Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence copied to L4.3 WoW Flashcards
Corbieres must be more than one variety
Carignan, Syrah, Grenache or Mourvedre
Minimum time Corbieres can go on the market?
One month after harvest
Carignan
A key red varietial of Languedoc: - late ripener - but ripens in the warmer parts of Languedoc - yields need to be controlled in order to get quality - can have high acidity and high tannin levels - tannin levels can be attenuated with some carbonic maceration - wine are deeply coloured Fitou, Corbieres, Minervois - a principal variety Declining in importance
Languedoc and Roussillon- History and trade
Rail development helped to open up the area, supplying basic table wine with North African wine blended in the port towns before being sold. Algerian independence and joining the EU market led to an economy collapse. Poor quality vineyards removed and planted with orchards. High yielding varieties removed and some re-planted with grapes of international appeal. Arrival of Vin de Pays legislation in the 1970’s allowed for experimentation with grape varieties and attracted trained winemakers and viticulturists from new world countries to the region. Investment continues today with 1000 estates, 285 co-operatives and 22 large negoctiants.
Climate- Languedoc and Roussillon
Mediterranean, early springs, hot dry summers, long autumns and rainy winters. The Mistral and Tramontane winds can still have an affect here, cooling what would otherwise be stifling summer heat.
Soil- Languedoc and Roussillon
Range of soil types: rich in river valleys, alluvial sand in the Rhone delta, clay and gravel in the plains. Limestone is a common factor throughout all soil types.
Grape Varieties- Languedoc and Roussillon
Similar varieties to the Rhone Valley. Carignan also grown, producing robust fruity wines when grown with lower yields. Vin de Pays have opened up the grape varieties grown. Now vast plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.
Languedoc
220,000 Ha. of vineyard, with 70% of the production going to IGP wines. Carignan, followed by Syrah and Grenache Noir are the biggest varietals grown. Cooperatives supply 2/3rd of the wine production.
Fitou AC and Corbieres AC
Fitou AOC - first AOC in Languedoc, two sub regions, Fitou Maritime, Fitou de haute Corbieres. Carignan 10-40%, GSM>20% Corbieres AOC - 10,000 Ha, largest AOC in Languedoc, Carignan + GSM > 40% are the principal varietals 90% is red production, with 50hL/Ha max, and has Corbieres-Boutenac sub appellation: no Syrah, limestone base soil, highly regarded
Languedoc ACs
Spicy, full bodied reds, blends with Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Superior areas within the AC, producing powerful wines are La Clape, Montpeyroux and Pic Saint-Loup. Picpoul de Pinet is a white wine sub appellation, made entirely from the Piquepoul Blanc grape. Wines are high in acid with an aromatic lemon character. Local co-operatives dominates production.
Minervois AC
Minervois AOC in 1985 GSM + Carignan + Cinsaut > 50% of blend No variety more than 80% Minervois La Liviniere AOC a small high quality area with its own AC within Minervois. RED wine only partial or full carbonic maceration
Faugeres AC and Saint Chinian AC
Faugères AOC Majority red wine production plus some Rose • vineyards on the foothills of the Cévennes, 250-400mRL • Homogeneous soils of schist suited for best quality reds esp. Syrah • High percentage of Organic production • Winemaking rules o 33 hL/ha avg yield (Low) o Wine must be aged for a year before release • Key producers: Léon Barral, Mas l’Olivier • 90% of wines sold in France AOC Saint Chinian () –A large AOC • Located between Faugères & Minervois, north of Béziers with 2 zones: • South: lime clay soils with good water retention -> reds with body and tannins – but less concentration • North: arid, fast draining schist soils with some estates producing some wines of higher concentration • Contains two sub zones Saint-Chinian Roqueburn, Saint-Chinian Berlou • Winemaking rules • 50% minimum of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre • As per above – North area has two more quality focussed sub zones • Key producer: Clos Bagatelle
Roussillon
Single department: Pyrenees- Orientales. Driest region in France. Major area for fortified production.
Cotes du Roussillon AC
Whole plain between Pyrenees and the sea.
Cotes du Roussillon Villages AC
Superior appellation applied to vines planted in the River Agly Valley. Red production only, higher natural alcohol than Roussillon Ac. Minimum 2 varieties in blend Syrah and/or Mourvedre must be at least 25% of the planted varieties. Carignan is the main grape, must account for no more than 50% of the vineyard area. Cinsaut and Macabeu forbidden. Resulting wine is high in acidity, deep coloured and bitter. Carbonic Maceration can be used to extract softer tannins with round fruit. Prices are low.
Limoux AC
White and red appellation in this cool, high altitude, predominately sparkling region. Muzak, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay for whites and usually blended reds of Merlot, Carignan, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Pays d’Oc
Covers Languedoc-Roussillon, Yields are controlled to 100hL/ha for Rose and 90 hL/Ha for Red & White, but growers and producers have freedom of variety and style of wine. Vintage and variety to appear on the label. Considerable planting of varieties such as Merlot (21%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay.
Vin de Pays d’Oc
Covers all the Languedoc- Roussillon area. Broken down into smaller areas such as Vin de Pays Cotes Catalans. Wine must pass a strict tasting panel to qualify. Higher grade called Grand d’Oc with yield restricted to 42 hl/ha, wine must be aged and go through a more rigourous tasting than standard Vin de Pays. Recent introduction of a new three tier quality scheme, called Seduction, Style and Collection, with Collection having to pass qualitative tasting tests. Popular as scope is broad for grape varieties and innovation, much international capital and skill invested. Large price range up to premium, often higher than local AC wine. Most important agricultural venture in the Midi, 255,000 ha in vineyard area.
Provence and Corsica- History
Ancient wine producing areas: records back to 600BC for Provence
Cotes de Provence AOC
Largest AOC in Provence. 90% of production is Rose, from Grenache Noir, Cinsaut and Tibouren at 55 hL/Ha. Rose has raspberry, red plums, herbal notes plus medium acidity, medium alcohol.
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AC
- Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC • Western side of Provence region • Roughly 4000 Ha. • Most vineyards at 400 metres • Makes similar Rose to Cotes de Provence • Max yield of 60 hL/Ha. • Counoise is an additional principal variety to Cinsaut, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Tibouren • Important influence of cooperatives but individual estates are rising such as château de Beaupré
Bandol AC
- Bandol AOC – 600ha (●●●) • South-facing terraces (restanques) inland from Bandol touristic port. • Mourvèdre is the leading variety • Reduction in vineyard area to just 600 Ha.! • Was producing more red wine than Rose which was unusual for Provence – but Rose production has recently increased in volume • Red wines o All reds must have min 18 months in cask o Hand picking only o Must be 50-95% Mourvèdre o Max. yields to 40 hL/Ha. o Quality is good to very good with outstanding examples o Prices mid-priced to super premium o Serious wines of Provence – tannic, full bodied and complex reds o Flavours of liquorice, tobacco, meaty, savoury with ageing potential
Vin de Pays des Bouches du Rhone and Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
Produce southern Rhone styles at lower prices.
Corsica
French ruled island, closer to Italy. Vineyards situated close to the coast, inland areas too mountainous.