South of France Flashcards
With Co-ops being important in the region of Languedoc, how much of the region’s production do they represent?
70%
What is the climate of Languedoc?
Mediterranean with very warm summers, high levels of sunshine and relatively low rainfall.
What are the natural factors impacting viticulture in Languedoc?
The cool Tramontane north west wind and low moisture levels lead to low fungal disease risks.
In dry years drought can be an issue especially where irrigation isn’t installed, hence reducing production levels.
Name the top 6 grapes of Languedoc
Carignan Syrah Grenache Noir Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsault
What are the main characteristics of Carignan?
Late budding and late ripening.
High yielding and can be naturally countered by using old vines.
Prone to powdery mildew and grape moths.
Not suited to machine harvesting as bunches firmly attach to vine.
What is the typical style of Carignan wines from Languedoc?
Medium ruby, High acidity, high tannins, unoaked, simple blackberry fruit.
Acceptable to good.
Inexpensive.
Higher quality ones have more intense fruits with spice and earthy notes.
With bush vines traditionally grown in Languedoc, how are they commonly trained now?
Many now grown on trellises for mechanisation.
For inexpensive wines of Languedoc, what is the usual fermentation temperatures?
Mid range to preserve primary fruits.
For inexpensive wines of Languedoc, how can they hold for 2-3 years even though they’re made for early drinking?
Wines often have medium tannins.
What winemaking technique is commonly used to produce fruity wines with medium to deep colour and low tannins in Languedoc?
Carbonic maceration
What varieties might be used for higher quality and ageable Languedoc wines via Carbonic maceration?
Carignan and Syrah
What type of Languedoc wines might utilise barriques?
High quality small volume production
How much of Languedoc’s production is IGP wines?
70%
What’s been the root of Languedoc’s commercial success over the last few years?
IGP wines labelled with a grape variety.
Which single IGP produces between 10-15% of all French production where the wines are of good to very good and inexpensive to mid-priced?
IGP Pays d’Oc
How much of Pays d’Oc production is sold in France and their key sales channel?
50%
Supermarkets and hospitality.
Key export markets are Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.
Name the top 4 grapes used in IGP Pays d’Oc which are mainly used for single varietal wines
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Syrah
Apart from Cabardes AOC and Malepere AOC, which grape must all Languedoc AOCs contain?
Grenache Noir.
Most requires Syrah and Mourvèdre
Which Languedoc AOCs have Carignan as one of their principal variety?
Fitou and Corbieres
Give some of the more interesting quirks of AOC rules in Languedoc
Variety percentages of vineyards can be different to that of final wines.
Sub-zones can have different rules to parent appellation.
Give some of the rules around the large regional appellation Languedoc AOC
GSM principal varieties.
Min 2 varieties with min 1 principal variety.
No variety greater than 80% of blend.
Principal varieties must make up at least 40%.
Other varieties (Cinsaut, Carignan etc) cannot exceed 30%.
Which type of wine makes up around 90% of all Languedoc appellations?
Red wines
Apart from AOCs dedicated to white wines.
What is the general style of regional appellation in Languedoc?
All mediums, simple blackberry and red plums.
Acceptable to good.
Inexpensive to mid priced
What is the typical style of named appellations in Languedoc?
Medium (+) acidity, medium tannins, medium to high alcohol, medium (+) body, medium to medium (+) intensity, blackberry, red plum, herbal notes, minority have oak notes.
Good to very good, some outstanding.
Inexpensive to premium.
What is the typical style of sub-appellations of Languedoc?
Medium (+) intensity to pronounced intensity and medium (+) tannins.
Very good with some outstanding.
Mid priced with some premium.
With 70% of Corbieres AOC wines sold in France via supermarkets, which are their key export markets?
China, Germany and Belgium.
Which Languedoc AOC has a range of climatic zones based in altitude and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea?
Minervois AOC
Topography wise, what are the biggest differences between Minervois and Minervois La Livineire?
The latter on gentle slopes and higher altitudes.
Also only produces red wines
Which Languedoc appellation has Co-op Mont Tauch producing around half of total production, where coastal areas are flatter with inland more mountainous?
Fitou
Which Languedoc appellation has a north south divide where the north has fast draining soils and south having greater water holding clay soils?
Saint-Chinian
Which Languedoc AOC has a higher proportion of organic grape growing and their wines are mostly sold in France?
Faugeres AOC
Which Languedoc appellation has a more continental climate where Syrah performs well?
Pic Saint-Loup AOC
Which Languedoc AOC is relatively new and only produces red wines?
Terrasses du Larzac
Name couple of relatively new AOCs of Languedoc
La Clape
Terrasses du Larzac
What is the general style of Picpoul de Pinet wines?
Medium (+) to high acidity, medium body, medium intensity, lemon, light floral notes.
Acceptable to good.
Inexpensive to mid priced
Which Languedoc AOC exports 65% of total production and UK being the biggest market?
Picpoul de Pinet
What factors lead Malepere AOC to be more influenced by the Atlantic rather than Mediterranean?
Appellation is in most westerly part of Languedoc and Mediterranean influence is blocked by mountains.
Which Languedoc AOC have both Atlantic and Mediterranean influence?
Cabardes AOC
Which Languedoc AOC must have a min of 40% Merlot?
Malepere
Which Languedoc appellation must be a blend of 40% each of Bordeaux grapes (Cabernets and Merlot) and Grenache and/or Syrah?
Cabardes AOC
Which promotional body is Languedoc and Roussillon part of?
Sud de France
What have been on an upward trajectory in Languedoc in recent years?
Rosé production.
Export of AOC wines (USA & China).
More ambitious wineries making higher quality wines at mid-priced segment, less co-ops and more own estate wines.
How much of Languedoc’s total production is AOC wines?
