South of France Flashcards
Briefly explain why are yields in the South of France AOCs generally low?
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.
What type of climate does the Languedoc have?
Mediterranean
What is the Canal du Midi
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)
Tramontane
The dry, north-west wind that blows across the Languedoc region
Using bullet points, briefly describe why Carignan is ideally suited to being grown in Languedoc
- 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.
What winemaking technique is usually used for inexpensive Carignan wines
Carbonic maceration is often used to produced fresh, fruity wines from Carignan. This technique helps reduce the grape’s tannic properties.
How many different grape varieties are permitted in the Languedoc IGP region?
58
Which type of wines have been core to the Languedoc IGP’s success?
Varietally labelled inexpensive wines
Order the top varietals grown in the Pays d’Oc from highest volume production in total hectolitres to lowest.
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Syrah
Grenache Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Cinsault
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?
Cabardès AOC
Malepère AOC
What are the blending requirements for Corbières AOC
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%).
What are the blending requirements for Minervois AOC
50% of the blend must be Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan or Cinsaut. No one variety must exceed 80%.
What are the blending requirements for Saint-Chinian AOC
50% of the blend must be from Grenache, Syrah or Mourvèdre.
What are the blending requirements for Fitou AOC
10-40% of the blend must be Carignan and Grenache must be 20%.
What are the blending requirements for Pic Saint-Loup AOC
50% of the final blend must be Syrah.
What are the blending requirements forLa Clape AOC
60% of the blend must be Grenache Blanc or Bourboulenc
how much did in exports increase in the 5 years preceding 2016
15%
how much did rosé production increase between 2010 and 2017
35%
What percentage of Languedoc wine that’s IGP
70%
What is the name of the promotional body that the Languedoc is part of? What does it do
Sud de France
This body is responsible for wine, food and tourism in the market as well as ViniSud wine fair.
What precent of Roussilon wine production is vin doux naturel
25%
The percentage reduction in vineyard area in Roussillon since 1980
66.6%
The amount Roussillon of vineyard area that’s classified as AOC.
70%
The percentage of Roussillon production that’s made by cooperatives.
75%
True or false?
There is less flat land available in Roussillon than in the Languedoc for trellising vines.
True
There is less flat land available in Roussillon which makes trellising difficult. Although many vines are being trellised, the majority are bush vines.
The maximum yield for red and white wines in Collioure AOC.
40 hL/ha
The maximum yield for the five villages that can append their name to Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC.
42hL/ha
The maximum yield for Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC
45 hL/ha
The maximum yield for Côtes du Roussillon AOC
48 hL/ha
Around 80% of Roussillon wines are consumed within France. But are the three largest export markets for Roussillon wines?
China
Belgium
Germany
What percentage of Provence AOC’s wine production does rosé account for?
90%
Which white grape variety, commonly grown in Sardinia, is used in Provence to produce small volumes of white wine?
Vermentino - aka Rolle
What accounts for the pale pink colour of most rosé wines made in Provence AOC?
- 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.
Describe a typical tasting note for Côtes de Provence AOC rosé.
- 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
Which appelation in Provence produces mainly red wines from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre?
Les Baux de Provence AOC
Bandol is unusual for Provence as it used to produce mainly red wine. Which grape variety is most widely used in Bandol?
Mourvèdre
France is the top consumer of rosé wines in the world. But what percentage of total world consumption does France account for?
36%
