Languedoc-Rousillon Flashcards
NAME 5 OF THE 9 MAJOR WINDS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND WHERE DO THEY BLOW? (9 in total)
Transmontano- Cold
Cers- Warm
Scirocco- Hot
- Tramontane–Blows North, comes from Pyrenees. (COLD)
- The Levante*- Blows East (This also effects Spain and Sherry Country)
- Scirocco*- Blows from the Southeast. (HOT)
- The Ostro*- Blows South
- The Ponente*- Blows West (This also effects Spain)
- The Mistral*- Blows Northwest (This is comes in from the Alps and blows through the Rhône really affecting the Southern Rhône.
- Marin- From Mediterranean (HUMID)
- Cers- West, blows bad weather to Sea (WARM)
- Autun- From SE, Bad Weather!
WHAT IS THE LARGEST AOP OF LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON?
LANGUEDOC AOP
WHAT IS THE MAIN GRAPE OF CORBIERES:
White
Rose
Red
W: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino
Red and Rosé: Grenache, Llandor Pelut, Mourvedre, Piquepol Noir and Syrah
In 2023, This AOP was elevated from IGP status to showcase gris (rosé) wines.
What is the grape?
Soil Types?
Body of water located near here?
Sable de Camargue AOP, gris (rosé) wines from Grenache.
This area has sandy soils, high winds, humidity, and proximity to saltwater marshes.
Vineyards are planted on sandy coastal soils between Arles & Agdes
WHAT RIVERS FLOW THROUGH THE CORBIÈRES?
The River Aude borders Corbières to the west and north.
To the south is the River Agly and to the east the the Mediterranean Sea.
WHERE SPECIFICALLY IS MINERVOIS LOCATED?
Located in Western Languedoc just north of Corbières.
NAME THE RAREST VDN PRODUCED IN FRANCE ?
Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois
Comes in 2 styles:
Vin Doux Natural Blanc
Vin Doux Natural Blanc “Muscat de Noel”
125 g/l min RS
252 g/l min Must Weight
15% ABV Actual/ 21.5%
30 hl/ha yields
WHAT IS VIN NOBLE DU MINERVOIS AND WHAT STYLE IS IT?
Vin Noble du Minervois is a sherry like style VDN that some producers are trying to bring back.
WHAT VILLAGE OF MINERVOIS HAS IT’S OWN AOP?
Minervois-La Livinière.
It is a red wine only AOP that comes from the Herault (Siran Commune) and Aude (Azille Commune) departments.
It is composed of at least 2 varieties with Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan composing at least 80% of the blend.
MIN 12.5% ABV
WHAT IS THE MAIN RED GRAPE FOR LIMOUX?
R: min 50% Merlot, plus Bordeaux varietals.
WHAT ARE THE STYLES LIMOUX CAN BE MADE IN?
Méthode Ancestrale
Blanquette de Limoux
White
Red
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX AND CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX?
The blanquette is made in a methode traditionelle and makes claim to be France’s oldest purposefully made sparkling wine.
Min 9.5% abv
Minimum 90% Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc.
CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX
Max 90% combo Chardonnay(50%) and Chenin Blanc (10-40%)
Made in a Blanc and Rosé style
Min 10% abv
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES AND PERCENTAGES OF BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX?
Minimum:
90% Mauzac
plus: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
NAME A PRODUCER OF BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX?
St. Hillare
Great producer. The monks from the Abbey St. Hilaire
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES AND PERCENTAGES OF CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX?
Can be made in a Blanc or Rose style.
Max 20% combo Mauzac and Pinot Noir
Max 90% combo Chardonnay(50%) and Chenin Blanc (10-40%)
WHAT STYLE IS CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX MADE IN?
Made in a Blanc and Rosé style
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES AND HOW IS BLANQUETTE METHODE ANCESTRALE MADE?
Mauzac
Produced by the méthode rurale.
These are sweet wines.
NAME 3 GEOGRAPHICAL DESIGNATIONS OF THE LANGUEDOC?
Which ones can make red and rose only?
What styles are made here in general?
RED and ROSE ONLY:
Cabrières: Red and Rose Only
Saint-Saturnin: Red and Rose Only
RED ONLY:
Grés de Montpellier
La Méjanelle
Montpeyroux
Pézenas
Quatourze
Saint-Christol
Saint-Drézéry
Saint-Georges-d’Orques
Sommières
WHAT ARE THE STYLES AND GRAPES OF PIC SAINT LOUP?
RED and ROSE ONLY:
Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre
Styles and Encépagement:
ROSE: Principal Varieties (must contain at least two):
- Syrah (min 30%), Grenache, Mourvèdre.
RED: Principal Varieties (must contain at least two):
- Syrah (min 50%), Grenache, Mourvèdre.
WHAT STYLE OF WINE IS CLAIRETTE DE LANGUEDOC?
