5.3: Vins Doux Naturels - VDN Appellations and Wine Styles Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 main VDN appellations?

A
  1. Rhone
  2. Languedoc
  3. Roussillon
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2
Q

What are the 2 VDN appellations in the Rhône?

A
  1. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

2. Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau

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3
Q

Where are the vines for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise planted?

A

on terraces on the south-east facing slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, which provides shelter from the Mistral and aids ripening

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4
Q

What percent of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise production is white VDN made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains?

A

95%

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5
Q

What other grape, in addition to Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, is permitted in Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise production? What types of wines does it make?

A
  • Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge, a dark-skinned mutation (Brown Muscat in Australia)
  • red and rosé VDN wines
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6
Q

In what style are all Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines made?

A
  • unaged
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7
Q

Describe typical White Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.

A
  • medium bodied
  • medium acidity
  • low alcohol for a fortified wine (around 15% abv)
  • primary aromas and flavours including blossom, grape, peach and honey
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8
Q

Name a significant producer of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.

A

Domaine des Bernardins

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9
Q

What style(s) of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau can be made?

A
  • red, rosé or white

- unaged or oxidative styles

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10
Q

How is rose Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau made?

A

made by saignee method, and fortified off the skins

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11
Q

In what style is most Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau made?

A
  • mostly red

- tiny proportion white

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12
Q

With what grapes must red Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau be made?

A
  • minimum of 75 per cent Grenache Noir

- Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc as well as a number of other Southern Rhône varieties can also be blended in

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13
Q

Where is most Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau grown?

A
  • gentle south-facing slopes
  • maximum exposure to sunlight
  • some protection from the cool Mistral
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14
Q

What does the location of the Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau vineyards mean for the final wine?

A
  • grapes easily become very ripe
  • suitable for the production of sweet fortified wines
  • juicy, almost jammy fruit flavours
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15
Q

Describe unaged Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau.

A
  • notes of cherries and plums

- low to medium alcohol (16-18% abv typical)

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16
Q

Describe oxidative Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau.

A
  • dried fruit and nutty hints

- low to medium alcohol (16-18% abv typical)

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17
Q

How many VDN appellations are there in the Languedoc?

A

4

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18
Q

In the Languedoc, what must all wine be made from? in what style?

A
  • Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
  • unaged style
  • subtle differences according to the location of the appellation
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19
Q

What is the largest VDN appellation in the Languedoc? Where is it located? What is the climate? What style does it produce?

A

Muscat de Frontignan

  • south west of Montpellier
  • low altitude
  • relatively warm
  • fuller body, aromas of tropical fruits
20
Q

Name a VDN appellation in the Languedoc that has a more continental climate. Where is it located? What is the climate? What style does it produce?

A

Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois

  • north east corner of Minervois
  • 250-300m elevation
  • cooler continental
  • higher acidity, lighter body and more stone fruit and floral aromas
21
Q

VDN represents what percent of all Roussillon AOC production? VDN represents what percent of all Languedoc AOC production?

A
  • Roussillon: 45%

- Languedoc: 2%

22
Q

What are the 6 main styles produced in Roussillon?

A
  1. Grenat/Rimage
  2. Blanc
  3. Tuilé /Traditionnel
  4. Ambré
  5. Hors d’âge
  6. Rancio
23
Q

Describe the Grenat/Rimage style.

A
  • denotes unaged styles of red wines
  • Grenat used in Maury and Rivesaltes
  • Rimage in Banyuls
24
Q

Describe the Blanc style.

A
  • denotes unaged styles of white wines
25
Q

Describe the Tuilé /Traditionnel style.

A
  • denotes a red wine that has been matured oxidatively
  • Tuilé used in Maury and Rivesaltes,
  • Traditionnel in Banyuls
26
Q

Describe the Ambré style.

A
  • denotes a white wine that has been matured oxidatively
27
Q

Describe the Hors d’âge style.

A
  • denotes a wine that has been matured oxidatively for a longer period than Tuilé or Ambré wines
  • can be red or white
28
Q

Describe the Rancio style.

A
  • denotes a wine with ‘rancio’ character

- can be red or white

29
Q

What are the 5 leading AOCs within the Roussillon region?

A
  1. Banyuls AOC
  2. Banyuls Grand Cru AOC
  3. Maury AOC
  4. Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC
  5. Rivesaltes AOC
30
Q

What is Grand Roussillon AOC?

A
  • covers a wide yet specifically delineated area for VDNs produced outside the five leading AOCs
  • can include declassified wines from 5 leading AOCs
31
Q

Where is Banyuls AOC located?

A

at the eastern end of the Pyrenees, bordered by the Mediterranean to the east and Spain to the south

32
Q

What grapes are used in Banyuls AOC?

A

red:

  • minimum of 50% Grenache Noir
  • can also include Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris

small amount of white VDN is also made

33
Q

Where are the vineyards planted in Banyuls AOC?

A
  • steep terraced slopes

- schist

34
Q

Name a significant producer in Banyuls AOC.

A

Domaine Vial-Magneres

35
Q

Where is Banyuls Grand Cru AOC located?

A

same area as Banyuls

36
Q

What are the requirements for Banyuls Grand Cru AOC wines?

A
  • wines can only be red
  • minimum 75% Grenache Noir
  • must be matured for a minimum of 30 months
    (hence can only be Traditionnel, Hors d’âge or Rancio in style)
37
Q

Where is Maury AOC located?

A

north Roussillon

38
Q

Where are the vineyards planted in Maury AOC? Why?

A
  • at 100-400 m in the foothills of the Pyrenees

- on dark-coloured schist soils that store heat from the day and release it at night, aiding ripening

39
Q

What are the requirements for Maury AOC wines?

A
  • red must be minimum of 75% Grenache Noir
  • small amount of white is also made, usually in an unaged style
  • dry, unfortified wines can also be made
40
Q

If a dry, unfortified wine is made in Maury AOC, what must it be labelled?

A

Maury Sec AOC

41
Q

What is, by far, the largest appellation in Roussillon in terms of production?

A

Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

42
Q

What styles and varieties are made in Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC?

A
  • often a blend of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria
  • only made in an unaged style
43
Q

Where is Rivesaltes AOC located?

A

north Roussillon close to the Mediterranean coast

44
Q

What styles are made in Rivesaltes AOC?

A
  • range of VDN styles

- red and white VDNs are made in Grenat, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d’âge and Rancio styles

45
Q

What are the requirements for white Rivesaltes AOC wines?

A
  • maximum 20% Muscat varieties

- the balance coming from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Malvoisie

46
Q

What are the requirements for red Rivesaltes AOC wines?

A
  • mainly made from Grenache Noir
47
Q

Name a significant producer in Rivesaltes AOC.

A

Domaine Cazes