France - Languedoc Flashcards by Simon Kratzer

What is the total area under vine in Languedoc and Roussillon?

Languedoc: 220,000 ha
Roussillon: 21,000 ha

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What is the avg. yield in the AOCs of Languedoc, Roussillon, and Provence compared to other French regions?

Lowest yields of all French regions, roughly half that of Champagne or Alsace

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What is the climate?

Mediterranean

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Where are vineyards located? (normal and high-quality wines)

Mostly low-lying alluvial plain
Hillside slopes for some high quality wines

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What is the history of this region and what enabled the region?

Reaches back to Greek and Roman colonies
Canal du Midi (connection to Bordeaux) and railways -> export

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What role do co-ops play?

Very important one
Accounted for 90% of production in 1950s
Today still 70% of production

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What is the Languedoc known for?

Largest source of everyday wine in France

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What is the trend regarding area under vine?

Overproduction led to removal of vineyards
Only half today compared to 50 years ago

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What is the trend regarding quality?

Inexpensive wine still large volume
Increasing attention to small production, high-quality wines

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Describe the climate (incl. rain) and influence on grape growing

High levels of sunshine
Rainfall below 600 mm
Very warm summers
Very favourable for grape growing

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What moderating influences exist and what is their effect?

Low moisture levels
Cool, dry Tramontane north-west wind that blows for about 200 days per year
Low disease pressure
Enables organic wine production

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What are the most grown varieties from (highest to lowest)?

Carignan
Syrah
Grenache Noir
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cinsault

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Carignan
What is the budding/ripening time?

Late-budding
Late-ripening

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Carignan
What is the yield and how is it done in practice?

Very high yielding (200 hL/ha and more)
To produce high concentration wine, yield has to be reduced -> naturally as vines get older

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Carignan
What is it susceptible to?

Powdery mildew
Grape moths

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Carignan
What is the variety’s trend in the Languedoc?

Increasinlgy replaced with other varieties

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Carignan
Describe the typical style (color, aromas, acidity, tannin, quality, price)

Medium ruby
Simple blackberry fruit
High acidity
High tannins
Acceptable to good quality
Inexpensive

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Carignan
Is the variety able to produce higher quality examples?

YES
Good to outstanding
Premium to super-premium prices

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What is the typical training system and how has it changed over time?

Historically: bush vines -> well adapted to the climate but costly (a lot by hand)
New vineyards: trellises, enabling mechanisation

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What is the typical harvesting method?

By machine where the topography allows for it

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What are roughly the three methods to produce different red wines?

Short skin maceration -> inexpensive wines
Carbonic maceration -> low tannin inexpensive wines
Warmer temps + barriques -> high-quality, small volume

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Describe the typical winemaking process of inexpensive red wines

Grapes are crushed and fermented on skins for 5–7 days
Large concrete or stainless-steel tanks
Cultured yeasts
Mid-range fermentation temp
Stored for a few months in stainless steel or concrete tanks
Made for early drinking

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What is the process of making low tannin red wines?

Carbonic maceration
Mid-range fermentation temps
Stored for a few months in stainless steel or concrete tanks
Vast majority for early drinking

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What is the process for making high-quality, small volume red wines?

Use of sorting tables
Fermentation at warm temps
Use of ambient yeast
Use of barriques for the maturation
Intended for bottle ageing

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**IGP Wines** What are the requirements regarding yields and varieties?

* Red, white: 90 hL/ha * Rosé: 100 hL/ha * 58 varieties allowed

**IGP Pays d’Oc** What types of wines are produced (incl. %)

* Red: 50% * White: 25% * Rosé: 25%

**IGP Pays d’Oc** What are the top four grape varieties (mostly used as single varietal wines)

* Merlot * Cabernet Sauvignon * Chardonnay * Syrah

**IGP Pays d’Oc** For how much of France's production does it account?

10-15%

**IGP Pays d’Oc** How much of the wine is exported and what are the top export markets?

* 50% * Germany, Netherlands, Belgium

**Languedoc appellations** What types of wines are produced and what are the rules?

* Red (90%), except white wine appellations * ALL blends: Min two varieties, incl. at least one principal variety

**Languedoc appellations** What are the principal grape varieties?

* Almost all require Grenache Noir * Most require Syrah and Mourvèdre

**Languedoc AOC** What are the max yields? (red, white)

* Red: 50 hL/ha * White: 60 hL/ha

**Languedoc AOC** What are the requirements regarding grape varieties? (max, min, principal, ...)

* Principal: Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre (min 40%) * At least 2, at least 1 principal * No variety > 80% * Other varieties (< 30%)

What are the three appellation categories in terms of quality levels? (from low to high)

* Regional appellation (Languedoc AOC) * Named appellations (e.g. Corbières AOC) * Sub-appellations (e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC)

Describe the typical wine of a regional appellation (Languedoc AOC) wine (intensity, aromas, tannins, acidity, alcohol, body, quality, price)

* Medium intensity * Simple, blackberry and red plum fruit * Medium tannins * Medium acidity * Medium alcohol * Medium body * Acceptable to good quality * Inexpensive to mid-priced

Describe the typical wine of a named appellations (e.g. Corbières AOC) wine (intensity, aromas, tannins, acidity, alcohol, body, quality, price)

* Medium to medium(+) intensity * Blackberry and red plum fruit with herb notes (lavender, rosemary), maybe some oak * Medium tannins * Medium to medium(+) acidity * Medium to high alcohol * Medium(+) to full body * Good to very good in quality (some outstanding) * Inexpensive to premium priced

Describe the typical wine of a sub-appellations (e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOC) wine (intensity, tannins, quality, price)

* Medium(+) to pronounced intensity * Medium(+) tannins * Very good quality (some outstanding) * Mid-priced (some premium)

**Corbières** What is the size / area under vine?

* Large * 10,000 ha

**Corbières** Where are the vineyards located? (topography, altitude, influence)

* Hilly appellation * Slopes up to 450 metres * Cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds

**Corbières** What is the max yield?

50 hL/ha (red, white, rosé)

**Corbières** What types of wines are made and what are the requirements?

* Red (90%) * Min 40% of principal varieties (Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah) * Max 20% other varieties

**Corbières-Boutenac** What are the requirements regarding grape varieties?

Min 70% of Carignan, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre

**Corbières** How much is exported and what are top export markets?

* 30% * China, Germany, Belgium

**Corbières** Besides red wines, what other types are produced and from what?

* Rosé * White (e.g., from Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne or Rolle)

**Minervois** There is a range of climatic zones. By what is the climate influenced?

* Altitude * Proximity to Mediterranean Sea

**Minervois** What types of wines are produced?

* Red (majority) * Rosé * White

**Minervois** What are the requirements regarding varieties for red and rosé wines?

* Mostly Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre blends * Some Carignan and Cinsaut * Min 50% of those 5 varieties * No one variety > 80%

**Minervois La Livinière** What types of wines are produced?

Red only

**Minervois La Livinière** Where are the vineyards located and what is the effect on grape growing?

* Limestone terrace of gentle slopes * Up to 400m -> cooling influence * Very good drainage * Exposure to sun * Higher acidity levels than lower parts in Minervois

**Minervois La Livinière** What are the requirements regarding grape varieties?

* Min 40% of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir * plus Carignan and Cinsaut > 80%

**Saint-Chinian** What types of wines are produced and what are the requirements regarding varieties?

* Red and Rosé * Min 50% of Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre

**Saint-Chinian** Describe the northern area (incl. sub appellations)

* Saint-Chinian Roquebrun and Saint-Chinian Berlou * Arid, fast-draining schist soils * Low yields * High concentration wines

**Saint-Chinian** Describe the southern area

* Clay and limestone soil * Greater water-holding capacity * Higher yields * Less concentrated wines

