Ch. 8 – South of France Flashcards
Large regions in South of France
Languedoc
Roussillon
Provence
General climate in South of France
Low rainfall
Warm windy climate (high evapotranspiration rate)
- causes low yields for AOC wines
Languedoc climate and topography
Mainly located on low-lying alluvial plain
Mediterranean climate
- high levels of sunshine
- rainfall below 600mm
- very warm summers
- very favourable for grape growing
Cool, dry Tramontane north-west wind - about 200 days a year - low disease pressure - reducing need for spraying - growth of certified organic vineyards (1/3 of France organic vineyards)
Wind which acts as cooling influence in Languedoc
Tramontane
North west wind
- about 200 days a year
- low disease pressure
- reducing need for spraying
- growth of certified organic vineyards
Grape varieties grown in Languedoc
Carignan Syrah Grenache Noir Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cinsaut
Carignan
Buds late, ripens late
Can produce high yields (200 hl/ha and more)
- yield has to be sharply reduce to produce quality
- yield also reduces with age of vine (50+)
Prone to powdery mildew and grape moths
Not particularly sited to mechanical harvesting as bunches are very tightly attached to vine
Vine pull scheme - reduction of plantings
High acidity and tannins (often used carbonic maceration to soften, or blended)
Typically unoaked
Medium ruby colour, simple blackberry fruit
Vineyard management in Languedoc
historically bush vines (some remain)
Recently trellised - allowing mechanization
IGP mostly mechanized
Winemaking in Languedoc
Carbonic maceration for fruity styles
- low tanins, preserving primary aroma
- Carignan
Most wine is crushed and fermented on skins for 5-7 days (to limit tannins)
- mid range temperatures to preserve primary fruit
High quality wines
- warm fermentation
- barriques for maturation
IGP wines in Languedoc
- regulations (yields and varieties)
nearly 70% of production
More flexible regulations
- 90 hl/ha for white and red wine, 100 hl/ha for rose
- wide range of varieties allowed (58)
IGP Pays d’Oc
biggest producer of IGP wine in France
(10-15% of all French wine)
Half red, quarter white and quarter rose
Little or no oak
- 90 hl/ha for white and red wine, 100 hl/ha for rose
Languedoc AOC wines and regulations general
Each appellation lists principal varieties and other allowed varieties
In all cases Languedoc AOC for red wine requires minimum of 2 varieties including one or more of the principal varieties.
Most state upper limit for any one varieity
- all AOC is blend
- may also state maxium for single variety or combination of varieties
Nearly all require Grenache in blend and most require Syrah and Mourvedre
Different % can be set for vineyards and final blends
- allowing flexibility
Each AOC also sets max yields (typically between 40-50 hl/ha) sub-zones may reduce them further
- average is lower in practise (due to rainfall and low fertility)
Languedoc AOC
max 50 hl/ha for red wine, 60 hl/ha for white
Principal variety: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
- blend of min 2 varieties (incuding min 1 principal)
- no variety above 80%
- total of principal varieties min 40%
- other varieties max 30% together
Style, quality and price grouping of AOC wines in Languedoc
Regional appellation
- Languedoc AOC
- med intensity, simple blackberry red plum, med tannins acidity, body and alcohol
Named appellation
- e.g. Corbières AOC
- med to med+ intensity, fruity and herbal notes, medium tannins, med to med+ acidity, med+ to full body
- minority of wines have oak influence
Sub-appellations
- e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC
- med+ to pronounced aromas, med+ tannin
- very good to outstanding quality
Corbières AOC
hilly appellation
- Tach and D’Alaric mountain ranges
- up to 450m
- cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds
4th largest in France (over 10,000 ha)
Nearly 90% red wine
Min 40% must be of any principal varieties:
- Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre and Syrah
Remainder from other permitted varieties
- But Cinsaut only up to 20%
Max yield for any colour 50 hl/ha
Rose from Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne or Rolle
Sub-appellation - Corbières-Boutenac AOC
- Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre min 70%
Sub-appellation in Corbières
Corbières-Boutenac AOC
Minervois AOC
Range of climatic zones based on altitude and proximity to Mediterranean Sea
Min 50% of Grenache, Syrahm, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault
- But no variety exceding 80% alone
Sub-zones:
Minervois La Livinière AOC
- red wine only
- limestone terrace of gentle slopes up to 400m
- very good drainage and sun exposure
- the higher altitude the higher acidity
- min 40% of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache
- together with Carignan and Cinsault min 80%
Sub-appellation of Minervois
Minervois La Livinière
- red wine only
- limestone terrace of gentle slopes up to 400m
- very good drainage and sun exposure
- the higher altitude the higher acidity
- min 40% of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache
- together with Carignan and Cinsault min 80%
Saint-Chinian AOC
min 50% of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
2 areas within:
- Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC
- Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC
Fitou AOC
2 areas with Corbières in between them
First AOC in Languedoc
Coastal area
- flat, clay, limestone with good water retention
- less concentrated than inland
Inland
- more mountainous, less fertile, free draining soils
Carignan (10-40%), Grenache (min 20%)
Mount Tauch cooperative (half of the production)
Faugères AOC
250-400m schist, free draining, good concentration
- low average yields
- a lot of organic grape growers (40%)
Must be aged for min 1 year
almost entirely sold in France
