Unit 1: Foundations Flashcards
French Wine Law
- Wine Fraud dates back thousands of years romans painted amphora with tar to replicate Piedmont’s Nebs
- Classic French Wines have been blended discrimnately. Dur8 g the Middle Ages different regions (ie Bordeaux and Rhone) blended with Turkish and Spanish Wines. Wines were also sold in bulk= easy to fraud
1924- French Wine Law
Growers of CdP lead by Baron Pierre Le Roy De Boiseaumarie, President of Syndicate of CdP, decided to draw up region and set standards. Found out a year later Roquefort Cheese had appellation status.
1935- French Wine Law
Baron Le Roy helped create AOC system to guarantee authentic product. He founded Institut National of Appellations D’ Origine (INAO) with other presidents.
Appellation D’ Origine Contrôlée
Defined Area of Origin from which a specifically named (appellation) product can be created and labelled under strictly regulated (controlee) production methods.
2009- French Wine Law
EU sort to standardise the wine standard pyramids of different countries. Idea to make labels more uniform. However this may sadly added more unnecessary wording to labels.
Old French Law System
Vin De Table
Vin De Pays
VDQS
AOC
New French Wine Law System
Vins Sans IG (Wines Without Geographic Indication)
IGP (Former Vin De Pays)
AOC/ AOP
AOC/ AOP
Most restrictive of all quality designations.
- Wine has to: Come from a delimited area Made using allowed grapes Adhere to maximum yield Abide by pruning harvesting and Winemaking
- The highest tier. In reality does not mean better in quality than IGP or Vin Sans IG but can guarantee origin and attributes regarding style and regional quality.
Vin De Pays/ IGP (Country Wine/ Indication Geographique Protegee)- Protected Geographic Indication
- 1979 Created more flexibility in grape growing/ Winemaking
- 2009: EU mandated sweeping changes for this level. Called it IGP across the board. Production standards changed and certification needed through process. (Ie 150 Wines, tasted by local panels)
- Middle tier of French standards, by the INAO
VDQS (Vin Delimite Qualite Superiere/ Delimited Wines with Superior Quality)
- No longer exists
- Between Vin De Pays and AOC
- As with 2009 EU regs, members with this status were upgraded to AOC/ AOP, or downgraded to IGP
Vin De Table/ Vin Sans IG (Table Wines/ Wines without Geographic Indication)
- No links to origin
- This level allows mention of grape varieties and vintage on the label, these weren’t allowed under Vin De Table
- Comes from anywhere in France and has no maximum yields
- Wines are labeled Vin De France (NOT Vin Sans IG), designed for export
INAO (Institut National Des Appellations D’ Origine)
- Policies protect wine and Spirits AOCs from wrongful marketing or misleading labeling (internally and externally)
- Protects French Wines and other food stuffs
French Grape Varieties
Pinot, Savagnin and Gouais Blanc most commonly grown grapes in Nth East France during Middle Ages
Gouais Blanc
- Also known as Weiser Heunish, Mother of French/ German varieties
- Most evidence links it to Northeast France (Franche- Comte, Champagne- Ardenne, Lorraine, Alsace) and SthWSt Germany (Rheinland- Plafz, Baden- Württemberg)
Gouais Blanc x Pinot: Aligote, Auxerrois, Chard, Gamay Blanc, Gamay Noir, Melon, Romorantin, Sacy
Gouais Blanc x Chenin Blanc: Colombard
Gouais Blanc x Unknown: Furmint
Gouais x Various: Elbing, Blaufrankisch, Folle Blanche, Grolleau Noir, Jacquere, Menu Pineau (Arbois), Muscadelle, Riesling and St- Come
P/ N, P/ G and P/ Blanc have same genetic makeup (different phenotypes or expressions of genes) it’s impossible to determine which is connected, directly with Gouais
Savagnin
- Ancient Grape, NthEast France/ SthWSt Germany
- Might be a decendant from wild grape (hence Sauvage= Wild) or cross of Pinot and unknown, or a cross b/ ween two extinct varieities
Savagnin x Gouais Blanc: Petit Meslier and Aubin
Savagnin x Unknown (Extinct?): Sauv Blanc
Savagnin x Unknown: Chenin Blanc
Savagnin x Unknown: Petit Manseng (Parent of Gros Manseng)
Savagnin x Otherretichischweiss: Sylvaner
Savagnin x Unknown: Verdelho
Savagnin x St- Georger: Gruner Veltliner
Pinot
- 2000 yrs old used to be called Morillon, Noirien and Averntat
- 1000 clonal variations, including P/ Meunier, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc
- Still to be determined it’s origins, but may be Jura. Genetics see Pinot- Savagnin Blanc kinship
Pinot x Gansfusser: Cesar
Aligote (Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Rhone)
Aromatic, high acid, medium body, Jasmine and Vanilla (Nose), Pinot x Gouais Blanc. Vigorous, early budding, early ripening, susceptible to rots and mildew
Altesse (L- R IGP, Savoie)
Ripens late, shy producer, resistant to rot, grape linked to Chasselas (native to Lake Geneva). Altesse might be indigenous to Savoie. Lively acid, Honey and Almond, full bodied, spicy aromatics
Arbane (Champagne)
Authorised, uncommon, native to the Aube (Department). Low yielding, early budding, mid to late ripening. Susceptible to Mildew. Full bodied, floral aromas.
