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French Wine Scholar > Roussillon > Flashcards

Roussillon Flashcards

1
Q

Which 2 cultures are prominent in the Roussillon?

A
  • Catalan
  • Occitan

Neither language is spoken anymore, but the distinct legacies remain.

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2
Q

How much has the vineyard area in Roussillon shrunk since its zenith in 1882?

A

The current vineyard area is just 27% of it peak planting.
* 2019: 50,656ac/20,500ha
* 1882: 187,800ac/76,000ha

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3
Q

Roussillon is a historic producer of which sweet wine?

A

Vin Doux Naturels

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4
Q

What contributes to the high cost of winemaking in Roussillon?

A
  • Wild boars: electric fencing is the only solution, without which the animals poach the grapes
  • Mildew: requiring expensive vineyard sprays
  • Heat & droughts: global warming has caused diminishing yields

Many growers/producers are working on the very edge of profitability.

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5
Q

What percentage of production in Roussillon are co-ops?

A

75%

However, there has been an influx of wine producers attracted by the relatively affordable land prices & the region’s potential for quality winemaking.

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6
Q

What percentage of all French VDNs are produced in Roussillon?

A

80%

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7
Q

What percentage of wines produced in Roussillon are AOC, IGP, VDN AOC or wine without appellation?

A
  • 40% dry AOC
  • 36% dry IGP
  • 17% VDN AOC
  • 7% wine w/o appellation
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8
Q

Where is Roussillon located?

A

This region lies within the Pyrenees-Orientales departement in the Occitania region.
It is bordered by Languedoc to the north & northeast and Spain to the south.
The region opens to the Mediterranean on the east.
It is surrounded on 3 sides by mountain ranges:
* Corbieres to the north
* Pyrenees, with the lofty Mount Canigou peak to the west
* Alberes Mountains (the eastern extension of the Pyrenees) to the south

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9
Q

How do the mountains surrounding Roussillon on 3 sides influence the climate?

A
  • Creates an amphitheater effect on a grand scale
  • Inclement weather is blocked
  • Heat is trapped
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10
Q

What is the climate in Roussillon?

A

Mediterranean

  • It is both sunny & dry
  • receives some of the highest temperatures in all of mainland France
  • Rainfall occurs in winter
  • Summers are prone to drought
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11
Q

How much sunshine does Roussillon receive?

A

Over 300 days per year

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12
Q

How much rainfall does Roussillon receive?

A

Average of only 19.5-23.5in/500-600mm per year.

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13
Q

Name the prevailing north wind in Roussillon.

A

Tramontane

Up to 8 different winds buffet the region from all sides.

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14
Q

How is the Tramontane beneficial to the vineyards of Roussillon?

A

This dessicates the berries, increasing sugar concentration and reducing yields.
It serves to dry the soils and mitigate humidity, minimizing the risk of disease and promotes a healther environment for the vine.

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15
Q

Where are the vineyards planted in Roussillon?

A
  • Many line the slopes of the Pyrenees foothills.
  • Others are located at various elevations on thin strips of land between the peaks
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16
Q

How do the vineyards of Roussillon benefit from the landscape?

A
  • Vineyards planted on or near the mountains benefit from cold air masses that descend from the mountains’ upper reaches during evening hours
  • the convoluted landscape captures water, funnels, channels and sometimes intensifies the winds to temper heat
  • Varied degrees of orientations
  • Different elevations (up to 1,980ft/600m) to temper heat
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17
Q
  1. Name the 3 rivers that cut through the landscape of Roussillon en route to the Mediterranean.
A
  • Agly River: weaves through a geologically diverse series of hills that have proven to be some of the region’s most propitious vineyard lands (namely the cru sites of Caramany, Latour-de-France, Lesquerde and Tautavel)
  • Tet River
  • Tech River
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18
Q

What soil types are found in Roussillon?

A

Much of the region consists of an iron-rich, sandy, red, water-retaining clay.
However, there is a huge diversity of soil types:
* limestone
* black schist
* granite
* gneiss
* gray schist
* galets
* sandstone
* shale
* quartz
* yellow clay
* marble
* sand

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19
Q

In general, where in Roussillon are red and white grapes planted?

A
  • White grapes: alluvial plains
  • Red grapes: stonier sites at higher elevations
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20
Q

Name the white grapes of Roussillon.

A
  • Grenache Blanc

Others used in AOC white wines: Macabeu, Tourbat, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Viognier, Carignan Blanc, Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc & Muscat d’Alexandrie

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21
Q

Which grape variety is a main component of many Roussillon dry white wines and the white VDNs?

