Roussillon Pt 3 -Grapes, Viticulture and Winemaking

Question 1

What are the main white grapes of Roussillon?

Answer 1

Grenache Blanc is main component of dry whites and many VDNs.

Question 2

What are the main rose grapes of Roussillon?

Answer 2

Grenache Gris which is used in many dry whites and VDNs.

Question 3

What are the main red grapes of Roussillon?

Answer 3

Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvedre.

Question 4

How is Grenache noir used in Roussillon wines?

Answer 4

It is the mainstay of all red wines and red VDNs.

Question 5

How is Carignan used in Roussillon wines?

Answer 5

It is the historic backbone to red blends and produces concentrated, high quality wines from old-vines.

Question 6

Which international grapes are grown and used in Roussillon?

Answer 6

Cab. Sauv, Merlot and Chardonnay and used mainly in IGP wines.

Question 7

How are vines trained in Roussillon?

Answer 7

They are trained low to the ground in gobelet form.

Question 8

Why is gobelet the preferred training method in Roussillon?

Answer 8

It works well in areas of low rainfall with vines which have strong upward growing canes like Carignan and Grenache. It also protects from the Tramontane winds.

Question 9

Which harvesting method is used in Roussillon? Why is this?

Answer 9

Hand harvesting. This is due to the gobelet method and the steep slopes.

Question 10

What is the planting density in Roussillon? Why is this?

Answer 10

1600-2000 per acre/4-5000 per ha.
The wide spacing is necessary because of the lack of water and poor nutrients in the soil.

Question 11

What are the positive aspects of Roussillon’s dry and windy climate?

Answer 11

There is reduced disease pressure so organic farming levels are higher. 20% of all vineyards are organic.

Question 12

How are white wines made in Roussillon?

Answer 12

Direct press or short skin contact, and often vinified in barrel.

Question 13

How are rose wines made in Roussillon?

Answer 13

By saignee or direct press.

Question 14

How are red wines made in Roussillon? How are they matured?

Answer 14

Wines are made in the traditional way after destemming, except for Carignan. They can be matured tank, casks, barrel or glass bonbonnes/demi-johns for an average of two years.

Question 15

How is Carignan vinified in Roussillon?

Answer 15

It is made by carbonic maceration to soften its aggressive tannins.

Question 16

What style is fashioned for some dry white, rose and red wines in Roussillon?

Answer 16

They are made in RANCIO fashion?

Question 17

What is Rancio? What is the result?

Answer 17

Rancio is the label name given to wines made in an fully oxidative fashion for 5 years. They have dark brown or tawny colour.

Question 18

What is the character of Rancio wine?

Answer 18

It turns brown in colour with aroma of walnuts and orange peel. They acquire leather or gamey flavours.

Question 19

What style of VDNs are made in Roussillon?

Answer 19

Reductive or oxidative styles.

Question 20

What is “Mutage”?

Answer 20

Mutage is the addition of grape spirit to partially fermented wine to retain residual sugar in fortified wines. Used in VDN winemaking.

Question 21

What is “Mutage sur Marc”

Answer 21

In VDN winemaking it is the addition of neutral grape spirit to must which is macerating with solids.

Question 22

How are oxidative-style VDNs aged?

Answer 22

In foudres, barrels, vats and/or glass bonbonnes.