**Fitou** Where is the region located?

Two areas with a part of the Corbières between them

**Fitou** Describe the conditions in the coastal area

* Relatively flat, low-lying plains * Clay and limestone soils with good water retention * Less concentrated wines

**Fitou** Describe the conditions in area inland

* More mountainous * Less fertile and fast-draining schistous soils * Higher concentration wines

**Fitou** What are the requirements regarding varieties?

* 10-40% Carignan * Min 20% Grenache Noir

**Fitou** What is the largest producer and what is its production?

* Co-op: Mont Tauch * 50% of the appellation's production

**Faugères** Describe the conditions (altitude, soil, effect on wines)

* 250–400m * Well-drained and low fertility schistous soils * Very good concentration

**Faugères** What is the max and avg. yield?

* Max: 50 hL/ha * Avg: 33 hL/ha

**Faugères** How much of the wine is exported?

10%

**Faugères** Is organic winemaking practiced?

Yes, 40% of vineyard land organic

**Pic Saint-Loup** What differentiates this appellation from the others?

* More continental climate * Considerable rainfall (1,000 mm)

**Pic Saint-Loup** What types of wines are produced and what are the requirements?

* Red and Rosé * Min 50% of Syrah

**Terrasses du Larzac** What are the conditions and what does it lead to in the wine?

* Range of altitudes: 120–200m but also up to 400m * High diurnal range * Ripe fruit flavours * Fresh acidity

**Terrasses du Larzac** What types of wines are produced and what are the requirements?

* Red only * Min 3 diff. varieties

**Terrasses du Larzac** What does it have a reputation for?

* High quality wines * Premium to super-premium prices * E.g., La Peira

**La Clape** Where is it situated and what are the conditions?

* Coastal area * Warm, sunny, arid and windy * Full ripeness, suitable for, e.g., Mourvèdre

**La Clape** What types of wines are produced?

* Red (80%) * White

**La Clape** What it is known for?

* White wines * Min 60% Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc

**Picpoul de Pinet** Where is it located?

Low-lying land close to the coast

**Picpoul de Pinet** What types of wines are produced and what are characteristics?

* White wine from Piquepoul Blanc ONLY * Retains acidity even in warm climate

**Picpoul de Pinet** What is the max yield?

55 hL/ha

**Picpoul de Pinet** Describe the typical style of wine (intensity, aromas, sweetness, body, acidity, quality, price)

* Medium intensity * Lemon, floral * Dry * Medium body * Medium(+) to high acidity * Acceptable to good quality * Inexpensive to mid-priced

**Picpoul de Pinet** How much is exported and what are the top export markets?

* 65% * UK, USA, Netherlands

**Picpoul de Pinet** What role do co-ops play?

* Important (90% of production)

What appellation has more influence from the Atlantic ocean and why?

* Malepère * Protected from Mediterranean influences by mountains

**Malepère** What are the grape variety requirements?

* Min 40% Merlot * At least two different varieties

What appellation is subject to both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences?

Cabardès

**Cabardès** What are the grape variety requirements?

Min 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot Min 40% Grenache, Syrah

**Wine Business** What type of wine is strongly increasing?

Rosé (+35% in 7 years)

**Wine Business** What is the trend regarding exports?

* Growing (+15% in 5 years) * Esp. USA and China

**Wine Business** What is the general trend regarding businesses involved and quality of wine?

* Historically: inexpensive wines produced by co-ops * Trend: Ambitious wineries that aim to produce highest quality

**Wine Business** Name three wineries that aim to produce high quality wine

* Mas de Daumas Gassac * Domaine de Gérard Bertrand’s Clos d’Ora * Château Puech-Haut

**Wine Business** What is the trend in the mid-price sector?

* Seek to reflect their origin * Blends typical to the region * From specific appellations

France - Languedoc Flashcards

(85 cards)