Languedoc-Rousillon Flashcards
What is mutage?
The fortification of wine
Who discovered sparkling wine?
Monks of Saint-Hilaire
Who founded Massalia and when?
Marseille, Phocaeans 600 BC
When did the Romans arrive to France?
125 BC
What is Via Domitia?
Road built by Romans to transport goods around their empire
Who discovered the process of mutage?
Arnaud de Villeneuve, physician/alchemist in Montepellier
When was sparkling discovered?
1531 (150 years before Dom Perignon)
Where was the first sparkling wine made?
Limoux
When did the first part of Canal du Midi open?
1681, from port of Sète to Garonne River in Toulouse
What year was the 2nd part of Canal du Midi built?
1838-1856, from Toulouse to just south of Bdx city
When did the railway connect Paris, Lyon, Marseille?
1855
When did Phylloxera come to Languedoc?
1863, first region to replant. France’s #1 supplier of wine by 1900
When did coops develop in Languedoc?
1930s (1st in 1905)
How many co-ops bottle what % of production in Languedoc?
150 co-ops bottle 65% of production
When did Blanquette de Limoux receive AOC status?
1938
When was Vin de Pays category created and finalized?
Created in 1968, finalized in 1979
When was Vin de Pays replaced by the IGP category?
2009
How many IGPs are in France?
150+
What IGP is responsible for 67% of France’s IGP production?
IGP Pays d’Oc (fruit can come from anywhere in Languedoc-Roussillon)
When did Languedoc and Roussillon join administratively?
1972
When did L-R growing areas being applying for AOC status?
1980s, 10 AOCs awarded in 1982
How many AOCs today in L-R?
Approximately 50
T/F IGP wines dominate production?
T
AOC wines are what % of production in LR?
19%
IGP Wines are what % of production in LR?
68%
What are the 4 departments of Languedoc from N to S?
Lozère, Gard, Hérault, Aude
Soils of LR are a mix of what?
Very ancient, and very new materials
Languedoc soils on mountain slopes?
stony shale and marly limestone
What type of soil is garrigue?
Nutrient poor limestone, that can only support resinous herbs
Languedoc soils on lowland plains and foothills?
Younger sedimentary and alluvial soils
What other soil pockets will you find in Languedoc?
Granite, gneiss, schist
What type of wines are produced from alluvial soils in Languedoc?
Fruity wines, often white and rosé
Granite, gneiss, marl, clay, and schist produce what style of wines in Languedoc?
Powerful, spicy wines for aging, often red
Garrigue soils produce what style of wine in Languedoc?
High acid white/red, reds with polished tannin
Languedoc has what geographical zones?
Coastal Plains, Hillsides and Mountains, Atlantic Corridor
Characteristics of Coastal Plains?
Flat, low lying, fertile, highest yielding, often entry-level IGP wines
Coastal plains lie between what cities?
Narbonne to Montpellier
Characteristics of Atlantic Corridor?
Western, Atlantic and Mediterranean forces meet, white/sparkling wines, BDX and Rhone grapes
Characteristics of Mountains and Hillsides?
Up to 1,320 ft, block rain and clouds, consistently sunny climate, traps heat
Languedoc 2 seasons?
Mild winters, hot dry summers
What wind blows from the N and W?
Tramontane
Sunshine hours in Languedoc?
2,350 hours per year
Rainfall Languedoc?
27 inches per year (often from violent storms)
What Langd. AOCs still use Carignan as the backbone of the blend?
Faugères, St. Chinian, Fitou, Minervois, Corbières
How many grape varieties are approved for Languedoc IGP wines?
56
Non varietally labeled wines require what min percentage of primary grapes in Langd.?
50%
T/F Any of the 56 IGP grapes may be varietally labeled in Langd.
F. Only primary grapes
What min % varietally labeled grape must be in the bottle?
85%
T/F If whites grapes are incorporated into rose/red, they must be co-fermented?
T
What % of white grapes may be allowed in rose/red blends?
Max 20%
Vins Sans IG was formerly known as what?
Vin de Table
What are the 3 categories of Lang. wines?
AOC, IGP, Vins Sans IG
What Lang. departments have their own IGPs?
IGP Aude, IGP Hérault, IGP Gard
What is Lang. largest AOC in acreage and volume?
Languedoc AOC
Languedoc AOC wines must include a min of how many grapes?
2
Bulk of production for Languedoc AOC?
Red (79%)
How many districts can append their name to Lang. AOC?
12
What are the 2 non-fortified AOCs on Lang. Coastal Plain?
Picpoul de Pinet, La Clape
Year Picpoul de Pinet became AOC?
2013
Soils of Picpoul de Pinet?
Limestone
Is Picpoul de Pinet more co op or grower produced?
Co op, 80%
T/F La Clape is a Cru of Lang.
T
Required grape min % in La Clape?
Reds, Min 70% GR, Sy, MV, white min 40% Bourboulenc