South of France Flashcards
1
Q
Languedoc covers what (3) départements?
A
Aude
Hérault
Gard
2
Q
Roussillon covers what département?
A
Pyrénées-Orientales
3
Q
Languedoc-Roussillon land under vine? (and breakdown between Languedoc and Roussillon)
A
Overall 240,000ha
220k in Languedoc; 20k in Roussillon
4
Q
Which French region has the lowest yields?
A
Languedoc-Roussillon
Half that of Champagne or Alsace
5
Q
Languedoc topography
A
Mainly a low-lying alluvial plain
6
Q
What infrastructure development transferred Languedoc-Roussillon fortunes? When?
A
Building of Canal du Midi, 17th century
Exports grew
7
Q
Co-ops account for what % of Languedoc-Roussillon production
A
70%
it was 90% in the 1950s
8
Q
Languedoc-Roussillon became largest source of everyday French wine after 1973. Why?
A
France no longer sourced wine from Algeria
9
Q
Languedoc climate?
A
Mediterranean
Lots of sun
Rain below 600mm
Very warm summer
10
Q
Wind in Languedoc? So what?
A
Cool, dry Tramontane wind North-west wind 200 days per year = low disease pressure = less need to spray = lower cost = more organic certification
11
Q
Languedoc and Roussillon produce what % of France’s organic production?
A
33%
one third
12
Q
Carignan buds early or late?
A
Buds late
Avoid spring frost
13
Q
Carignan ripens early or late
A
Ripens late
Needs a warm climate and long ripening season
14
Q
What sort of yields can Carignan do?
A
High up to 200hl/ha Popular when volume was the driver but low flavour intensity Needs much lower yields for quality wine
15
Q
How does Carignan yield naturally get lower?
A
When vine gets old - 50 years or more
16
Q
Is Carignan well suited to machine harvest?
A
Not particularly - bunches firmly attached to vine
17
Q
Natural characteristics of Carignan grape?
A
High acid
High tannins
Winemakers seek to soften these characters = carbonic maceration, blending etc
18
Q
Typical Carignan wine style
A
Unoaked Medium ruby Simple blackberry fruit High acid High tannin
19
Q
High-end Carignan style
A
Intense black fruit, spice, earth
High tannin
High acid
20
Q
Techniques in Languedoc for small, high quality reds
A
Sorting tables Warm ferment Ambient yeast Barriques = cost of production +
21
Q
IGP represents what % of Languedoc production?
A
70%
22
Q
Max yields for Languedoc IGP wines
A
Red and white: 90hl/ha
Rosé: 100hl/ha
23
Q
IGP in Languedoc allows how many different grape varieties?
A
58
24
Q
What category has driven Languedoc’s commercial success in last three decades?
A
IGP wines with a grape variety on label
Higher yields = lower cost = sharper pricing
Grape on label = consumer-friendly, compete with new world
25
What are the three types of French IGP?
Regional (IGP Pays d'Oc)
Departmental (IGP Gard)
Smaller unit named after a historical/geographical feature (IGP Cotes de Thongue)
26
What is France's biggest IGP?
Pays d'Oc
27
Pays d'Oc IGP produces what % of ALL French wine?
10-15%, depending on the vitnage
28
IGP Pays d'Oc production breakdown by colour?
50% red
25% white
25% rosé
29
Top four single varietals used for IGP Pays d'Oc?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Syrah
30
Export/domestic split for IGP Pays d'Oc?
Domestic: 50% (supermarkets and hospitality)
Export: 50% (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium)
31
Red wine is typically what % of production in all Languedoc AOCs?
90%
| Excludign AOCs dedicated to white wine
32
Are AOC wines in Languedoc blends?
Yes
Minimum of two grape varieties
Usually an upper limit of 80% of one grape
33
Typical yields for AOC wines in Languedoc?
Usually between 45-50hl/ha
| each AOC sets its own
34
What is the regional AOC in Languedoc?
Languedoc AOC
35
Rules for Languedoc AOC
- Principal: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre
- Min two vareities including at least one of Principal
- Total combo of Principal must be at least 40%
- Other varieties (Cinsaut, Carignan, locals) cannot exceed 30%
36
Style of Languedoc AOC (Regional AOC)
```
Medium intensity
Simply blackberry and red plum
Medium tannin
Medium acid
Medium alc
Medium body
```
37
Style of named AOCs in Languedoc (eg Corbieres)
```
Medium to medium (+) intensity
Blackberry, red plum, herb
Medium tannin
Medium to medium (+) acid
Medium to high alc
Medium (+) to full body
Minority: oak aromas
```
38
Style of sub-appellation AOCs in Languedoc (eg Corbieres-Boutenac AOC)
Medium (+) to pronounced
Medium (+) tannins
Some outstanding
39
Producer in Coerbieres AOC
Ch. de Fontareche
40
Topography
Hilly
2 mountain ranges: Tauch and D'alaric
slopes up to 450m
Cooling influence (altitude and wind) retain acidity
41
Land under vine in Corbieres AOC
10,000ha
| 4th-largest in France
42
What % of Corbieres AOC is red?
