Provence Flashcards
What is the most significant IGP in Provence?
Méditerranée IGP
The largest and most general designation; shared with the Rhône Valley and Corsica.
What are the characteristics of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC?
- located in northwest Provence
- 85% rosé
- second largest AOC in Provence, heavily impacted by the Mistral
- wines require at least two varieties in the blend
- whites are Vermentino-dominant
- rosés and reds generally use G, M and/or S
- Counoise and Cinsault often added
What are the characteristics of the Les Baux de Provence AOC?
- located south of Avignon
- overlays n/w of Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
- 90% red or rosé
- stronghold of organic and biodynamic producers
- all wines are blends of at least 2 primary varieties
- Reds: Primarily GSM requiring 1 year of aging
- Rosé: Primarily Grenache, Syrah, and/or Cinsault
What is the small chain of volcanic coastal mountains between Fréjus and Cannes?
Massif de L’Esterel
What are the vegetation types that grow on the 2 primary soils of Provence?
Garrigue - resinous herbs that grows on alkaline soils, like limestone
Maquis - resinous scrub grows on acidic soils, like quartz-rich schist
What is the climate of Provence?
Mediterranean
some interior areas have some alpine or continental influences due to elevation
summers: dry and hot, winters: most of rainfall
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.
preserve the grapes’ natural acidity
How much sunshine does Provence receive per year?
Almost 3,000 hrs/year
What is the effect of the Mistral in Provence?
- similar to Rhône Valley
- Provence’s many mountain chains channel in a southeasterly direction.
Where is the crystalline or quartz-rich schist found?
eastern parts of Provence
What are the characteristics of the Bandol AOC?
- located near coast, west of Toulon
- 75% rosé and red, white declining
- All grapes must be hand harvested
- most vineyards face south, toward the sea, in the form of a natural ampitheater
- rosés and reds: Mourvèdre (Grenache & Cinsault)
- whites: Clairette plus Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc
Where is the clay/limestone soil found in Provence?
hills and ranges along the western boundaries
What effect does the Mediterranean Sea have on temperatures along the coast?
it moderates temperatures
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
Which mountain is famous thanks to Cézanne?
Montagne Sainte-Victoire
What are the characteristics of the Cassis AOC?
- located 12 miles east of Marseille
- Produces mostly white (71%)
- terraced vineyards sheltered from the Mistral by the Calanques
- only appellation in Provence to produce more white wine than red or rosé
- whites: Primarily Marsanne with Clairette as a blending partner
- reds and rosés: Cinsault, Grenache, and/or Mourvèdre dominant
- rosés may incorporate up to 20% whites
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 are the characteristics of the 4 primary red/rose grapes of Provence?
Grenache: Thin skin and light color; high alcohol, low acid (from Spain or Sardinia)
Syrah: High pigment and tannin, moderate acidity and alcohol (from SW France)
Mourvèdre: High pigment, tannin, acidity and alcohol (from Spain)
Cinsault: moderate pigment, low tannin, moderate acidity (from SW France)
What are the characteristics of 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
- Relatively high elevation approx. 1200ft.
- This results in rosés of structure, freshness and balance
- Rosés & reds: Grenache, Mourvèdre, and/or Syrah-dominant
- Whites: 30% Rolle (Vermentino) with Clairette and Grenache Blanc
What is the pruning method in Provence?
Older vineyards Gobelet style; newer use Guyot with trellising to support vines from Mistral
What time of day is the fruit harvested?
At night or early morning to bring cool fruit into the winery
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 off 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
Syrah
Mourvèdre
Cinsault
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 characteristics of the Pierrevert AOC?
- Northernmost AOC in Provence
- Vines are at an average elevation of 1,500’ with alpine influences; diurnal temperature swings are the highest in Provence
- Rosés are dominated by Cinsault, Grenache, and/or Syrah
- Reds: Grenache/Syrah dominant blends with
- Whites: Grenache Blanc or 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 acidic quartz-rich schist soils
What Provence AOC is known for indigenous grapes like Braquet Noir and Fuella Nera?
Bellet AOC
What Provence AOC has strong alpine influences?
Pierrevert AOC
northernmost section of Provence; 1500 ft elevation
What civilization first planted vines in Provence?
The ancient Phoceans (Greeks from Asia Minor) Provence the oldest winemaking region in France (600 BCE)
What is Provence’s Cru Classé?
A ranking of 18 estates within the Côtes de Provence AOC
What Provence AOC produces mainly white wine?
The Cassis AOC
71% of production is white
What are the characteristics of the Palette AOC?
- 2 non-contiguous growing areas on both sides of the Arc river, just east of Aix-en-Provence
- smallest AOC in Provence with 1/2 production bottled by Château Simone
- All grapes are hand harvested
- Makes Vin Cuit
- Uses Obscure grapes
Aging Requirements - Red aging: 18 months in oak
- White aging: 8 months
- Rosé aging: 8 months
What is Garrigue?
A term used to describe alkaline limestone soils and the wild herbs that grow on them.
