Roussillon Flashcards
How many VDN appellations in Roussillon?
Which grape varieties are prredominantly used?
- Five appellations
- Four are Grenache based
- One is based entirely on Muscat
True or False
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC inlcude Languedoc’s Fitou.
True
Along with Maury, Banyuls/Colliourse AOCs
What are the main grape varieties of Maury AOC for Red and White VDNs?
- Red: Three varieties of Grenache
- White: Grenache Blanc, Gris, Macabeu and Tourbat
- Reds dominate
What are Six winds that blow through Roussillon?
- From North: Tramontane and Mistral
- From West: Cers
- From South: Sirroco, Autan and Marin
Rivesaltes and Mustcat de Rivesaltes share the same zone of production except ____?
Banyuls/Collioure is not included in the Rivesaltes area.
Name VDN AOC which allows no Oxidative wines:
- White
- Rose (2)
- White - Muiscat de Rivesaltes
- Rose - Banyuls
- Roe - Rivesales
Describe “Rancio” process
Wine is racked into clear glass demi-johns or bonbonne and left out in the summer sun to oxidize and age. This causes many of the colour compounds and tannins in the wines to fall out, leaving a thick, dark coloured deposit in the bonbonne. This deposit is allowed to stay in the bonbonne to influence the colour and flavour of resulting vintages of wine that are aged in the container. Once the wine has finished aging for the summer it is usually blended with wine that has spent time aging in large foudres oak cask or sold separately as Maury Rancio.
Which VDN AOC has it white wines with no Reductive process but only with Oxidative and Very Oxidative?
Rivesaltes AOC - White
No Reductive
Oxidative - Ambre with vintage or Hors d’Age
Very Oxidative - Ambre Rancio
What is the aging requirement for Cotes Catalanes IGP non fortified Rancio styles of wine?
Aged unitl August 31 of the fifth year after harvest
True or False
Maury AOC does NOT allow non VDN wines.
False
Since 2011, dry wines can be made from the same grapes authorized for VDNs i.e mainly Granache
It must be labeled Maury SEC
Does Banyuls Grand Cru AOC has Reductie or Oxidative VDN or both?
Oxidative only.
Banyuls Grand Cru is Red only AOC.
Identify the following for Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC:
- Color:
- Reductive:
- Oixdative:
- Very Oxidative:
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
- Color: White
- Reductive: Only Reductive
- Oixdative: Not made
- Very Oxidative: Not Made
Which VDN AOC has no Reductive wines but only with Oxidative wines?
Banyuls Grand Cru AOC
Min 75% Grenache Noir
Only with Tuile with vintage or Hors d’Age
List five DGCs of Cotes du Roussillon Villages.
- Caramany
- Latour-de-France
- Les Aspres
- Tautavel
- Lesquerde
Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC produces:
- Only Red
- Only White
- Both Red and White wines
Only Red
True or False
Cotes du Roussillon Villages produce Red, White and Rose wines.
False
It is Red wine only AOC.
Give two reasons why hand harvesting is required in Roussillon.
- Due to strong winds such as from Tramontane, vines are trained low
- 80% of vineyards are located on slopes
List hardships faced by Roussillon vignerons (4)
- Identity - Catalan and Occitan cutlures, less dominant partner to Languedoc
- Historic producer of Vin Doux Naturels - no longer in vogue
- Rural with wild boars poaching vineyards
- Heat and drought due to global warming
How many DGCs in Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC?
- Five DCGs
- Caramany
- Latour-de-France
- Les Aspres
- Lesquerde
- Tautavel
What is the percentage of co-operatives producing wines in Roussillon?
75%
How many DGCs are within Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC?
Five
Which AOC area is NOT included Rivesaltes AOC but a part of Muscat de Rivesaltes?
Banyuls/Collioure
Identify the following for Rivesaltes AOC:
- Color:
- Reductive:
- Oxidative:
- Very Oxidative
Rivesaltes AOC
- Color: Red
- Reductive: Grenat with vintage
- Oxidative: Tuile - with vintaage or Hors d’Age
- Very Oxidative: Tuile Rancio
- Color: Rose with vintage
- Reductive: Only Reductive styles
- Oxidative: Not made
- Very Oxidative: Not made
- Color: White
- Reductive: Not made
- Oxidative: Ambre - with vintage or Hors d’Age
- Very Oxidative: Ambre Rancio
What are three mountain ranges that surround Roussillon?
- Corbieres to the north
- Pyrenees and the lofty Mount Canigou peak to the west
- Alberes Mountains (eastern extension of the Pyrenees)
How many days of sunshine does Roussillon receives in a year?
300 Days
What wine is labeled as “Muscat de Noel”?
Muscat de Riversaltes for wines marketed for the Christmas period of the year of harvest.
In Rousillon, what type of areas red and white grapes are planted?
- Alluvial plains - white grapes
- Stonier sites at higher elevation - red grapes
True or False
While Languedoc AOC covers all of Roussillon, less than 2% of Roussillon’s AOC wine production was bottled under this appellation in 2019.
