South of France Flashcards
What is the climate of Southern France?
Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters.
How does the climate affect wine styles in the South of France?
Produces ripe, full-bodied wines with lower acidity.
What challenges do vineyards face in the South of France?
Drought, heatwaves, and strong winds like the Mistral.
What style of wine is Provence famous for?
Dry rosé
What is Languedoc known for?
Diverse red blends, whites, and sparkling wines
What style of wine dominates Roussillon?
Côtes du Roussillon (red/white/rose)
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOP (red)
Banyuls/Maury/Rivesaltes (VDN)
What wines are produced in Bergerac?
Reds, whites, and sweet wines similar to Bordeaux.
What is Cahors known for?
Bold Malbec-based reds.
What grape dominates Madiran wines?
Tannat
What grapes are common in Provence rosé?
Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre.
What grapes are used in Languedoc red blends?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan.
What white grapes are used in Southern France?
Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle.
What is the style of Cahors Malbec?
Dark, tannic, age-worthy.
What makes Madiran wines unique?
High tannins, often aged to soften structure.
What does VDN stand for?
Vin Doux Naturel
What does VDL stand for?
Vin de Liqueur
What are key VDN wines of Roussillon?
Banyuls, Maury, Rivesaltes.
What grape is used in Banyuls?
Grenache
What is a key difference between VDN and VDL?
VDN is fortified during fermentation, VDL before fermentation.
What is the largest IGP in Languedoc?
IGP Pays d’Oc.
What is a key benefit of IGP wines?
More flexibility in grape varieties and production
What is Monbazillac known for?
Sweet botrytized wines.
Where is, and what grapes are used in Pécharmant?
Bergerac Region
Red wines from Bordeaux varietals Merlot predominant
What is Fitou’s main wine style?
Bold, structured red blends. Carignan with Grenache + Mourvedre/Syrah
What is Jura famous for?
Vin Jaune (oxidative, aged wine).
What style of wines come from Gaillac?
Mainly dry whites and rose, Some red. Sparkling ancestral method
What is Vin de Paille?
Sweet wine made from dried grapes. (think Passito/Strohwein)
Where is Vin de Paille produced?
Jura and Hermitage (Chapoutier makes some)
What grapes are used in Jura Vin de Paille?
Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau
What are the key sub-regions of Provence?
Bandol
Côtes de Provence,
Cassis
Bellet
Palette (Chateau Simone)
What is Bandol known for?
Mourvèdre-based reds with aging potential.
What style of wine does Cassis produce?
75% White wine - Ugni Blanc dominant
What grape dominates Bandol reds?
Mourvèdre
What is the typical blend in Languedoc reds?
GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre).
What grape is key for Provence rosé?
Grenache (+ Cinsault + Syrah)
Bandol min 50% Mourvedre
