Languedoc - reduced Flashcards
Where is the Languedoc situated?
In the south of France mainly on a low lying alluvial plain, though some producers are starting to plant on hillsides with hopes of improving quality.
What varieties are grown in the Languedoc?
A wide range:
- indigenous varieties (e.g. Piquepoul),
- Rhône varieties and
For IGP Pays d’Oc wine, in addition to above,
- international varieties.
Are IGP wines widely produced across the Languedoc?
Yes, especially wines from single varietals.
What is the history of winemaking in the Languedoc?
The area was a Greek and Roman colony during the Classical Age. It was also the site of a number of medieval monasteries.
The Canal du Midi, which connects the area to Bordeaux, allowed wines to be transported efficiently to Paris, driving economic development.
Are cooperatives important to wine production in the Languedoc region?
Yes. They account for 70% of wine production today, but in the 1950s they accounted for 90%
What happened to make Languedoc the largest source for everyday wine in France?
After 1973 France no longer sourced wines from Algeria. Languedoc and Roussillon filled the gap.
How much vineyard area is there in Languedoc today compared to 1968?
Less than half. The area was over planted and then culled when demand was insufficient to supply
What is the focus on winemaking styles in Languedoc?
Inexpensive wine remains prominent though there is more of a focus on higher quality, small production wines
What is the climate in Languedoc? How much rainfall does it receive?
Mediterranean with very warm summers and high sunshine hours
Less than 600mm rainfall per year
What climatic factors benefit the cultivation of grapes for winemaking in the Languedoc?
Warm summers High sunshine Low rainfall (600mm per year) Low ambient moisture The drying Tramontane wind that blows 200 days a year
What effect does the low moisture and Tramontane wind have on viticulture in the Languedoc?
It reduces disease pressure, and thus the need for spraying. Costs are reduced and growers can apply organic and biodynamic methods more easily.
How much of France’s organic wine production is located in the Languedoc and Roussillon?
One third
What can happen to yields in the Languedoc in dry years?
Yields can be reduced significantly in areas without irrigation installed
What are the most GROWN (cultivated) varieties in the Languedoc?
Carignan Syrah Grenache Noir Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsault
Is Carignan typically harvested by hand or machine in the Languedoc? Why?
By hand.
Machine harvesting Carignan is difficult as he bunches are strongly attached to the vine
Are plantings of Carignan in decline or rising?
In decline due to the EU vine pull scheme which is replacing it with other varieties
What winemaking techniques might be used in the Languedoc to soften the tannins in Carignan wine?
Carbonic maceration
Blending
What is the typical maturation process for Carignan wines?
They are typically unoaked unless the grapes come from old vines
What was the historic vine training method used in Languedoc? Is this changing?
Bush training was historically used and it remains today as it provides shade to the grape bunches. Some trellises are being installed to permit mechanized work as bush vines can only be worked by hand.
What factors are leading to the increase in trellised vines in the Languedoc?
A lack of available manual labor
Improvement in machine harvesting quality
True or False
Machine harvesting is used for the production of both AOC and IGP wines
True, where topography allows
How is fermentation carried out for inexpensive wines in the Languedoc?
In large concrete or stainless steel tanks with cultured yeasts to ensure a consistent, complete, and rapid fermentation.
Red wines are crushed and fermented on the skins for 5-7 days and mid-range temperatures
How are inexpensive red wines from Languedoc matured?
The wines are generally stored for a couple of months in stainless steel or concrete.
When is carbonic maceration used in Languedoc?
To reduce the impact of tannins in tannic varieties while producing a fruity style of wine.
What winemaking methods are used in the production of high quality, small production wines of the Languedoc that are not used in inexpensive wines from the same region?
Sorting tables
Warm fermentation temperatures
Ambient yeast
Maturation in barriques
Are Languedoc wines intended for bottle aging?
Wines that are produced with more control and intent, and from better terroir, can age in the bottle for years
What percentage of Languedoc winemaking is IGP?