True
What is “Tramontane”?
Prevailing north winds in Roussillon, similar to the Mistral
What is the southernmost appellation in mainland France?
Collioure AOC
Identify the following for Banyuls AOC:
- Color:
- Reductive:
- Oxidative:
- Very Oxidative:
Banyuls AOC
- Color: Red
- Reductive: Rimage with vintage
- Oxidative: Traditonnel with vintage or Hors d’Age
- Very Oxidative: Traditionel Rancio
- Color: Rose
- Reductive: Rose - with vintage - only Reductive styles
- Oxidative: Not made
- Very Oxidative: Not made
- Color: White
- Reductive: Blanc - with vintage
- Oxidative: Ambre - with vintage or Hors d’Age
- Very Oxidative: Ambre Rancio
What AOC is Roussillon’s largest by volume?
Cotes du Roussillon AOC
State the difference between the wines of Collioure AOC and Banyuls AOC which share the same delimited area.
- Collioure AOC: Dry wines
- Banyuls AOC: VDNs
Which grape varitey Cotes du Roussillon Villages is based?
Grenache
Blend at least of two varieties
What is the primary soil type of Banyuls AOC?
Schist
What is the primary grape variety used in Maury Sec AOC?
Grenache
What is Banyuls VDN Red Reductive called?
What is Banyuls VDN Red Oxidative called?
- Red Reductive: Rimage (rather than Grenat)
- Red Oxidative: Traditionnel (rather than Tuile) also Hors d’Age for 5 year aging
What is the percentage of all French VDNs Roussillon currently producing?
80%
What river bisects Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC and passes through Rivesaltes?
Agly River (the other two main rivers are Tet and Tech flowing through Cotes du Roussillon AOC)
What are the top five grape varieties in Roussillon (area under vine as of 2018?
- Grenache (23%)
- Syrah (17%)
- Carignan (13%)
- Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc (10%)
- Muscat d’Alexandrie (9%)
What type of container some producers used to store Rancio style of non fortified wine in Cotes Catalanes IGP?
Aged outdoors in glass bonbonnes or demi-johns
True or False
Cotes Catalanes IGP produces approximately the same amount of wine as Cotes du Roussillon AOC
True
What is climate of Roussillon?
The Mediterranean
Why are vines in Maury (Sec) AOC able to produce two or three bunches per vine?
- Relentless wines funnel through the hilss of Queribus Castle
- Relentless sun
In what ways Cotes du Catalanes IGP mainly used?
By some producers for ambitious hgih quality wines that would not fit under an AOC banner due to existing production regulations.
What is the difference between “Mutage” and “Mutage Sur Marc)?
- Mutage - if the neutral grape spirit is added to a must without solids
- Mutage Sur Marc - If the neutral grape spirit is added to a must that is macerating soilds
True or False
IGP Pays D’Oc cover Rooussillon
True
Which two appellations has the half of wine roduction in Roussillon (as of 2019)?
- Cotes du Roussillon AOC
- Cotes Catalanes IGP
Which grape variety Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC is based on?
Grenache
Red wine ONLY AOC
Which IGP produces a non-fortifed rancio style of red or whtie wine, often involving outdoor aging in glass bonbonnes?
Cotes Catalanes IGP
Name the three prominent three rivers in Roussillon.
- The Agly River
- The Tet River
- The Tech River
Especially the Agly River weaves through Cru vineyards.
Which grape variety is a main component of Roussillon dry white wines and white VDNS?
Grenache Blanc
Describe wines made in a “Rancio” fashion.
Dry reds, whites and roses may be made in a Rancio fashion.
These wines have been matrued by oxidative methods for at least five years. They turn dark brown or tawny and acquire leathery and gamey flavors.
What is VDN Very Oxidative Red called?
What is VDN Very Oxidtative White called?
Identify the following for Maury AOC:
- Color:
- Reductive:
- Oxidative:
- Very Oxidative:
Maury AOC:
- Color: Red
- Reductive: Grenat with vintage
- Oxidative: Tuile - with vintage or Hors d’Age
- Very Oxidative: Tuile Rancio
- Color: White
- Reductive: Blanc with vintage
- Oxidative: Ambre - with vintage or Hors d’Age
- Very Oxidative: Ambre Rancio
Identify the folloiwng for Banyuls Grand Cru AOC:
- Color:
- Reductive:
- Oxidative:
- Very Oxidative:
Banyuls Grand Cru AOC
- Color: Red
- Reductive: Not Made
- Oxidative: Tuile with vintage or Hors d’Abe
- Very Oxidative: Not Made
True or False
As of 2019, less than 10% of Cotes du Roussillon wine production was Rose.
False
42% Rose
50% Red
8% White
Name two WHITE grape varieties that are predominant in the blends of Cotes du Roussillon AOC
- Grenache Blanc
- Macabeu
What is the most production made in Banyuls AOC?
