Vins Doux Naturels Appellations and Styles Flashcards

1
Q

What are Vins Doux Naturels?

A

A category of sweet wines where fortifying spirit is added to a wine during fermentation

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2
Q

Are there a small or large number of PDOs for Vins Doux Naturels? Where are they primarily located?

A

There are many PDOs for such wines, with the majority (80%) in Rousillon buy many others in Languedoc and the Southern Rhône

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3
Q

How many VDN appellations are there in the Rhône Valley? What are they?

A

Two. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau

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4
Q

Where are the vines used for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise planted? Why is this beneficial for VDN viticulture?

A

South-east facing terraced slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The grapes are protected from the cooling Mistral winds

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5
Q

What grape comprises 95% of production in Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains

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6
Q

What grape is approved for use in the production of red and rosé Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?

A

Muscat à Petit Grains Rouge, a dark skinned mutation of Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains

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7
Q

Is Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise a youthful or oxidative style of fortified wine?

A

Youthful

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8
Q

What is the typical character of white Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?

A

Medium bodied

Medium acid

Low ABV (15%)

Aromas of blossom, grape, peach, and honey

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9
Q

Is VDN Rasteau a red, rose, or white wine?

A

It can be any of them, though a tiny proportion is white

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10
Q

How is VDN Rasteau rosé produced?

A

Saignée with fortification occurring off of the skins

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11
Q

Is VDN Rasteau a youthful or oxidative style of fortified wine?

A

It can be either

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12
Q

What varieties are VDN Rasteau red wines produced with? What is the minimum percentage of the varieties required?

A

Grenache Noir must comprise 75% of the blend. Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc may also be used.

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13
Q

Where are the vines used for VDN Rasteau planted? Why is this beneficial for VDN viticulture?

A

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

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14
Q

What is the typical character of youthful VDN Rasteau?

A

Aromas of cherry and plum

Low to medium alcohol (16-18%)

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15
Q

What is the typical character of oxidative VDN Rasteau?

A

Aromas of dried fruits and nuts

Low to medium alcohol (16-18%)

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16
Q

How many VDN appellations are there in the Languedoc? What are the two most important?

A

Four. Muscat de Frontignan and Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois are the most important

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17
Q

What grapes are permitted in the Languedoc’s VDN appellations?

A

Only Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains

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18
Q

What is the general style of Languedoc VDN wines?

A

Youthful

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19
Q

What is the largest VDN appellation in Laguedoc?

A

Muscat de Frontignan

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20
Q

Where is Muscat de Frontignan located?

A

Southwest of Montpellier at low altitudes

21
Q

How does the character of Muscat de Frontignan compare to other VDN from the Languedoc?

A

It is fuller bodied with tropical fruit aromas

22
Q

How does the character of Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois compare to other VDN from the Languedoc?

A

It is lighter bodied, has higher acidity, and offers stone fruit and floral aromas

23
Q

Where is Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois located?

A

The northeast corner of Minervois at altitudes of 250-300 meters

24
Q

True or False

VDN wines comprise a significant proportion of Rhône and Languedoc wines

A

False. VDN wines are a tiny percentage of production in the Rhône and Languedoc

25
Q

What percentage of production does VDN wine comprise in Roussillon?

A

45%

26
Q

What percentage of production does VDN wine comprise in the Languedoc?

A

2%

27
Q

What are the styles of VDN permitted in Roussillon?

A
Grenat/Rimage
Blanc
Tuilé/Traditionnel
Ambré
Hors d’âge
Rancio
28
Q

What is a Grenat/Rimage style of VDN?

A

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

29
Q

What is the Blanc style of VDN produced in Roussillon?

A

A youthful white fortified wine

30
Q

What is the Tuilé/Traditionnel style of VDN?

A

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

31
Q

What is the Ambré style of VDN?

A

An oxidatively aged white fortified wine produced in Rousillon

32
Q

What is the Hors d’âge style of VDN?

A

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.

33
Q

What is the Rancio style of VDN?

A

An oxidatively aged fortified wine that may be either red or white which exhibits a ‘rancio’ quality of nuttiness and bitter caramel

34
Q

What are the important VDN appellations in Roussillon? Which are the most important?

A
Grand Roussillon
Banyuls **
Banyuls Grand Cru **
Maury **
Muscat de Rivesaltes **
Rivesaltes **
35
Q

What is the Grand Rousillon AOC?

A

A large, specifically delineated area for the production of VDN. It can be used as a catchment for declassified VDN wines from other appellations

36
Q

What is Banyuls AOC?

A

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.

37
Q

What variety must be used in the production of red Banyuls? How much is required?

A

A minimum of 50% Grenache Noir must be used. Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc may also be used.

38
Q

What is Banyuls Grand Cru AOC?

A

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

39
Q

What styles can Banyuls Grand Cru be produced in? Why?

A

Tuilé, Hors d’âge, or Rancio. The wine must be red and aged for a minimum of 30 months

40
Q

What variety must be used in the production of Banyuls Grand Cru? How much is required?

A

A minimum of 75% Grenache Noir

41
Q

What is Maury AOC?

A

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.

42
Q

What styles of VDN are produced in Maury AOC? What varieties are used?

A

Red VDN made from 75% Grenache Noir

Youthful white VDN

43
Q

How do the schist soils in Maury AOC affect grape ripening?

A

The schist retains heat from the day and releases it at night, facilitating ripening

44
Q

What is Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?

A

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.

45
Q

What is Rivesaltes AOC?

A

An appellation for a range of VDN styles located in northern Roussillon near the Mediterranean Coast.

46
Q

How much Muscat must be used in the production of white Rivesaltes VDN?

A

A maximum of 20% Muscat. The rest may be Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, or Malvoisie

47
Q

What variety is used to produce red Rivesaltes VDN?

A

Primarily Grenache Noir

48
Q

What styles of VDN may be produced in Rivesaltes AOC?

A

Red or white wines in Grenat, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d’âge, or Rancio styles.