South of France Breakdown Flashcards
South of France Overview
One common factor between these three regions is the low yields for AOC wines, due to low rainfall and a warm, windy climate (causing high rates of evapotranspiration). In a survey of yields for AOC wine in the decade 2005–2015, Languedoc-Roussillon had the lowest yields of all French regions, roughly half that of Champagne or Alsace
Languedoc-Roussillon has more hectares under vine than the individual countries of Chile, Australia or South Africa.
In France there are three forms of IGP that can overlap:
• Regional, e.g. IGP Pays d’Oc, for the whole of the Languedoc-Roussillon region
• Departmental, e.g. IGP Gard, the Gard being a French administrative département
• A smaller unit named after a historical or geographical feature: e.g. IGP Côtes de Thongue.
GP Pays d’Oc is by far the biggest producer of IGP wine in France. This single IGP produces between 10–15 per cent of all French wine depending on the vintage. By colour, just over half of the wines produced are red, a quarter white and just under a quarter rosé. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah
Languedoc Overview
Languedoc is mainly located on a low-lying alluvial plain. The climate is Mediterranean, high levels of sunshine, rainfall below 600 mm a year and very warm summers. Low moisture levels and the cool, dry Tramontane north-west wind that blows for about 200 days per year mean that there is low disease pressure from fungal diseases, thus reducing the need for spraying
Large volumes of wine are produced at IGP level (machine harvested). IGP represents nearly 70 per cent of the production in the Languedoc.
Most planted grapes are Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet, Cinsault. Carbonic maceration is also commonly employed to produce fruity wines with medium to deep colour and low tannins, particularly with tannic varieties such as Carignan.
IGP represents nearly 70 per cent of the production in the Languedoc. The regulations are more flexible than for AOC (maximum yields of 90 hL/ha for white and red wines, 100 hL/ ha for rosé.) and a very wide range of varieties – a total of 58 – may be used.
Languedoc AOCs
15 per cent of wine is AOC and nearly 70 per cent IGP
Each appellation lists its principal grape varieties and other allowed grape varieties. With the exception of the particular cases of Cabardès AOC and Malepère AOC, all the Languedoc appellations require the use of Grenache Noir in the blend and most require Syrah and Mourvèdre. In many appellations, these three varieties are the principal grape varieties. In Corbières AOC and Fitou AOC, Carignan is a principal grape variety and in nearly all other appellations it is an option. 80-40-30 rule.
Regional appellation (Languedoc AOC) Named appellations (e.g. Corbières AOC) Sub-appellations (e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC
Each AOC also sets the maximum yields, which typically are between 45–50 hL/ha. Some sub-zones limit the yield, e.g. to 40 hL/ha. The regional appellation, Languedoc AOC, allows 50 hL/ha for red wines and 60 hL/ha for white wines
Corbières AOC - Hilly. Two key mountain ranges (Tauch and D’Alaric) provide sites for vineyards on slopes up to 450 metres. The cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds helps to retain acidity in the grapes. Nearly 90 per cent of production by volume is red wine. At least 40 per cent of the final wine must be any of the principal grape varieties (Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah), with the remainder from other permitted varieties including Cinsaut (maximum 20 per cent). The sub-appellation of Corbières- Boutenac AOC requires Carignan, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre to make up 70 per cent of the blend.
Minervois AOC - Most red and rosé wines are Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre blends; together these three varieties plus Carignan and Cinsaut must be 50 per cent of the final blend with no one variety exceeding 80 per cent
Minervois la Laviniere AOC - red wine only. It is situated on a limestone terrace of gentle slopes at up to 400 m of altitude, giving very good drainage, higher acid. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir must make up at least 40 per cent and these, plus Carignan and Cinsaut, must make up at least 80 per cent of the blend.
Saint-Chinian AOC - mainly red and rosé wines from blends principally of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre (minimum 50 per cent in the blend). Northern zone arid, fast-draining schist soils. Southern area where the soils are clay and limestone.
Fitou AOC - 1st AOC in the Languedoc, formed in 1948. The coastal area of Fitou is flat clay and limestone soils. Inland is more mountainous and has less fertile and fast-draining schistous soils, resulting in wines of potentially higher flavour concentration. The focus here is on the traditional varieties Carignan (which must be 10–40 per cent of the blend) and Grenache Noir (minimum 20 per cent)
Faugeres AOC - schist soil, 40% organic.
Pic Saint Loup AOC - Pic Saint-Loup has a more continental climate than many of the other Languedoc appellations, with cold winters and warm summers and considerable rainfall (1,000 mm per year). In this climate, which is similar to the northern Rhône, Syrah performs well here and must be 50 per cent of the final blend
Terraces du Larzac AOC
La Clape AOC - 80% red production. La Clape is well known for its white wines which must include a minimum of 60% of Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc.
Picpoul de Pinet AOC - Piquepoul grape. 90% co-op
Malepere AOC - Atlantic influenced, protected from Mediterranean influences by mountains. Min 40% Merlot.
Cabardes AOC - Atlantic and Mediterranean influenced. Min 40% Bordeaux varieties.
Roussillon
Around 70 per cent of the vineyard area is classified as AOC – there is no extensive flat, coastal plain here suited to high volume grape growing, as in the Languedoc. warm, windy, Mediterranean climate with moderate rainfall (500–600 mm annually) and high sunshine hours. Frequent winds.
The most important varieties are Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre for red and rosé wines, the Muscats (mainly used for fortified wine) and Macabeu for whites.
Bush vines, work by hand. 80 per cent of the dry wine (i.e. excluding Vin Doux Naturels) by volume is sold in France,
Côtes du Roussillon AOC - The principal varieties for red and rosé wines are Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Maximum allowed amount of Carignan in the vineyard is 50 per cent, while Syrah and Mourvèdre separately or together must be a minimum of 25 per cent in the vineyard. Minimum 2 varieties in blend, 80 rule.
Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC - appellation for red wines only. Minimum 2 varieties in blend, 80 rule. Five villages may append their names to this appellation with lower max yield. Some of these villages require the Carignan to be made with carbonic maceration
Collioure AOC - same boundaries as Banyuls AOC (fortified sweet wines). Full bodied red and white. Typical yield 20-25hl/ha. IGP Côtes Catalanes covers the Pyrénées-Orientales département and is used by producers for red and white wines.
Provence
Rosé accounts for around 90 per cent of Provence’s AOC wine, which in turn represents about 40 per cent of France’s AOC rosé wine. Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan, Rolle, Cabernet Sauvignon. 65 per cent of Provence’s wine by volume is sold in France
warm Mediterranean climate with adequate rainfall in most years for grape growing. The cold Mistral wind can provide a cooling influence and helps to reduce fungal disease. Provence has double the national average of organic vineyards
Rose made with Grenache Noir, Cinsaut and the local variety Tibouren. Up to 20% white allowed. Direct press or short maceration.
Côtes de Provence AOC - 90% rose. The principal grape varieties required by the appellation for rosé are Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Tibouren and the wines must be a blend of varieties
Bandol AOC - This appellation, unusually for Provence, produced more red wines than rosé. Red wines must be 50–95 per cent Mourvèdre and must be aged in oak for 18 months. Rosés must have between 20–95 per cent Mourvèdre. Maximum yields are restricted to 40 hL/ha
Bellet AOC, Cassis AOC mainly for white wine, and Palette AOC
