Provence Pt 7 - Other AOCs Flashcards
What is the combined production of the six AOCs outside of the three major areas (CdP,CVP,CdAP)?
Around 4%.
When was Cassis AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 1936 fro Dry white, rose and red.
White:(P) Clairette, Marsanne;
Red:(P) Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre.
What is unique about Cassis AOC?
It is the only one in Provence to produce more white wine than rd or rose (71%).
Where is Cassis AOC located?
Along the coast east from Marseilles, between the sea and the Massif des Calanques. The mountains shelter the vines from the Mistral.
What are the blend rules for white wine in Cassis?
Must be between 30-80% Marsanne in the blend and at least 60% of total must be Marsanne and/or Clairette.
What are the blend rules for red and rose wine in Cassis?
Cinsault, Mourvedre and Grenache dominant. Roses can have up to 20% white grapes.
When was Bandol AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded in 1941 for Dry white, rose and red.
White:(P) Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc;
Red:(P) Cinsaut, Grenache, Syrah.
Which was the main grape planted after Phylloxera in Bandol AOC?
Mourvedre.
Where are the Bandol AOC vineyards located?
On or near the Med. east of Toulon. Most face south in the form of a natural amphitheatre.
What are the soils of Bandol?
Pebbly limestone with pockets of sandy marls and sandstone.
Whta are “restanques”?
They are the man-made riverstone walls to support the terraces of Bandol vineyards.
Which factors are said to be the key to the quality and character of Bandol wines?
Aridity and low fertility of the vineyards which are only planted on hillsides.
Why does Bandol favour Mourvedre?
It is late-ripening and enjoys the long hot growing season here.
Where are white grapes planted in Bandol?
On slightly cooler, heat minimising north-facing slopes.
How are grapes harvested in Bandol?
Must be hand harvested only.
What is production in Bandol?
75% red and rose wines. White is in decline.
What is the white wine blend rule in Bandol?
Majority of blend is Clairette with Bourboulenc and/or Ugni Blanc as partner.
What is the red wine blend rule in Bandol?
Based on Mourvedre which cannot exceed 95% of the blend. Genache and Cinsaut complete the blend.
How long must Bandol reds age in oak?
Minimum of 18 months to soften tannins. They can evolve for ten years and need at least three years bottle ageing to be appreciated.
Where is Les Baux de Provence AOC (Baux) located?
South of Avignon and overlays the NW of Coteaux d’Aix en Provence AOC.
When was Baux AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes
Awarded 1995 for dry white, rose and red.
White:(P) Vermentino, Clairette and Grenache Blanc;
Red:(P) GSM and Cinsaut
What is a “Baou”?
A local name for a rocky outcrop.
What are the soils of Baux?
Limestone hills rich in Bauxite minerals.
What % of viticulture is organic in Baux AOc?
It is reported that 100% of the surface is organic, biodynamically or lutte raisonee farmed.
What is production breakdown in Baux AOc?
Over 90% red and rose which is evenly split.
What are the blend rules in Baux AOC?
All wines must be a blend of two primary varieties.
Red are mainly GS and/or M. Roses are GS and/or Cinsault
What are the ageing requirements for Baux reds and whites?
Red - until September 15 year after harvest - oak not mandated.
White - Aged until April 1 year after harvest.
Which is the smallest AOC in Provence?
Palette AOC.
When was Palette AOC awarded? Style? Grapes?
Awarded in 1948 for dry white, rose and red.
White: (P) Clairette, Bourboulenc, Araignon;
Rose:(P) Clairette Rose;
Red:(P) Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvedre.
Where is Palette AOC located?
Both sides of the Arc river just east of Aix en Provence.
What is the size of Palette AOc?
118ac/48ha. there are only a handful of producers the most famous being Chateau Simone which make half of the AOC production.
What is the production breakdown in Palette?
Red - 40%;
Rose -20%;
White - 40%.
Uses an long list of often obscure range of grapes
What is the blend rules for white wine in Palette AOC?
Must contain at least 55% of the primary varieties.
What is the blend rules for red and rose wine in Palette AOC?
Must contain a majority of the primary varieties. Mourvedre must be one of them. No variety can constitute over 80% of the mix.
What are the ageing requirements for white and rose wines in Palette AOC?
Cannot be released until April 1 of year following harvets.
What are the ageing requirements for red wines in Palette AOC?
Must spend 18 months in oak and cannot be released until April 1 in second year after harvest.
How are grapes harvested in Palette AOC?
Must be by harvested and sorted by hand.
What specialty wine is made in Palette?
A sweet wine called Vin Cuit. It is not made commercially.
What is Vin Cuit?
It is grape must which is slow cooked for 10 hours over an open fire. This concentrates the sugars. It is fermented in a barrel over a year. Made from Grenache Noir.
When was Bellet/Vin de Bellet AOC awarded? Style? Grapes?
Awardedc1941 for dry white, rose and red.
White:(P) Vermentino
Red: (P) Braquet Noir, Fuella Nera
Where are the vineyards of Bellet AOC located?
They surround Nice and flank the Var river at elevations of 200-300mtrs.
What is production breakdown in Bellet AOC?
Equal amounts of white, rose and red.
What is the dominant white variety in Bellet whites?
Vermentino blended with Chardonnay or Clairette.
What are most rose wines in Bellet AOC made from?
Braquet Noir
What are red wines in Bellet AOC made from?
Braquet Noir and Fuella Nera. Also can include Grenache.
What grape varieties are not permitted in Palette?
Bordeaux varieties however it is the only AOC in Provence which permits the use of Chardonnay.
When was Pierrevert AOC awarded? Style?
Awarded 1998 as Coteaux de Pierrevert for dry white rose and red.
What white grapes are permitted in Bellet AOC wines?
(P) Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Picpoul, Roussanne, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Viognier.
What red grapes are permitted in Bellet AOC wines?
(P) GS and Cinsaut
Where is Pierrevert located?
In the northernpart of Provence at an average elevation of 450 mtrs.
What is the local climate in Pierrevert AOC?
It has strong alpine influence which means it has the greatest diurnal swings in Provence.
What is the character of Pierrevert wines?
Similar to style of Rhone wines.
What are the blend rules for white wines in Pierrevert AOC?
Must contain Grenache Blanc or Vermentino.
What are the blend rules for rose wines in Pierrevert AOC?
Dominated by Grenache and/or Syrah.
What are the blend rules for red wines in Pierrevert AOC?
Most often Grenache and Syrah.
What is the most significant IGP in Provence?
Mediterranee IGP.