A

Grenache Blanc

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22
Q

Name the rose/gris grapes of Roussillon.

A

Grenache Gris

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23
Q

How is the Grenache Gris variety used in Roussillon?

A

It may be used in:
* Dry White wines
* VDNs

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24
Q

Name the red grape varieties of Roussillon.

A
  • Grenache
  • Carignan

Others used in AOC production: Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Counoise & Lledoner Pelut

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25
Q

Which red grape variety is the mainstay of Roussillon red wines as well as the red VDNs?

A

Grenache

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26
Q

Which old-vine red grape variety can produce particularly concentrated and high-quality wines in Roussillon?

A

Carignan

This is the historic backbone to the red blend in this region.
Its heartland is in the western Languedoc.

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27
Q

Rank the grape varieties under vine in Roussillon from widest to least.

A
  1. Grenache (23%)
  2. Syrah (17%)
  3. Carignan (13%)
  4. Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc (10%)
  5. Muscat d’Alexandrie (9%)
  6. Macabeu (6%)
  7. Grenache Blanc (5%)
  8. Grenache Gris (4%)
  9. Mourvedre (4%)
  10. Merlot (2%)
    Other (7%)
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28
Q

Which international grape varieties are grown in Roussillon?

A
  • Merlot
  • Chardonnay
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

These are grown to a lesser extent and are typically used for IGP varietal wines.

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29
Q

What vinetraining methods are used in Roussillon?

A
  • gobelet
  • bushvine fashion

Vines are trained low to the ground to protect them from the Tramontane wind.
80% of vineyards are located on slopes, making this method necessary.

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30
Q

What is the planting density of the vineyards in Roussillon?

A

Generally around
1,600-2,000 vines per ac/4,000-5,000 per hectare.
The wide spacing is due to lack of water.

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31
Q

What percentage of Roussillon vineyards are being farmed organically?

A

20% (2018)

The dry & windy climate reduces the need for sprays.

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32
Q

How are white wines made in Roussillon?

A
  • Direct press or
  • Short skin contact
  • Often vinified in barrel
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33
Q

How are rose wines made in Roussillon?

A
  • saignee, or
  • direct press
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34
Q

How are red wines made in Roussillon?

A
  • Vinified in the traditional manner after destemming
  • Carbonic maceration is used for certain grapes (Carignan, to soften its aggressive tannins)
  • matured in tank, casks, barrels or demi-johns for an average of 2 years
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35
Q

What is rancio?

A

It is a fashion of winemaking for dry reds, whites and roses that have been matured by oxidative methods for as least 5 years in Roussillon.
They turn dark brown or tawyn and acquire leathery & gamey flavours.

36
Q

How are VDNs made in Roussillon?

A

Fortified red, white & rose sweet wines (VDNs) are made in reductive or oxidative styles.
Mutage may happen after pressing or directly on the Marc.
Oxidative-style VDNs may be aged in foudres, barrels, vats and/or glass bonbonnes.

37
Q

Name the appellations of Roussillon.

A
  1. Languedoc AOC
  2. Cotes du Roussillon AOC (1977): 25% of total regional production
  3. Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC (1977): 9%
  4. Collioure AOC (1971, Dry White 2003): 2%
  5. Maury (Sec) AOC (1936, Red (Sec) 2011)
  6. Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC (1956): 10%
  7. Rivesaltes AOC(1936): 6%
  8. Maury AOC (1936)
  9. Banyuls AOC (1936): 2% (including the Grand Cru)
  10. Banyuls Grand Cru AOC (1962)
    (Cotes du Rousillon Villages AOC Tautavel): 2%

IGPs:
* Cotes Catalanes IGP (1981): 25%
* Pays d’Oc IGP (1987): 13%

38
Q

What percentage of Roussillon’s AOC wine production is bottled under the Languedoc AOC?

A

Less than 2%

39
Q

Which regional AOC is Roussillon’s largest by volume?

A

Cotes du Roussillon AOC

40
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Cotes du Roussillon AOC?

A
  • Dry White: must be a blend of at least 2 varieties; often they are Grenache Blanc & Macabeu
  • Rose: generally a blend of Grenache, Grenache Gris & Syrah
  • Red: must be a blend of at least 2 of the 4 primary grape varieties

A variety of styles are made from:
* youthful & light to
* more complex & concentrated designed for extended aging

41
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Cotes du Roussillon AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Tourbat
* [S] Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino, Viognier, Carignan Blanc

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris

Red:
* [P] Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
* [S] Cinsaut, Lledoner Pelut

42
Q

What percentage of wine production in Cotes du Roussillon AOC is red, white or rose?

