Southern France Flashcards
What is the climate in Southern France?
Warm, Mediterranean with low rainfall during growing season
What are the two winds called that cool Southern France?
Mistral
Tramontane
What are the two main natural risks here?
Drought
Summer floods
What are the 7 black grapes of relevance in Sth France?
Grenache Syrah Carignan Cinsault Mourvedre Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (some)
What winemaking process is commonly used to soften Carignan’s high tannins?
Semi-carbonic maceration
Why is Carignan widely planted in Southern France?
Originally planted due to it’s ability to produce enormous yields
Which sites does Syrah do best in in Southern France?
Cooler ones
What does Cinsault contribute to blends?
Red fruit
Mouvedre does best in which sites? What does it contribute to blends?
Warmest
Richness, colour and complexity
What class of wines are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot mainly used for here?
IGP wines
What is the name of the large generic appellation that covers all appellation vineyards from Spain to Nimes?
Languedoc
Which sub-regions can put their names next to the generic appellation ‘Languedoc AC’?
The best ones
What are the 6 examples of sub-regions with their own appellations that sit above Languedoc AC?
Cotes du Roussillon Cotes du Roussillon Villages Fitou Corbieres Minervois Picpoul de Pinet
Which smaller ACs are more rugged and mountainous with low rainfall and cold winds?
Cotes du Roussillon and Cotes du Roussillon Villages
Which smaller AC is split into a coastal strip and a cooler inland area at altitude?
Fitou
Which of the small AC’s is broken into 11 subregions and is cooled by altitude and the tramontane inland?
Corbieres
warm towards the coast
Which AC lies on the slopes of the Massif Central and has been subdivided?
Minervois
Which AC is most notably cooled by seas breezes?
Picpoul de Pinet
What is the name of the large, sunny regional area in which many IGP wines are produced?
Pays d’Oc
Which winds do ranges of hills protect Provence from?
Mistral
What is the largest appellation in Provence?
Cotes de Provence
How many small individual ACs on the coast in Provence? Which of these is most important?
3
Bandol
What grape is most important in Bandol?
Mourvedre
Why can Mourvedre ripen reliably in Bandol?
South facing, terraced slopes
Describe Bandol wines. (colour, body, tannin)
deep, full, high (powerful)
What kind of ageing is important when talking about Bandol? What characteristics does this bring?
Bandol wines require bottle-age to show full spectrum of bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavours
