Languedoc Pt 6 - Minervois, St Chinian, Faugeres AOCs

Question 1

Which three well known vineyards lie in the mountain ranges of N. Languedoc?

Answer 1

Faugeres, Minervois and Saint Chinian lie in the foothills of the mountains of the northern border.

Question 2

When was Faugeres AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 2

Awarded 1982 for dry white, rose and red.
White:(P) Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino;
Red: (P) GSM, Lledoner Pelut.

Question 3

Where is Faugeres AOC located?

Answer 3

It is nestled in the foothills of the Cevennes Mountains, 12m/20km north of Beziers.

Question 4

What is the soil of Faugeres AOC?

Answer 4

Vineyards are planted between garrique, woodland and escarpments on SCHIST.

Question 5

What is the elevation of Faugeres vineyards?

Answer 5

990 ft/ 330 mtrs.

Question 6

How is the Mediterranean heat tempered in Faugeres? How does this impact grapes?

Answer 6

By the elevation and north winds. this delivers ripe fruit with underlying freshness.

Question 7

What are the blend rules for red/white wine in Faugeres?

Answer 7

Red: must be at least two varieties;
White: must be Roussanne plus at least one other.

Question 8

What is the production of Faugeres AOC?

Answer 8

It is mainly red wine.

Question 9

When was Saint Chinian AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 9

Awarded in 1982 for rose and Red and in 2005 for dry white.
White:(P) Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino;
Red:(P) GSM, Lledoner Pelut.

Question 10

Where is Saint Chinian AOC located?

Answer 10

In the foothills of the Espinouse Mountains at elevations up to 1320ft/400mtrs.

Question 11

What are the soils of Saint Chinian?

Answer 11

Schist or clay/limestone soils.

Question 12

How is the Mediterranean heat tempered in Saint Chinian?

Answer 12

By the elevation

Question 13

What is the production of Saint Chinian?

Answer 13

Mainly red or rose.

Question 14

What are the blends of red/ rose Saint Chinian?

Answer 14

GSM with a sizeable contribution by Lledoner Pelut (Hairy Grenache)

Question 15

What grape is the most important variety in Saint Chinian white wine?

Answer 15

Grenache Blanc

Question 16

Which two DGC of Saint Chinian are found on schist soils?

Answer 16

Berlou and Roquebrun. Both make red wine only.

Question 17

What is the blend in Berlou?

Answer 17

Typically GSM with high % of Carignan?

Question 18

What is the blend in Roquebrun?

Answer 18

Predominantly Grenache and Syrah

Question 19

When was Minervois AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 19

Awarded in 1985 for rose, Red, dry white.
White:(P) Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Macabeau, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino;
Red:(P) GSM, Lledoner Pelut.

Question 20

Where is Minervois located?

Answer 20

North of the Canal du Midi between Carcassone (west) and Narbonne (east).

Question 21

What are the soils of Minervois?

Answer 21

Clay and Limestone with pockets of sandstone.

Question 22

What is the red blend in Minervois?

Answer 22

Syrah-based with high proportion of Grenache and Mourvedre.

Question 23

What are the blend rules for white wine in Minervois?

Answer 23

Must be at least 80% of primary varieties.

Question 24

What is production in Minervois AOC?

Answer 24

Vast majority is red.

Question 25

When was Minervois-La Liviniere AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

Answer 25

Awarded in 1999 for red only.
Red: (P) GSM Lledoner Pelut

Question 26

Where is La Liviniere located?

Answer 26

In the Minervois AOC in the foothills of the Montagne Noire.

Question 27

What are the soils of La Liviniere?

Answer 27

Schist.

Question 28

What are the blend in La Liviniere wines?

Answer 28

GSM with Syrah taking the lead role.