A
  • 50% red
  • 42% rose
  • 8% white

(in 2019)

43
Q

What areas does the Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC cover?

A

This appellation extends east through the Agly and Tet river valleys and to areas south of the Tet.

44
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC?

A

Red

Grenache-based wines, that must be a blend of at least 2 grape varieties.

45
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC?

A

Red:
* [P] Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
* [S] Lledoner Pelut

46
Q

Name the 5 DGCs of Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC

A
  1. Caramany
  2. Latour-de-France
  3. Les Aspres
  4. Lesquerde
  5. Tautavel

Any of these DGCs may add their name to the appellation.
Each has a slightly different grape focus and blending formula.

47
Q

Which is the southernmost appellation in mainland France?

A
  • Collioure AOC: dry wines
  • Banyuls AOC: VDNs
  • Banyuls Grand Cru AOC: VDNs

These appellations share the same area, nestled up to the Mediterranean.

48
Q

Describe the landscape in Collioure AOC.

A

The landscape is breathtaking, with vines descending right to the sea at a steepness reminiscent of the Douro or Moselle river valleys.
No tractors can work the vineyards. All work is carried out by hand or by mule.

49
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Collioure AOC?

A
  • Dry White: customarily a blend of a least 70% Grenache Blanc and/or Grenache Gris with other varieties supporting them by up to 30%
  • Rose: blends of at least 2 varieties
  • Red: blends of at least 2 varieties
50
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Collioure AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Marsanne, Roussane, Tourbat, Vermentino
* [S] Carignan Blanc, Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris

Red:
* [P] Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan
* [S] Cinsaut, Counoise

51
Q

Where is Maury (Sec) AOC located?

A

The vineyards of this appellation nestle on the slopes beneath the ancient ruins of Queribus Castle on hills that form the dividing line between the Corbieres and the Pyrenees mountain ranges in Roussillon.

52
Q

What is the weather like in Maury (Sec) AOC?

A
  • wind funnels through the hills at speeds of up to 60mph/100kph
  • sun is relentless
  • vines struggle to survive, producing just 2-3 bunches per vine
53
Q

What style of wine is produced in Maury (Sec) AOC?

A

Dry Red: must be a blend of a min. of 2 grape varieties, with Grenache as the main component

Prior to release, the wines are aged until March 1 of the year after harvest, and producers are obligated to put Sec on the label.

54
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Maury (Sec) AOC?

A

Red:
* [P] Grenache
* [S] Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Lledoner Pelut

55
Q

Name the 5 VDN appellations in Roussillon.

A
  • Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
  • Rivesaltes AOC
  • Maury AOC
  • Banyuls AOC
  • Banyuls Grand Cru AOC
56
Q

Where is Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC located?

A

This large appellation encompasses most of the departement of Pyrenees-Orientales (including Maury and Banyuls/Collioure) in Roussillon and Languedoc’s Fitou.

However, much of the production focuses on the flat plains surrounding the town of Rivesaltes just north of Perpignan.

57
Q

What style of wine is made in Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?

A

Fortified White: min. 10% (100g/l) RS, min. 15% abv

Can be made from Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc and/or Muscat d’Alexandrie.

58
Q

What are the characteristics of Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC wines?

A

Heady aromas of peach, orange blossom, honey and honeysuckle with a rich and unctuous texture.

59
Q

What wines are labeled as Muscat de Noel?

A

Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC wines marketed for the Christmas period of the year of harvest.

60
Q

Where is Rivesaltes AOC located?

A

This appellation shares the same zone of production as Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC with the exception of the area of Banyuls/Collioure (this area is not included in the Rivesaltes AOC delimited area.

61
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Rivesaltes AOC?

A
  • Fortified White
  • Fortified Rose
  • Fortified Red

Minimum sweetnes: 4.5% (45g/l)
Minimum Alcohol: 15%

Most wines are made oxidatively.

62
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Rivesaltes AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Tourbat
* [S] Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris

Red:
* [P] Grenache

63
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Maury AOC?

A
  • Fortified White: primarily from Grenache Blanc & Gris, Macabeu & Tourbat (production is small)
  • Fortified Red: can be made from the 3 Grenache varieties

Minimum Sweetness: 4.5% (45g/l)
Minimum Alcohol: 15%

These wines are made both oxidatively & reductively and uses similar terminology to Rivesaltes.

64
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Maury AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Tourbat
* [S] Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris

Red:
* [P] Grenache
* [S] Syrah, Carignan

65
Q

Describe the vineyards that produce grapes for the VDNs of Banyuls AOC.

