Southern France

Question 1

What are the Latitude & Climate of Southern France?

Answer 1

43°N. Warm Mediterranean climate with summer temperatures above 30°C with low rainfall (draught challenges in the summer) and mild winters

Question 2

What are the 3 regions included in Southern France?

Answer 2

-Languedoc
-Roussillon
-Provence

Question 3

What are some factors affecting climate in Southern France?

Answer 3

-The winds (Mistral & Tramontane)
-The inland foothills offering cooler well-drained and less fertile soils
-The coastal plain, warmer and susceptible to occasional summer floods

Question 4

What are the 2 most important varieties in Southern France?

Answer 4

Grenache (performing best in warmest area)
Syrah (performing best in coolest area)

Question 5

Describe Carignan, another widely grown grape of Southern France

Answer 5

Red grape with high pigmentation, tannin and acidity
Previously liked by growers for its ability to produce high yields, plantings are diminishing.
Can lack fruit and finesse except from OLD VINE Carignan grown on poor soils.

Question 6

What other 4 grapes are grown in Southern France?

Answer 6

-Cinsault (often used in rosé or for its red fruit flavors)
-Mourvèdre (on hot sites. Blended for its deep color, richness, color & complexity)
-Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon for IGP wines

Question 7

What are the dominant WHITE grapes in Southern France today?

Answer 7

-Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
+ significant plantings of Viognier

Question 8

What are the dominant INDIGENEOUS grape varieties of Southern France?

Answer 8

-Muscat (sweet fortified wines or dry aromatic whites)
-Grenache Blanc (peachy fruitiness, full body and low acidity with a tendency to oxidize quickly)

Question 9

List other WHITE varieties that are grown throughout Southern France?

Answer 9

-Picpoul (refeshing high acidity and green fruits flavors)
-Mauzac (Limoux), Maccabeu (Roussillon)
-Rolle (Provence, Clairette (Languedoc)

Question 10

List some Appellations within the Languedoc & Roussillon

Answer 10

Pic-Saint-Loup
Côtes du Roussillon
Minervois (La Livinière)
Fitou, Corbières, Minervois, Picpoul de Pinet

Question 11

More IGP are made in Languedoc & Roussillon than anywhere else in France. Why is that?

Answer 11

Lose restrictions, varietal labelling allowed, warm sunny climate enable large volume of ripe fruity wines are easily achievable (compared to some other French Regions), which gives excellent value for money.

Question 12

What is the vast majority of production in PROVENCE?

Answer 12

-Pale, dry light-bodied rosé with delicate scents of red fruit and grapefruit..
(Followed by a range of reds and white)

Question 13

Name 2 important Appellations in PROVENCE.

Answer 13

-Côtes de Provence (mostly rosé)
-Bandol (Premium Mourvèdre-based deep reds full-bodied with high tannins showing bramble, meat, liquorice-spice flavors and requiring bottle ageing)