Vins Doux Naturels Appellations and Styles Flashcards
What are Vins Doux Naturels?
A category of sweet wines where fortifying spirit is added to a wine during fermentation
Are there a small or large number of PDOs for Vins Doux Naturels? Where are they primarily located?
There are many PDOs for such wines, with the majority (80%) in Rousillon buy many others in Languedoc and the Southern Rhône
How many VDN appellations are there in the Rhône Valley? What are they?
Two. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau
Where are the vines used for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise planted? Why is this beneficial for VDN viticulture?
South-east facing terraced slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The grapes are protected from the cooling Mistral winds
What grape comprises 95% of production in Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
What grape is approved for use in the production of red and rosé Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
Muscat à Petit Grains Rouge, a dark skinned mutation of Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Is Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise a youthful or oxidative style of fortified wine?
Youthful
What is the typical character of white Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
Medium bodied
Medium acid
Low ABV (15%)
Aromas of blossom, grape, peach, and honey
Is VDN Rasteau a red, rose, or white wine?
It can be any of them, though a tiny proportion is white
How is VDN Rasteau rosé produced?
Saignée with fortification occurring off of the skins
Is VDN Rasteau a youthful or oxidative style of fortified wine?
It can be either
What varieties are VDN Rasteau red wines produced with? What is the minimum percentage of the varieties required?
Grenache Noir must comprise 75% of the blend. Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc may also be used.
Where are the vines used for VDN Rasteau planted? Why is this beneficial for VDN viticulture?
South facing slopes that provide some protection from the Mistral but also expose the grapes to sunlight for maximum ripening. The grapes develop jammy flavors and high sugar levels
What is the typical character of youthful VDN Rasteau?
Aromas of cherry and plum
Low to medium alcohol (16-18%)
What is the typical character of oxidative VDN Rasteau?
Aromas of dried fruits and nuts
Low to medium alcohol (16-18%)
How many VDN appellations are there in the Languedoc? What are the two most important?
Four. Muscat de Frontignan and Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois are the most important
What grapes are permitted in the Languedoc’s VDN appellations?
Only Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
What is the general style of Languedoc VDN wines?
Youthful
What is the largest VDN appellation in Laguedoc?
Muscat de Frontignan
Where is Muscat de Frontignan located?
Southwest of Montpellier at low altitudes
How does the character of Muscat de Frontignan compare to other VDN from the Languedoc?
It is fuller bodied with tropical fruit aromas
How does the character of Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois compare to other VDN from the Languedoc?
It is lighter bodied, has higher acidity, and offers stone fruit and floral aromas
Where is Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois located?
The northeast corner of Minervois at altitudes of 250-300 meters
True or False
VDN wines comprise a significant proportion of Rhône and Languedoc wines
False. VDN wines are a tiny percentage of production in the Rhône and Languedoc
What percentage of production does VDN wine comprise in Roussillon?
45%
What percentage of production does VDN wine comprise in the Languedoc?
2%
What are the styles of VDN permitted in Roussillon?
Grenat/Rimage Blanc Tuilé/Traditionnel Ambré Hors d’âge Rancio
What is a Grenat/Rimage style of VDN?
A youthful style of red fortified wine produced in Roussillon. Grenat is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes. Rimage is the term used in Banyuls
What is the Blanc style of VDN produced in Roussillon?
A youthful white fortified wine
What is the Tuilé/Traditionnel style of VDN?
An oxidatively aged red fortified wine produced in Rousillon. Tuilé is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes. Traditionnel is the term used in Banyuls
What is the Ambré style of VDN?
An oxidatively aged white fortified wine produced in Rousillon
What is the Hors d’âge style of VDN?
An oxidatively aged fortified wine that may be either red or white that is produced in Rousillon. It is aged longer than Tuilé or Ambré VDN.
What is the Rancio style of VDN?
An oxidatively aged fortified wine that may be either red or white which exhibits a ‘rancio’ quality of nuttiness and bitter caramel
What are the important VDN appellations in Roussillon? Which are the most important?
Grand Roussillon Banyuls ** Banyuls Grand Cru ** Maury ** Muscat de Rivesaltes ** Rivesaltes **
What is the Grand Rousillon AOC?
A large, specifically delineated area for the production of VDN. It can be used as a catchment for declassified VDN wines from other appellations
What is Banyuls AOC?
An appellation for the production of VDN wines. It is located on the eastern end of the Pyrenees and grapes are planted on steep, terraced slopes.
What variety must be used in the production of red Banyuls? How much is required?
A minimum of 50% Grenache Noir must be used. Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc may also be used.
What is Banyuls Grand Cru AOC?
An appellation for the production of red VDN wines that comprises the same area as Banyuls AOC. The wines must be 75% Grenache Noir and aged for a minimum 30 months
What styles can Banyuls Grand Cru be produced in? Why?
Tuilé, Hors d’âge, or Rancio. The wine must be red and aged for a minimum of 30 months
What variety must be used in the production of Banyuls Grand Cru? How much is required?
A minimum of 75% Grenache Noir
What is Maury AOC?
An appellation for the production of VDN wines. It is located in the north of Roussillon and its vines are planted between 100-400 meters on schist soils.
What styles of VDN are produced in Maury AOC? What varieties are used?
Red VDN made from 75% Grenache Noir
Youthful white VDN
How do the schist soils in Maury AOC affect grape ripening?
The schist retains heat from the day and releases it at night, facilitating ripening
What is Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?
The largest VDN appellation in Roussillon by production. It produces youthful white fortified wines that are often a blend of Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains and Muscat of Alexandria.
What is Rivesaltes AOC?
An appellation for a range of VDN styles located in northern Roussillon near the Mediterranean Coast.
How much Muscat must be used in the production of white Rivesaltes VDN?
A maximum of 20% Muscat. The rest may be Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, or Malvoisie
What variety is used to produce red Rivesaltes VDN?
Primarily Grenache Noir
What styles of VDN may be produced in Rivesaltes AOC?
Red or white wines in Grenat, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d’âge, or Rancio styles.
