Southern France Flashcards

1
Q

What are the climate characteristics of Southern France?Name a positive and a risk of the climate

A

Warm Mediterranean Summer often 30c+ (86F)Low rainfall esp in growing season+ Low risk of fungal disease- Drought but also some risk of Summer floods

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2
Q

What are the growing conditions, inland from the coast, like?

A

Noticeably cooler, less fertile with well drained soils better suited to quality viticulture

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3
Q

There are two noticeable winds in the Southern France, what are they called and where do they blow?

A

To the west the Tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the PyreneesTo the east the Mistral blows down the Rhone valley

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4
Q

What are the 2 most important black grapes in Southern France?What growing sites do they prefer?

A

Grenache enjoys hotter spotsSyrah prefers cooler sites

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5
Q

In addition to Grenache and Syrah what other 5 black grapes are commonly grown in the South of France and what are they used for?

A

Carignan - Widely grown, high tannin, acidity and colour but lacks fruit finesseCinsault - Mainly used for Rosé and adding red fruit flavours to red blendsMourvèdre - Needs heat but adds richness, colour and complexity to blendsMerlot and Cab Sav - significant plantings and used making IGP wines

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6
Q

What human influences have generally improved the quality of Southern French wines?

A

Investment in modern winemaking equipmentImproved cellar hygieneTemperature controlBetter oxygen management Also use of new and old oak

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7
Q

What do winemakers increasingly do to soften the tannins of Carignan?

A

Semi Carbonic fermentation

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8
Q

What are the 4 most planted white grape varieties in Southern France?

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, used for IGP winesViognier - Significant plantingsPicpoul

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9
Q

What are the characteristics of Picpoul de Pinet?

A

High acidity with green fruit and citrus flavours

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10
Q

How far does the generic ‘Languedoc’ appellation stretch?How are generic Languedoc wines commonly labelled?

A

From the Spanish border to NimesVin de Pays d’Oc

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11
Q

What 4 black grapes form the key ‘quartet’ in Languedoc?

A

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM)+ Carignan

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12
Q

What are the 6 key sub regions of Languedoc?

A

Côtes de Rousillon Côtes de Rousillon VillagesMinervois Fitou CorbieresPicpoul de Pinet

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13
Q

What is the best black grape to grow in Southern France cooler regions and why?

A

Syrah, the cooler climate produces wines that are lighter with more finesse

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14
Q

What are the two best grapes to grow in Southern France warmer regions?

A

Mourvèdre - at its best the wine has body with meaty, games, flavoursGrenache - Loves the heat

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15
Q

What are the characteristics of the Côtes de Rousillon climate and, as a result, what are the characteristics of the wine?

A

Rugged landscape with bright sunlight, low rainfall and strong winds (Tramontane) delivering, predominantly red, concentrated wines

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16
Q

Why are there two styles of Fitou and what are they?

A

Fitou is split with vineyardsNear the warm coast producing fuller bodied winesInland at altitude producing lighter wines

17
Q

What is the climate like in Corbières?

A

Warm near the coast and cooler inland, at altitude, cooled by the Tramontane

18
Q

Where are the vineyards of Minervois located?

A

In the foothills of the Massif Central.Vineyards vary in quality, considerations are altitude, soil quality and exposure to the Tramontane

19
Q

What is the climate like in Picpoul de Pinet?

A

Vineyards located near the coast Providing cooling sea breezes to retain the acidity of the Picpoul grape

20
Q

What is the climate of Limoux like and what still wine is it renowned for?

A

Located inland, at cooling altitudeRenowned for premium Oaked Chardonnays

21
Q

What is the landscape of Provence like?

A

Varied and broken up by many ranges of hills that provide protection from The Mistral. A variety of different site climates and soils

22
Q

What wines does Provence predominantly make and how do they taste?

A

Mainly Rosés, very pale in colour, light bodied and dry on the palate with delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits

23
Q

What is the biggest appellation in Provence?

A

Côtes de Provence

24
Q

What is the most notable red wine appellation in Provence and where is it located?How are the vineyards laid out?

A

BandolLocated just East of Marseille South facing terraced vineyards

25
Q

What is the style of Bandol wine and from which grape is it made?

A

Premium, dark, full bodied reds with powerful tannins.With bottle age the wines develop flavours of bramble, meat and liquorice spice.Made with Mourvèdre

26
Q

List the 4 Human factors of wine

A

Grape GrowingWine MakingMaturationMarket Forces