Arbois (Loire Syn: Menu Pineau, Orbois)
Native to Loire. Most into Cheverny and IGP Wines (Blended with Sauvignon Blanc/ Chenin Blanc). Vigorous, low- acid juice. Used as a softening agent in blends. Kinship to Gouais.
Arrufac (Also Spelled Ruffiac or Arrufiat) SthWSt
Large clusters, small berries, native to Ardour River Valley, Bearn. Almost lost during Phylloxera presence remains Pacherenc Du Vic Bilth and Saint Mont. Prized for its aroma. Vigorous and late ripening.
Auxerrois Blanc (Alsace)
Neutral white, Auxerrois Blanc ripens to higher sugar and low acid levels. Used for white blends (Alsace). Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross and believed to originated in Alsace- Lorraine
Baroque/ Barroque (SthWSt)- White
Aromatic grape, might be indigenous to the Ardour River Valley (SthWSt). Vigorous, late ripening, ripens to high sugar. Planted mainly in Tursan AOC.
Blanqueron (Provence)- White
Blending grape grown near Nice. Used in Bellet AOC. Believed to be native to Alpes- Maritimes Department. Falling out of favour.
Bourboulenc (L-R syn; Malvoisie) L- R, Rhone, Provence
Vigorous, late ripening. High temps to ripen its clusters. Produces wines of moderate alcohol. High acidity. Aromas of citrus and smoke. Native to Vaucluse Department, portions of cultural Provence and Rhone Region.
Camaralet (SthWSt)- White
Links to Spanish Basque Country. Cultivated in Pyrenees- Atlantiques for centuries. Delivers wines of low alcohol. Hints of peach, honey, fennel cinnamon. Yields are low, Wines are oxidative.
Carignan Blanc (L-R IGP)- White
White mutation. Late ripening, high acid delivering wines of moderate alc with citrus undertones and herbs/ garrigue.
Chardonnay (Jura syn: Melon d’Arbois, Melon A Queue Rouge and Gamay Blanc, Loire syn: Auvernat Blanc, Bourgogne syn: Beaunois) Alsace, Jura, Savoie, Beaujolais, Bourgogne, Champagne, Loire, L- R, Rhone, Provence, Corsica IGP
Pinot x Gouais cross, indigenous to France. Prefers limestone or limestone rich marls. Early budding, early ripening and productive. Achieves high sugar and high extract levels, but runs the risk of being low acid. As a wine, displays primary fruit aromas of apple and citrus, secondary and tertiary aromas of butter, nuts, ginger, vanilla and nutmeg. Pale white to yellow gold.
Chasan (L-R IGP)- White
Palomino x Chardonnay, early budding, early ripening, like Chard (less acid). Prone to oxidise.
Chenin Blanc (Loire syn: Pineau De La Loire & Gros Pineau, SW Syn: Rouchelein) Bordeaux, L- R, Loire, SthWSt
Related to Savignin Blanc, direct match to Agudelo from a Spain. High vigour, quite adaptable to different climates. Cold hardy, resistant to wind and disease early budding, mid- ripening. High acid, high extract Wines. Made into sweet Wines because of botrytis and ability to retain acid. Can last for decades due to extract and acid.
Primary fruit: peach, quince, apricot, apple and pear
Secondary Aromas: Clotted Cream, Crewe fraiche, buttermilk
Tertiary Aromas: ripe grain, fresh straw, marzipan, toasted nuts.
Clairette Blanche (L-R, Provence, Rhone, SthWSt)
Extremely vigorous, thick skinned, late ripening, may have origins in Herault Department, Languedoc. Likes warm rocky, dry (Limestone) sites. Crafts wines of high alc, low acid, hints of apricot, apple, peach, fennel and lime. With aromas of acacia and hawthorn. Prone to oxidation.
Codivarta (Corsica)- White
Late-Ripening, good extract, moderate alc, mod to low acid
Corbu Blanc (SthWSt)- White
SthWSt France natures high sugar levels. Dry Wines and sweet. Aromatics of grape fruit, moderately acidic. Unrelated to Corbu Noir and Petit Corbu.