90%
(in line with most AOCs in Languedoc)
There is also white and rosé
43
Sub-AOC within Corbieres
Corbieres-Boutenac AOC
44
Domestic/export split of Corbieres AOC
70% domestic (mostly supermarket)
| 30% export (China, Germany and Belgium)
45
One thing to know about Minervois AOC
Range of climatic zones based on altitude and proximity to Mediterranean
Extensive appellation
46
Minervois La Liviniere AOC: what kind of wines
Red only
47
Terroir of Minervois La Liviniere
Limestone terrace, gentle slopes 400m
Very good drainage, sun exposure, cooling influence
= higher acidity
48
Saint-Chinian AOC usually broken down into what two sectors?
Northern zone and southern zone. North is better quality!
North: arid, fast-draining schist
= Low yields, high concentration
contains subzones Saint-Chinian Roquebrun and Saint-Chinian Berlout
South: clay and limestone
More water holding
High yields
Less concentration
49
What was the first AOC in the Languedoc? When?
Fitou AOC
| 1948
50
Two areas of Fitou AOC?
Coastal area: flat, low-lying plains, clay and limestone, good water retention
Inland area: more mountainous, less fertile, fast-draining schist
= more flavour concentration
51
Largest producer in Fitou?
Mont Tauch co-op
52
One producer makes 50% of Fitou AOC. Who?
Mont Tauch co-op
53
Mont Tauch co-op operates in what AOC? And produces what % of that AOC's wine?
Fitou AOC
| 50%
54
Faugeres AOC: altitude; soil; % of organic vineyard
250-400m
Well-drained, low fertile schist
40% of vineyard organic
55
Climate in Pic Saint-Loup AOC
Continental climate, similar to northern Rhone
| Syrah must be 90%
56
Example of super-premium Terrasses du Larzac AOC
La Peira
57
La Clape AOC since when?
2015
58
Where is La Clape AOC located?
Coastal area, near Narbonne
59
Grape for Picpoul de Pinet AOC
Piquepoul Blanc
60
Benefit of Piquepoul Blanc in a warm cliamte?
It retains acidity as it ripens
61
Picpoul de Pinet: grapes historically used for what?
Local Vermouth industry
| changed in 70s and 80s with advanced tech
62
Picpoul de Pinet style
```
Dry
Medium bodied
Medium (+) to high acid
Medium intensity lemon, light floral
Acceptable to good
```
63
Domestic/export split for Picpoul de Pinet AOC
35% domestic (tourists visting the region)
| 65% export (UK, USA and Netherlands)
64
Co-ops produce what % of Picpoul de Pinet AOC? Example of one
90% (!)
| Ormarine co-op
65
Two Atlantic-influenced AOCs in Languedoc. And so what?
Malepere AOC; Cabardes AOC
| Bordeaux varieties as well as Languedoc varieties
66
What % of wine in Languedoc is AOC level?
15%
| 70% is IGP, the rest is VdF
67
Examples of quality-driven producers in Languedoc (3)
Mas de Daumas Gassac
Gerard Bertrand's Clos d'Ora
Chateau Puech-Haut
68
Roussillon: land under vine
21,000ha
| Decline in recent decades. Now 1/3 of former size
69
What % of Roussillon wine is VDN?
25%
70
Co-ops produce what % of Roussillon wine?
75%
71
Climate in Roussillon
Warm, windy Mediterranean
Moderate rain 500-600mm
High sunshine hours
Very favourable for grapes BUT drought possible
72
What keeps disease pressure at bay in Roussillon?
Frequent winds
Low rainfall
so high takeup of organic
but this also leads to lower yields
73
Most widely grown (red) grape in Roussillon?
Grenache Noir
74
Disadvantage of bush vines?
Most work done by hand = expensive
75
Cotes du Roussillon AOC: land under vine
5,000ha
| Entire department of Pyrenees-Orientales (except Collioure)
76
Cotes du Roussillon AOC: which styles of wine
Red, white and rose
Min two vareities, max 80% of any one variety
Similar to Languedoc AOC for quality and price
77
Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC: which styles of wine
Red wine only
78
How many villages can append their name t Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC? + example
5
| e.g. Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel
79
Collioure AOC covers same land as what VDN AOC?
