Southern France Flashcards
What are the 3 broad vineyard areas in Southern France?
1) Languedoc
2) Rousillon
3) Provence
What is the climate of Southern France?
Warm Mediterranean
What are the:
1) Summer temperatures
2) Winters
3) Rainfall levels
1) 30°C +
2) Mild
3) Low
Which southern French vineyards are cooler:
- Foothills inland
- Coastal plains
Surprisingly, the foothill vineyards are noticeably cooler
What is the soil like in the foothills of Southern France?
2 points
- Well-drained
- Not too fertile
- What are the 2 biggest grape growing challenges in Southern France?
1) Drought
2) Occasional summer floods
What is not a problem in the vineyards of Southern France?
Fungal disease - it has the lowest incidence in France
Are the majority of plantings in Southern France of black or white grapes?
Black
What are Southern France’s 2 most important local black grapes?
- Grenache
- Syrah
Which climate in Southern France is best suited to:
1) Grenache
2) Syrah
1) Warm, dry sites
2) Cooler sites
Which Southern French variety:
- High tannins
- High acid
- Deep colour
- Can lack fruit and finesse
- Old vines with poor soil = quality wine
- High yielding
- Unfashionable
Carignan
Which Southern French grape is used in rosé production, or to add red fruit flavour to blends?
Cinsault
Which Southern French variety:
- Only ripens in the warmest sites
- Important in blends
- Adds richness, colour and complexity
Mourvèdre
What accounts for the vast majority of production in Provence?
Rosé
Which 2 black international varieties are often used in Southern French IGP wines?
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What have many producers in Southern France invested in to improve wines?
(6 points)
1) Modern equipment
2) Improved cellar hygiene
3) Temperature control
4) Oxygen management
5) Use of new and old oak
6) Semi-carbonic maceration (especially to soften tannins in Carignan)
- Which grape is used for premium reds in Bandol AC?
- Why is it grown there?
- Mourvédre
- It can ripen successfully on the south-facing terraces
- What are the 2 most widely planted white grapes in Southern France? (Both for IGP wines)
- What has smaller but significant plantings?
1) Chardonnay
2) Sauvignon Blanc
3) Viognier
- What is the most important small AC in Provence?
- Where is it located?
- Bandol
- On the coast, east of Marseilles
What 2 types of wine is Muscat used to produce in Southern France?
1) Sweet fortified wines
2) Dry wines with grape aromas
What is the largest appellation in Provence?
Côtes de Provence
Which Southern French variety:
- Dry
- Soft peachy fruitiness
- Full body
- Low acidity
- Easily oxidised
- Often blended with local/Rhône varieties
Grenache Blanc
Which Southern French variety:
- High acidity
- Refreshing
- Green fruit and citrus
Picpoul