Roussillon Flashcards
What is the climate of Roussillon?
Mediterranean
Roussillon is best known for what style of wine?
Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
Define “Tramontane”
A cold, north wind that blows through Roussillon
What grape is the most commonly used in the production of the dry white wines of Roussillon?
Grenache Blanc
What are the names of three main rivers that weave through Roussillon?
Agly, Têt and Tech
T or F: Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC extends into Languedoc.
TRUE. It compasses the Fitou AOC
What IGP covers most of the Pyrénées-Orientales département?
Côtes Catalanes IGP
Which VDN AOCs produce white, rosé and red fortified wines?
Rivesaltes and Banyuls
What is the minimum number of grapes that must be in the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages blend?
Two
Define “Mutage”
The addition of neutral spirit to fermenting must
T or F: Many of Roussillon’s key red grapes come from Spain.
TRUE. Examples are Cariñena (Carignan), Mataro/Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Garnacha (Grenache)
What is the traditional form of vine training in Roussillon?
Gobelet
T or F: Maury AOC only produces VDN wines.
FALSE. Within the borders of the Maury AOC, dry red wines are also produced.
What important IGP is shared between Languedoc and Roussillon?
IGP Pays d’Oc
T or F: Banyuls Grand Cru must be made from at least 75% Grenache Noir
TRUE
Define “Muscat de Noël”
Wines from Muscat de Rivesaltes marketed for the Christmas period of the year of harvest
What are the names of the three mountain ranges that surround Roussillon?
Corbières to the north, Pyrenees to the west and Albères to the south
What is the main grape variety used to produce red VDN?
Grenache
What is the southernmost appellation in mainland France?
Collioure/Banyuls
T or F: The Languedoc AOC covers Roussillon vineyard areas
TRUE
What are two labeling terms on VDNs that refer to red wines that have aged reductively?
Grenat, used in Rivesaltes and Maury, and Rimage, used in Banyuls
Define “tuilé”
Label nomenclature for VDNs; refers to slightly oxidized red wines that take on a tuile (clay-tile) color.
Define “ambré”
Label nomenclature for white VDNs; refers to the color of amber, an indication of controlled oxidation.
Define “hors d’age”
Oxidized VDNs aged for a minimum of five years
What type of soil covers much of Roussillon?
An iron-rich, sandy, red, water-retaining clay