Styles:
100% Clairette Vin de Liqueur
3 styles:
Natural
Fortified
Rancio (3yrs aged & MIN 17% abv)
WHAT ARE THE SUB-ZONES OF GRÈS DE MONTPELLIER?
4 Sub Zones: (North-South)
St.-Drézéry
St.-Christol
La Méjanelle
St.-Georges-d’Orques
WHAT ARE THE VDN ONLY AOP’S OF THE LANGUEDOC?
Muscat de St-Jean de Minervois
Muscat de Mireval
Muscat de Lunel
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES AND STYLE OF RIVESALTES?
Grenache Noir
Grenache Gris
Grenache Blanc
Minimum 50% Grenache Blanc or Gris for oxidative style or 75% Grenache Noir for reductive style.
WHAT ARE BONBONNES?
Bonbonnes are glass vessels used to age Rivesaltes the Rousillon sun.
WHAT IS THE GRAPE AND LOCATION OF BANYULS?
50% Grenache min. Located in the Roussillon Region of France.
WHAT IS THE MOST SOUTHERN AOP IN CONTINENTIAL FRANCE?
Banyuls
Banyuls Grand Cru
Collioure
WHAT DOES RIMAGE MEAN AND WHERE IS IT APPLIED?
“Rimage” is Catalan and refers to the vintage. Applied to Banyuls but used in Roussillon. In addition, it is bottled after 1 year.
WHAT ARE THE STYLES OF CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON LES ASPRES?
Côtes du Roussillon Villages “Les Aspres”:
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Located by the Les Alberes Mountains.
(no Carignan here)
Côtes du Roussillon Villages:
Caramany
Latour-de-France
Lesquerde
Tautavel
Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvedre
WHAT IS THE AOP FOR THE DRY WINE FROM BANYULS?
Collioure, These are dry unfortified wines of banyuls made in a white, rose and red style.
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES OF COLLIOURE?
White:
Grenache Blanc/Gris
Red & Rosé:
60% Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah
WHAT IS COLLIOURE?
Unfortified wines from Banyuls.
They are made in white/ rose and red styles.
WHAT IS MAURY AND THE STYLES MADE?
- Dry Rouge: Principal Variety: 60-80% Grenache
- Vin Doux Naturel Blanc and Ambré: (Blanc must include vintage)
Principal Varieties: Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon) - Vin Doux Naturel Grenat and Tuilé: (Rouge, Grenat must include vintage)
Principal Variety: Min. 75% Grenache - Vin Doux Naturel “Hors d’Age”
- Vin Doux Naturel “Rancio”
ABV:
Rouge: 12.5%
Vin Doux Naturel: 21.5% (15% acquired)
Minimum Must Weight:
Rouge: 216 g/l
Vin Doux Naturel: 252 g/l
Residual Sugar:
Rouge: Max. 3 g/l (4 g/l if potential alcohol is greater than 14%)
Vin Doux Naturel: Min. 45 g/l
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES AND STYLE OF MAURY?
Dry and fortified Red, Rosé, White and Tawny.
Dry Red:
60-80% Grenache
WHAT ARE THE STILL WINES OF MAURY FORMERLY SOLD AS?
Côtes du Roussillon
WHAT ARE THE STYLES AND THE GRAPES OF CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON?
Red and Rose:
Must be 90% blend of at least 3 grapes: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Llandoner Pelut, Macabeo, Syrah and Mourvedre.
White:
Grenache Gris and Blanc
NAME THE 3 COMMUNES THAT MAY APPLY THEIR NAME TO CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES? (TLLLC)
Tautavel
Latour-de-France
Lesquerde
Les Aspres
Caramany
WHAT IS THE MAIN GRAPE(S) OF GRAND ROUSILLON?
WHITE AND RED:
Muscat Blanc
Muscat d’Alexandrie
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Noir
Grenache Gris
WHAT IS THE STYLE OF GRAND ROUSILLON WINES?
Used for sweet fortified vin doux naturel. It is used mainly for declassified Rivesaltes.
WHAT STYLES OF WINE ARE MADE IN THE FOLLOWING REGIONS:
St. CHINAN
St. CHINAN ROQEBRUN
St. CHINAN BERLOU
St. CHINAN- White/Rose/Red
RED ONLY:
St. CHINAN ROQEBRUN- Red Only (Min 25% Syrah) + G.M.
St. CHINAN BERLOU- Red Only (Min 20% Syrah) + G.M.
WHAT ARE THE SUB-ZONES OF ST. CHINAN?
Roquebrun: Min. 25% Syrah and min. 20% Grenache (min. 70% combined Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre)
Berlou: Min. 60% combined Grenache (min. 20%), Syrah (min. 20%) and Mourvèdre
WHAT ARE THE MINIMAL GRAPES AND STYLES OF MALPERE?
