WSET 3 Southern France

Question 1

What are the climate characteristics of Southern France?

Name a positive and a risk of the climate

Answer 1

Warm Mediterranean 
Summer often 30c+ (86F)
Low rainfall esp in growing season
\+ Low risk of fungal disease
- Drought but also some risk of Summer floods

Question 2

What are the growing conditions, inland from the coast, like?

Answer 2

Noticeably cooler, less fertile with well drained soils better suited to quality viticulture

Question 3

There are two noticeable winds in the Southern France, what are they called and where do they blow?

Answer 3

To the west the Tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees

To the east the Mistral blows down the Rhone valley

Question 4

What are the 2 most important black grapes in Southern France?
What growing sites do they prefer?

Answer 4

Grenache enjoys hotter spots

Syrah prefers cooler sites

Question 5

In addition to Grenache and Syrah what other 5 black grapes are commonly grown in the South of France and what are they used for?

Answer 5

Carignan - Widely grown, high tannin, acidity and colour but lacks fruit finesse
Cinsault - Mainly used for Rosé and adding red fruit flavours to red blends
Mourvèdre - Needs heat but adds richness, colour and complexity to blends
Merlot and Cab Sav - significant plantings and used making IGP wines

Question 6

What human influences have generally improved the quality of Southern French wines?

Answer 6

Investment in modern winemaking equipment
Improved cellar hygiene
Temperature control
Better oxygen management 
Also use of new and old oak

Question 7

What do winemakers increasingly do to soften the tannins of Carignan?

Answer 7

Semi Carbonic fermentation

Question 8

What are the 4 most planted white grape varieties in Southern France?

Answer 8

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, used for IGP wines
Viognier - Significant plantings
Picpoul

Question 9

What are the characteristics of Picpoul de Pinet?

Answer 9

High acidity with green fruit and citrus flavours

Question 10

How far does the generic ‘Languedoc’ appellation stretch?

How are generic Languedoc wines commonly labelled?

Answer 10

From the Spanish border to Nimes

Vin de Pays d’Oc

Question 11

What 4 black grapes form the key ‘quartet’ in Languedoc?

Answer 11

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM)

+ Carignan

Question 12

What are the 6 key sub regions of Languedoc?

Answer 12

Côtes de Rousillon 
Côtes de Rousillon Villages
Minervois 
Fitou 
Corbieres
Picpoul de Pinet

Question 13

What is the best black grape to grow in Southern France cooler regions and why?

Answer 13

Syrah, the cooler climate produces wines that are lighter with more finesse

Question 14

What are the two best grapes to grow in Southern France warmer regions?

Answer 14

Mourvèdre - at its best the wine has body with meaty, games, flavours
Grenache - Loves the heat

Question 15

What are the characteristics of the Côtes de Rousillon climate and, as a result, what are the characteristics of the wine?

Answer 15

Rugged landscape with bright sunlight, low rainfall and strong winds (Tramontane) delivering, predominantly red, concentrated wines

Question 16

Why are there two styles of Fitou and what are they?

Answer 16

Fitou is split with vineyards
Near the warm coast producing fuller bodied wines
Inland at altitude producing lighter wines

Question 17

What is the climate like in Corbières?

Answer 17

Warm near the coast and cooler inland, at altitude, cooled by the Tramontane

Question 18

Where are the vineyards of Minervois located?

Answer 18

In the foothills of the Massif Central.

Vineyards vary in quality, considerations are altitude, soil quality and exposure to the Tramontane

Question 19

What is the climate like in Picpoul de Pinet?

Answer 19

Vineyards located near the coast Providing cooling sea breezes to retain the acidity of the Picpoul grape

Question 20

What is the climate of Limoux like and what still wine is it renowned for?

Answer 20

Located inland, at cooling altitude

Renowned for premium Oaked Chardonnays

Question 21

What is the landscape of Provence like?

Answer 21

Varied and broken up by many ranges of hills that provide protection from The Mistral.
A variety of different site climates and soils

Question 22

What wines does Provence predominantly make and how do they taste?

Answer 22

Mainly Rosés, very pale in colour, light bodied and dry on the palate with delicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits

Question 23

What is the biggest appellation in Provence?

Answer 23

Côtes de Provence

Question 24

What is the most notable red wine appellation in Provence and where is it located?
How are the vineyards laid out?

Answer 24

Bandol
Located just East of Marseille
South facing terraced vineyards

Question 25

What is the style of Bandol wine and from which grape is it made?

Answer 25

Premium, dark, full bodied reds with powerful tannins.
With bottle age the wines develop flavours of bramble, meat and liquorice spice.
Made with Mourvèdre

Question 26

List the 4 Human factors of wine

Answer 26

Grape Growing
Wine Making
Maturation
Market Forces