Languedoc-Rousillon

Question 1

Comparatively, to the rest of France, how large is Languedoc-Rousillon?

Answer 1

The largest region in France, larger than Bordeaux.

It produces 16 million hectoliters of France’s wine, nearly 1/3 of the total output

Question 2

Where is Fitou AOP located?

It’s divided into which two regions?

Answer 2

The Western side of Languedoc.
It is divided into Fitou Maritime and Fitou Montangeux
The wines are generally red blends based on Carignan

Question 3

Where is Corbières AOP located and what is a significant sub zone of Corbières AOP?

Answer 3

Corbières AOP encapsulates Fitou AOP on the Western side of the Languedoc.
A notable sub zone, Corbières-Boutenac AOP, is known for Carignan reds

Question 4

What type of wines do Cabardès AOP and Malepère AOP produce?

Answer 4

Reds and roses only
Cabardes AOP: Produces from Grenache, Syrah, and the major Bordeaux red varietals
Malepere AOP: Produces from min 50% merlot for red wines and min 50% cab Franc for rose wines

Question 5

What type of wine is Blanquette de Limoux?
Where is it produced?
From which grape?

Answer 5

Traditional method sparkling wine
Limoux AOP
Minimum 90% of the local Mauzac grape must be used
Crémant de Limoux AOP is a sleeker, more modern version of Blanquette de Limoux, stipulates a maximum 20% Mauzac and Pinot Noir in favor of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc
Tiny quantities of Limoux méthode ancestrale are made solely from Mauzac

Question 6

The Languedoc AOP encompasses how large of a region?

Answer 6

The entirety of Languedoc-Rousillon

Question 7

Name 2 still wine AOPs within Languedoc AOP

Answer 7

Terrasses du Larzac AOP (2014) and La Clape AOP (2015)

Question 8

Name 2 fortified wine appellations within Languedoc

Answer 8

Muscat de Mireval AOP
Muscat de Lunel AOP
Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois AOP Muscat de Frontignan AOP

Question 9

What is Rousillon most important for?

Answer 9

Vin doux naturel

90% of France’s production of vin doux naturel comes from Rousillon

Question 10

What styles of fortified wine does Rivesaltes AOP produce?

Answer 10

Rivesaltes AOP produces a large majority of Rousillon wine.
It produces 4 styles: ambré, grenat, tuilé, and rosé (amber, red, tawny, and pink)

The ambré and tuilé styles are aged in an oxidative environment until at least March 1 of the third year following the harvest.

Grenat wines are aged reductively for one year, and must be bottled before June 30 of the second year

Question 11

Name two different aging methods used in Rousillon vin doux naturel prodcution

Answer 11

Aging in bonbonnes (glass) under the relentless Rousillon sun
Aging in Solera

Question 12

Rivesaltes AOP wines labeled hors d’age indicate the wine has been aged for how long?

Answer 12

5 years minimum, in practice, the wine may receive up to 20 years of aging

Question 13

What is the sole grape of grenat wines?

Answer 13

Grenache noir

Question 14

In Rivesaltes AOP blending is allowed and common. What grapes are included in the Mediterranean encépagement?

Answer 14

Grenache (Noir, Gris, and Blanc), Maccabéo, Tourbat, Muscat of Alexandria, and Muscat à Petits Grains

Question 15

In Muscat de Rivesaltes AOP which two white varietals are allowed?

Answer 15

Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat à Petits Grains

Question 16

Who is Arnaud de Villeneuve?

Answer 16

A 13th century physician from Rivesaltes who introduced the process of mutage as a means of medicinal elixir-brewing.
Rivesaltes is the birth place of vin doux naturel

Question 17

Maury AOP authorizes vin doux naturel in a similar range of styles to Rivesaltes AOP. What are the principal grapes in Maury AOP?

Answer 17

Grenache blanc, gris and noir

Question 18

Where is Banyuls AOC located? What is known for?

Answer 18

It’s the southern most wine appellation in Southern France. It’s known as the most consistent quality VDN producer

For traditionel, 50% min grenache noir must be included in assemblage

Question 19

Banyuls Grand Cru AOP indicates what requirements were met?

Answer 19

75% of assemblage is grenache noir

30 months min in barrel

Question 20

What does rimage mean in VDN?

Answer 20

The wine has been vintage dated and generally was bottled within one year of production
In Banyuls rimage indicated vintage dated rouge wine (50% min grenache)

Question 21

If a VDN is labeled “blanc or “rimage” when will it be released?

Answer 21

It will not be released until May 1 of the year following harvest

Question 22

If a VDN is labeled “Ambré” or “Traditionnel”when will it be released?

Answer 22

It will not be released until March 1 of the third year following harvest

Question 23

What are the principal varieties in VDN blanc and ambre?

Answer 23

Grenache Blanc
Grenache Gris
Macabeu
Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon)

Question 24

What different styles of VDN can Banyuls AOP produce?

Answer 24

Vin Doux Naturel Blanc and Ambré
Vin Doux Naturel Rosé
Vin Doux Naturel "Rimage"
Vin Doux Naturel "Traditionnel" (Rouge)
Vin Doux Naturel "Hors d'Age"

Question 25

If a Banyul producer wants to release an unfortified still wine, what AOP do they release under?

Answer 25

Collioure AOP

Reds, whites and a high percentage of rose’s are released under this AOP