A
  • planted on steeply terraced slops of schist
  • many vines are old
  • yields are low
  • little disease pressure due to sun and wind
  • several grape varieties are commonly found co-planted together in one vineyard and are harvested all at the same time
66
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Banyuls AOC?

A
  • Fortified White
  • Fortified Rose
  • Fortified Red

Most production is Grenache-based red and most of this is made in various oxidative styels.

67
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Banyuls AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Tourbat
* [S] Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie, Marsanne, Rousanne, Vermentino, Carignan Blanc

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris

Red:
* [P] Grenache
* [S] Syrah, Carignan, Cinsaut, Counoise, Mourvedre

68
Q

Where is Banyuls Grand Cru AOC located?

A

This appellation covers the same delimited area of production with Banyuls AOC in the southern-most area of the Roussillon.

69
Q

What style of wine is produced in Banyuls Grand Cru AOC?

A
  • Fortified Red: min. 75% Grenache Noir; the primary blending partners are the authorized white varieties

Wines are made in an oxidative style.
Must be aged in oak until June 1 of the third year after harvest.

70
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Banyuls Grand Cru AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Tourbat
* [S] Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris

Red:
* [P] Grenache
* [S] Syrah, Carignan, Cinsaut, Counoise, Mourvedre

71
Q

What are the characteristics of Banyuls Grand Cru AOC wines?

A

Fig, prune, caramel, leather, tobacco & coffee. Characteristics typical to an oxidative style.

72
Q

What does Hors d’Age mean?

A

In the production of VDNs in Roussillon, these are wines made in an oxidative style that have spent at least 5 years aging.

73
Q

What is Rimage?

A

This is label nomenclature for red VDNs that are made in a reductive style (without oxygen).
This terminology is used in Banyuls AOC.

74
Q

What is Grenat?

A

This is label nomenclature for red VDN wines that have aged reductively (without oxygen).
This terminology is used in:
* Rivesaltes AOC
* Maury AOC

75
Q

What is Tuile?

A

This is label nomenclature for red VDN wines made in a slightly oxidative style that take a tuile (clay-tile) colour.

This terminology is used in:
* Rivesaltes AOC
* Maury AOC
* Banyuls Grand Cru AOC

76
Q

What is Rancio?

A

This is label nomenclature for red & white VDN wines made in a fully oxidative style.

These are brown in colour and boast characteristic aromas of walnut and orange peel.

77
Q

What is Ambre?

A

This is label nomenclature for white VDN wines made in an oxidative style.
It refers to the amber colour indicative of controlled oxidation.

78
Q

Which is the most well-known IGP in Roussillon?

A

Pays d’Oc IGP

In Roussillon, it is used to produce straightforward varietal wines.

79
Q

Name the 3 IGPs in Roussillon.

A
  1. Pays d’Oc IGP
  2. Cotes Catalanes IGP
  3. Cote Vermeille IGP
80
Q

What area does Cotes Catalanes IGP cover?

A

This IGP covers most of the departement of Pyrenees-Orientales.

81
Q

What styles of wines are produced in Cotes Catalanes IGP?

A
  • Dry White
  • Rose
  • Red
82
Q

Which grape varieties are permitted in Cotes Catalanes IGP?

A

White:
* [P] Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Macabeu, Marsanne, Mauzac, Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc, Muscat d’Alexandrie, Parellada, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Tourbat, Vermentino, Viognier and other indigenous & international varieties.

Rose/Gris:
* [P] Grenache Gris, Muscat a Petit Grains Rose and other indigenous & international varieties.

Red:
* [P] Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignon, Chenanson, Cinsaut, Grenache, Lledoner Pelut, Marselan, Merlot, Mourvedre, Syrah and other indigenous & international varieties.

83
Q

How much wine did Cotes Catalanes IGP produce in 2019?

A

Approx. the same volume of wine as the Cotes du Roussillon AOC.

84
Q

What is the Cotes Catalanes IGP used for?

A

By some producers for ambitious high-quality wines that would not fit under an AOC banner due to existing production regulations.

Others use this IGP to produce a non-fortified rancio style of red or white wine.

85
Q

What is involved in the production of non-fortified rancio style wines produced under Cotes Catalanes IGP?

A
  • Often involves outdoor aging in glass bonbonnes
  • must be aged until August 31 of the fifth year after harvest.

These wines often have a dark amber colour with tangy aromas and flavours of walnuts, burnt butter, dried fruits and spices.

86
Q

What area does the Cote Vermeille IGP cover?

A

This IGP covers the Banyuls/Collioure area and is rarely used.

French Wine Scholar (34 decks)

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