Provence Flashcards
What is “vin cuit”?
A wine produced in Palette AOC by cooking grape must
What is Maquis?
A mix of reinous herbs that grow on schist soils
What Provence AOC produces mainly white wine?
The Cassis AOC. 70% of production is white.
What is Provence’s smallest AOC by size?
Palette AOC
What AOC in Provence is known for organic and biodynamic farming?
Les Baux de Provence AOC
What is the climate of Provence?
Mediterranean, with some continental and/or alpine influence in the north
What Provence AOC has strong alpine influences?
Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC
What grapes are allowed in Côtes de Provence AOC red and rosé?
They must contain at least two of the primary grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsualt and Tibouren
What is garrigue?
A term used to describe limestone soils and the wild herbs that grow upon it
What is the principal red grape of the Bandol AOC?
Mourvèdre
What civilization first planted vines in Provence?
The ancient Phocaens (Greeks from Asia Minor) beat the Romans, making Provence the oldest winemaking region in France.
The term “restanques” refers to:
Terraced stone walls in vineyards, especially in Bandol
What Provence AOC is known for indigenous grapes like Braquet and Folle Noire?
Bellet AOC
What AOC is responsible for 75% of all wine produced in Provence?
Côtes de Provence AOC
What Provence AOC produces more red wine than rosé?
Les Baux de Provence AOC
What Provence AOC surrounds the city of Nice?
Bellet AOC
What are the two main soil types found in Provence?
Calcerous limestone and quartz-rich schist
What is the Hercynian Trend?
A deformation in the earth’s crust responsible for creating the mountains and massifs of Provence and Languedoc
What Provence AOC is known for wines from Mourvèdre?
Bandol
Rolle is a synonym for what grape?
Vermentino
What are the four geographic designations of the Côtes de Provence AOC?
Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe and Pierrefeu
What is Provence’s Cru Classé?
A ranking of 18 estates within the Cotes de Provence AOC
What is the only AOC in Provence that permits Chardonnay?
Bellet AOC
Provence is…..
The oldest winemaking region in mainland France. Introduced in the 6th Century BC.
What was the first Roman province outside of italy?
Provence. They named it “our provence”
What is the only region in the world to focus on Rose?
Provence
Which method does Provence use to make rose?
Direct press. This provides less than tannin than Saignee
When was Aix En Provence founded?
122 BC. Romans established trade links from there. They shipped Roses.
When did Provence become a part of France?
1400s
What happened to Provence in the late 19th Century?
Phylloxera hit meaning that vineyards had to be replanted.
When did the AOCs and VDQS achieve their status in Provence?
AOC
- Cassis 1936
- Bandol and Bellet: 1941
- Palette: 1948
VDQS
- Cotes De Provence: 1951
- Coteaux d’Aix- en- Provence: 1956
- Coteaux Varois en Provence: 1984
What year was Cotes De Provence upgraded to AOC?
1977
What year was Coteaux d’Aix- en- Provence upgraded to AOC status?
1985
What year was Coteaux Varois en Provence upgraded to AOC status?
1993
Where is Provence located in France?
In the Southeast quadrant of France and is framed by the sea at the edge.
What is on the eastern border of Provence?
The Cote d’Azur, the east 46 miles/ 74 kms of coastline before the italian border
What is on the northern border of Provence?
The durance river….however Provence’s most northerly wine region is the Coteaux de Pierrevert
Typography of Provence
- Eastern portion of Provence is not the most mountainous
- The Southwest (near Arles and Marseille) is flatter
- To the West, the Rhone Delta forms a vast salt marsh known as the Camargue
Mont Ventoux (in relation to Provence)….
- 38 miles/ 61 kms northeast of Avignon
- Culturally it belongs to Provence, but the Ventoux AOC belongs to the Rhone Valley
Sainte- Victoire- Provence
- Located within the Cote De Provence AOC
- Blocks the Mistral; creates a sun trap
Sainte Baume- Provence?
Mtn range that stretches from Toulon to Marseille
Massif des Calanques- Provence?
Runs along the coast between Marseille and Cassis
Massif des Maures- Provence?
Coastal Mountains which runs between Hyeres and Frejus
Maritime Alpes- Provence?
Run along the Italian Border
What is the Hercyian Trend?
- It is an ancient line of crustal formation that runs along the Pyrenees, along the coast of the Languedoc, to the Estural Massif in Provence.
