Languedoc-Roussilon Flashcards
2 events in 19th century that lead Languedoc to become French #1 producer
1855: Railway Paris-Lyon-Marseille, inexpensive wine could be transported north for low cost
1863 Phylloxera, Languedoc replanted quickly on american root stock
by 1900 Languedoc became France #1 producer, producing almost half of french wine
Importance of Coops Languedoc
approx. 150 coops, responsible for 65% of production
Garrigue
Limestone soils in south of France, very poor in nutritients, delivers red & whites with high acidity & polished tannis
AOC Languedoc
Winstyles
Origin of fruit
Grapes
Includes fruit from Roussillon 79% red, 21% rosé, 8% white Red: Grenache, Llandoner Pelut, Syrah, Mourvèdre (min 50%) Cinsault, Carignan (max 40%) By law blends of at least 2 variatels
Are there single variaty wines from Languedoc AOC?
No, by law blends of min 2 varietals
AOC Languedoc - DGC
Dénominations Géographiques Complémentaires (districts)
12 different districts allowed,
if DGC on label fruit has to be from zone.
2 AOCs of Languedoc that only produce white wine, grapes & soils
Clairette du Languedoc AOC
Clairette, Limestone
Picpoul de Pinet AOC
Picpoul, Limestone
Faugères Cru AOC
wine style, grapes, location
85% red
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault
Within foothills of Cévennes Mountains
Term ‘Cru’ in Languedoc / Roussillon
How many Cu AOC’s in Languedoc?
not legally defined, simply implies statu
6 Cru AOC’s in Languedoc
How many ‘Cru’ appellations in Languedoc
6
Lladoner Pelut
Red grape, common in Languedoc–Roussillon
Mutation of Grenache-Noir
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
winestyle & grapes
only red
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre (min 60%)
Carignan, Cinsault (max 30%)
Terrasses du Larzac AOC
location & climate
On foot of Larzac plateau
Continental influences, more rainfall
high diurnal temp differences
Minervois AOC
red grapes
Syrah based with high proportions of Grenache, Mourvèdre (GSM min 60%)
biggest non regional AOC in Languedoc
and winestyle
Corbières AOC
mostly red, Carignan based
Names for Carignan in Spain
Cariñena, Mazuelo
Winestyle produced by Carignan grape
well structured tannic reds with good acidity
Fitou AOC
winestyle and grapes
only red
Carignan/Grenache (min 60%)
Syrah, Mourvèdre
2 subzones of Fitou AOC and soils
Fitou Maritime - Clay, Limestone
Haut Fitou - Limestone, Sandstone
Which AOC in Languedoc has an equal split between Atlantic and Mediterranean varieties?
Cabardès AOC
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc (min 40%)
Syrah, Grenache (min 40%)
Malepère AOC
winestyles and grapes
70% red, 30% rosé
Red: Merlot (min. 50%), Côt (min 20%), Cabernet Franc (min 20%)
Rosé: min. 50% Cabernet Franc
Which Languedoc AOC is divided into Atlantic Corridor and Mountain / hillsides, name the 2 subzones
Fitou AOC
Fitou Maritime
Haut Fitou
Which Languedoc AOC is divided into Atlantic Corridor and Mountain / hillsides, name the 2 subzones
Fitou AOC
Fitou Maritime
Haut Fitou
Only grape variety used in Roussillon and not in Languedoc
Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon) - white grape
Synonym of Tourbat (white grape variety used in Roussillon but not in Languedoc) in Roussillon
Malvoisie du Roussillon
Vins Doux Naturel Languedoc - grapes, production standards
100% Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc Hand Harvested Mutage to min 15% alcohol min residual sugar 11% (except Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois: 12.5%) Reductive
4 VDN AOC’s in Languedoc and min residual sugar
Muscat de Lunel AOC - 11%
Muscat de Mireval AOC - 11%
Muscat de Frontignan AOC - 11%
Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois AOC - 12.5%
Grape: Muscat à Petits Grains
Hand Harvet
Mutage to 15% alcohol
What wine style is Roussillon known for?
Vins Doux Naturels, 80% of french production
Climate Roussillon
Mediterranean, sunniest region of France, in rain shadow of Pyrénées
Tramontane
Strong north wind in Roussillon, like Mistral dries and concentrates sugar in grapes, minimizes risks od disease
Where does the name “Roussillon” come from
Rousse - red clay, common in area
Rousse
Red clay in Roussillon, iron rich, sandy, water retaining, Roussillon got name from it
Wine Styles produced in
Côtes du Roussillon AOC
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Côtes du Roussillon AOC:
Red (80%), Rosé, White
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Res only, Grenache based, but blend of min 2 varieties
How many villages, considered cru, can add their name to Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
4
Grapes used in Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Red only
Grenache, Carignan, Lladoner Pelut, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Grenache base, but blends of min 2 varieties, max. 70% of one grape
With what VDN AOC does Collioure AOC (Roussillon) share the same area
Banylus AOC
Banylus Grand Cru AOC
Only 100% white VDN AOC in Roussillon and grapes
Muscat de Rivesalte AOC
Muscat à petits grains
Muscat d’Alexandrie