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WSET Level 3 > Southern France > Flashcards

Southern France Flashcards

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1
Q

Where are the vineyards of Southern France located?

A

Along the Mediterranean coast from Italy in the East to the Spanish border in the West.

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2
Q

What are the three broad areas of the Southern France vineyards?

A

Languedoc and Roussillon to the west of the Rhone and Provence to the east.

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3
Q

What is the climate of Southern France?

A

Warm Mediterranean with mild winters and low rainfall especially during the growing season. Therefore ideal for grape growing.

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4
Q

Why are vineyards on the inland foothills better suited to grape growing than those on the coastal plain?

A

Noticeably cooler and have less fertile, well drained soils.

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5
Q

What winds impact Southern France?

A

Cool, dry winds from the north; mistral blows down the Rhone Valley; tramontane through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.

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6
Q

What is their biggest grape growing challenge?

A

Drought. They do have occasional summer floods but fungal disease is generally not a problem.

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7
Q

Which varieties, black or white, account for the majority of the plantings?

A

Black.

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8
Q

What are two of the most important black varieties?

A

Grenache and Syrah. Grenache is well suited to the warm, dry summer climate. Syrah performs better in the cooler climates.

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9
Q

Why is Carignan also used?

A

High in tannin, acidity and color. Can lack fruit or finesse. Although old vine on poor soil can produce quality wines.

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10
Q

Why is Cinsault used in Provance?

A

Used in rose or to add red fruit flavors to red blends.

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11
Q

Why is Mouvedre used?

A

Adds richness, color and complexity. Only ripens in the warmest climates.

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12
Q

Name two international varieties that are used in the production of IGP wines?

A

Cabernet and Merlot.

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13
Q

What technique is used to soften the tannins in Carignan?

A

semi-carbonic maceration.

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14
Q

What are the two most widely planted white varieties?

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

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15
Q

What other white variety is widely used?

A

Vigonier.

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16
Q

What are the most widely planted local white varieties?

A

Muscat and Grenache Blanc.

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17
Q

What is the Muscat grape utilized for?

A

Sweet fortified wines but is also used to make dry wines with aromatic grapey aromas.

18
Q

Describe wines made with Grenache Blanc?

A

Dry white wines that have a soft, peachy fruitiness, full body and low acidity, but tend to oxidize easily.

19
Q

What are some of the other local varieties utilized?

A

Picpoul in Pinet, Mauzac in Limoux, Maccabeu in Roussillon, Rolle in Provence and Clairette in Languedoc and Provence.

20
Q

Which of the other local varieties is best known and for what characteristics?

A

Picpoul for refreshing high acidity, green fruit and citrus flavors.

21
Q

What region do the majority of wines from the south of France come from?

A

Languedoc, a generic appellation that covers all the appellation vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes.

22
Q

Most appellations permit the production of reds, whites and roses, but the vast majority are red and based on what four red grapes?

A

Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and to a lesser extent Mourvedre.

23
Q

Which areas produce the best Syrahs?

A

Cooler areas, with more finesse and lighter tannins.

24
Q

What varietal is best in the warmer areas?

A

Mouvedre. Greater body and some meaty, gamey flavors.

25
Q

Describe the roses?

A

soft and fruity.

26
Q

What characteristics do the best wines from Southern France display?

A

Full bodied, concentrated spicy red fruit often with oak flavors.

27
Q

What are Cote du Roussillon known for and what makes them this way?

A

Concentrated wines due to being consistently rugged and mountainous with bright sunlight, low rainfall and particularly strong winds.

28
Q

What designation do the best vineyards in Cotes du Roussillon qualify for?

A

Cotes du Roussillon Villages.

29
Q

Fitou, just to the north of Cotes du Roussillon Villages, is split into two separate areas. Briefly describe each area and the wine it produces.

A

A warm coastal strip that produces fuller bodied wines, and a cooler area inland at altitude where lighter wines predominate.

30
Q

Describe the region of Corbieres.

A

Covers warm sites near the coast. Vineyards planted at altitude and cooled by the tramontana. Divided into 11 subregions, the best of which is Boutenac, which has its own AC.

31
Q

Describe the region of Minervois.

A

Lies on the slopes of the Massif Central. Vineyards vary in quality due to altitude, richness of the soil and the extent of their exposure to the cooling influences from The Atlantic. It is subdivided and its best subregion is La Liviniere, which has its own AC.

32
Q

What helps maintain the high acidity of the Picpoul grape in Picpoul de Pinet?

A

the cooling sea breeze.

33
Q

Limoux benefits from the cooling effect of altitude. What wine is it known for?

A

Premium baked Chardonnays.

34
Q

What area of France makes more IGP wines than any other?

A

Southern France. Most are sold under the regional name of Pays d’Oc.

35
Q

What protects Provence from the mistral?

A

Varied landscape broken up by many prominent ranges of hills.

36
Q

What are the characteristics of a Provence rose?

A

Very pale in color, light-bodied and dry on the palate, and display delicate flavors of grapefruit and red fruit.

37
Q

What style of reds does Provence produce?

A

Everything from fresh and fruity to more bodied barrel matured.

38
Q

What white varieties are featured in Provance whites?

A

The aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette.

39
Q

What is the largest appellation in Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence.

40
Q

What is the most important AC on the coast of Provence?

A

Bandol.

41
Q

What grape is featured in Bandol roses?

A

Mourvedre. It is able to ripen on the south-facing terraced slopes.

42
Q

Describe a Bandol rosé.

A

Dark, full-bodied with powerful tannins. They require bottle age before showing their full spectrum of bramble, meat and licorice-spice flavors.

WSET Level 3 (28 decks)

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