- Created the Languedoc landscapes of Corberes, La Clape, Frontignan and the islands of Corsica
- Created the Provencal Massifs of Maures and Esterel, the Provencal ranges and the Maritime Alps
What are the two primary soil types of Provence?
- Crystalline (quartz) schist
2. Limestone and Clay
What are the soils types in each region of Provence?
- Nthern and Wstrn Provence: Limestone and clay
- Eastern Provence: crystalline schist
- Interior Valley running from Les Arcs to Toulon forms the dividing line where these two soil types meet and mingle
Note: A small pocket of volcanic porphyry lies between Saint Tropez and Cannes in the growing area of Frejus
What are the two different vegetation that grows on the two different soil types in Provence?
Garrigue: A composite of resinous herbs such as lavender, thyme, juniper, rosemary, grows on limestone
Maquis: A woody coastal scrub vegetation, grown on crystalline schist. Herbs grow here too but they taste differently
What is the climate of Provence?
Mediteranean because it is on the….Meditereaean
What about the inland and coastal influences of Provence?
- The sea moderates the temps of the coastal vineyards
- Inland temps are less balmy, night are cool, especially at higher elevations
- Some interior have alpine and continental influences
What about the mountain of Provence?
Colder winters and milder summers than the coastal vineyard areas
In the summer the diurnal range swings to protect the grape’s natural acidity
How many hours of sunshine does Provence get a year?
3000 hours
What is the Mistral?
A cold dry, north wind that follows humidity. Blows upwards of 60mph/ 150kph, 150 days of the year. Blows from Avignon do to the west of Aix and is then channelled by the mountains in a southeasterly direction.
What mountain range runs between Marseille and Cassis?
Massif des Calanques
What mountain range runs between Hyeres and Frejus?
Massif des Maures
Which mountain range in Provence used to be volcanic?
Massif de L’Esterel
What helped to lead to the diversity of Grapes in Provence?
A roman road that journeyed from Italy to Spain. It was called the Via Domitia
Provencal white grapes?
Planqueiron: neutral blending grape
Pascal: low alcohol, neutral blending grape
Picardan: neutral slightly musky wine of moderate acidity and alcohol
Provencal grapes that have southern origin?
Bourboulenc: moderate alcohol, high acidity
Clairette Blanche: high alcohol, low acidity
Marsanne: high alcohol, moderately low acidity
Piquepoul/ Picpoul: moderate alcohol, high acid
Roussanne: high alcohol, moderately high acidity
Terret Blanc: moderate alcohol, moderate acidity
Viognier: high alcohol, moderate to low acidity
Provencal grapes that are grown in other parts of France?
Chardonnay: High alcohol, high extract, risk of low acidity
Sauvignon Blanc: moderate alcohol, high acidity
Semillon: high alcohol, high extract, moderate to low acidity
Italian white grapes grown in Provence?
Rolle/ Vermentino: moderate alcohol, moderate acidity
Ugni Blanc/ Trebbiano: moderate alcohol, moderate acidity
White grapes grown in Provence with an unknown origin include?
Grenache Blanc: (could hail from Spain or Sardinia): high alcohol, low acidity
Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc: (Greek or Italian): high alcohol, high extract, good to high acidity
Pignerol: contributes banana and honey flavours to the wine
Spagnol: wine grape, and table grape, in decline
What red grapes are indigenous to Provence?
Braquet: lightly pigmented, aromatic bright acidity
Folle Noir/ Fuella Nera: Blending grape prized for its pigment and tannin
Red grapes in Provence that are from the south of France?
Cailitor: low pigment, low alcohol
Cinsault: moderate to low pigment, low tannin, moderate acidity
Clairette Rose: high alcohol, low acid
Counoise: Low pigment, low tannin, good acidity
Syrah: high pigment, tannin, moderate alcohol, moderate acidity
Terret Noir: high acid, aromatic
Red grapes grown in Provence but also in other areas of France?
Cabernet Sauvignon: high pigment, high tannin, high acid, moderate alcohol
Planted in Coteaux Aix-en- Provence after WW2 by the owner of Bordeaux chateau Ch. La Lagune
Provence grapes that have a Spanish origin include?
Carignan: high pigment, tannin and acidity
Mouvedre/ Mataro/ Monastrel: high in pigment, tannin, acidity and alcohol
Red grapes from Provence with an unknown origin?
