Languedoc

Question 1

Which Languedoc appellation claims to have first produced sparkling wine?

Answer 1

Limoux.

The sparking phenomenon was discovered by the monks of Saint-Hilaire in 1531.

Question 2

How was the impact of phylloxera different in Languedoc compared to other French regions?

Answer 2

Languedoc was the first region to be replanted on American rootstocks and the first to recover their wine industry.

Question 3

Which two appellations in Languedoc are known for producing single-varietal wines?

Answer 3

Clairette du Languedoc

and Picpoul de Pinet AOCs

Question 4

What is an Épisode Cévenol?

Answer 4

An autumnal weather phenomenon; trapped hot and cold air masses result in heavy rains that can last for days.

Question 5

Which grape variety is used in the production of Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale?

Answer 5

Mauzac, 100%

Question 6

Languedoc has equal amounts of rainfall all year round.

True or False?

Answer 6

FALSE.

The rainy season is before and after the summer months and can arrive in the form of violent storms.

Question 7

What are the three topographical zones of the Languedoc region?

Answer 7

Coastal plains,

hillsides and mountains,

and the Atlantic corridor

Question 8

Languedoc’s soils are fairly homogenous.

True or False?

Answer 8

FALSE.

There are a wide range of soils found in Languedoc.

Question 8

The VDN appellations of the Languedoc can be made reductively and/or oxidatively.

True or False?

Answer 8

FALSE.

They must be made reductively.

Question 9

What is the western extremity of Languedoc known as?

Answer 9

The Atlantic Corridor; here, Atlantic and Mediterranean weather patterns meet.

Question 10

Most Languedoc red wines, at the AOC level, are single varietal.

True or False?

Answer 10

FALSE.

Most are blends including such grapes as Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre.

Question 11

Historically, what effect did the Bordelais have on the Languedoc wine trade?

Answer 11

They prevented Languedoc wines from being sold through the Bordeaux port system, in order to protect the Bordeaux wine trade.

Question 11

Which grape variety is used in all Languedoc VDN AOCs?

Answer 11

Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc

Question 12

In Languedoc, which grape variety is often fermented using Carbonic Maceration?

Answer 12

Carignan… to tame its tannins

Question 13

What is “garrigue”?

Answer 13

Limestone soil, the scrub vegetation that grows upon it, and the aroma of those herbs when crushed underfoot or found in a glass of wine.

Question 14

In what year was France’s first wine

co-operative founded?

Answer 14

1905 in Maraussan, near Béziers

Question 15

What are the names of the two sections of the Fitou AOC?

Answer 15

Fitou Maritime, close to the coast, and Haut Fitou, further inland.

Question 16

In what year were Languedoc and Roussillon joined administratively?

Answer 16

1972

Question 17

Which Roman road traversed through the Languedoc, connecting Spain and Italy?

Answer 17

Via Domitia

Question 18

What percentage of France’s organic vineyards are found in the Languedoc?

Answer 18

38%

Question 19

Who discovered mutage?

Answer 19

Arnaud de Villeneuve of Montpellier in 1285

Question 20

Front of card
What is the largest non-regional AOC in Languedoc in terms of geographic size?

Answer 20

Corbières

Question 21

What are the two DGCs of the Saint-Chinian AOC?

Answer 21

Berlou

and

Roquebrun

Question 22

What is the most westerly appellation in Languedoc?

Answer 22

Malepère

Question 23

Languedoc is currently experimenting with which two Greek grape varieties?

Answer 23

Agiorgitiko

and

Assyrtiko

Question 24

Which Languedoc appellation has planted an equal split of Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties?