WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World > D3 - South of France > Flashcards

D3 - South of France Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of the South of France. (80 cards)

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1
Q

What are the 3 départements within the Languedoc region?

A
  1. Aude
  2. Hérault
  3. Gard
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2
Q

What is the département within the Roussillon region?

A

Pyrénées-Orientales

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3
Q

What causes the high rates of evapotranspiration in Languedoc-Roussillon?

A
  • Low rainfall
  • Warm, windy climate
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4
Q

What is the climate of Languedoc?

A

Mediterranean

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5
Q

Select the correct answer.

Languedoc is mainly located:

a. on a low-lying alluvial plain
b. in the foothills of the Alps
c. at the highest elevations of the Pyrénées

A

a. on a low-lying alluvial plain

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6
Q

What 2 advancements allowed grape growing and winemaking to become important drivers of the Languedoc’s economy?

A
  1. Canal du Midi (connecting it to Bordeaux in the late 17th century)
  2. Railways (mid-19th century)
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7
Q

Fill in the blank:

Languedoc’s annual rainfall averages below ____mm per year.

A

600mm

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8
Q

What is the name of the wind that blows through Languedoc?

A

The cool, dry, northwest Tramontane.

This wind reduces disease pressure which reduces the need for spraying, which in turn decreases consequent cost and enables organic farming.

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9
Q

Fill in the blanks:

Carignan buds _____ and ripens _____.

A

Buds late and ripens late.

Carigna needs a warm climate with a long ripening season.

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10
Q

Why is Carignan not particularly well suited to mechanical harvesting?

A

Its bunches are firmly attached to the vine.

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11
Q

Select the correct answer.

Carignan’s acidity and tannin levels are:

a. low
b. medium
c. high

A

c. high

This makes it a good blending grape and a good varietal for carbonic maceration.

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12
Q

Describe how inexpensive RED Languedoc wines are made.

A
  • Crushing the grapes and fermenting them on the skins for 5–7 days.
  • Mid-range fermentation temperatures (to preserve primary flavors) using cultured yeasts.
  • Stored for a few months in stainless steel or concrete tanks.
  • Carbonic maceration is commonly employed.

See p.117-118

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13
Q

Describe 5 production methods for higher quality, smaller-volume RED Languedoc wines are made.

A
  1. More use of sorting tables
  2. Fermentation at warm temperatures
  3. More use of ambient yeast
  4. More use of barriques or tonneaux for maturation
  5. Experimentation with concrete tanks, concrete eggs, and large format oak vats

See p.118

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14
Q

What is the maximum yield for IGP reds, whites, and rosés in the Languedoc (e.g. IGP Pays d’Oc)?

A
  • IGP Reds and whites: 90 hL/ha
  • IGP Rosés: 100 hL/ha
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15
Q

How many grape varieties are allowed to be used in Languedoc?

A

58

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16
Q

What is the largest production area for IGP wines in France?

A

IGP Pays d’Oc

This IGP makes 10-15% of all French wine depending on the vintage.

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17
Q

What are top four grape varieties grown and mainly used for single variety wines in IGP Pays d’Oc?

A
  1. Merlot
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon
  3. Chardonnay
  4. Syrah
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18
Q

Fill in the blank:

In all cases for red wine production in Languedoc AOCs, wines require a minimum of ____ varieties including one or more of the principal varieties.

A

Minimum of 2 varieties

This means that all AOC Languedoc wines are genuinely blends, though AOCs may set minimum and maximum amounts for a single variety or combinations of varieties.

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19
Q

What is the principal grape variety for Corbières AOC and Fitou AOC?

A

Carignan

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20
Q

Fill in the blanks:

  • Maximum yields for the AOCs within Languedoc range between ____ - ____ hL/ha.
  • The maximum yield for the regional appellation Languedoc AOC is ____ hL/ha.
A
  • 45-50 hL/ha for AOCs within Languedoc
  • 50 hL/ha (reds) and 60 hL/ha (whites) for the regional Languedoc AOC
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21
Q

Describe the 5 rules regarding varieties and blending for the regional appellation Languedoc AOC.

A
  1. Principal varieties are Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
  2. Minimum of 2 varieties must be used including at least one of the principal varieties.
  3. No variety may be more than 80% of the blend.
  4. Total combination of the principal varieties must make up a minimum of 40% of the blend.
  5. Other varieties (e.g. Cinsaut, Carignan) may not make up more than 30% of the blend.
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22
Q

In the Languedoc, what are the 3 appellation levels of red wines by style, quality and price?