Rose: Min 50% Cab Franc
Red: Min 50% Merlot
These are the only styles that they make.
WHAT ARE THE GRAPES AND STYLES OF CABARDES AOP?
Rose and Red only:
Min 40% combined Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot
Min 40% combined Grenache, Syrah
WHAT ARE THE RED AND ROSE ONLY AOP’S OF THE LANGUEDOC?
Cabardès
Malepère
Pic Saint-Loup
LANGUEDOC AOP EXTENDS FROM WHERE TO WHERE?
Formerly Coteaux du Languedoc AOC, this appellation encompasses all of Languedoc-Roussillon, extending from the Spanish border to the city of Nîmes.
WHAT ARE THE FORTIFIED WINE APPELLATIONS OF THE LANGUEDOC?
Languedoc contains a number of small fortified wine appellations, including:
- Muscat de Mireval AOP
- Muscat de Lunel AOP
- Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois AOP
- Muscat de Frontignan AOP
Muscat de Frontignan wines are the most common, and may be either vin doux naturel or vin de liqueur.
What is the only VDN & VDL AOP of the Languedoc?
MUSCAT DE FRONTIGNAN:
VDN or VDL. It is the only VDN & VDL AOP of the Languedoc.
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 21.5% (15% acquired)
Minimum Must Weight:
VDN: 252 g/l
VDL: 234 g/l
Minimum Residual Sugar:
VDN: 110 g/l
VDL: 185 g/l
WHAT IS FITOU AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
It is a Red wine only AOC that has been established since 1948.
One of the oldest appellations in France. It has 2 distinct non-contiguous sectors: Fitoux Maritime and Fitou Montagneux.
The wines are red blends consisting of min 50% combined: Carignan (min 20%), Grenache (min 20%) and min 10% combined Syrah and Mouvedre with 12% ABV.
Fitou lies within Corbieres AOP.
WHAT STYLES OF WINES ARE MADE IN CORBIERES?
Red, Rose and a small amount of White.
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL VARIETIES OF CORBIERES BLANC?
Min 40% of these principal varieties must be included:
Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Macabeu, Rousanne and Vermentino.
The assemblage must include a Min 2 varieties including 1 of the following: Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Macabeu, Rousanne and Vermentino.
MIN ABV 11.5%
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL VARIETIES OF CORBIERES ROSE?
Max 75% Cinsault and a max 50% combonied with Carignan. other principles include: Grenache, Llander Pelut, Mouvedre and Piquepoul Noir and Syrah
No single variety may exceed 80% of the blend. Min 40% prinicple variety must be in the belnd.
MIN ABV 11.5%
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL VARIETIES OF CORBIERES ROUGE?
Grenache, Lladoner Pelut, Mouvedre, Syrah and Carignan.
MIN ABV 12%
WHAT IS THE GRAPE AND STYLE OF CORBIERES BOUTENAC?
Red Only
Min 70% combined Grenache, Mouvedre, Carignan. These wines are Carignan based.
No variety may exceed 80% of the blend.
WHAT ARE THE AOP’S OF THE LANGUEDOC?
Languedoc AOP
Clairette du Languedoc AOP
Cabardès AOP
Corbières AOP
Corbières-Boutenac AOP
Faugères AOP
Fitou AOP
Limoux AOP
Crémant de Limoux AOP
Malepère AOP
Minervois AOP
Minervois-La Livinière AOP
Picpoul de Pinet AOP
Saint-Chinian AOP
Terrasses du Larzac AOP
VDN’S/VDL’S:
Muscat de Frontignan/Frontignan/Vin de Frontignan AOP (VDN/VDL)
Muscat de Lunel AOP
Muscat de Mireval AOP
Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois AOP
WHAT AOPS OF THE LANGUEDOC CAN MAKE VDN’S IN BLANC AND NOEL STYLES?
Muscat du Lunel
Muscat St. Jean de Minervois
WHAT ARE THE RED ONLY AOP’S OF THE LANGUEDOC?
(4 in total)
Fitou
Minervois-La Livinière
Terrasses du Larzac
Corbières-Boutenac
WHAT IS THE AGING FOR THE FOLLOWING VDN WINES FROM MAURY:
- VDN BLANC AND GRENAT (May)
- VDN AMBRE AND TUILE (March)
- VDN HORS D’AGE (Sept)
- Vin Doux Naturel Blanc and Grénat: Wines must be bottled no later than June 30 of the second year following the harvest, and may not be released until at least May 1 of the year following the harvest
- Vin Doux Naturel Ambré and Tuilé: Wines are aged in glass or other sealed containers, and may not be released until March 1 of the third year following the harvest
- Vin Doux Naturel “Hors d’Age”: Wines are aged in glass or other sealed containers, and may not be released until September 1 of the fifth year following the harvest
WHICH AOP’S IN LANGUEDOC CAN MAKE MUSCAT DU NOEL?
