Provence Online Flashcards & Quiz
Which 3 AOCs/DGCs mandate oak aging for their red wines?
Côtes de Provence AOC Frejus
Bandol AOC
Palette AOC
Which 3 Provence AOCs produce 96% of all Provence wines?
Côtes de Provence AOC
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
What is the climate of Provence?
Mediterranean, with some continental and alpine influences depending on appellation
In what year was the Côtes de Provence AOC Classification System created?
1955
What is the northernmost AOC in Provence?
Pierrevert
What are the two main soil types found in Provence?
Calcareous limestone and quartz-rich schist
What are the names of the 5 DCGs in Côtes de Provence AOC?
Sainte-Victoire
Fréjus
La Londe
Notre-Dame des Anges
Pierrefeu
Define “maquis”
A mix of resinous herbs that grows on schist soils
Why is Mourvèdre successful in Bandol AOC?
Late-ripening Mourvèdre thrives in long, hot, coastal Mediterranean growing seasons.
What is Provence’s largest AOC by size and volume?
Côtes de Provence AOC
Define “vins de soif”
Thirst-quenching, refreshing wines that are intended to be enjoyed as an aperitif.
Define “vins de gastronomie”
Gastronomic wine, with fuller-body, and more structure and color, intended to be consumed with a meal.
What Provence AOC is known for organic and biodynamic viticulture?
Les Baux de Provence AOC
Define “flûte à corset”
The traditional hourglass bottle shape of Provençal rosé
Define “vin cuit”
Reduced grape must by long cooking; a tradition in the Palette AOC
Define “baou”
Provençal term for a rocky outcrop
Define “restanques”
Terraced stone walls in vineyards, especially in Bandol
What area of Provence was once one of France’s largest cork forests?
Massif des Maures
What percentage of Provence’s wine production is rosé?
90%
Why are the Provence harvest parameters for rosé more in line with those for white wine production?
The focus is on retention of acidity.
Which AOCs mandate hand harvesting?
Bandol AOC
Palette AOC
What is Provence’s smallest AOC by size?
Palette AOC
What are the primary red varieties used in Bellet/Vin de Bellet AOC red wines?
Braquet Noir
and Fuella Nera
What is the cornerstone of the Bandol red blend?
Mourvèdre
What are the dominant white grapes in the Cassis AOC?
Marsanne and Clairette
What percentage (according to 2019 figures) of Côtes de Provence AOC production is Rosé?
91%
Which is Provence’s smallest AOC in area?
Palette
What are the stone vineyard walls that support the terraces in Bandol called?
Restanques
The reds and rosé of Bandol AOC are based on which grape?
Mourvèdre
Which AOC in Provence is particularly known for organic and biodynamic farming?
Les Baux de Provence
All of Provence’s AOCs can produce sparkling wine.
True or False?
False
Vins de Soif
are light-bodied, crisp and refreshing and are intended to be drunk as an aperitif.
Vins de Gastronomie
are fuller-bodied and more structured and are meant to be drunk with food.
Vins de Garde
are wines for aging – usually red.
Vin Cuit
is the historical wine speciality of Palette – it’s made from cooked grape must.
High acid wines tend to be what colour?
Pink
Low acid wines tend to be what color?
Salmon
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Frejus
2
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Pierrefeu
2
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Palette
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Bellet
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Cotes de Provence
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Pierrevert
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Le Baux de Provence
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Sainte-Victoire
2
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Notre-Dame des Anges
2
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Coteaux Varois en Provence
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Cassis
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
1
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
La Londe
2
Is the following a
1. AOC in Provence
2. DGC of Cotes de Provence
Bandol
1
By what name is the iconic Provencal bottle-shape known?
Flûte à Corset
Which grape is dominant in Provence’s rosé blends?
Grenache
None of Provence’s AOCs permit the production of sweet wines
True or False?
True. Sweet wine is not permitted to be made in any of Provence’s AOCs.
Approximately how many hours of sun does Provence receive yearly?
Around 3,000
Which Provence DGC uniquely makes white wines as well as reds and roses.
La Londe
Which DGC CAN uniquely use carbonic maceration for reds.
Sainte-Victorie
Reds of which DGC must spend six months in oak barrels or foudres.
Frejus
Reds from which 2 DGC are aged until October 15 of the year following harvest.
Pierrefeu and Frejus
Which is the most significant IGP in Provence?
Méditerranée IGP
What is the name of the mountain range that stretches between Fréjus and Cannes?
Massif de L’Esterel
Which of these has an effect on the color of rosé wines?
Select all that apply
The grape variety/varieties used
The ripeness of the vintage
The temperature of the grapes at harvest
The winemaking method
The length of maceration
The grapes being exposed to oxygen
The soil type
ALL
Which is Provence’s most northerly appellation?
Pierrevert AOC
Which is the only Provence AOC that allows Chardonnay to be used?
Bellet
What colour wines do Syrah and Mourvèdre make?
Pink
What wine/color does Tibouren produce?
rosé with a salmon colour.
T or F: Warm grapes bleed more color into the juice during fermentation.
True
Direct press creates what kind of rosés?
creates delicate, pale colored rosés.
Saignée method gives the rosé…
deeper colors
Longer maceration
extracts more color.
Oxygen exposure and volcanic soils produce rosés of what colour?
rosés with an orange color.