Grenache Noir: Spain or Sardinia? high alcohol, low acid
Barbaroux: Native to Provence or Corsician? Lightly pigmented, aromatic, low acidity, low pigment
Tibouren/ Rossese di Dolceacqua: Provence or Italy? lightly pigmented, moderate to low acid, aromatic
What pruning method is very common in Southern France including Provence?
Gobelet System:
- Older vines are planted and trained
- An untreilised pruning method that keeps the vines low to the ground and goblet shaped
- Requires hand harvesting
Guyot Fashion is also becoming fashionable:
- Newer vineyards: longer canes vs shorter spurs
- Lifts the vines off of the ground by means of trellis support
When is harvesting done in Provence?
In the early morning so as to protect aromatics and provide good acid to craft great rose
What helps to preserve the natural acidity in the grapes of Provence?
The diurnal range from the breezes of the mountains
How many hours of sunshine does Provence receive in a year?
3000 hours
The Mistral- Provence
- A cold, dry north wine, chases humidity
- Blow upwards of 60 mph/ 96 kms per hour. 150 days of the year
- Blows from Avignon down to just west of Aix and is then channelled by the mountains in a south westerly direction
What helped to increase the different wine influences in Provence at the very start?
The Via Domitia, a German road linking Spain and Italy
Grape Origin: Provence- White
- Blanqueiron: natural blending grape
- Pascal: Low alcohol, neutral wine
- Picardan: Neutral slightly musky wine of moderate acidity and alc
Grape Origin: South of France
Bourboulenc: Moderate alc, high acidity
Clairette Blanche: high alc, low acidity
Marsanne: high alc, moderately low acidity
Picquepoul/ Picpoul: moderate alc, high acidity
Roussanne: high alc, moderately high acidity
Terret Blanc: moderate alc, moderate acidity
Viognier: high alc, moderate to low acidity
Grape Origin- Other Places in France (Provence)
Chardonnay: high alc, high extract, risk of low acidity
Sauvignon Blanc: moderate alc, high acidity
Semillon: high alc, high extract, moderate to low acidity
Grape Origin: Italy- Provence
- Rolle/ Vermentino: moderate alc, moderate acidity
- Ugni Blanc/ Trebbiano: moderate alc, moderate acidity
Grape Origin: Unknown- Provence
- Grenache Blanc: (disputed could hail from Spain or Sardinia): high alc, low acid
- Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc: (could be Greek or Italian): high alc, high extract, good to high acid
- Pignerol: contributes banana and honey flavours to the wine
- Spagnol: wine grape and table grape in decline
Provence Grapes from other part of France:
- Chardonnay: high alcohol, high extract, risk of low acidity
- Sauvignon Blanc: moderate alcohol, high acidity
- Semillon: high alcohol, high extract, moderate to low acidity
Grape Origin: Provence- Red
- Braquet: lighter pigments, aromatic, bright acidity
- Folle Noir/ Fuella Nera: blending grape prized for its pigment and tannin
Grape Origin: South of France- Provence (Red)
- Carlitor: low pigment, low alcohol
- Cinsault: moderate to low pigment, low tannin, moderate acidity
- Clairette Rose: high alcohol, low acid
- Counoise: low pigment, low tannin, good acidity
- Syrah: high pigment, tannin, moderate alcohol, moderate acidity
- Terret Noir: high acid, aromatic
Grape Origin: Other areas of France- Provence (Red)
- Cabernet Sauvignon: high pigment, high tannin, high acid, moderate alcohol
Historical note: First planted in Coteaux d’Aix- en- Provence after World War 2 by the owner of Bordeaux’s Ch La Lagune
Grape Origin: Spain (Red)
- Carignan/ Carinena or Mazuelo: high in pigment, tannin and acidity
- Mourvèdre/ Mataro or Monastrell: high in pigment, tannin, acidity, alcohol
Grape Origin: Unknown- Provence (Red)
- Grenache Noir: Spain or Sardinia? High alcohol, low acid
- Barbaroux: Native to Provence or Corsican?: lightly pigmented, aromatic, low acidity, moderate alcohol
- Tibouren/ Rossese Di Dolceacqua: Provence or Italy? Lightly pigmented, moderate to low acid, aromatic
Pruning- Provence
Gobelet System:
- Older vines are planted and trained
- An untrellised pruning method that keeps the vines low to the ground and goblet- shaped
- Requires hand- harvesting
Guyot fashion:
- Newer vineyard: longer canes vs short spurs
- Lifts the vine off of the ground by means of trellis support
Trellising- Provence
- Suport to the vine during the Mistral
- Gives the growers the option to mechanize harvest
Harvest- Provence
