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DipWSET 🏆 > WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - South of France > Flashcards

WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - South of France Flashcards

1
Q

Type of soils in Languedoc

A

Mainly on a low-lying alluvial plain. Some growers are reclaiming vineyards on hillside slopes to create high-quality wines.

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2
Q

Hazards in Languedoc

A

Drought.

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3
Q

Main grape varieties of Languedoc

A

Carignan, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsaut.

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4
Q

Main training systems in Languedoc

A

Historically, bush vines (well adapted to the climate). Today, trellising system.

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5
Q

Key winemaking operations for inexpensive wines in Languedoc

A

Crushing the grapes and fermenting them on the skins for 5–7 days at mid-range temperatures. Large concrete or stainless-steel tanks, cultured yeasts. Carbonic maceration can be used for Carignan and Syrah.

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6
Q

Key winemaking operations for high-quality wines in Languedoc

A

Sorting tables, warm temperatures, ambient yeasts. Experimentation with concrete tanks and eggs and large format oak vats.

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7
Q

Blending regulations for wines from Languedoc

A

2+ varieties (one or more principal) in the Languedoc AOCs, limits for single variety or combinations.
All AOCs require Grenache Noir except Cabardès AOC and Malepère AOC. Most require Syrah and Mourvèdre. Carignan is the main variety in Corbières AOC and Fitou AOC.

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8
Q

Key maturation practices for inexpensive wines in Languedoc

A

Stainless steel or concrete.

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9
Q

Key maturation practices for high-quality wines in Languedoc

A

Barriques. Experimentation with concrete tanks and eggs and large format oak vats.

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10
Q

Types of businesses that operate in Languedoc

A

70% co-operatives (90% in the 1950s). Also private estates (Mas de Daumas Gassac). Investors from other French regions or abroad attracted by old vines and reasonable land prices.

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11
Q

Effects of the Tramontane wind on Languedoc

A

Low disease pressure, therefore low need for spraying due to low moisture levels and cool, dry Tramontane.

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12
Q

IGP Pays d’Oc

A

Name for the regional IGP that encompasses the Languedoc-Roussillon area. It’s the biggest IGP in France with 50% red, 25% white and 25% rosé, in a fresh and fruity style. The top four grape varieties grown and mainly used for single-variety wines are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah.

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13
Q

Which Languedoc AOCs don’t require Grenache Noir

A

Cabardès AOC and Malepère AOC.

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14
Q

Which Languedoc AOCs have Carignan as main variety

A

Corbières AOC and Fitou AOC.

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15
Q

Style for wines in Languedoc AOC

A

Medium intensity of simple blackberry and red plum fruit, medium acidity, tannin, alcohol, body.

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16
Q

Corbières AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. Hilly (up to 450 m), SW of Narbonne, the fourth largest in France, 90% red wines. 40+% of Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre, and remainder from other permitted (including Cinsaut max 20%).

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17
Q

Minervois AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. Different climatic zones according to altitude and Mediterranean influence, mainly red wines (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre), also rosé and white. 50+% from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsaut, max 80% of each variety.

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18
Q

Corbières-Boutenac AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. 70+% from Carignan, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre.

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19
Q

Minervois La Livinière AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. Red wines only, on limestone terrace of gentle slopes at up 400 m (very good drainage, sun exposure, cooling influence). Higher acidity than Minervois. 80+% from 40+% from Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir, + Carignan and Cinsaut.

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20
Q

Saint-Chinian AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. Large appellation, N is arid, fast-draining schist soils, low yields and concentrated wines, Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC and Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC, while the S has clay and limestone, water-holding capacity, for higher yields and less concentrated wines. Mainly red and rosé of 50+% from Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

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21
Q

Fitou AOC

A

First AOC in Languedoc (1948). The coastal is flat, clay and limestone soils, good water retention, less concentrated wines. The inland is more mountainous, less fertile, fast-draining schist soils, concentrated wines. Focus on Carignan. 10-40% Carignan and 20+% Grenache Noir. Mont Tauch co-operative makes 50% of production.

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22
Q

Faugères AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. 250-400 m on well-drained and low fertility schistous soils, higher proportion of organic vineyards, one year of ageing, wines sold mainly in France.

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23
Q

Terrasses du Larzac AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. New appellation, range of altitudes, high diurnal range (retain acidity). Red wines only, blend of three varieties. Reputation for high quality wines, premium prices (also super-premium, La Peira).

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24
Q

La Clape AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. New appellation, coastal area, warm, sunny, arid, windy (suitable for Mourvèdre). 80% red, good quality whites (60+% Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc).

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25
Q

Pic Saint-Loup AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. Continental climate, considerable rainfall, ideal climate for Syrah (50+% blend). Only red and rosé.

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26
Q

Picpoul de Pinet AOC

A

AOC in Languedoc. Low-lying land close to the coast, warm climate, white wines (Piquepoul Blanc). In the past for the base of Vermouth and now fruitier wines. Mainly exported (UK, USA, Netherlands), distinctive bottles, 90% co-operatives (Ormarine).

27
Q

Main appellations within Languedoc

A
  • Languedoc AOC
  • Corbières AOC
  • Corbières-Boutenac AOC
  • Minervois AOC
  • Minervois La Livinière AOC
  • Saint-Chinian AOC
  • Fitou AOC
  • Faugères AOC
  • Pic Saint-Loup AOC
  • Terrasses du Larzac AOC
  • La Clape AOC
  • Picpoul de Pinet AOC
28
Q

Sud de France

A

Promotional body for Languedoc and Roussillon wines. ViniSud fair.