Folle Blanche (Loire Syn: Gros Plant) Bordeaux, Loire- White
Native to Cognac and Armagnac delicately flavoured, high acid wine with notes of citrus and green apple. Referred to as Picpoul in Armagnac. Not the same as Picpoul from Languedoc. Gouais Blanc a parent. Early budding, early ripening and productive.
Gewürztraminer (L-R Syn: Gewurztraminer Rose) Alsace, L- R IGP
Slightly pigmented, aromatic grape. Ripens with high sugar, high extract and low acid. Aromas of nutmeg, ginger, cardamon, allspice, sandalwood, mace, rose and lychee
Correctly spelled without the umlaut in Alsace
Aromatic version of the Savagnin Rose, pink skinned mutation of Savagnin Blanc (Non Aromatic version is Klevener)
Gouais Blanc (Champagne)
Mother of many French and German varieities. Grown in Champagne from 9- 16th Centuries
Grenache Blanc (L-R, Provence, Rhone)
Vigorous, mid season ripening. Produces full bodied wines with low acid and good extract. Displays green apple, pear and white flower aromatics. Prone to oxidise. Grenache Blanc, Gris, Noir share the same DNA fingerprint.
Gringet (Savoie)- White
Indigenous to Savoie. Cultivated from Cru village of L’Ayze (in Savoie)
Gros Manseng (L-R IGP, SthWSt)
Large berry off spring of Petit Manseng. Buds early and ripens late. High acid, high sugar grapes, that are accented by citrus and spice. Aromas less intense than Petit Manseng.
Jacquere (Savoie)- White
Prolific producer. Vigorous, productive, buds early, ripens late. Lightly perfumed, high acid. Hints of wildflower and citrus. Prefers gravel and limestone. 1/2 of Savoie planted to this. Gouais is a parent.
Klevener (De Heilgenstein) Alsace- White
Non aromatic clone of Savignin Rose.
Lauzet (SthWSt)- White
Vigorous, late- ripening, produces full- bodied, spicy wines, with bright acid. Native to Sth WST France
Len De L’el/ Loin De Loeil (SthWSt)- White
Len De l’el in Occitan means “far from sight” meaning bud. Long pediuncle, hangs from shoot. High alc, low acid, native to Galliac
Maccabeu (Spain: Macabeu, Viura) L-R, Rhone
Known as Viura in Rioja. Late to bud, late to ripen. Generous producer prone to rot. Moderately acidic, delicate notes of wildflower and bitter almond.
Marsanne (L-R, Provence Rhone)
Extremely vigorous hardy. Generous producer, ripens early. Warm, stony soils, well in less fertile sites. Aromas of Melon and honeysuckle, that become marzipan and hazelnut. Native to the Rhone.
Mauzac Blanc (Bordeaux, L-R, SthWst)- White
Late bidder, late ripener. Fairly aromatic, high acid with notes of bruised apple. Believed to be native to SthWSt France. Mauzac Blanc is not related to Mauzac Noir.
Mauzac Rose (L-R, SthWSt)- White
Genetic mutation from Mauzac Blanc. Different colour is all.
Melon De Bourgogne (Loire Syn: Muscadet) Beaujolais, Loire- White
Hails from Bourgogne. White wine accents of sea and citrus. Not related to Muscat. Hardy and frost resistant. Pinot x Gouais Blanc cross.
Merlot Blanc (Bordeaux)- White
Merlot x Folle Blanche cross. Not a colour mutation of merlot. Susceptible to frost and rot. Not prolific producer, wines devoid of colour and character.
Molette (Savoie)- White
High yielding, neutral, ripens high in sugar and acid. Incorporated into sparkling wine in Savoie, but is falling out of favour. Indigenous to Savoie.
Mondeuse Blanche (Savoie)- White
Not a colour mutation of Mondeuse Noir. Related to Mondeuse Noire. Mondeuse Blanche crossed with Dureza to make Syrah. Produces high alc, low acid white. Savoie Native.
Muscadelle (Bordeaux, SthWSt)- White
Native to Gironde/ Dordogne. Not related to Muscat. Flavour profile similar to Muscat. Buds late, ripens early, generous yield. Susceptible to powdery, rot and expresses grannies, accented by musky, floral character.
Muscat (Alsace, Corsica, L- R, Provence, Rhone- Muscat A Petit Grains Blanc)- White
Vibrant, aromatic whites, hints of raisin, honey, peach, apricot, mango, orange blossom and musk. Some debate whether the grape is of Greek or Italian heritage. Pink, red, black skinned mutations. Small berries, high sugar levels, high extract. Good acid.
Muscat (L- R- Muscat D’Alexandrie)
Not as delicate as MaPGB. Produces powerful Muscat with intense florals on the nose (Rose, jasmine) stonefruit and grape aromas.
Muscat (Alsace- Muscat Ottenel)
Actually Chasselas x Muscat d’Eisenstadt cross. Less acid/ less aroma than other Muscat’s. Early ripener. Makes it ideal for cooler climates.