15%
What is the climate of Roussillon?
Warm Mediterranean and windy.
Moderate rainfall and high sunshine hours.
What are the natural factors impacting viticulture in Roussillon?
Winds and low rainfall reduce risk of fungal disease.
Drought can be an issue in dry years.
Many vineyards located on slopes/foothills of Pyrenees (altitude).
Coastal plain for high volume production.
What are the top grapes of Roussillon?
Grenache Noir Syrah Carignan Muscat Blanc Muscat of Alexandria Macabeu
What is the typical vine training method in Roussillon?
Bush vines.
Increase in trellising but flatter land far less than Languedoc.
Name the two main AOCs of Roussillon producing red wines.
Cotes du Roussillon AOC
Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC
what are the key difference between Cotes du Roussillon and Cotes du Roussillon villages?
Cotes du Roussillon Villages have slightly higher altitudes.
Villages only make reds both the other make reds, whites and roses.
In relation to Languedoc, what is the general style of Cotes du Roussillon, Cotes du Roussillon and Collioure
Cotes du Roussillon = Languedoc AOC
Cotes du Roussillon Villages = Languedoc sub appellations
Collioure = Languedoc sub appellation
Which Roussillon appellation contains areas where Carignan grapes have to be use via Carbonic Maceration?
Some of the villages in Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC
Which appellation in Roussillon make full bodied dry red and white wines using GSM and Grenache Gris?
Collioure AOC
Grapes grown in steep terraces above the Mediterranean Sea
Name the IGP of Roussillon?
IGP Cotes Catalanes
Reds and whites
With Co-op accounting for 75% of total Roussillon production and 80% of all dry wines are sold domestically, which are the key export markets?
China, Belgium and Germany.
Name a producing making outstanding super premium wines in Roussillon?
La Soula
What is the climate of Provence?
Warm Mediterranean.
Adequate rainfall.
What are the natural factors impacting Provence?
Cooled by Cold Mistral wind, also reduce fungal disease risks.
Cold winds can interrupt flowering and fruit set.
Higher altitudes in inland sites moderate warm summers.
What are the top grapes of Provence?
Grenache Noir Cinsaut Syrah Carignan Rolle Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the vine training methods in Provence?
Now trellised vines for mechanisation and better canopy management.
Used to be bush vines for shading.
What are the harvesting considerations in Provence?
Earlier for rosé wines to retain higher acidity.
For short maceration rosés, ripeness of tannins is key to avoid bitter flavours.
With Provence rose AOC wines allowed to have up to 20% white varieties, what is the typical usage?
Less than 10%
Which are the top 2 winemaking methods for Provence rosés?
Direct pressing.
Short maceration (few hours).
What particular winemaking technique is used for best quality Provence rose wines?
Protective winemaking in chilling the grapes through to the remaining winemaking steps.
Some even use specialised press to eliminate oxidation in the press.
What are the key considerations when choosing between hand harvested whole bunch press to machine harvested and short maceration/hols in press?
Time between picking and refrigeration/pressing. Manual Labour availability and costs. Pressing time. Harvesting speed. Machine driving skills. Level of extraction. Picking at night/early morning.
Which is more common for Provence rose, cultured yeast or ambient yeast?
Cultured, for reliable and consistent ferment with fast start without off flavours.
What is the fermentation temperatures for Provence rose?
Late teens degrees to preserve primary fruits and to avoid banana flavours from very low temps.
What method might be deployed by Provence rose producers if the wine is deeper than desired?
Fining
Based on Provence rose AOC rules, can wines be non dry?
No, all have to be dry in style.
Provence roses are typically aged for 2-3 months on lees in stainless steel tanks, why do some age wines for 8-10 months?
For added texture.
What is the maximum yields of Cotes de Provence?
Moderate at 55, but average is low at 45
What are the principle grapes for Cotes de Provence rose wines?
Grenache Noir Cinsaut Syrah Mourvèdre Tibouren
What is the typical style of Cotes de Provence?
Pale pink orange, dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol, medium body, light to medium intensity, raspberry, red plum, herbal notes.
Good to very good.
Mid priced to premium.
What is the percentage of Cotes de Provence is rose product?
90%
What are the appellations producing wines similar to Cotes de Provence?
Coteaux Varois en Provence
Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
What is different about Les Baux de Provence versus other appellations?
Most red wines from GSM grapes.
Northern part close to Rhone River
What’s been the style trends in Bandol AOC?
Rose wines have taken over red wine production
Where are the slopes of Bandol and the soil types?
On south facing aspect so providing protection from winds.
If slopes are steep on terraces to reduce erosion.
Rocky limestone and clay with low fertility.
What is the main grape in Bandol?
Mourvèdre.
Majority in red blends and 20%+ in rose blends.
What is the max yields for Bandol?
Low yields at 40
For red wines of Bandol, what is the ageing criteria?
18 months in oak
With Co-ops responsible for 50% of production in Bandol, name an example?
Les Vignerons de La Cadierenne
What is the quality and price of Bandol reds?
Good to very good with some outstanding.
Mid priced to premium.
Of the 23 Provence estates given cru classe status in 1955, how many remains?
18
Example Clos Cibonne
Name a few of the small and historic appellations of Provence
Bellet AOC (mainly white) Cassis AOC (mainly white) Palette AOC (most made by Ch. Simone)
With 65% of Provence wines are sold domestically, what is their key sales channels?
Half supermarket, with large amounts at cellar doors.
Which are the key export markets for Provence?
USA and UK
What are the routes to market for Provence wines?
Negociants and Co-ops
How do Provence wine makers promote their wines?
Marketed in reference to Provence lifestyle and the Riviera.
Chateau ownership by celebrities have also boosted interests.
In volume terms, how much have Provence exports grown since the turn of the century?
500%
