Provence & Corsica

Question 1

When did winemaking first arise in Provence?

Answer 1

In the 6th Century BCE with the Greeks

Question 2

How did Provence get its name?

Answer 2

It allied with the Romans for protection and became their first province outside of the Italian peninsula. Provence comes from what the Romans called it, Nostra Provincia.

Question 3

When did Provence become a Roman Province?

Answer 3

In the 2nd Century.

Question 4

How much of France’s rosé comes from Provence?

Answer 4

40%!

Question 5

What is the appellation with the largest production in Provence? What % of its output is rosé

Answer 5

Cotes-de-Provence is responsible for 75% of the region’s output. 90% of it is rosé.

Question 6

What rules for rosé govern the Cotes-de-Provence AOP?

Answer 6

Rosés must be a blend of at least 2 varieties
Majority must comprise the 5 major grapes:
grenache, cinsault, syrah, mourvedre, tibouren.
No one grape can be more than 90% of the cépage

Can be either saignage or direct press, not a blend of white and red wine as is permitted in champagne.

Includes 5 named villages with unique parameters.

Question 7

What are the 5 named villages for Côtes-de-Provence rosés?

Answer 7

Pierrefeu, Saint-Victoire, Fréjus, Notre-Dame des Anges, La Londe.

Question 8

Which sub-appellation of Côtes-de-Provence allows for white as well as rosé?

Answer 8

La Londe

Question 9

Is the Côtes-de-Provence AOP a rosé only appellation?

Answer 9

No, it allows for red and white too.

Question 10

What rules govern the Bandol AOP?

Answer 10

Whites 50-95% clairette with accessories.
Rosés 20-95% Mourvedre with grenache & cinsault, & accessories
Reds 50-95% Mourvedre with grenache, cinsault, & accessories must spend at least 18mo in wood.

Question 11

Who are the big 3 Bandol producers?

Answer 11

Domaine Tempier, Chateau Pradaux, Chateau de Pibarnon

Question 12

What is the climate of Provence?

Answer 12

Warm mediterranean
with adequate rainfall and drying influence of mistral

Question 13

What was Les-Baux-de-Provence AOP formerly a subappellation of? What is this AOP known for?

Answer 13

Coteaux-d’Aix-en-Provence
A strong advocacy for and use of organic viticulture

Question 14

What kinds of wine does Les-Baux-de-Provence produce?

Answer 14

Reds & rosés based on grenache, syrah, & cinsault.
as of 2011, whites based on grenache blanc, clairette, vermentino, & roussane.

Question 15

What famous producer is based in Les-Baux-de-Provence?
What’s unique about this producer?

Answer 15

Domaine de Trévallon. The region’s elevation to AOP status has forced it to release its Cabernet-based wines as IGP.

Question 16

Who is the preeminent producer of Palette AOP? What do they produce?

Answer 16

Chateau Simone: makes red, white, & rosé from a dizzying list of allowed grapes.

Question 17

What wines is the Cassis AOP known for?

Answer 17

whites based on clairette & marsanne.
rosés and reds also allowed.

Question 18

What wines are the Bellet AOP known for?

Answer 18

whites based on vermentino, though reds & rosés are also allowed.

Question 19

What can be produced in Coteaux Varois en Provence?
What producer is famous here?

Answer 19

red, white, & rosé.
Domaine de Triennes, chooses to release IGP wines to maximize freedom of production choices.

Question 20

What does Provence have in common with Bordeaux?

Answer 20

It’s the only other appellation to publish a list of grand cru classé estates, originally 23 in 1955.

This is evidence of its interest in quality and becoming a fine wine region.

Question 21

How has Corsica’s wine region developed recently?

Answer 21

A greater commitment to quality is evident by replacing bulk vines with quality indigenous Nielluccio, Sciacarello, & Vermentino.

Question 22

What are Corsica’s 4 AOPs?

Answer 22

Vin de Corse, Ajaccio, Patrimonio, Muscat du Cap Corse

Question 23

What rules govern Vin de Corse AOP?

Answer 23

whites blends based on vermentino
reds & rosés blends based on Grenache, Nielluccio, & Sciacarello.

Question 24

What are Corsica’s 2 communal appellations? What do they produce?

Answer 24

Ajaccio & Patrimonio. Reds, whites, & rosés focused on Nielluccio, Sciacarello, & Vermentino