil covers much of Roussillon?
Iron rich, sandy, red, water-retaining clay
Which of the following is false?
a. The grapes from IGP Pays d’Oc can be sourced from Roussillon as well as Languedoc
b. Collioure and Banyuls share the same zone of production
c. Maury Sec produces red and white VDNs
d. The Muscat de Rivesaltes zone of production includes Fitou, Maury and Banyuls
c. Maury Sec produces red and white VDNs
Which of the following grape varieties is red?
a. Maccabeu
b. Bourboulenc
c. Mauzac
d. Cinsaut
d. Cinsaut
Banyuls is made predominantly from…
a. Syrah
b. Mourvèdre
c. Grenache
d. Muscat
c. Grenache
Which of the following grapes is native to France?
a. Syrah
b. Carignan
c. Mourvèdre
d. Rolle
a. Syrah
Which of the following AOCs is sparkling?
a. Minervois
b. Corbières
c. Blanquette de Limoux
d. Faugères
c. Blanquette de Limoux
What is garrigue?
a. A training method for grape vines
b. Large round river stones
c. Nutrient-poor limestone
d. A hot southern wind
c. Nutrient-poor limestone
Which of the following is not a vin doux naturel?
a. Maury
b. Banyuls
c. Pic Saint-Loup
d. Rivesaltes
c. Pic Saint-Loup
Which of the following is not part of vin doux naturel label nomenclature?
a. Rancio
b. Hors d’Age
c. Rimage
d. Supérieur
d. Supérieur
Which of the following AOCs is located in Roussillon?
a. Cabardès
b. Corbières
c. Collioure
d. Crémant de Limoux
c. Collioure
Which of the following vins doux naturels is not located in Languedoc?
a. Muscat de Rivesaltes
b. Muscat de Lunel
c. Muscat de Mireval
d. Muscat de Frontignan
a. Muscat de Rivesaltes
Which of the following pairings is incorrect?
a. Corbières : Carignan
b. Minervois : Syrah
c. Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale : Mauzac
d. Maury : Cinsaut
d. Maury : Cinsaut
. Which of the following terms refers to a vin doux naturel that has been aged reductively?
a. Tuilé
b. Rancio
c. Rimage
d. Ambré
c. Rimage
. Which of the following Languedoc AOCs does not fall into the « Atlantic Corridor » climate zone?
a. Cabardès
b. Malepère
c. Limoux
d. Fitou
d. Fitou
Which of the following rivers is not found in Roussillon?
a. Arc
b. Agly
c. Têt
d. Tech
a. Arc
. Which of the following appellations is a white AOC only?
a. La Clape
b. Saint-Chinian
c. Pic Saint-Loup
d. Picpoul de Pinet
d. Picpoul de Pinet