Muscat de Lunel
Muscat-de-Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
WHAT IS THE MIN ABV, MUST WEIGHT AND ELEVAGE OF BANYULS?
ABV/MUST WEIGHT:
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 21.5% (15% acquired)
Minimum Must Weight: 252 g/l
ELEVAGE:
“Blanc” and “Rimage”: Wines may not be released until May 1 of the year following the harvest
“Ambré” and “Traditionnel”: Wines may not be released until March 1 of the third year following the harvest
“Hors d’Age”: Wines may not be released until September 1 of the fifth year following the harvest
WHAT IS THE MAIN GRAPES AND ELEVAGE OF BANYULS GRAND CRU?
ABV/MUST WEIGHT:
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 21.5% (15% acquired)
Minimum Must Weight: 252 g/l
GRAPES: Min. 75% Grenache, plus Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
ELEVAGE:
Banyuls Grand Cru: Min. 30 months in barrel, not to be released until June 1 of the third year following the harvest
Banyuls Grand Cru “Hors d’Age”: Wines may not be released until September 1 of the fifth year following the harvest
WHAT ARE THE SPARKLING AOP’S OF THE LANGUEDOC?
Cremant de Limoux
Limoux- Blanquette & Method Ancestral
WHAT IS THE NEWEST AOP IN THE LANGUEDOC ROUSILLON AOP?
2014: Terraces d’Larzac (Red Only)
2015: La Clape (Red/White)
2023: Sable de Camargue (rosé only)
Which AOP’s in the Languedoc produce red and rosé wines only.
Cabardès AOP:
Min. 40% combined Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
PLUS
Min. 40% combined Grenache and Syrah
Malepère AOP:
50% Merlot | 50% Cab Franc
This AOP has Berlou, Roquebrun as a subzone.
What styles are made there?
Saint-Chinian AOP
(both are for rouge wines only)
What AOP South of Malepère and Cabardès is the Limoux AOP.
Limoux AOP
What 2 Languedoc AOP’s have red wines that are Merlot-based.
Malepère and Limoux
Languedoc AOP covers the production of red, rosé, and white wines and encompasses how many geographic designations?
11
Name two former geographic designation of Languedoc AOP, that received independent AOP status and when?
2014: Terrasses du Larzac
2015: La Clape
Which Languedoc AOP for fortified wine is the most common?
Muscat de Frontignan wines are most common and may be either vin doux naturel or vin de liqueur.
Roussillon, extending northward from the Spanish border, is known for what style of wine?
Singularly important for vin doux naturel.
Over 90% of France’s fortified wines are made in the region. A majority of this wine is Rivesaltes AOP.
What is Rivesaltes, meaning in Catalan
“high riverbanks”
Rivesaltes produces fortified ambré, grenat, tuilé, and rosé—that is, amber, red, tawny, and pink.
Other than the grenaches, please list 3 other grapes used for Rivesaltes?
4 in Total:
Maccabéo
Tourbat
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat à Petits Grains.
When the wine is produced solely from the two Muscat varieties in Rivesaltes AOP, how can it be labeled?
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOP
What region in France is the birthplace of vin doux naturel, who created it and in what century?
Rivesaltes was the birthplace of vin doux naturel—here, Arnaud de Villeneuve, a 13th-century physician
What AOP uses the word “rimage” and what does it mean?
Banyuls
This is a vintage-dated VDN, and is generally bottled within one year.
What styles of wine are made in the following AOP’s:
Côtes du Roussillon AOP
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOP
Côtes du Roussillon AOP, a regional appellation for red, white, and a high percentage of rosé wines.
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOP is reserved for the red wines of more than 50 communes in the north of the Côtes du Roussillon.
What communes may add their names to the appellation, Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOP
Five communes may add their names to the appellation:
Latour-de-France
Caramany
Les Aspres
Lesquerde
Tautavel
What is the overarching classification for the entire Languedoc-Roussillon region?
Pays d’Oc IGP
Covers the overarching classification for the entire Languedoc-Roussillon region.
What styles are made in Sable de Camargue?
Grape(s) and min%
Styles:
Gris
Gris de Gris
Encépagement:(Principal Varieties):min 70%
Gris:
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carignan
Cinsaut
Grenache Noir
Grenache Gris
Merlot
*Gris de Gris: *
100% Grenache Gris
What are the départements of the Languedoc?
Départements:
Aude
Gard
Hérault
Pyrénées-Orientales
What are the compulsory law for Limoux AOP Blanc?
Blanc: (still whites must be fermented in oak)
- Mauzac
- Chenin Blanc
- Chardonnay
Blanc: 12%
What are the départements of production for:
- Collioure
- Banyuls
- Banyuls Grand Cru
Banyuls-sur-Mer
Collioure
Cerbère
Port-Vendres