Ondenc (Bordeaux, SthWSt)- White
Disappeared during Phylloxera. Still present in Gailliac. Perfumed sweet Wines. Raisinated on vine (paserillage). Early to bud, early to ripen. Tastes of Apple and honey. Kinship to Altesse.
Pascal (Provence)- White
Vigorous, low alcohol, neutral
Petit Courbet (SthWSt)- White
Usually blended with Courbu Blanc. Not sure if Petit Courbu/ Courbu Blanc are related.
Petit Manseng (L- R IGP, SthWSt)
Thick- skinned, loose bunch, ripens late. High sugar, good acids. Left to raisin to craft luscious sweet Wines. Ripe peaches, honey and cinnamon. Offspring of Savagnin (Gros Manseng, larger berried, thinner skinned, offspring of Petit Manseng, not clones).
Petit Meslier (Champagne)- White
Low yielding Gouais Blanc x Savagnin cross, authorised but uncommon grape grown in Champagne with good acid, floral perfume and a slight nut-skin bitterness.
Picardin (Provence, Rhone)- White
Neutral, musky aroma, moderate alc, moderate acid, native to Provence.
Pignerol (Provence)- White
Low yielding, tastes of banana and honey.
Pinot Blanc (Alsace Syn: Klevener, Pinot Vrai) Alsace, Bourgogne, Champagne, L-R IGP- White
Native to France. Early to Bud. Early to ripen. Small berried fruit. Fairly neutral, moderate acid, with hints of apple and almond.
Piquepoul Blanc (also spelled Picpoul) L- R, Provence, Rhone- White
Native to the department of Vaucluse. Shy producer, vulnerable to fungal disease. Prefers sand or marl, hot climate. Name means “lip stinger”, due to high acid. Aromatic, with moderate alc. green apple and citrus. Picpoul Blanc/ Gris/ Noir share same DNA fingerprint.
Raffiat (De Moncade) SthWSt- White
Fairly productive. Neutral whites. High alc. Bearn mainly planted. Off spring of Gouais Blanc.
Riesling (Alsace, L-R IGP)- White
Winter hardy, buds early, avoiding spring frosts. Aromatic, floral, spicy citrus. High sugar levels, high acid. Picks up resinous hints of pink nut or petrol.
Rolle (Italy: Vermentino) Corsica, L- R, Provence, Rhone- White
Italian, made its way to Sth of France and Corsica. Two styles:
- Lively, nervy and aromatic with florals, spicy and grapefruit.
- Fat, round with rich notes of apple, pear, apricot. Sweetgrass. Prefers the Coast.
Romorantin (Loire)- White
Buds early, productive, has trouble ripening. Optimal maturity, crafts good acid, citrusey Wines. Hints of honey and beeswax, or wines can be lean and austere. Grown in Cour- Cheverny. Pinot Teinturier x Gouais Blanc
Rousanne (Savoie: Bergeron) L- R, Provence, Rhone, Savoie- White
Moderate in vigour, mid- ripening, irregular yields. Sensitive to rot and powdery. Likes warm, stony, well drained soils, poor and arid hillsides or stony, silt- limestone soils. Elegant, complex, floral notes, high alc (14%). Moderate high acid. Honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia, peach. Age worthy. Linked to Marsanne (DNA). Native to Rhone.
Sacy (Loire Syn: Tressallier) Bourgogne, Loire- White
Pinot x Gouais used in production of Saint- Pourcain (whites) and Cremant in Bourgogne. High acid. Low alc. Pear.
Saint- Come (SW Syn; Rousselou) Sth WST- White
High acid, high alc. Susceptible to Botrytis. Used in Estaing AOC, dry whites.
Sauvignon Blanc (Bordeaux, Bourgogne, L-R IGP, Loire, Provence, SthWSt)- White
Vigorous, native to Loire, like cool/ sunny climates. Aromatic, unruly and productive vine. Kinship: Savagnin. Gunflint, herb, hay, gooseberry, lemongrass, grapefruit, pineapple, Melon, kiwi, pear, celery stick.
Savagnin Blanc (Jura, Savoie)- White
Native to NthEst France/ SthWSt Germany. High acid/ high alc. vin jaune. Parent of many modern varieties.
Savagnin Rose ( Alsace)- White
Pink skin mutation of S/ Blanc (Savagnin). Aromatic and non clones. Aromatic= Gewürztraminer, non aromatic= Savagnin Rose (Klevener De Heilgenstein, Alsace)
Semillon (Bordeaux, L- R IGP, Provence, SthWSt)- White
Extremely productive, thin skin, mid- late ripening, susceptible to Botrytis, native to Sauternes, moderate aroma, high alc, high extract, moderate to low acid, textural mouthfeel. Expresses pear, apricot, citrus, nut skin, more pronounced with age.