What Provence AOC surrounds the city of Nice?
Bellet AOC
What Provence AOC produces 90% red and rosé, evenly split ?
Les Baux de Provence AOC
What is “Vin Cuit”?
A wine produced in the Palette AOC by cooking the grape must
What AOC is responsible for 72% of all wine production in Provence?
Côtes de Provence AOC
What primary grapes are allowed in the Côtes de Provence AOC red and rosé ?
They must contain at least 2 of the following primary grapes:
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvèdre
Cinsault
Tibouren
What are the characteristics of the Bellet AOC?
- Surrounds the city of Nice; flanks the Var River
- Equal proportions of red, white and rosé
- On terraced vineyards above the Var River at 660-990’
- Chardonnay is permitted but Bordeaux Varieties are not
- Whites: Primarily Rolle (Vermentino) with Chardonnay and Clairette
- Reds and rosés: Primary Braquet Noir and Fuella Nera with Grenache
T or F? Provence is the only wine making region in the world to focus on rosés?
True
What rosé production method does Provence focus on?
direct press is traditional
This produces pale pigmented highly aromatic rosé; but saignée also used
Where did the Phoceans first settle in Provence in 600 BC?
Massalia which became Marseille
Where are the Maritime Alps located?
They run along the Italian border.
What is the soil type of Northern and Western Provence?
Limestone and clay
What are the 2 principle soil types in Provence?
- calcareous limestone
- crystalline or quartz-rich schist
What is the soil type of eastern Provence?
quartz-rich schist
After Rome fell who invaded Provence?
- Barcelona, The Kingdom of Burgundy and the Holy Roman Empire
- Each influenced wine with new grapes or production methods
- Finally, the Monastic Orders brought stability to the region
When did Provence become part of France?
Late 1400s
When did Phylloxera hit Provence?
Late 19th century
What was the first Provence area to receive AOC status?
Cassis in 1936
Where is Provence located?
- In the SE quadrant of France along the Mediterranean Sea
- The Rhône River and Languedoc to the west
- The Durance River to the North
What is the topography of Provence?
- The eastern portion is the most mountainous
- Southwest near Arles & Marseille is flatter
- In the west is the Rhône Delta a vast salt marsh known as the Camargue
What is the relationship of Mont Ventoux in the Rhône Valley to Provence?
- Mont Ventoux is 38 miles NE of Avignon and part of the Rhône Valley
- Culturally part of Provence
What is the relationship of the Les Alpilles to Provence?
It is a chain of low mountains south of Avignon
The Les Baux de Provence AOC is located on its slopes.
Where is the mountain range Sainte-Baume?
They stretch from Toulon to Marseille.
What is the direct press process?
- Grapes are harvested when cool (or cooled at the winery) and placed in the press whole
- 4 hour gentle pressing cycle and juice is extracted and pulled from the skins with minimal contact
(Juice is settled to remove fine particles. Yeast is added to start fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is avoided. Creates a less pigmented and structured rosé, aromatics are heightened.)
What are the 2 rosé types made in Provence?
- Vins de Soif (thirst-quenching)
- Vins de Gastronomie (made to be consumed with food)
What is an iconic bottle shape for Provence rosés?
The flûte à corset, or skittle
(the bottle shape mirros a bowling pin)
What are the characteristics of the Côtes de Provence AOC?
- 72% of Provence’s total production
- 91% was rosé
- 5 Non-contiguous vineyard areas
- All soil types
- Varied climates, varied wines
What grapes are in the Côtes de Provence AOC, white, and red & rosé wines?
White: Clairette, Rolle, Sémillon and Ugni Blanc
Red & rosé: At least 2 of the following - GSM, Cinsault, Tibouren with Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignan as blending partners
Rosé can contain up ot 20% of Rolle, Ugni Blanc, Clairette and Semillon
What is the Côtes de Provence AOC Cru Classé?
- A classification system from 1955.
- Only 1 level: Cru Classé.
- Originally applied to 23 estates but 5 are no longer making wine: 18.
- Ranks the original estate not the vineyard.
- It can only be made from the originally classified vineyard area.
- It has never been revised or modified.
What are the two primary white grapes in the Cassis AOC?
Marsanne & Clairette
Which Provence AOC produces more white than rosé or red?
Cassis
71% white
What Provence AOC is known for Vin Cuit?
Palette AOC
What river runs through the Provence AOC of Pallete?
The Arc River
What is the 2nd largest AOC in Provence?
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
What one Provence AOC has a classification system?
Côtes de Provence AOC
What mineral is found in the soils of Les Baux de Provence?
Bauxite
What is the northern border of Provence?
The Durance River
One AOC is north of the river Pierrevert AOC
What things determine the color of a rosé wine?
- the grapes used (S&M = pink, Tibouren = salmon)
- the ripeness of the vintage
- temperature of the grapes at harvest (warm bleed more)
- acid levels (lower = salmon, higher = pink)
- winemaking process (DP = pale, saignee = more color)
- length of maceration
- oxygen exposure (more = orange tones)
- soil type