- Havested with care to avoid the bruising of fruit and bursting of the berries
- Fruit is harvested at night or in the early morning to bring fruit into the winery
Winemaking- Provence
2 ways to make rose:
- Direct press: a pale rose with explosive aromatics and minimal tannin
- Saignee Method: more concentrated colour and tannin, less complex aromatics
Saignee Method
- Grapes are crushed
- Juice spends 8- 24 hours in contact with the skins to extract tannin and pigment
- After this period of Maceration, the liquid is pulled off the solids without pressing
- Solids are pressed
- Often, the press fraction is blended with the free- run
Saignee Method: Fermentation
- Juice settling
- Yeast addition; alcoholic fermentation
- Malo- lactic fermentation is avoided
Saignee Method: Key Points Of Production
- Roses De Saignee: a by product of red winemaking process
- Free- run and press juice are NOT blended together
- Press fraction and free run: vinified separately as two distinct wine products made from one batch of grapes
Provence- Coastal and Inland Influences
- Sea moderates the temps of the coastal vineyards
- Temps inland are less balmy, nights are cool, esp. at higher elevations
- Some interior appellations have alpine and continental influences
Provence- Mountains
- Inland areas experience colder winters and cooler summer nights than the vineyards closer to the coast
- The diurnal range in summer helps to preserve the grape’s natural acidity
How much sunshine a year does provence receive?
3,000 hours
How does the Mistral work in Provence?
- Its a cold, dry north wind, chases humidity
- Blows upwards of 60mph/ 96 kms per hour, 150 days of the year
- Blows from Avignon down to just west of Aix and is then channelled by the mountains in a southeasterly direction
Rose de Press (Direct Pressing)- Pressing
- Grapes are harvested in the early morning hrs or at night or simply chilled upon arrival at the winery
- Placed whole into the press
- Gentle pressing regiem lasts for 4 hours, juice is pulled and and extracted with minimal skin contact
Rose de Presse- Fermentation
- Juice settling; yeast added, alcoholic fermentation
- MLF is avoided
Rose de Presse- Key points of Production
- Creates a less- pigmented, less structured rose (do to less pressing time)
- Aromatics are heightened due to the gentle handling of the fruit and cool temperatures
Vin de Soif- Provence
- Light bodied
- Thirst quenching wines
- Higher yields
- Shorter maceration times
- Made with no oak
- Made with higher yielding vineyards
Vin Gastronomiques- Provence
- More full bodied and designed to be drunk with food
- Made from more select grapes than Vin de Soif
- Might be aged in oak
- Red wines can be called Vin de Gard (wines for aging)
What are the bottle size unique to Provence?
The Skittle and The Saint Tropez bottle
Why are the bottles in Provence clear?
To dazzle you with colour
Cote de Provence AOC
- Largest appellation in Provence
- 75% of Provence’s production
- 90% rose, 7% red, 3% white
- Five non contiguous vineyard areas
Cotes de Provence AOC- Varied Typography
- Coastal Regions
- Inland Valleys
- Foothills
- Peaks and mountainous regions
Provence is Mediterranean in climate, but inland and with altitude, there are continental and alpine influences
Cote de Provence AOC- Soils
- Crystalline Schist: Eastern parts of Cotes de Provence
- Volcanic Soils: Between Frejus and Cannes
- Limestone and Clay: Western portions of the AOC
- A mix of soils: in the interior valley that runs from Toulon to Les Arcs
Cotes de Provence AOC- Grapes and Blends
- Clairette, Rolle (Vermentino), Semillon and Ugni Blanc (no specific percentages)
- Reds and Roses: Must contain at least two of the following: Grenache, Mouvedre, Cinsault, Tiberon and Syrah. Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan are optional Blending partners
- Rose can contain a small percentage of Rolle (Vermentino), Ugni Blanc, Clairette or Semillon
Cotes de Provence AOC- Geographic Designations
- Four geographic designations: Sainte- Victorire, Frejus, La Londe and Pierrefeu
- Not seperate AOCs
- Subject to lower yields and higher min. alc level
- Reds from Frejus must spend 6 months in oak or foudres
- Only pertains to reds and Roses, whites must be labelled Cotes De Provence
Cotes de Provence: Crus Classe
- Created the classification system in 1955
- Only one level: Cru Classe
- Was 23 estates but 5 no longer exist
- Ranks the estate, not the vineyard.
