Provence Flashcards
What are the designations of the IGP’s in Provence?
- IGP Méditerranée The largest and most general designation.
- Shared with the Rhône Valley and Corsica - There are 6 Departmental Designations
- The most specific are the 8 zonal IGP designations
What are the stats on the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC?
Located in Northwest Provence
Production is mostly rosé with some red and a little white
NOTE: It is the second largest AOC in Provence, heavily impacted by the Mistral
Reds and rosé: GSM blends with Cinsault, Counoise, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon
Whites: 50% Rolle (Vermentino) with Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc as principle blending partners
What are the Stats on the Les Baux de Provence AOC?
Located south/southeast of Avignon
Production majority red, close behind is rosé very little white
NOTE: This is a stronghold of organic and biodynamic producers
Reds: Primarily GSM requiring 1 year of aging
Rosé: Primarily Grenache, Syrah Cinsault blends
Whites Clairette, Grenache Blanc, and Rolle blends
Where is the 1 pocket of volcanic porphyry located in Provence?
Between St Tropez and Cannes around Fréjus
Volcanic mountain - Massif l’Esterel
What are the vegetation types that grow on the 2 primary soils of Provence?
Garrigue - A composite of resinous herbs like lavender and rosemary that grow on the calcareous limestone
Maquis - A woody coastal scrub vegetation that grows on crystalline schist
What is the climate of Provence?
Mediterranean
With 2 Seasons
A mild wet winter and a hot and dry summer
What are the coastal/inland influences on the climate?
The sea moderates the temperatures along the coast
Inland temperatures are less balmy with cool nights especially at elevation
Some interior areas have alpine influences
How do the mountains affect the climate of Provence?
They cause colder winters and cooler summer nights
For the vine in summer these diurnal temperature swings preserve the grapes natural acidity
How much sunshine does Provence receive per year?
Almost 3,000
What is the effect of the Mistral in Provence?
It chases humidity
Can blow up to 60 mph for up to 150 days per year
Although a northerly wind the mountains in Provence channel it in a southeasterly direction
What is the Via Domitia?
A roman road connecting Italy to Spain through Provence
Where is the volcanic porphyry found in Provence?
In Fréjus
Where is the crystalline schist found?
Eastern Provence
What are the stats on the Bandol AOC?
Located west of Toulon and east of Cassis
Majority rosé, some red and a little white
All grapes must be hand harvested
NOTE: Only hillside vineyards, most of which are terraced and face south in amphitheater fashion
Rosés: minimum 20% Mourvèdre plus Grenache & Cinsault
Reds: 50 - 95% Mourvèdre with Grenache & Cinsault - minimum aging 18 months in oak
Whites: Clairette plus Bourboulenc & Ugni Blanc
Where is the clay/limestone soil found in Provence?
Northern and western Provence
T or F? Provence’s coastal vineyards experience huge diurnal temperature swings?
False
When does most of the rain fall in Provence?
Winter
Which mountain vineyards lie within cultural Provence but make wine under the Rhône AOC?
Mont Ventoux
What mountain blocks the Mistral and forms a suntrap for its vineyards?
Montagne Saint Victoire
Where is the Massif l’Esterel located?
It is a volcanic mountain range running between Frejus and Cannes
What are the stats on the Cassis AOC?
Located 12 miles east of Marseille
Produces mostly white
NOTE: Terraced vineyards sheltered from the Mistral by the Calanques
Whites: Primarily Marsanne with Clairette as a blending partner
Reds & rosés: Cinsault, Grenache & Mourvèdre dominant
Rosés may incorporate up to 20% whites
What mountain range was formerly volcanic?
Massif de l’Esterel
Where is the Massif des Maures located?
Coastal range that runs along the mediterranean between Hyères and Fréjus
What mountain range runs between Hyères and Fréjus?
Massif des Maures
Where are the Massif de Calanques located?
They run along the coast between Marseille and Cassis
What mountain range runs between Marseille and Cassis?
Massif de Calangues
In the Saignée method what happens after the maceration stage?
Fermentation Stage
Juice is allowed to settle
Yeast is added; alcoholic fermentation begins
Malolactic fermentation is avoided
What are the key points of production of the Saignée method?
Rosé de Saignée: A by product of the red winemaking process
Freerun and press juice are not blended together
They are vinified as 2 distinct wine products from 1 batch of grapes
What are the characteristics of the 4 primary red/rose grapes of Provence?
Cinsault: moderate to low pigment, low tannin, moderate acidity - from SW France
Syrah: High pigment and tannin, moderate acidity and alcohol - from SW France
Mourvèdre: High pigment, tannin, acidity and alcohol - from Spain
Grenache: High alcohol, low acid - from Spain or Sardinia
What are the stats on the Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC?
Located between the 2 largest parts of the Côtes de Provence AOC
The area is sheltered by limestone hills and mountains
Production vast majority rosé some red and very little white
NOTE: Vines grow at an average elevation of 1,200’ with continental influences
This results in rosés of structure, freshness and balance
Rosés & reds: GSM & Cinsault blends
Whites: 30% Rolle (Vermentino) with Clairette and Grenache Blanc
What is the pruning method in Provence?
Older vineyards Gobelet style
Newer vineyards Guyot with trellising to support the vines from the Mistral
What time of day is the fruit harvested?
At night or early morning to bring cool fruit into the winery?
What are the 2 rosé production methods?
Direct press: This makes a pale rosé with explosive aromatics and minimal tannins
Saignée: More concentrated color and tannin with less complex aromatics
What is the maceration like in the Saignée method?
Grapes are crushed
Juice is in contact with skins for 8 - 24 hrs to extract tannin and pigment
After this period of maceration, the liquid is pulled of the solids without pressing - this is called freerun
Solids are then pressed for more juice
Often the press fraction is blended with the freerun
What are the 4 primary grapes used for rosé production in Provence?
Grenache
Cinsault
Syrah
Mourvèdre
The term “Restanques” refers to?
The terraced stone walls in the vineyards, especially Bandol
“Rolle” is a synonym for what grape?
Vermentino
What is Provence’s smallest AOC by size?
Palette AOC
What is the only AOC in Provence that permits Chardonnay?
Bellet AOC
What are the stats on the Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC?
Northernmost AOC in Provence
Majority rosé, with red and small amount of white
NOTE: Vines are at an average elevation of 1,500’ with alpine influences; diurnal temperature swings are the highest in Provence
Rosés: Primarily Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah with up to 20% white
Reds: Grenache/Syrah dominant blends with Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvèdre with up to 10 white
Whites: Grenache Blanc and Rolle
What AOC in Provence is known for organic and biodynamic farming?
Les Baux de Provence AOC
What Provence AOC is known for wine from Mourvèdre?
Bandol
What is Maquis?
A mix of resinous herbs that grow on crystalline schist soils
What Provence AOC is known for indigenous grapes like Braquel and Folle Noir?
Bellet AOC
What Provence AOC has strong alpine influences?
Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC
What is the principal red grape of the Bandol AOC?
Mourvèdre
What civilization first planted vines in Provence?
The ancient Phoceans (Greeks from Asia Minor) beat the romans, making Provence the oldest winemaking region in France
What is Provence’s Cru Classé?
A ranking of 18 estates within the Côtes de Provence AOC