Grenache based Red in various oxidative styles.
What wine styles are produced for Maury Sec AOC and Maury AOC?
- Maury Sec AOC - Red wine (dry) - Grenache based and for dry wines, mandated to label SEC
- Maury AOC - White and Red VDN
What are the names of the three mountain ranges that surround Roussillon?
- North: Corbieres
- West: Pyrenees
- South: Alberes
Which appellation produced approximately the same volume of wine as did Cotes du Roussillon AOC in Roussillon?
Cotes Catalanes AOC
True or False
All work in Collioure AOC is carried out by hand or by mule.
True
What are three main differences between Banyuls and Banyuls Grand Cru AOCs?
- Min 75% Grenache Noir for Banyuls Grand Cru
- Min Aged in oak: June 1 of the third year after harvest
- No Reductive, Oxidative either by Tuile with vintage or Hors d’Age
What type of soil covers much of Roussillon?
An iron rich, sandy, red, water-retaining clay
What are Bonbonne?
Glass Demi-John which some VDN wines undergo aging outside in the sun.
This accelrates oxidation and ives the wines a madernized character.
Who has been known to invent the process of Mutage?
Amaldus de Villa Nova (Catalan alchemist in 1299)
Received a patent for perfecting the technique of halting the fermentation of wine by adding grape spirits. This technique is still used today to make the wines of Maury.
What are two appellations in Roussillon that produce still, dry wines only?
- Maury (Sec)
- Collioure
True or False
Roussillon receives over 300 days of sunshine per year resulting in some of the highest temperatures in all of mainland France.
True
Name the main grape variety used in Maury AOC
Grenache
What are the first three AOCs established in Roussillon in 1936?
- Rivesaltes
- Banyuls
- Maury
Followed by Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC in 1956
Banyuls Grand Cru AOC in 1962
All VDNs
Name three IGPs used in Roussillon
- Pays d’Oc IGP
- Cotes Catalanes IGP
- Cote Vemeille IGP (covers Banyuls/Collioure and rarely used)
Which grape variety is the historic backbone to the red blend in Roussillon and the old vines can produce particularly concentrated and high quality wines?
Carignan
Does Maury AOC (not Sec) produce VDNs Oxidative or Reductive or both?
Maury AOC produces both Oxidative and Reductive VDNs.
Most of Rivesaltes and Banyuls VDNs are made Oxidatively.
What grape variety is used for Maury Sec wine?
Grenache Noir
(the same as its more well known VdN)
What AOC wine can be labeled as “Muscat de Noel” for wines marketed for the Christmas period of the year of harvest?
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
Which AOC covers most of Roussillon’s vineyards INCLUDING Maury and Banyuls/Collioure as well as Fitou in Languedoc?
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
Define “Hors d’Age”
For VDN, any Oxidative styles (Tuile for Red or Ambre for White), wines that spent at least 5 years aging
No Reductive wines are labeled Hors d’Age
True or False
In Roussillon Frotified red, white and rose sweet wines (VDNs) are made in reductive or oxidative syltes.
True
True or False
In Cotes Catalanes IGP, some producers a non fortified Rancio style of Red or White win.
True
What are two grape varieties that make up Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?
- Muscat Petit Grains Blanc
- Muscat d’Alexandrie
What are three most important grape varieties in Roussillon?
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Carignan
What is Rimage?
Term used to denote Vintage VDN profduced in Banyuls.
What two AOCs cover the same area as Cote Vermeille IGP?
Banyuls / Collioure
What twe AOCs share the same area - one specialized in dry white, red and rose while the other VDN?
- Collioure - dry wines
- Banyuls - VDN
Do Banyuls and Banyuls Grand Cru AOCs cover the same area?
Yes
Banyuls Grand Cru AOC requires Min 75% Grenache and
Aged in Oak until June 1 of the the third year after harvest
Which grape variety is a mainstay of Roussilloin red wines as well as the red VDNs?
Grenache
What is primary soil type of Banyuls?
Vineyards on steeply terraced SCHIST.
What is customarily grape make up of the White Colliourse AOC?
- At least 70% Grenache Blanc
- and/or Grenache Gris
- Other supporting grapes up to 30%
True or False
Dry wines produced (Red Only) in Maury must include SEC on their label.
What are the percentage of dry AOC, dry IGP and VDN AOC and wine without appellation in Roussillon?
- Dry AOC: 40%
- Dry IGP: 36%
- VDN AOC: 17%
- Wine without appellation: 7%
Which grape variety is often made Carbonic maceration in Roussillon to soften its aggressive tannins?
Carignan
What is the main difference between Reductive and Oxidative VDNs?
- Reductive: Wines are aged in inert stainless steel tanks, concrete tankes or topped up oak barresl before filtering and bottling
- Oxidative: Wines matured wiotut topping up nad.or without temperatue control to delierately encourage oxidation in containers ranging from concrete and wooden vats or barrels old or new, which could be stored inside or outside the cellar.
