Provence Flashcards
What 3 appellations make up 96% of Provence production?
Côte de Provence
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
What style of wine is produced in Bandol AOC?
Dry white, rosé, red
Reds must be aged min of 18 months in oak
Key grape is Mourvèdre (can’t be more than 95%), plus Grenache and Cinsault
What style of wine is produced in Cassis AOC?
Dry white (71%), rosé, red
Key grapes are Clairette and Marsanne
How many estates are classified as Cru Classé?
18 (was 23 originally)
What are the 6 primary grapes of Provence?
Grenache
Cinsault
Syrah
Carignan
Vermentino (Rolle)
Mourvédre
What is the Rhône delta, vast largely vine-less salt marsh called?
Camargue
What chain of volcanic mountains lie between Fréjus and Cannes?
Massif de L’Esterel
What mountain range runs along the edge of the Mediterranean coast between Hyères and Fréjus?
Massif des Maures
What mountain range stretches from Toulon to Marseille?
Sainte-Baume
What mountain range runs along the coast between Marseille and Cassis?
Massif des Calanques
What is the most famous mountain of Provence thanks to paintings by Cézanne?
Montagne Sainte-Victoire
What is the name of the chain of low mountains south of Avignon?
Les Alpilles
What is the term for aromatic, resinous herbs that grow on alkaline soils (limestone soils)?
Garrigue (can refer to the scrub, the soil, or the fragrance of the herbs in wine)
What is the term for an aromatic, resinous scrub that grows on acidic, quartz-rich schist?
Maquis
What is the main soil type found in the eastern part of Provence?
Crystalline Schist
What is the main soil type found in the western part of Provence?
Limestone and clay
Who first brought viticulture to Provence and when?
The Phoceans in the 6th century BCE
Provence wines became the drink of aristocrats during which period?
The Middle Ages
Who became the first French king of Provence and when?
King Louis XI in 1481
Who was the King when Provence officially became part of France in 1486?
King Charles VIII (the Affable)
What area of Provence was most important for Cork production?
The Massif des Maures area
What was the first Provençal AOC in 1936?
Cassis AOC
What red grape is unique to the Bellet AOC?
Braquet Noir
What is the Provençal synonym for Vermentino?
Rolle
What are the training systems in Provence?
Older vines: Gobelet
Newer: Guyot
How are Provence grapes harvested in order to preserve acidity?
Harvested at night when grapes are cooler
Picked earlier