Vins Doux Naturels Flashcards
80% of VDNs produced where?
Roussillon
General climate for VDNs
Medietrranean
Warmest and driest region for VDNs?
Roussillon
Tramontane wind = greater transpiration = more sugar concentration
More sugar concentration in grapes good for VDN why.
Less spirit is needed to fortify while retaining RS
But it reduces juice yield
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grans
Smaller grapes than Musc of Alexandria Greater intesntity of aroma and flavour Tolerates dry weather (good for Med climate) Powdery, botrytis, mites Plantings growing
Muscat of Alexandria
Bigger gripes than Muscat Blanc a Petits Grands
Higher sugar levels
Plantings in decline
Grenache
Grenache Noir
Late ripening
Drought resitant = suits Mediterannean climate
High yields (pale colour if not controlled)
Accumualtes sugar quickly, good for fortified
Coloure, downy, phomopsis, botrytis = can affect yield
Why shady canopy for unaged VDN?
Reduce sunburn and excessive grape shrivelling
Yields for VDN
generalyl small, 30hl/ha max
Minimum abv potential aclohol for VDN
14.8%
Late harvest/botrytis desirable for VDN?
No
VDNs made how?
Adding grape spirit to stop fermentation early = sweet, fortified wine
What kind of spirit used for VDN?
95-96% neutral
no spirity aromas
Spirit added to VDN at what abv, resulting in what abv?
Added when ferment reaches 5-8%
Makes wine 15-18%
VDNs from black grapes. Ferment on skins?
Yes
Addition of spirit increases extraction of colour, flavour and tannins = important for wines undergoing long ageing
Maceration on skins can continue for a couple of weeks after fortification = maximise extraction
Youthful, unaged VDNs released when
Shortly after fermetnation
Youthful, unaged VDN style
Primary aromas
Msucat: floral, grape, peach, pear, honey
Grenache; blackberry, raspberry, plum
Oxidative aged VDNs ageing vessels
Old oak barrles (not topped up = encourage oxidation)
Demijohns (aka bonbonnes) not quite full, unstoppered, left outside
2 VDN appellations in Rhone Valley
AOC Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
AOC Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise vineayrds where?
Terraces on south-east facing slopes of Dentelles de Montmirail = shelter from Mistral aids ripening
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise grape varety
Mostly Muscat Blanc a Petis Grains
Some Msucat a Petits Grains Rouge (Brown Muscat) for read dn rosé
Always unaged style
Style of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
Always unaged Medium body Medium acidity Low alcohol Primary aromas blossom, grape, paech, honey
Significant producer of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
Domaine des Bernardins
Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau style
red, rosé (saignee, fortified off skins) or white
oxidative or unaged
Most is red
Red: min 75% Grenache Noir.
All Languedoc VDNs from what grape and what style?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
Unaged style (varies from AOC to AOC exactly but always unaged)
e.g. Muscat de Frontignan, southwest of Montpellier, low altitude (warm): full body, tropical fruit
AOC Muscat de Frontignan
Languedoc Muscat Blanc PG, unaged style Southwest of Montpellier Low altitude, warm climate Full body, tropical fruit
AOC Muscat de St-Jean-de-Mienrvois
Languedoc Muscat Blanc PG, unaged Northeast corner of Minervois 250-300m elevation Continental climate, cooler Higher acid, lighter body, stone fruit, floral
VDNs make up what % of Roussillon AOC production?
45%
vs 2% of Languedoc AOC production
Grenat/Rimage (in Roussillon VDN)
Unaged red RoussilloN VDN
Grenat in Maury/Rivesaltes
Rimage in Banyuls
“Blanc” (in Roussillon VDN)
White unaged
Tuilé/Traditionnel (in Roussillon VDN)
Oxidative red
Tuilé in Maury/Rivesaltes
Traditionnel in Banyuls
Ambré (in Roussillon VDN)
oxidative white
Hors d’age (in Roussillon VDN)
Oxidative red or wite
Longer ageing than Tuilé or Ambré
Rancio
Rancio character
Red or white wines
Grand Roussillon AOC
Wide, specific area for VDNs outside five main AOCs (can include declassified wine from those AOCs)
Five main Roussillon VDN AOCs
Banyuls AOC Banyuls Grand Cru AOC Maury AOC Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC Rivesaltes AOC
Banyuls AOC
Eastern end of Pyrnees Mediterrean sea to east' Spain to south 50% Grenache Noir (also Grenache Blanc and Gris) Steep terraced Schist Small amount of white VDN
Significant Banyuls producer
Domaine Vial-Magneres
Domaine Vial-Magneres a significant producer in which Roussillon VDN AOC?
Banyuls AOC
Banyuls Grand Cru AOC
Same area as Banyuls AOC (east end of Pyrnees beside Med sea and Spain)
75% Grenache Noir
Matured 30 months (longer: Hors d’Age and Rancio)
Maury AOC
in north of Roussillon 100-400m Pyrnees foothills Dark schist, store heat from day, release at night 75% Grenache Noir for red Small amount of white: unaged
Maury Sec AOC
Dry unfortified, same area as Maury AOC
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
Largest AOC in Roussillon
Muscat Blanc PG + Muscat Alexandria
Unaged only
Rivesaltes AOC
North of Roussillon, close to Mediterranean
Red and white
Grenate, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d’Age and Rancio
Whites: max 20% Muscat (+ Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Malvoisie)
Reds: Grenache noir
Domaine Cazes
Significant producer in Rivesaltes AOC
Domaine Cazes
Domaine Cazes a significant producer in which AOC
Riveasltes AOC