70%
What are the maximum yields permitted in Languedoc IGP?
90 hl/ha for white and red wines
100 hl/ha for rosé
How many varieties are approved for use in Languedoc IGP?
58
What allows Languedoc wines to hit an inexpensive price band?
The higher yields allow for more production per hectare, which lowers costs
How has the production of IGP wines affected the Languedoc?
These wines are the root of the region’s success, especially varietally labelled wines
What are the three forms if IGP permitted in France? Can they overlap?
Regional (IGP Pays d’Oc)
Departmental (IGP Gard)
Smaller units named after geographical/historical features (IGP Côtes de Thongue)
What is IGP Pays d’Oc?
The name for the regional IGP that encompasses the Languedoc-Roussillon area
Is IGP Pays d’Oc the largest wine producing region in France?
Yes. Depending on the vintage it can produce 10-15% of French wine
What percentages of production in IGP Pays d’Oc are white, rosé, and red?
25% white
Just under 25% rosé
Just over 50% red
What is the general character of IGP Pays d’Oc wines, whether they are white, rosé, or red? What is the general quality and pricing?
Fresh, fruity expressions of the varieties they are made of with little to no oak
Good to very good with inexpensive to mid-pricing
Which four varieties are primarily used for varietal winemaking in IGP Pays d’Oc? What percentage of production do they comprise?
Merlot (21%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (14%)
Chardonnay (12%)
Syrah (11%)
How much of IGP Pays d’Oc production is sold in France? In which retail sectors?
Half of sales are domestic.
The majority are sold in supermarkets but hospitality is also important
What are the top three export markets for IGP Pays d’Oc wines?
Germany
Netherlands
Belgium
Excluding the Languedoc appellations devoted to white wine, what percentage does red wine production typically comprise in each Languedoc AOC?
90%
What is the general rule for all named Languedoc AOCs regarding the use of grape varieties in red wines?
Each AOC rule requires at least two varieties be used in the wines. Some appellations have a minimum and/or maximum for varieties, or a general limit.
All Languedoc AOC red wines are blends.
True or False
All of the named Languedoc red wine AOCs require the use of Grenache Noir
False. Cabardès AOC and Malepère AOC do not
Which three grape varieties are generally required in red Languedoc named AOC wines?
Grenache Noir (with two exceptions)
Syrah (mostly)
Mourvèdre (mostly)
In which two Languedoc named AOCs is Carignan a principal grape variety?
Corbières AOC
Fitou AOC
True or False
Languedoc AOC subzones typically have the same varietal composition as the larger zone.
False. Languedoc appellations have their own rules
Do appellation rules in the Languedoc control the percentages to which a vineyard is planted with specific grape varieties?
Yes, though these percentages do not necessarily equal the balance of varieties in the wine (e.g. 50% planted, 40% maximum)
In Languedoc appellations vineyards might be planted with more grapes than can be used in the final AOC wine. What happens to those grapes?
They might be used to make rosé, IGP, or Vins de France wines
What is the typical maximum yield for Languedoc appellations?
Reds: 45-50 hl/ha, though some appellations and sub-appellations have stricter yields of 40 hl/ha
Whites (e.g. Picpoul de Pinet): 55 hl/ha
What is the average yield that is typically achieved in Languedoc appellations?
35 hl/ha
What are the principle varieties of Languedoc AOC? How much of these must be used in the wine?
Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are principal grapes.
Must be a blend: 1 principal minimum + 1 other grape min
A real blend: No grape > 80%
A GSM blend: Principals must add up to 40%
A GSM dominant blend: No other grape can be > 30%
(I got a man. What’s your man got to do with me?)
How can the wines of the Languedoc be classified in terms of style, quality, and price?
Regional appellation (Languedoc AOC) Named appellations (Corbières AOC) Sub-appellations (Corbières-Boutenac AOC)
What is the typical character of Languedoc AOC wines?
Medium acid Medium tannins Medium alcohol Medium body Medium intensity simple blackberry and red plum
What is the general quality and pricing of Languedoc AOC wines?
