Southern France

Question 1

Describe the climate and grape growing of Southern France.

Answer 1

Warm, mediterranean climate

Drought an issue
Summer over 30C, mild winter, low rain
Strong winds have impact on climate

Region is not uniform (foothills very different from coastal plain, etc.)

Question 2

Describe the strong winds that blow through Southern France.

Answer 2

Mistral blows from Rhone Valley

Tramontane blows through gap in Massif Central and Pyrenees

Question 3

What black grapes are grown in Southern France?

Answer 3

Grenache: Most important, well suited to climate

Syrah: 2nd most important, does better in cooler sites

Carignan: High tannin, high acid, deep color, enormous yields

Cinsault: Adds red fruit aroma to blends, also used in rose

Mourvedre: Adds richness, color, and complexity to blends

Merlot and Cab. Sauv: Used in IGP wines

Question 4

What white grapes are grown in Southern France?

Answer 4

Chardonnay and Sauv Blanc: Most widely planted, used in IGP wines

Viognier: Small but significant plantings

Picpoul: Local to Pinet, high acid, green and citrus fruit

Question 5

What are the labeling conventions for Languedoc-Roussillon?

Answer 5

Languedoc is the generic appellation name (Languedoc AC)

Best sub-regions add their name to the Languedoc AC label

Higher than that are generic regions (ex. Minervois)

Question 6

Describe the grapes and wine of Languedoc-Roussillon.

Answer 6

Most appellations permit red, white, and rose
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre most common

Too many variances to have “classic” wine

More IGP wines here than anywhere in France (Pays d’Oc)

Question 7

Describe Provence.

Answer 7

Hills break up Mistral, provide different climate and soil

Majority of wine are rose
Pale, light body, dry, delicate grapefruit + red fruit
White wines are often aromatic

Question 8

List the 2 main regions in Provence and describe the style of wine.

Answer 8

Cotes de Provence: Rose

Bandol: Premium red wine from Mourvedre
Dark, fully body, powerful tannins, can be bottle aged

Question 9

List the 6 main regions in Languedoc-Roussillon.

Answer 9

Cotes du Roussillon

Cotes du Roussillon Villages

Fitou

Corbieres

Minervois

Pinet

Question 10

Describe Cotes du Roussillon and Cotes du Roussillon Villages.

Answer 10

Rugged mounts, concentrated wine

Villages are best vineyards

Question 11

Describe Fitou.

Answer 11

2 areas

Warm coastal strip makes fuller-body wines
Cooler inland areas w/ altitude make lighter wines

Question 12

Describe Corbieres.

Answer 12

Warm sites near coast

Has 11 sub-regions

Question 13

Describe Minervois.

Answer 13

Wines vary due to altitude

Soil and cooling influence from sea

Question 14

Describe Picpoul de Pinet.

Answer 14

Near the sea

Breezes help with high acid of Picpoul grape