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Better - WSET Diploma D3 - Wines of the World > Roussillon > Flashcards

Roussillon Flashcards

1
Q

What is the area under vine in Roussillon? What is this compared to the vineyard area in 1980?

A

21,000, nearly one third the size of what it was in 1980

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2
Q

What geographic feature dominates Roussillon?

A

The Pyrenees, a large mountain range on the border of France and Spain.

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3
Q

Where are the vineyards of Roussillon planted in relation to the Pyrenees?

A

Roussillon is on the East side of the Pyrenees and most of the vineyards are on the slopes and foothills of the mountains.

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4
Q

How much of the vineyard area in Roussillon is classified as AOC?

A

70%

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5
Q

How much of the vineyard area in Roussillon is established for high volume viticulture?

A

Very little as there is no extensive coastal plain or other flat land as in Languedoc.

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6
Q

What percentage of Roussillon wine production is still AOC wine? IGP? VDN?

A

Around 25% for each

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7
Q

How much of Rousillon’s wine is produced by cooperatives?

A

Around 75%

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8
Q

Is the majority of Roussillon wine white, rosé, or red?

A

The majority is red, followed by rosé and a small amount of white wine

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9
Q

What is the climate in Roussillon?

A

Warm Mediterranean with a lot of wind and moderate rainfall (500-600 mm per year) and high sunshine

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10
Q

Is the climate in Roussillon favorable to viticulture?

A

Yes, though drought can be an issue in some years

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11
Q

What effect does the rainfall and wind in Roussillon have on viticulture?

A

The low rainfall and high wind reduces disease pressure and increases fruit quality, in turn increasing fruit quality and profitability

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12
Q

How much of Roussillon is certified organic? Why?

A

15% due to the favorable climatic conditions

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13
Q

What are the top six varieties cultivated in Roussillon?

A 
Grenache Noir
Syrah
Carignan
Muscat Blanc
Muscat of Alexandria
Macabeu
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14
Q

What was the traditional method of training vines in Roussillon? Is it still practiced today?

A

Bush vines were traditional and many remain as they provide shade to the grape bunches

Trellising has been implemented in flatter land that is suitable for it, but this is less available in Roussillon than in Languedoc

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15
Q

What are the important AOCs of Roussillon?

A

Côtes du Roussillon AOC

Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC

Collioure AOC

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16
Q

What is the size of Côtes du Roussillon AOC? Where is it situated?

A

5,000 ha

It comprises the entire Pyrénées-Orientales except the Collioure AOC area with vineyards on the lower slopes between 100-250m.

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17
Q

What types of wine are made in Côtes du Roussillon AOC?

A

White, rosé, and red wines

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18
Q

What is the maximum yield permitted in Côtes du Roussillon AOC?

19
Q

What are the principal varieties of Côtes du Roussillon AOC?

A

Carignan
Grenache Noir
Mouvèdre
Syrah

20
Q

What rules on the cultivation of varietals exist in Côtes du Roussillon AOC?

A

Carignan must not exceed 50% of a vineyard

Syrah and Mourvèdre, individually or together, cannot exceed 25% of a vineyard

21
Q

What is the permitted varietal composition of Côtes du Roussillon AOC red wines?

A

They must be made with at least two varieties

No variety may exceed 80%

22
Q

What is the quality and pricing of Côtes du Roussillon AOC wines?

A

Acceptable to good

Inexpensive to mid-priced

23
Q

What is the size of Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC? Where is it situated?

A

It is roughly half the size of Côtes du Roussillon AOC and includes five villages within the regional appellation.

Vineyards are on slopes of 100-400m altitude

24
Q

What types of wine are produced in Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC?

A

Red wine only

25
Q

What is the permitted varietal composition of Côtes du Roussillon AOC red wines?

A

They must be made with at least two varieties

No variety may exceed 80%

(The same as Côtes du Roussillon AOC)

26
Q

What is the cost of Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC compared to Côtes du Roussillon AOC? Why?

A

The quality of grapes is higher due to greater cooling influences from higher altitudes and steeper slopes.

Work must be done by hand, increasing cost.

27
Q

What is the maximum yield permitted in Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC? How often is this reached?

A

45 hl/ha, though yields are often much lower due to the hot, dry climate

28
Q

What are some of the unique rules that winemakers must follow to use a village name in Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC wines?

A

Adhere to lower maximum yields

Use specific winemaking methods with certain varieties, such as carbonic maceration with Carignan in Tautavel to promote fruitiness and reduce tannins

29
Q

What is the quality and pricing of Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC wines?

A

Very good to outstanding

Mostly mid-priced with some premium

30
Q

How do the wines of Côtes du Roussillon AOC and Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC compare to Languedoc AOC wines?

A

Côtes du Roussillon AOC is similar in style, quality, and pricing to the regional appellation.

Côtes du Roussillon AOC is similar in style, quality, and pricing to the sub-appellations.

31
Q

Where is Collioure AOC situated?

A

Southeast of Perpignan with the Spanish border to its south and the Mediterranean to its east. It has the same boundaries as Banyuls AOC.

32
Q

What types of wine are made in Collioure AOC?

A

Full bodied, dry white, rosé, and red wines

33
Q

How are the grapes of Collioure AOC trained?

A

On steep trellises above the Mediterranean sea

34
Q

What grapes are used to produce the majority of Collioure AOC red wines?

A

Grenache Noir
Syrah
Mourvèdre

35
Q

What grapes are used to produce the majority of Collioure AOC white wines?

A

Grenache Gris

36
Q

What is the maximum yield permitted in Collioure AOC? How often is this achieved?

A

40 hl/ha, which is rarely reached

20-25 hl/ha is typical due to the heat, low rainfall, and poor soils

37
Q

What is the quality and pricing of Collioure AOC wines?

A

Very good to outstanding

Mostly mid-priced with some premium

38
Q

What is IGP Côtes Catalanes?

A

An area used for the production of red and white wines that do not adhere to AOC rules in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. Red and white wines are produced here, including some super premium examples.

39
Q

What winemaking methods are common in the production of red wine from Roussillon?

A

Traditional pressing and maceration

Carbonic maceration

40
Q

True or False

Like in the Languedoc, individual wineries are becoming an important driver of high quality wines and have been increasing in number

A

True, though cooperatives remain important to the region

41
Q

What percentage of dry wine from Roussillon is sold in France?

42
Q

What are the top three export destinations by volume for Roussillon wines?

A

China
Belgium
Germany

43
Q

What is the promotional body for Roussillon wines?

A

Sud de France, which also covers food and tourism and organizes the ViniSud wine fair and promotions

Better - WSET Diploma D3 - Wines of the World (101 decks)

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