Languedoc/Roussillon and Provence Flashcards
Learn the geography, grape varieties, climate, soil, wine styles, and producers of Languedoc Roussillon, and Provence.
What is the climate of the majority of Southern France?
Warm Mediterranean
What is the greatest climatic challenge Southern France faces?
Drought
Low rainfall in this warm, dry climate of Southern France can lead to drought, although the area experiences less pressure from fungal disease.
The rosé wines of Provence are typically made using what method?
Direct Press
What are some of the major red/black grape varieties used in Provence?
- Mourvèdre (predominant thanks to the most important AOP in Provence, Bandol)
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Carignan
- Cinsault
What are some of the major white grape varieties used in southern France?
Which two are the most planted?
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viognier
- Muscat
- Grenache Blanc
- Picpoul
- Mauzac
- Maccabeu
- Rolle
- Clairette
What is the largest appellation in Provence?
Côtes de Provence AOP
The Côtes de Provence AOP is the largest appellation both in terms of production and geographic size.
What is the primary red/black grape of the Bandol AOP?
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre’s small berries and thick skins give Bandol AOP wines intense color and high tannins.
Mourvèdre is widely planted in Bandol because of the region’s south-facing slopes. This aspect gives the grapes enough warmth and sun exposure to fully ripen to produce dark, full-bodied red wines.
What is unique about the phylloxera crisis of the late 1800s in the Languedoc region?
Languedoc was the first region in France replanted with American rootstocks and thus was the first region to be rebuilt after the phylloxera crisis.
Picpoul de Pinet AOP:
- What is the grape?
- Quickly describe it.
- Grape: Piquepoul
- Piquepoul makes wines naturally high in acidity with citrus notes and green fruit flavors.
Minervois AOP is known for making what color wines based on what grape variety?
Red blends based on Syrah.
Which subregion of Minervois is considered to produce the best wines of the appellation?
La Livinière
The wines from this subregion are considered so good, Minervois-La Livinière has its own AOP.
Is Minervois on the coast or is it inland?
How does its location affect the wines made there?
Inland
Wines made in Minervois vary in quality due to how the AOP is situated: on slopes of the Massif Central, which means there is altitude variation, exposure differences, and soil composition differences.
Corbières AOP wines are mainly made from what grape variety?
Carignan
Which AOP of the Languedoc is the largest geographically?
Corbières AOP
See map on p.106
Corbières is subdivided into 11 subregions. Which is considered the best subregion?
Boutenac, which is its own AOP.
The inland vineyards of Corbières AOP are cooled by which wind?
Tramontane
Which quality level of wine is produced more in the Languedoc-Roussillon region than any other region in France?:
- PDO
- IGP
- Premier Cru
- Grand Cru
IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée)
The regional appellation of Pays d’Oc IGP covers all the départements which make up Languedoc-Roussillon and is a vital part of the economy in Southern France.
What factors are attributable to the success of the Pays d’Oc IGP?
- Warm, sunny climate - grapes always fully ripen
- Fewer regulations
- many different grapes planted
- wines labeled by grape
- winemakers can experiment with blends and styles
- affordable
What are the département(s) within Languedoc?
What are the département(s) within Roussillon?
Départements in Languedoc
- Aude
- Gard
- Hérault
Département in Roussillon
- Pyrénées-Orientales
What generic AOP covers the Languedoc and Roussillon wine regions?
Languedoc AOP
What are the 4 most widely used red/black grape varieties of the Languedoc AOP?
- Carignan
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Mourvèdre
Côtes du Roussillon and Côtes du Roussillon Villages are known for what style of wines?
What’s the geography like in these appellations?
Still, dry red wines.
Geography is rugged and hilly, and both produce flavorful, concentrated reds.
Côtes du Roussillon Villages generally produces better wines.
Where is Fitou AOP?
Describe the two distinct areas of Fitou.
Fitou is just north of Côtes du Roussillon Villages.
Area 1: warm coastal vineyards that make full-bodied reds.
Area 2: cooler inland vineyards with altitude that make lighter reds.
What is the name of the wind that has a major affect on the Roussillon winegrowing region?
The Tramontane, which is a strong, dry, cold wind from the north/northwest.
How does the Tramontane impact the Roussillon region?
The Tramontane wind significantly reduces the region’s humidity, lowering the risk of fungal infections and rot.
Does the Mistral affect Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, or both?
The Mistral affects Languedoc-Roussillon as it blows through the Rhône Valley down into these regions.
The Mistral does NOT affect Provence as Provence has prominent hills that protect the region.
What are the similarities and differences between the Mistral and the Tramontane?
In sum, the two winds are very similar but they are channelled differently.
Similarities
- both are strong, dry, cold winds
- both reduce fungal disease pressure
- both flow out towards the Mediterranean
Differences
- Mistral flows through the Rhône Valley between the Alps and the Massif Central;
- Tramontane is funneled between a gap in the Pyrénées and the Massif Central.
What are some of the modern winemaking techniques that have generally improved the wines coming out of the South of France?
- Cellar hygiene
- Temperature control
- Modern equipment
- Semi-carbonic maceration, esp. for Carignan
- Prudent use of new and old oak
Name the international varieties planted and used in the production of Pays d’Oc IGP wines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
IGP wines can be varietally labeled, which makes them recognizable across many markets.