Banyuls AOC
80
Collioure AOC style
Full-bodied
| Red and white
81
IGP in Roussillon
IGP Cotes Catalanes
82
How are reds made in Roussilon? (2)
1. Pressing the fruit and macerating on skins
| 2. Carbonic maceration
83
Examples of quality producers in Roussillon, from other regions
Thunevin-Calvet (Bordeaux)
| Domaine de Bila-Haut (Chapoutier, Rhone)
84
Outstanding Roussillon producers (3)
Domaine Gauby
Clos des Fées
Le Soula
85
Domestic/exprot split of Roussillon dry wine
80% domestic
| 20% export (China, Belgium and Germany)
86
Rosé accounts for what % of Provence's AOC wines
90%
87
Provence cliamte
warm Meditterranean
Adequate rain for grapes
Cold msitral cools things
88
Organic vineyards in Provence vs. the national French average
Provence has double the national average
89
Provence: advantage and disadvantage of bush vine
Bush vine traditional
gives more shade, an advantage
advantage of trellising: aid mechanisation, reduce cost, easier to control canopy size, achieve ripeness
90
Are grapes for rosé picked earlier or later than for red? Why?
Earlier
Retain acidity
(but if made by short maceration, important that tannins are ripe enough to avoid bitterness)
91
Why is harvest date important in Provence?
Need to pick early enough to retain acidity. But if making by short maceration, need to wait long enough til tannins and fruit are ripe enough while retaining acid
92
Account for the pale colour of most Provence rose?
Low level of colour in grapes eg Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Tibouren
(also up to 20% whiet grapes allowed)
93
Is acidification common in Provence rose?
Yes, musts are typically acidified to achieve a balance of fruit and acidity
94
Two main options (harvest and pressing) for Provence rosé?
1. Hand harvest, press whole bunches
| 2. Machine harvest and short maceration, or hold in press
95
Advantages of hand harvest and whole-bunch press in Provence rosé
- less stress on grapes (pick at cool times)
- sort fruit in vineyard
- whole bunch press gentler, extract fewer solids and phenolics
- more juice is produced at lower pressure (stems make channels for juice)
96
Disadvantages of hand harvest and whole-bunch press in Provence rosé
- need large, well-trained team
- labour hard to find in countryside
- labour not available early morning
- expensive, slow
- whole-bunch more time-consuming - fewer bunches in press
97
Advantages of machine harvest and short maceration (or hold in press) in Provence rosé
- fast
- cheap
- don't need big team
- pick at night, cool temperature
- short delay between pick and press/refrigeration
98
Disadvantages of machine harvest and short maceration (or hold in press) in Provence rosé
- up to date, maintained machine, skilful driver
- shaking mechanism, grapes destemmed - can't whole-bunch press
- destemmed grapes need higher pressure toe extract same amount of juice
99
Provence rose: cultured or wild yeast common?
Cultured is common
| Start ferment fast with no off-flavours
100
Provence rosé: ferment temp
14-18C
| preserve primary fruit, avoid banana aroma
101
If Provence rosé colour too deep: adjusted how?
Fining
102
Typical maturation for Provence rosé?
Stored for 2-3 months on lees in stainless steel before bottling
103
Example of premium oak-aged Provence rosé prducer
Chateau d'Esclans
104
Largest AOC for Provence rosé?
Cotes de Provence AOC
(20,000ha)
90% is rosé
105
Cotes de Provence: max yield
55hl/ha
| average closer to 45hl/ha
106
Cotes de Provence style
```
Pale pink-orange colour
Light to medium intensity
Raspberry, red plum, herbal
Medium acid
Medium body
Medium alcohol
```
107
Principal grape varieties for Cotes de Provence AOC
```
Grenache Noir
Cinsaut
Mourvedre
Syrah
Tibouren
(wines must be a blend)
```
108
95% of Provence wine come from what three AOCs?
Cotes de Provence AOC
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC
109
Other than Cotes de Provence AOC, name two other significant rose AOCs
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
| Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC
110
Counoise is a principal variety in what two Provence AOCs
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
| Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence AOC
111
Le Baux de Provence AOC makes mostly what kind of wines?
Mostly red from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
112
Bandol AOC vineyard topography
South-facing slopes protected from the wind
| Steep slopes, terraced to reduce erosion
113
Bandol AOC has gone from 1,400ha to 600ha in last century. Why?
Competition for land (tourism)
| Difficulty working the slopes
114
Major producer in Bandol AOCC
Doamine Tempier
115
Co-op in Bandol AOC
Les Vignerons de La Cadierenne
116
Palette AOC is mostly produced by which producer?
Ch. Simone
117
What is the big threat to vineyards on Provence coast these days?
Building development
118
Provence cru classé in what year?
1955
119
How many cru classé estates in Provence in 1955? vs. today
23 estates in 1955
18 of them remain today
eg. Clos Mireille
Domaine Rimaurescq
120
Examples of cru classé estates in Provence
Clos Mireille
| Domaine Rimaurescq
121
Domestic/export split for Provence
65% domestic (half in supermarkets)
| 35% export
122
Top export market for Provence
USA
123
Large negociants account for what % of Provence production?
50%
