Languedoc Roussillon et Provence Flashcards
highlights
The vineyards of southern France lie along the Mediterranean coast
from Italy in the east to the Spanish border in the west. They are split into three broad areas:
- Languedoc and Roussillon to the west of the Rhone,
- Provence to the east.
The prevalence of the local IGP, Pays d’Oc, for the wines of Languedoc and Roussillon, alongside a number of more traditional appellations means that a great diversity of wine styles can be found.
What is the climate of the majority of Southern France?
Warm Mediterranean
with summer temperatures often in excess of 30°C, mild
winters and low rainfall levels especially during the growing season. Consequently, in most years this area can offer ideal conditions for growing grapes.
What is the greatest climatic challenge Southern France faces?
Drought
However, the region can occasionally experience summer floods.
Low rainfall in this warm, dry climate of Southern France can lead to drought, although the area experiences less pressure from fungal disease.
Is the climate uniform?
Vineyards planted inland in the foothills of the MOUNTAINS that surround this region are noticeably COOLER than those on the coastal plain and often have less fertile, well-drained soils that are better suited to quality viticulture.
STRONG WINDS can also have a significant impact on the climate.
- Cool dry winds blow from the north, cooling the eastern and western ends of the region.
- The mistral blows down the Rhone valley
- the tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.
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.
What are the main red grapes used in Languedoc Roussillon?
GRENACHE is well suited to the warm, dry summer climate.
SYRAH tends to perform betterin the cooler sites with more finesse and lighter tannins.
CARIGNAN is also widely grown. This grape is naturally high in tannin, acidity and colour but can lack fruit or finesse, although old vine Carignan on poor soil can produce quality wines. Its popularity in the
past was due to its ability to produce enormous yields but plantings have been reduced significantly. Nevertheless, it is still so
widely planted it is permitted by all AC regulations.
Smaller plantings of CINSAULT used in rosé production or to add red fruit flavours to red blends.
MOURVEDRE in the warmest sites for blends (richness, colour and complexity).
Used for IGP wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are some of the modern winemaking techniques that have generally improved the wines coming out of the South of France?
Investment in modern equipment, improved cellar
hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management and
the judicious use of new and old oak.
Semi-carbonic maceration is practised by some producers as it can play an important role in softening the tannins in Carignan.
What are the main white grapes used in Languedoc Roussillon?
Grape varieties that were not traditionally grown now dominate the plantings of white varieties: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for IGP wines.
Some Viognier.
The most widely planted local varieties are Muscat and Grenache Blanc.
- MUSCAT for sweet fortified wines, but also for dry wines with aromatic grapey aromas.
- GRENACHE BLANC makes dry wines that have a soft peachy fruitiness, full body and low acidity, but tend to oxidise easily. It is often blended with other local or Rhone varieties. There are a number of local varieties that are grown throughout the region such as PICPOUL in Pinet, MAUZAC in Limoux, MACCABEU in Roussillon, ROLLE in Provence and CLAIRETTE in Languedoc and Provence that are prized in their specific locales. Picpoul is perhaps best known, producing wines with refreshing high acidity and green fruit and citrus flavours
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
More IGP wines are made in this area than in any other
region of France, and they are vital for the commercial
survival of grape growing in the south of France.
Most are sold under the regional name of PAYS d’OC, which
covers all the departements that make up Languedoc Roussillon.
The IGP regulations permit a wider range of grape varieties as well as varietal labelling, and the warm, sunny climate means that large volumes of ripe, fruity wines can be produced here relatively easily
compared with other areas of France and therefore many of the wines are excellent value for money.
What is the style of Provence wines?
The landscape is very varied and is broken up by many
prominent ranges of hills. These offer protection from
the mistral ,and provide a great variety of different site
climates and soils.
ROSEs account for the vast majority of production.
- very pale in colour, light-bodied and dry on the palate,
- delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits.
REDs range from fresh and fruity to full-bodied, barrel-matured.
The best WHITE wines often make a feature of the aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette.
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 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 main AOC out of the three AOC in Cotes de Provence, along the coast?
Bandol (east of Marseille)
produces premium reds
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 and produce dark, full-bodied red wines with powerful tannins which require bottle age before they show their full
spectrum of bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavours.
What are the département(s) within Languedoc?
What are the département(s) within Roussillon?
Aude, Herault, Gard
Pyrenees-Orientales
Is there an identity of Languedoc wines?
Languedoc is a generic appellation that covers all the appellation vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes. The best sub-regions within Languedoc can add their names to the label alongside Languedoc AC, eg Pic-St-Loup. Above this there are a number of more geographically specific appellations such as Cotes du Roussillon and Minervois, which have their own individual regulations.
Most appellations permit the production of red, white and rose.
The vast majority of these wines are red and based on the quartet of grapes: Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and to a lesser extent Mourvedre . It is very difficult to describe a typical wine from each of the appellations:
- lots of possible variations in the blends;
- many appellations cover significant geographical areas with different climatic and soil conditions.
The best wines are full-bodied and have concentrated spicy red fruit often with oak flavours. Roses tend to be soft and fruity wines .
Picpoul de Pinet AOP:
What is the grape? Quickly describe it.
Grape: Piquepoul
Picpoul de Pinet is near the coast, the cooling sea breezes helping to retain the natural high acidity of the Picpoul grape.
Picpoul makes wines naturally high in acidity with citrus notes and green fruit flavors.
