Southern France Flashcards
What are the climatic characteristics of Southern France?
Warm Mediterranean
There are two noticeable winds in the region. What are they called and what regions do they affect?
To the west the Tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.
To the east the Mistral blows down the Rhone valley
What are the 2 most important black grapes in Southern France?
What growing sites do they prefer?
Grenache enjoys hotter spots
Syrah prefers relatively/slightly cooler sites
In addition to Grenache and Syrah what other black grapes are commonly grown in the South of France?
Identify up to 5.
Describe their key attributes.
Carignan - Widely grown, high tannin, acidity and colour.
Cinsault - Mainly used for Rosé and adding red fruit flavours to red blends
Mourvèdre - Needs heat but adds tannins, intensity, colour and complexity to blends.
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - significant plantings and used for making IGP wines.
What do winemakers increasingly do to soften the tannins of Carignan?
Semi Carbonic maceration.
What are the 4 most planted white grape varieties in Southern France?
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, used for IGP wines
Viognier - Significant plantings
Picpoul
What are the characteristics of Picpoul de Pinet?
High acidity with green fruit and citrus flavours
What 4 black grapes form the key ‘quartet’ in Languedoc?
Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM)
+ Carignan
What are the 6 key sub regions of Languedoc?
Côtes de Rousillon, Côtes de Rousillon Villages
Minervois, Fitou, Corbieres
Picpoul de Pinet
What is the climate like in Corbières?
Warm near the coast and cooler inland, at altitude, cooled by the Tramontane
What is the climate like in Picpoul de Pinet?
Vineyards located near the coast Providing cooling sea breezes to retain the acidity of the Picpoul grape
What wines does Provence predominantly make and how do they taste?
Mainly Rosés, very pale in colour, light bodied and dry on the palate with delicate red fruit flavours.
What is the biggest appellation in Provence?
Côtes de Provence
What is the most notable red wine appellation in Provence?
Bandol
What is the style of Bandol wine and from which grape is it made?
Premium, dark, full bodied reds with powerful tannins.
With bottle age the wines develop flavours of bramble, meat and liquorice spice.
Made with Mourvèdre
