Southern France Flashcards

1
Q

What are the climate characteristics of Southern France?

Name a positive and a risk of the climate

A
Warm Mediterranean 
Summer often 30c+
Low rainfall esp in growing season
\+ Low risk of fungal disease
- Drought but also some risk of Summer floods
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

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

A

Noticeably cooler, less fertile with well drained soils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

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

A

Grenache enjoys hotter spots

Syrah prefers cooler sites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

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?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

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

A
Investment in modern winemaking equipment
Improved cellar hygiene
Temperature control
Better oxygen management 
Also use of new and old oak
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

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

A

Semi Carbonic fermentation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the characteristics of Picpoul de Pinet?

A

High acidity with green fruit and citrus flavours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How far does the generic ‘Languedoc’ appellation stretch?

How are generic Languedoc wines commonly labelled?

A

From the Spanish border to Nimes

Vin de Pays d’Oc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

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

A

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM)

+ Carignan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 6 key sub regions of Languedoc?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

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

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

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

A

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

17
Q

What is the climate like in Corbières?

A

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

18
Q

Where are the vineyards of Minervois located?

A

In the foothills of the Massif Central.

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

19
Q

What is the climate like in Picpoul de Pinet?

A

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

20
Q

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

A

Located inland, at cooling altitude

Renowned for premium Oaked Chardonnays

21
Q

What is the landscape of Provence like?

A

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

22
Q

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

A

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

23
Q

What is the biggest appellation in Provence?

A

Côtes de Provence

24
Q

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

A

Bandol
Located just East of Marseille
South facing terraced vineyards

25
Q

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

A

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

26
Q

List the 4 Human factors of wine

A

Grape Growing
Wine Making
Maturation
Market Forces