A
  1. Regional appellation (Languedoc AOC)
  2. Named appellations (e.g. Corbières AOC)
  3. Sub-appellations (e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC)
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23
Q

Describe the Corbières AOC appellation.

A
  • Hilly
  • Two mountain ranges provide sites for vineyards up to 450m asl
  • Has two cooling influences: elevation + cold northern winds

The two mountain ranges are Tauch and d’Alaric.

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24
Q

Minervois AOC has a range of climatic zones.

What two factors are those climatic zones based on?

A
  1. Altitude
  2. Proximity to the Mediterranean
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25
Describe the features that differentiate Minervois La Livinière AOC from Minervois AOC.
* Red wine only * Limestone terraces up to 400m asl * Cooler temps from elevation lead to fresher wines (higher acidity levels)
26
What are the 2 areas within the Saint-Chinian AOC?
1. Northern zone: arid, fast-draining schist soils resulting in low yields and wines with greater concentration. 1. Southern zone: clay and limestone soils with better water-holding capacity resulting in higher yields and less concentrated wines.
27
What are the 2 sub-zones within the northern sector of Saint-Chinian AOC?
1. Saint-Chinian Roquebrun AOC 2. Saint-Chinian Berlou AOC
28
Describe the 2 distinct wine-growing areas of Fitou AOC.
1. Coastal: flat, low-lying plains with clay and limestone soils (good water retention); tend to be less concentrated. 2. Inland: mountainous, less fertile/fast-draining schist soils; tend to be have more flavor concentration. ## Footnote Carignan is the principal variety in Fitou AOC.
29
What is the elevation range in Faugères AOC?
250-400m asl
30
What are the soils of Faugères AOC?
Low-fertility schistous soils.
31
# Select the correct answer. Versus other Languedoc appellations, Pic Saint-Loup has a climate that is more: a. Mediterranean b. Continental c. Maritime
b. Continental
32
What is the average annual rainfall in Pic Saint-Loup AOC?
1000mm per year
33
List 3 key features of the Terrasses du Larzac AOC appellation.
* Range of elevation (120-400m asl) * Red wines only * Must be at least 3 varieties
34
La Clape AOC is inland or coastal?
Coastal
35
Why is La Clape AOC an area that is suitable for Mourvèdre?
It is warm, sunny, arid and windy which allow it to achieve full ripeness.
36
What appellation is devoted entirely to the Piquepoul Blanc grape variety?
Picpoul de Pinet AOC ## Footnote Picpoul de Pinet AOC is a low-lying appellation near the coast.
37
What is the maximum yield for Picpoul de Pinet AOC?
66 hL/ha
38
What are the 2 appellations in Languedoc that are most westerly?
1. Malepère AOC 2. Cabardès AOC
39
Describe the climate influences and blend requirement for Malepère AOC.
* **Influenced by the Atlantic**; protected from Mediterranean influence by mountains. * Must be **minimum 40% Merlot and a blend of at least 2 varieties.**
40
Describe the climate influences and blend requirement for Cabardès AOC.
* Influenced by **both Atlantic and Mediterranean**. * Must be blend of **40% each Bordeaux varieties and Grenache Noir and/or Syrah**.
41
What is the climate of Roussillon?
Warm, windy Mediterranean
42
What is the rainfall of Roussillon?
Moderate (500-600mm per year)
43
What climate factors reduce yield but raise concentration of the fruit in Roussillon?
* Warm Mediterranean climate * Moderate rainfall * High sunshine hours * Drought can be an issue in dry years * Frequent winds
44
# Fill in the blank: Historically, vines in Languedoc and Roussillon are trained as \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_.
Bush vines.
45
What is the elevation range of Côtes du Roussillon AOC?
100-250m asl
46
What is the maximum yield of Côtes du Roussillon AOC?
48 hL/ha
47
# Fill in the blank: The maximum percent of Carignan allowed to be planted in Côtes du Roussillon AOC is \_\_\_%.
50%
48
Côtes du Roussillon AOC wines must be made from a minimum of 2 varieties with a requirement that the grape with the highest percentage is limited to __% of the final blend.
80%
49
# Select the correct answer. Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC is for: a. white wines only b. rosé wines only c. red wines only
c. red wines only
50
What is the elevation range for Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC?
100-400m asl
51
What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC?
45 hL/ha
52
# Fill in the blank: The 5 villages allowed to append their name to Côtes du Roussillon Villages have a maximum yield of \_\_\_\_hL/ha.
42 hL/ha
