Provence Pt 1 - General, Viticulture History, Location, Climate

Question 1

Which Rhone Valley area population consider themselves a part of Provence?

Answer 1

Lirac, Tavel, Chateauneuf, Gigondas, Luberon and Ventoux even though they are appellations of the Rhone.

Question 2

Why is the Provence viticulture region different to the cultural region?

Answer 2

The wine producing region is smaller than those areas which consider themselves part of Provence by virtue of their landscape, cuisine, culture.

Question 3

Where does the Provencal wine region lie?

Answer 3

Within the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur administrative region but does not fill it.

Question 4

What factors must the vineyards compete with in Provence?

Answer 4

Urbanisation;
Coservation of forests laws; these make it difficult for vineyards to expand.

Question 5

What makes Provence unique among French and world wine regions?

Answer 5

It is the only one to focus primarily on Rose wine. It is its legacy and its future?

Question 6

How long has Provence been pefecting the craft of making rose wines?

Answer 6

Around 2,600 years.

Question 7

What is the Rose research centre in Provence called?

Answer 7

Centre du Rose. It is the only one in the world to focus on Rose wine.

Question 8

Why is Rose so important in Provence?

Answer 8

90% of its total production is Rose and worldwide growth in consumption makes it a wise investment.

Question 9

What are producers now doing with Rose wines in Provence?

Answer 9

Thye are hoping ocnsumeres will move beyond the super-fresh roses and and towards more elegant , gastronomic and spphisticated wines.

Question 10

What is “Grand Rose” and “rose a conservir”?

Answer 10

These are wines which will improve with ageing.

Question 11

Why is there a growing number of DGCs in Provence?

Answer 11

Rose can express terroir so nuanced wines which express a place (terroir) are being produced.

Question 12

What product are Provence winemakers hoping to get permission to make?

Answer 12

Sparkling Rose.

Question 13

Who brought wine culture to Provence in 6th Century BCE?

Answer 13

The Phocaeans who founded Massalia. Their alliance with Rome gave them access to trade their lighty coloured wine with the Roman Empire.

Question 14

How was the wine industry of Provence affected by the decline of the Roman Empire?

Answer 14

There were a series of invaders who brought their own grapes and methods. However the commercial wine industry ceased to exist.

Question 15

Who took over viticulture during the chaos of the Middle Ages?

Answer 15

The church and monasteries.

Question 16

What made Provence wines more prestigous in the 14th and 15th Century?

Answer 16

Nobility and military leaders acquired and managed vineyards. The wines became associated with aristocracy.

Question 17

When did Provence officially become part of France?

Answer 17

In late 14th Cntury. The region slipped into agricultural slumber.

Question 18

How did Phylloxera and the railways impact Provence vineyards?

Answer 18

Vineyards were devastated. High volume vines were replanted to meet growing volumes for the tourists brought by the new railways to the region.

Question 19

How did wine production change in Provence in the 1930’s?

Answer 19

The older vnes were replanted with vines which would produce quality fruit rather than quantity.

Question 20

When did Provence receive its first AOC status?

Answer 20

In 1936 for Cassis followed in 1941 by Bandol and Bellet and Palette in 1948. These AOCs produced only a small % of the total region wine.

Question 21

Why might the wines of Provence not have received the same respect as other regions wines?

Answer 21

It might be due to the later elevation of their major production zones to AOC status in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.

Question 22

Where is Provence wine region located?

Answer 22

SE France. It is bordered by the Med. to the South, Italy to the East, and Languedpc and the Rhone River to the west.

Question 23

How larger is Provence wine region?

Answer 23

150-200 miles wide.
100 miles North - south

Question 24

What is the climate of Provence?

Answer 24

Predominantly Mediterranean with some continental or alpine influence on inland elevations.

Question 25

How much sunshine and rain does Provence get per annum?

Answer 25

Between 2700-3000 hours p.a. of sunshine. Summers are generally dry and hot.
Rain averages 600-900 mm p.a. and is mostly winter dominant.

Question 26

How is the heat mitigated in Provence?

Answer 26

By sea breezes on the coastal areas. Temperatures are less balmy and nghts are cooler. The Mistral winds also blow through Provence bringing cool air.

Question 27

Who is Frederic Mistral?

Answer 27

A Provencal poet who championed Provencal folk and art. Awarded Nobel prize for literature and Legion d’Honneur.