- Never been revised or remodified
Le Baux de Provence AOC
- South/ Southwest of Avignon
- Production: 57% Red, 39% Rose, 4% White
- Of Note: A stronghold of organic and biodynamic producers
- Reds: Primarily GSM blends, require 1 yr aging before release, but an oak regime is not mandated
- Roses: Primarily Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blends
- Whites: Primarily Clairette, Grenache blanc, rolle blends
Coteaux d’ Aix- en- Provence AOC
- Northwestern region of Provence
- Production: 84% Rose, 11% Red, 5% White
- Of Note: 2nd largest AOC, heavily impacted by the Mistral
- Roses: GSM blends with Counoise, Cinsault, Carignan and Cab Sauv
- Reds: GSM blends with Counoise, Cinsault, Carignan and Cab Sauv
- Whites: 50% rolle with Clairette, Grenache B, Sauvignon B and Ugni Blanc as a principal blending partner
Palette AOC (Provence)
- Two non- contiguous wine growing areas on both sides of the Arc River just east of Aix- en- Provence
- Production: 44% red, 37% White, 19% Rose
- Of Note: Smallest appellation in Provence: half the production is bottled by one producer: Chateau Simone, all grapes are hand harvested, makes vin cuit
- Reds: Mandatory aging, 18 months in oak
- Whites: mandatory aging, 8 months before release
- Roses: mandatory aging, 8 months prior to release
Cassis AOC
- 12 miles/ 20 kms east of Marseille
- Production: 67% white, 30% rose, 3% red
- Of Note: Terraced vineyards sheltered from the Mistral by the Calanques; only Provence appellation that is white predominate
- Whites: Prodominately marsanne with Clairette as the principal blending partner
- Reds and Roses: Cinsault, Grenache, Mouvedre- dominant blends, roses may incorporate 20% white varieties into the blend
Bandol AOC
- West of Toulon and east of Cassis
- Production: 60% Roses, 30% red, 10% white; grapes must be hand harvested
- Of Note: Only hillside vineyards- most of which are terraced and face south in amphitheatre fashion
- Roses: min. 20% Mouvedre plus Grenache and Cinsault
- Reds: 50-95% Mouvedre with Grenache and Cinsault; aging requirement; 18 months in oak
- Whites: 50% clairette plus Bourboulen and/or Ugni Blanc
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
- Lies between the two largest parts of the Cotes de Provence AOC, the region is sheltered by limestone hills and mountains
- Production: 88% roses, 9% red, 3% white
- Of Note: Vines grow at an average of 1,200 feet/ 360 m with continental influences, delivering roses of structure, freshness and balance
- Whites: 30% rolle with clairette and grenache blanc
- Reds and Roses: Primarily Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvedre and Syrah blends
Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC
- Northernmost of Provence
- Production: 60% roses, 30% red, 10% white
- Of Note: Vines at an avg. elevation of 1,500 ft/ 450 m; alpine influences, diurnal temperature swing is the highest in all of Provence
- Roses: Primarily Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah blends; up to 20% white grapes permitted
- Red: Grenache- Syrah dominate blends with Carignan, Cinsault and Mouvedre, up to 10% white grapes permitted
- Whites: Largely Grenache Blanc and Rolle
- No Bordeaux grape varieties are allowed
Bellet AOC
- Surrounding Nice
- Production: Equal production of roses, red and white
- Of Note: Terraced vineyards above the Var River at 660- 990 ft/ 200-300m in elevation; Chardonnay permitted, Bordeaux grapes are allowed
- Whites: Primarily Rolle with Chardonnay and/ or Clairette
- Reds and Roses: Primarily Braquet and Folle Noir with Grenache
IGP Meditterranee
- Largest most general IGP designation
- Shared with the Rhone Valley and Corcica
What are the 6 departmental IGPs of Provence?
- IGP Alpes de Haute Provence
- IGP Alpes Maritimes
- IGP Bouches-du- Rhone
- IGP Hautes Alpes
- IGP Vaucluse
- IGP Var
What are the 8 IGP zonal designations of Provence?
- IGP Aigues
- IGP Argens
- IGP Coteaux du Verdon
- IGP Maures
- IGP Mont Caume
- IGP Alpilles
- IGP Principaute d’Orange
- IGP Sainte Baume