29
Q

Climate of Roussillon

A

Warm, windy, Mediterranean climate with moderate rainfall, high sunshine.

30
Q

Location of the vineyards in Roussillon

A

The region is dominated by the Pyrenees and many vineyards are on slopes or foothills.

31
Q

Hazards in Roussillon

A

Drought in dry years.

32
Q

Main grape varieties of Roussillon

A

Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre for red and rosé. Muscats (VDN) and Macabeu for white.

33
Q

Main training systems in Roussillon

A

Historically, bush vines (well adapted to the climate) require a lot of hand work. Today, trellising system (less than in the Languedoc).

34
Q

Côtes du Roussillon AOC

A

Large appellation, lower slopes, for red (Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah), rosé and white wines. In the vineyard, max 50% Carignan, 25% Syrah and Mourvèdre (separately or together). Wine from 2+ varieties (the highest max 80%).

35
Q

Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC

A

<50% of Côtes du Roussillon AOC, red wines only, same blending rules. Vineyards at higher altitude (higher acidity), more hand work. Five villages on the label (some requires Carignan with carbonic maceration).

36
Q

Collioure AOC

A

AOC in Roussillon. Small appellation, steep terraces. Mainly reds (Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre), also whites (Grenache Gris that is a mutation of Grenache Noir). Very low yields due to heat, low rainfall and poor soils.

37
Q

IGP Côtes Catalanes

A

Covers the Pyrénées-Orientales départment, red and white wines, also super-premium white wines (Domaine Gauby).

38
Q

Types of businesses that operate in Roussillon

A

75% co-operatives. Individual wineries are increasing, investors from other regions (Thunevin-Calvet from Bordeaux and Domaine de Bila-Haut by Chapoutier from Rhône).

39
Q

Types of wines made in Roussillon

A

Mainly red wines, then rosé and a small proportion of white.

40
Q

Types of wines made in Languedoc

A

Large volumes (70%) at the IGP level from single varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah). 15% AOC wines. 90% red wines.

41
Q

Climate of Provence

A

Warm Mediterranean, adequate rainfall. Influence by the cold Mistral.

42
Q

Hazards in Provence

A

Cold winds can interrupt flowering and fruit set.

43
Q

Main grape varieties of Provence

A

Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvèdre for reds. Rolle (Vermentino) for whites.

44
Q

Types of wines made in Provence

A

Rosé is 90% of Provence’s AOC (40% of France’s AOC rosé wine). New focus on red wines, small amount of white wines.

45
Q

Main appellations within Provence

A
  • Côtes de Provence AOC
  • Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC
  • Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC
  • Les Baux de Provence AOC
  • Bandol AOC
46
Q

Côtes de Provence AOC

A

The largest appellation, 90% rosé wine. Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Tibouren (blend of varieties). There are some sub-zones (Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOC is the largest).

47
Q

Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC

A

AOCs in Provence. Counoise is the principal variety.

48
Q

Les Baux de Provence AOC

A

AOC in Provence. NW of the region, close to the Rhône River, mainly reds from 60+% GSM.

49
Q

Bandol AOC

A

AOC in Provence. Traditionally, more red than rosé, while now rosé is increasing, south-facing slopes protected from the wind (terraces when steep), rocky soils with low fertility, vineyards reduction due to hard work on the slopes. Wines from Mourvèdre (red 50-95%, 18+ months oak ageing - rosé 20-95%). Domaine Tempier as significant producer. 50% co-operatives.

50
Q

Harvest for wines from Provence

A

Earlier the grapes for rosé than red (retain acidity). Hand or mechanical harvest.

51
Q

Main training systems in Provence

A

Trellised vineyards. Traditionally, bush vines.

52
Q

Key winemaking operations for rosé wines in Provence

A

Rosé by direct pressing or short maceration. Acidification is common (balance between fruit and acidity). Stainless steel tanks. Cultured yeasts are preferred, ambient yeasts are also used. Temperatures range 14°-18°C (no banana). Dry fermentation. No malo.
For the best quality, fruit is chilled to 4°C (protection from oxygen, retaining primary fruit, preservation of the pale colour).
Inertys® press by Bucher Vaslin to avoid oxidation during pressing.

53
Q

Finishing options for rosé wines in Provence

A

Reduction of deeper colours with fining.

54
Q

Style for wines in Côtes de Provence AOC

A

Pale pink-orange, low/medium intensity of raspberry, red plum, and herbal notes, medium acidity, alcohol, body.

55
Q

Types of businesses that operate in

A

Wine estates, négociants (50% in Provence) and co-operatives (60% in the Var).

56
Q

Ways to make rosé wine in Provence

A

Direct pressing or short maceration.

57
Q

Key maturation practices for rosé wines in Provence

A

Short ageing (2-3 months) in stainless steel. Possibility of longer ageing for some wines (8-10 months), also in oak (Château d’Esclans).

58
Q

Number of cru classé in Provence

A

18 cru classé status from 23 of 1955 classification. (e.g. Clos Mireille and Domaine Rimaurescq)

59
Q

Name of the canal that was built in the late 17th century to connect the Mediterranean to the Bordeaux (Atlantic)

A

Canal du Midi

60
Q

How many grape varieties are permitted in the Languedoc IGP region

61
Q

White grape varieties of South of France

A
  • Muscat
  • Grenache Blanc
  • Piquepoul Blanc
  • Bourboulenc
  • Roussanne
  • Marsanne
  • Rolle (Vermentino)
62
Q

Black grape varieties of South of France

A
  • Carignan
  • Rhône varietals
63
Q

Classification system in Languedoc

A

Regional appellation, named appellations, sub-appellations.

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