South of France

Question 1

Briefly explain why are yields in the South of France AOCs generally low?

Answer 1

High evapotranspiration rate from the vine due to high temperatures, windy conditions and low rainfall. The result is a vine that does not have the optimum growing environment to produce a large yield.

Question 2

What type of climate does the Languedoc have?

Answer 2

Mediterranean

Question 3

What is the Canal du Midi

Answer 3

The Languedoc has a long history of grape growing, but the area’s success was boosted by the introduction of transportation infrastructure. The Canal du Midi was built in the late 17th century to connect the Mediterranean to the Bordeaux (Atlantic)

Question 4

Tramontane

Answer 4

The dry, north-west wind that blows across the Languedoc region

Question 5

Using bullet points, briefly describe why Carignan is ideally suited to being grown in Languedoc

Answer 5

• The Languedoc has a Mediteraranean climate with long warm summers ideal for Carignan which ripens late and needs a long growing season to ripen fully.
• Young Carignan vines are naturally high yielding which in the past made it very suitable for this dry, warm region. As the vines have matured the yields have naturally reduced and the result are grapes that make concentrated wines.
• The grapes are naturally high in acidity which is ideal in a warmer climate.

Question 6

What winemaking technique is usually used for inexpensive Carignan wines

Answer 6

Carbonic maceration is often used to produced fresh, fruity wines from Carignan. This technique helps reduce the grape’s tannic properties.

Question 7

How many different grape varieties are permitted in the Languedoc IGP region?

Answer 7

58

Question 8

Which type of wines have been core to the Languedoc IGP’s success?

Answer 8

Varietally labelled inexpensive wines

Question 9

Order the top varietals grown in the Pays d’Oc from highest volume production in total hectolitres to lowest.

Answer 9

Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Syrah
Grenache Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Cinsault

Question 10

Apart from two appellations, all of the other Languedoc appellations require the use of Grenache in the blend for their red wines. Which two appellations do not require the use of Grenache?

Answer 10

Cabardès AOC
Malepère AOC

Question 11

What are the blending requirements for Corbières AOC

Answer 11

40% of the blend must be Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre or Syrah. The rest must be from the other permitted varieties (but Cinsaut must not exceed 20%).

Question 12

What are the blending requirements for Minervois AOC

Answer 12

50% of the blend must be Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan or Cinsaut. No one variety must exceed 80%.

Question 13

What are the blending requirements for Saint-Chinian AOC

Answer 13

50% of the blend must be from Grenache, Syrah or Mourvèdre.

Question 14

What are the blending requirements for Fitou AOC

Answer 14

10-40% of the blend must be Carignan and Grenache must be 20%.

Question 15

What are the blending requirements for Pic Saint-Loup AOC

Answer 15

50% of the final blend must be Syrah.

Question 16

What are the blending requirements forLa Clape AOC

Answer 16

60% of the blend must be Grenache Blanc or Bourboulenc

Question 17

how much did in exports increase in the 5 years preceding 2016

Answer 17

15%

Question 18

how much did rosé production increase between 2010 and 2017

Answer 18

35%

Question 19

What percentage of Languedoc wine that’s IGP

Answer 19

70%

Question 20

What is the name of the promotional body that the Languedoc is part of? What does it do

Answer 20

Sud de France
This body is responsible for wine, food and tourism in the market as well as ViniSud wine fair.

Question 21

What precent of Roussilon wine production is vin doux naturel

Answer 21

25%

Question 22

The percentage reduction in vineyard area in Roussillon since 1980

Answer 22

66.6%

Question 23

The amount Roussillon of vineyard area that’s classified as AOC.

Answer 23

70%

Question 24

The percentage of Roussillon production that’s made by cooperatives.

Answer 24

75%

Question 25

True or false?

There is less flat land available in Roussillon than in the Languedoc for trellising vines.

Answer 25

True
There is less flat land available in Roussillon which makes trellising difficult. Although many vines are being trellised, the majority are bush vines.

Question 26

The maximum yield for red and white wines in Collioure AOC.

Answer 26

40 hL/ha

Question 27

The maximum yield for the five villages that can append their name to Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC.

Answer 27

42hL/ha

Question 28

The maximum yield for Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC

Answer 28

45 hL/ha

Question 29

The maximum yield for Côtes du Roussillon AOC

Answer 29

48 hL/ha

Question 30

Around 80% of Roussillon wines are consumed within France. But are the three largest export markets for Roussillon wines?

Answer 30

China
Belgium
Germany

Question 31

What percentage of Provence AOC’s wine production does rosé account for?

Answer 31

90%

Question 32

Which white grape variety, commonly grown in Sardinia, is used in Provence to produce small volumes of white wine?

Answer 32

Vermentino - aka Rolle

Question 33

What accounts for the pale pink colour of most rosé wines made in Provence AOC?

Answer 33

• Most of the black grapes grown in the region have a relatively low level of colour e.g. Grenache Noir, Cinsaut and Tibouren. Therefore, they give low levels of colour when macerated or pressed.
• The region also allows up to 20% of the blend to be made from white grapes.
• The fruit is handled protectively by excluding oxygen and refrigeration to preserve the colour and flavours/aromas.
  Wines may be fined to reduce colour levels post-fermentation.

Question 34

Describe a typical tasting note for Côtes de Provence AOC rosé.

Answer 34

• Pale pink-orange
• Light to medium intensity with aromas of raspberry and red plum with herbal notes
• Medium acidity
• Medium body
• Medium alcohol
• Quality typically ranges from good to very-good

Question 35

Which appelation in Provence produces mainly red wines from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre?

Answer 35

Les Baux de Provence AOC

Question 36

Bandol is unusual for Provence as it used to produce mainly red wine. Which grape variety is most widely used in Bandol?

Answer 36

Mourvèdre

Question 37

France is the top consumer of rosé wines in the world. But what percentage of total world consumption does France account for?

Answer 37

36%