Acceptable to good
Inexpensive to mid-priced
What is the typical character of wines from named Languedoc appellations?
Medium to medium (+) acidity Medium tannins Medium to high alcohol Medium (+) to full body Medium (+) intensity blackberry, red plum, and herbal (lavender, rosemary) notes. A minority are oaked.
What is the typical quality and pricing of named Languedoc appellation wines?
Good to very good with some outstanding
Inexpensive to premium
What is the typical character of wine from Languedoc sub-appellations?
Medium (+) tannins
Medium (+) to pronounced intensity aromas
What is the typical quality and pricing of Languedoc sub-appellation wines?
Very good with some outstanding
The majority are mid-priced with some premium examples
Describe the situation of Corbières AOC.
A hilly appellation in the Tauch and D’Alaric mountain ranges with vineyards at up to 450 meters in altitude
How large is Corbières AOC? How does this compare to other French appellations?
10,000 hectares, making it the fourth largest in France
What effect do the mountains have on grapes grown in Corbières AOC?
The Tauch and D’Alaric ranges provide a cooling effect on the grapes, maintaining acidity
How much of Corbières AOC production is red wine?
90%
What are the principle grapes of Corbières AOC?
What is the minimum required in the wine?
How much of other varieties can be used?
Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
At least 40% of any must comprise the final wine.
Other permitted varieties (including Cinsaut) cannot exceed 20%
What amount of Corbieres AOC production is consumed domestically and what are its principal distribution vectors? What are its primary export markets?
70% domestic mostly through supermarkets
China, Germany, and Belgium are the major export markets
What white grapes are used in the Languedoc AOCs (including named AOCs) to produce white wine?
Bourboulenc Grenache Blanc Marsanne Roussane Rolle (Vermentino) and also Piquepoul in Picpoul de Pinet
What is Piquepoul? What is Picpoul?
Piquepoul is the name of a grape variety
Picpoul is the name of a region that grows Piquepoul
Where is Picpoul de Pinet located? What type of climate does it have?
A low-lying coastal area southwest of Montpellier.
It has a warm climate.
What has been the trend in demand for Picpoul de Pinet AOC wines? Why?
There has been rapid growth both from tourist demand and export markets after improvements in winemaking quality developed fruitier wines
What is the maximum yield permitted in Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
55 hl/ha
What are the primary markets for Picpoul de Pinet AOC wines?
Export (65%) to the UK (60% of all exports), USA, and Netherlands
Tourists who consume the bulk of domestic sales
What percentage of production in Picpoul de Pinet AOC is comprised of cooperatives?
90%
What is the primary difference in varietal cultivation between the Atlantic influenced appellations of the Languedoc and the other appellations?
Bordeaux varieties are cultivated in greater volume
How much of the wine production in Languedoc comes from AOC level?
15%
70% of wine is IGP level and the region is dominated by less expensive categories
What has been the trend in rosé production in Languedoc from 2010-2017?
It has increased 35% due to demand
What has been the trend in exports from Langeudoc appellations from 2010 to 2016?
It has increased 15%
What has been the main development of winemaking in the Languedoc in the 21st century? What created this trend?
A focus on mid-range wines despite the extremes of inexpensive and premium priced wine production.
Smaller, more ambitious projects by winemakers who have left cooperatives or investors have started this trend
What factors attract investors and small private winemakers to the Languedoc?
A healthy stock of old vines
Varied landscape and reasonable land prices
What is the promotional body for Languedoc wines?
Sud de France, which also covers food and tourism and organizes the ViniSud wine fair and promotions
What is Corbieres-Boutenac AOC?
Where is it?
A sub-zone or sub-appellation of Corbieres AOC - a Languedoc “cru” in the D’Alaric mountains.
How are the rules different for Corbieres Boutenac AOC vs. Corbieres?
The principal grapes do NOT include Syrah (although it is an “other” grape).
Min 70% of Carignan, Grenache, Mourvedre
Wines are more concentrated.
