South of France

Question 1

What type of climate characterizes Southern France?

Answer 1

Mediterranean – warm, sunny, and dry.

Question 2

Name two key influences on vineyards in Southern France.

Answer 2

Mistral winds (reduce disease) and varied topography (creates microclimates).

Question 3

Which region is known for its pale, dry rosé wines?

Answer 3

Provence.

Question 4

What is the dominant red grape in Bandol AOC?

Answer 4

Mourvèdre (minimum 50%).

Question 5

What is the key white grape used in Picpoul de Pinet?

Answer 5

Picpoul.

Question 6

What is a GSM blend?

Answer 6

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre – a common red blend.

Question 7

Which region in Southwest France is famous for Malbec-based wines?

Answer 7

Cahors.

Question 8

What is Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)?

Answer 8

Fortified wine where fermentation is stopped by the addition of grape spirit to preserve sweetness.

Question 9

Name an appellation in Roussillon known for fortified wines.

Answer 9

Banyuls.

Question 10

What grape is dominant in Cahors?

Answer 10

Malbec (also known as Côt).

Question 11

What is the primary grape variety for rosé in Provence?

Answer 11

Grenache.

Question 12

Name a fortified wine from Rivesaltes.

Answer 12

Muscat de Rivesaltes.

Question 13

What is Vin de Liqueur (VDL)?

Answer 13

A fortified wine made by adding alcohol to unfermented or slightly fermented grape must.

Question 14

What grape is used in Jurançon sweet wines?

Answer 14

Petit Manseng.

Question 15

Which appellation in Provence produces structured Mourvèdre-based reds?

Answer 15

Bandol AOC.

Question 16

What makes the topography of Southern France unique?

Answer 16

A mix of coastal plains, hills, and mountains creating diverse microclimates.

Question 17

Name two principal appellations in Languedoc.

Answer 17

Minervois and Corbières.

Question 18

What wine style pairs well with chocolate?

Answer 18

Banyuls – a sweet fortified red wine.

Question 19

What does IGP stand for?

Answer 19

Indication Géographique Protégée – a category for wines with geographic origin and quality, less strict than AOC.

Question 20

What is the largest wine region in France by volume?

Answer 20

Languedoc-Roussillon — it produces more wine than any other French region.

Question 22

What is the dominant red grape of Languedoc-Roussillon?

Answer 22

Carignan, though Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are also important.

Question 23

What is the key white grape in Languedoc-Roussillon?

Answer 23

Picpoul (notably in Picpoul de Pinet), along with Grenache Blanc and Marsanne.

Question 24

What style of wine is Picpoul de Pinet known for?

Answer 24

Crisp, zesty white wines, often paired with seafood.

Question 25

What are the main AOCs of Languedoc?

Answer 25

Minervois, Corbières, Faugères, Pic St-Loup, and La Clape.

Question 26

What grape blend is common across southern French reds?

Answer 26

GSM: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre.

Question 27

What is the climate of the South of France?

Answer 27

Mediterranean — hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Question 28

What impact does the Mistral wind have in Southern France?

Answer 28

It helps reduce disease pressure by drying grapes quickly after rain.

Question 29

What is Roussillon best known for?

Answer 29

Vin Doux Naturel (fortified sweet wines), especially Muscat de Rivesaltes and Banyuls.

Question 30

What is Banyuls and what grape is it made from?

Answer 30

A fortified red dessert wine, made primarily from Grenache.

Question 31

What style of wine is Fitou AOC known for?

Answer 31

Robust red blends, often Grenache and Carignan-based.

Question 32

What region in the South of France borders Spain and shares Catalan influence?

Answer 32

Roussillon.