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