France - Roussillon

Question 1

What is the area under vine and how has it developed?

Answer 1

• 21,000 ha
• Dramatically reduced

Question 2

Where are the vineyards located?

Answer 2

• Dominated by Pyrenees
• Vineyards on slopes or foothills
• No extensive flat, coastal plain suited to high volume grape growing, as in the Languedoc

Question 3

What role do co-ops play?

Answer 3

Important (75% of production)

Question 4

How much of the vineyard area is classified as AOC?

Answer 4

70%

Question 5

Describe the climate and its influence on grape growing

Answer 5

• Warm, windy, Mediterranean climate
• Moderate rainfall (500–600mm)
• High sunshine hours
• Drought can be an issue
• Frequent winds and low rainfall reduce risk of diseases

Question 6

What impact has the climate on yield?

Answer 6

• Reduce yield (and therefore income)
• Higher concentration of fruit

Question 7

Is organic winemaking common?

Answer 7

Yes (15%)

Question 8

What are the top 6 grape varieties? (decreasing in ha planted)

Answer 8

• Grenache Noir
• Syrah
• Carignan
• Muscat Blanc
• Muscat of Alexandria
• Macabeu

Question 9

How has the vineyard management evolved over time?

Answer 9

• Historically: bush vines (require manual work)
• Nowadays: vines planted on trellises if possible (allowing for mechanization)

Question 10

What are the two main appellations for dry wines?

Answer 10

• Côtes du Roussillon
• Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Question 11

Côtes du Roussillon
What is the size?

Answer 11

• Large
• 5,000 ha

Question 12

Côtes du Roussillon
What types of wines are produced?

Answer 12

• Red, rosé and white

Question 13

Côtes du Roussillon
What is the max yield?

Answer 13

48 hL/ha

Question 14

Côtes du Roussillon
Where are the vineyards located?

Answer 14

Lower slopes (100–250 m)

Question 15

Côtes du Roussillon
What are the principal grape varieties and requirements regarding plantings?

Answer 15

• Principal: Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah
• Max 50% Carignan
• Min 25% Syrah and Mourvèdre

Question 16

Côtes du Roussillon
What are the requirements for winemaking regarding varieties?

Answer 16

• Min two different varieties
• Max 80% of a single variety

Question 17

Côtes du Roussillon
What is the style, quality and price of the wines?

Answer 17

Similar to Languedoc AOC

Question 18

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
How does the size compare to Côtes du Roussillon?

Answer 18

Less than half the size

Question 19

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
What types of wines are produced and what are the requirements?

Answer 19

• Red wines only
• Min two different varieties
• Max 80% of a single variety

Question 20

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
Where are the vineyards located and what influence does it have on the quality and price of the final wine?

Answer 20

• Slopes (100–400m)
• Cooling influence
• Greater acidity
• Manual work required -> raising cost

Question 21

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
What is the max and avg yield?

Answer 21

• Max: 45 hL/ha
• Avg: Much lower

Question 22

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
How many villages are allowed to append their name? What are max yields in this case?

Answer 22

• 5
• 42 hL/ha

Question 23

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
What require some of the villages in terms of Carignan winemaking?

Answer 23

• Has to be made with carbonic maceration
• Promote the primary fruit and reduce tannins

Question 24

Côtes du Roussillon Villages
What is the style, quality and price of the wines?

Answer 24

Similar to Languedoc sub-appellations

Question 25

**Collioure** Where is it located?

Answer 25

Same borders as Banyuls

Question 26

**Collioure** Where are the vineyards located?

Answer 26

Steep terraces above the Mediterranean Sea

Question 27

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

Answer 27

* Full-bodied, dry red (majority) and white wines

Question 28

**Collioure** What are the main grapes used for red wines?

Answer 28

* Grenache Noir * Syrah * Mourvèdre

Question 29

**Collioure** What are the main grapes used for white wines?

Answer 29

Grenache Gris

Question 30

**Collioure** What are the max and avg yields for red and white wines?

Answer 30

* Max: 40 hL/ha * Avg: 20-25 hL/ha

Question 31

**Collioure** What is the style, quality, and price of the wines?

Answer 31

Similar to Languedoc sub-appellations

Question 32

**IGP Côtes Catalanes** What types of wines are produced?

Answer 32

Red and white

Question 33

**IGP Côtes Catalanes** Are there special wines? If yes, produced by whom?

Answer 33

* Some super-premium white wines * E.g., from Domaine Gauby

Question 34

What are the options for red winemaking?

Answer 34

* Pressing the fruit and maceration on the skins * Carbonic maceration

Question 35

**Wine Business** Name three wineries that produce super-premium white wines

Answer 35

* Domaine Gauby * Clos des Fées * Le Soula

Question 36

**Wine Business** What is a trend regarding the involved businesses?

Answer 36

Trend from co-ops more towards individual wineries that produce high quality wines

Question 37

**Wine Business** How much is exported and what are the top export markets?

Answer 37

* 20% * China, Belgium, Germany