Southern France Flashcards
What is the climate of Southern France ?
Warm Meditarrean Climate
with summer temperature in excess of 30°
mild winters and low rainfalls
What are the factors influencing the climate in the vineyards of Southern France ?
Foothills of the mountains are cooler
Coastal plains are wamer
Strong cool dry winds blow from the north - cooling eastern and western ends of the region
The Mistral blows down the Rhône and the Tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees
What are the climatic hazards of Southern France ?
Drought
occasional summer floods
Where are located the best vinyards for grape growing in Southern France ?
On the cooler, less fertile, well drained soils in the foothills of the mountains
Is Southern France uniform in terms of grapegrowing ?
No, it depends on the location
Which of black or white grape variety accounts for the majority of plantings in Southern France ?
Black
But over the last 30 years, the composition of vineayrds have dramatically change and now reflet a mix of loccal and international varieties
Which black grape varieties are planted in Southern France ?
Grenache
Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carignan
Cinsault
Mourvèdre
Merlot
What is the local IGP for the wines of Languedoc and Rousillon?
Pays d’Oc
On what type of sites is planted Syrah in Southern France ?
In the cooler sites
Describe the characteristics of Carignan of Southern France
High tannin, high acidity, deep colour
Lack fruit or finesse
Can produce quality wines on poor soils
Can produce enormous yields
Widely planted
What is the purpose of Cinsault of Southern France ?
used in rosé production
to add red fruit flavours to red blends
On what type of sites is planted Mourvèdre in Southern France ?
Only in the warmest sites
What is the purpose of mourvèdre of Southern France ?
adding richness, colours and complexity to blends
What are the black international varieties planted in Southern France ?
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Describe the winemaking techniques used in southern France for red wine
Modern equipment, improved cellar hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management and use of new and old oak
Semi-carbonic maceration is practised and can soften the tannins in Carignan
Which grape variety benefits from semi-Carbonic maceration in Southern France ?
Carignan, to soften its tannins
What are the white grape varieties of Southern France ?
Chardonnay (widely planted)
Sauvignon blanc (widely planted)
Viognier
Piquepoul (local variety)
Other local varieties
Grenache Blanc
Muscat
Mauz, Maccabeu, Rolle, Clairette, piquepoule
What are the most widely planted local white grape varieties in Southern France ?
Grenache Blanc
Muscat
What grape varities are used for IGP wines in southern France ?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier
What is the style of wine of Muscat of Southern France ?
Sweet fortified wines
Dry wines with aromatic grapey aromas
What is the style of wine of Grenache blanc of Southern France
Dry wines with soft peachy fruitiness
full body , low acitidity, oxidise easily
Blended with other local or Rhône varieties
What are the characteristics of Piquepoul of Southern France ?
refreshing acidity
green fruit and citrus flavours
Explain Languedoc appellation
Covers all the appelation vineyards from the spanish border to Nîmes
Above this there are a number of geographically specitifc appellations, which have their own regulation.
Certain areas withing these appellations have been recognized for their quality and have sub-appellations
Appellation system evolve as the subregions of the Languedoc apply for the full AC status
What wines are permitted in most appellations of Souther France ?
red, white and rosé
Why is it difficult to describe a typical wine from each Southern France appellation ?
Majority are blends
Possible variations in the blends
many appellation covers significatn area with different climatic and soil conditions
What are the grape varities most often blended in Southern France ?
Carignan
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvèdre
Explain the different styles of red wine of Languedoc AC
Cooler areas : finesse, lighter tannins, best syar
Warmer areas: greater body, meaty, gamey flavours
Best wines are full bodied, concetrated spicy red fruit with oak flavours
Rosé tend to be soft and fruity
Name the regional appellation of Languedoc
Côtes du Roussillon
Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Fitou
Corbières
Minervois
Picpoul de Pinet
Describe Côtes du Roussillon and Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Near the Spain border
Rugged and mountainous
Bright sunlight, low rainfall, strong winds
Concentrated wies
Best vineyards in the north - Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Describe Fitou AOC
just to the north of Côtes du Rousillon Villages
Split in two
1. warm coastal strip with fuller-bodied wines
2. Cooler area in land and at altitude where lighter wine dominates
Describe Corbières AOC
Covers warm sites near the coast and altitude sites colled by Tramontane
subdivided into 11 sub-regions (boutenac AOC)
Between Côtes du Roussillon Villages and Minervois
Describe Minervois
on the slopes of Massif central, North of Corbières
Do not reach the coast but vary in quality due to altitudes, richness of soil and cooling influences from Atlantic
La livinières has its own AC within Minervois
Describe Picpoul de pinet
Near the coast
Cooling sea breezes help retain the natural high acidity
Bonus
What is the region source of premium oaked Chardonnay ?
Limoux
Why are IGP wines so vital in South of France ?
Vital for the commercial survival of grape growing
The success is due to the regulations which permit a wider range of grape varieties and Varietal labelling
The warm, sunn climate meangs that large volumes cand be produced easily
Excellent value for money
Describe the landscape of Provence and its advantages ?
Very varied and broken up by many prominent ranges of hills
Protect from Mistral
Provide variety of site climates and soils
What is the syle of wines most produced in Provence ? Describe it
Rosé
Very pale, light to medium bodied, dry
delicate flavours of red fruits
Describe the red wine styles of provence
Range from fresh and fruity to more full-bodied, barrel-matured styles
Often feature aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette
What is the largest appellation in Provene ?
Côtes de Provence
What is the most important appellation contrôlée in côtes de Provence ?
Bandol
East of Marseille
What is the style of wine of Bandol?
Premium reds based on Mourvèdre
Able to ripen on south-facing terraced slopes
Dark, full bodied wines with powerful tannins
Require bottle age before showing their full spectrum of bramble, meat , liquorice-spice flavours.