53
What appellation in Roussillon shares the same boundaries as Banyuls AOC?
Collioure AOC
54
The main red and white grape varieties for Collioure AOC are:
* Reds - Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre * Whites - Grenache Gris
55
# Fill in the blank: The maximum yield for red and white wines from Collioure AOC is \_\_\_hL/ha.
40 hL/ha ## Footnote But typical is 20-25 hL/ha due to the heat, low rainfall, and poor soils.
56
# Fill in the blank: Rosé accounts for roughly \_\_\_% of Provence's AOC wine.
90%
57
# Fill in the blank: In Provence, the grape Vermentino is known as \_\_\_\_\_.
Rolle
58
What is the climate of Provence?
Warm Mediterranean
59
What is the cooling influence in Provence that also helps reduce fungal disease?
The cold Mistral wind. ## Footnote The Mistral can also interrupt flowering and fruit set, reducing yields
60
# Fill in the blank: Altitudes in Provence can reach up to \_\_\_\_m asl inland.
400m asl
61
In Provence, traditional bush vines are being replace with trellised vines. Why?
1. To aid in mechanization 1. To reduce cost 1. To make it easier to control canopy size 1. To achieve sugar and phenolic ripeness at the same time
62
Why are rosés from Provence so pale in color?
Low color of the skins from the most commonly used grapes (Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Tibouren).
63
# Fill in the blank: Provence AOC regulations allow for rosés to have up to \_\_\_% of white grapes in the blend.
20% ## Footnote In practice, it's typically less than 10%.
64
Why is it useful to use white grapes in rosé blends in Provence AOC?
Using the white grapes can reduce alcohol levels.
65
Which 2 rosé making methods are used to make Provence rosés?
1. Direct pressing (most common) 2. Short maceration (only a few hours)
66
Are rosé musts in Provence usually acidified?
Yes -- to achieve good balance between fruit and acidity.
67
For best quality rosé in Provence, to what temperature is fruit chilled to reduce the rate of oxidation?
4°C | (39°F)
68
Describe the typical production methods for making rosé from Provence.
* Fermentation in stainless steel tanks between 14°–18°C (57–64°F) * Ambient or cultured yeasts (cultured more often used) * Fermented dry per AOC rules * Malo routinely blocked to retain acidity and preserve primary fruit flavors * If color is too deep, winemaker can fine the wine to make it lighter
69
# Fill in the blank: The maximum yield for Côtes de Provence AOC is \_\_\_ hL/ha.
55 hL/ha ## Footnote But most average 45 hL/ha.
70
* What is the largest subzone of Côtes de Provence AOC? * What is its maximum yield?
* Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire AOC * 50 hL/ha
71
Counoise is the principal variety in which 2 Provence AOCs?
1. Coteaux Varois en Provence AOC 2. Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence AOC ## Footnote Both AOCs have a maxiumum yield of 60 hL/ha.
72
What are the soils in Bandol AOC?
Rocky limestone and clay.
73
Red wines from Bandol must be what percentage Mourvèdre and aged in oak for \_\_\_ months.
* 50-95% * 18 months
74
Rosés from Bandol must be what percentage of Mourvèdre?
20-95%
75
What are the maximum yields for Bandol?
40 hL/ha
76
Name 3 small, historic appellations in Provence located mostly on the coast.
1. Bellet AOC 2. Cassis AOC 3. Palette AOC
77
# Fill in the blank: \_\_\_% of Provence's rosé wine by volume is sold in France.
58% ## Footnote 25% of this is sold in French supermarkets.
78
What are the **4 advantages** of hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing for Provence rosés?
1. Less stress on grapes if picked at coolest time of day (~4am) 2. Can sort fruit in vineyard 3. Whole-bunch pressing gentler/extracts fewer phenolics and solids 4. More juice produced at lower pressure as stems create channels for juice
79
What are the **5 disadvantages** of hand harvesting and whole bunch pressing for Provence rosés?
1. Hand harvesting requires a large, trained group of people who know how to pick correctly 2. Increasingly difficult to find this well-trained labor 3. Labor may not be available at such an early hour 4. Hand harvesting slower and more expensive than machine harvesting 5. Whole-bunch pressing is time consuming as fewer bunches can be loaded into press
80
What are the **5 advantages** of machine harvesting Provence rosés?
1. Fast 2. Cheaper than hand harvesting 3. Doesn't require big team of labor 4. Grapes easily picked at night 5. Shortest delay between picking and refrigeration and/or pressing
WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World
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