Languedoc Flashcards
What is “Mutage”?
The process of arresting fermenting must with the addition of grape spirits.
Arnaud de Villeneuve from Montpellie
How are the Languedoc VdNs crafted?
Fortified with neutral grape spirits to 15% ABV
Minimum RS is 11% except Saint Jean de Minervois which has a minimum RS of 12.5%
How many VdNs does Languedoc produce?
Four
All made with Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
What is the variety, min. ABV and min. aging on the Méthode Ancestrale in the Atlantic Corridor Limoux AOC?
100% Mauzac
Min 6-7% ABV
Minimum 2 months aging
When did the Monks of Sainte-Hilaire discover sparkling wine?
1531
150 years before Dom Perignon
What is the Canal du Midi?
A canal that linked Sète in Languedoc to the Garonne River in Toulouse. The Garonne then flowerd to Bordeaux and the Gironde Estuary, and from there to the Altantic.
Allowed the bypassing of Spain/Borderlais blocked.
Who were the primary consumers of Languedoc wine in the 17th and 18th centuries?
17th: the Dutch who wanted sweet wine
18th: dry white wine destined to become brandy for the Napoleonic army
What year were the protectionist policies of Bordeaux rescinded?
1776
Which of the 3 topographical zones is flat, fertile with alluvial plains?
The Coastal Plain
What is the average sunshine and rainfall of Languedoc?
Sunshine: 2,530 hrs (316/365 days)
Rainfall: averages 27” bookending the summer season
It often arrives in the form of violent storms: Épisode Cévenol
South winds from the Mediterranean are countered by?
The Tramontane winds and other strong winds from the north and west.
What is the climate like in Languedoc?
Mediterranean climate with two seasons:
1. mild winters
1. hot, dry summers
What is the varietal blend of the Atlantic Corridor Crémant de Limoux AOC?
Typical blend is
* 60% Chardonnay
* 30% Chenin Blanc
* 10% Mauzac
Pinot Noir has recently been approved. Rosé style acheived 15% Pinot N.
What is the Atlantic Corridor like in Languedoc?
- The western reaches of Languedoc.
- The Atlantic and Mediterranean climate meet here.
- Bordeaux varieties planted alongside Mediterranean ones.
What are the hillsides and mountains zones like in Languedoc?
- Mediterranean warmth mitigated by elevations up to 1320’
- Soils are well drained
What is the Coastal Plains area like in Languedoc?
- From Narbonne and Béziers to beyond Montpellier.
- Flat, low lying and fertile area
- Decidedly Mediterranean
- Highest yielding grapes destined for entry-level IGP
What are the 3 topographical zones in Languedoc?
Coastal Plains
Hillsides & Mountains
Atlantic Corridor
What characteristics do the soils of the Languedoc produce in wines?
Alluvial Soils: Produce fruity wines often utilized for whites and rosés
Granite/gneiss/marl/clay & schist: Produce powerful, spicy red wines good for aging
Garrigue: Produces red & white wines of high acidity and red wines with polished tannins
Describe the Atlantic Corridor Limoux AOC?
- Sheltered on three sides by two plateaus and the Pyrenees.
- Whites: Chardonnay, Chenin Blan & Mauzac; hand-harvested
- Reds: Primarily Merlot (3 varieties in blend); hand or machine harvested
What are the soil types of the Languedoc?
- Garrigue: nutrient-poor limestone
- The vast lowland plains are mostly comprised of younger sedimentary and/or alluvial soils
- Some hillside slopes are limestone and soils derived from that limestone
- Some hill sites: pockets of granite, gneiss, and schist
What are some geological events that formed the landscape of Languedoc?
- mountain-building episodes which created Alps & Pyrenees
- repeated sea invasions and retreats
- intense weathering processes during inter-glacial periods
How many French departments does Languedoc cover?
Four
Lozère
Gard (partial)
Hérault
Aude
What is the production figures (by AOC, IGP, Vin de France) of Languedoc?
AOC = 10%
IGP = 74%
Vin de France = 16%
T or F? Languedoc is the largest IGP wine producer in France.
True
Also the most exported IGP
Which VdN is not located on the coastal plain?
Muscat Saint Jean-de-Minervois
Located in NE corner of Minervois
What are the 4 VdNs of Languedoc?
- Muscat de Lunel
- Muscat de Mireval
- Muscat de Frontignan (largest & oldest)
- Muscat de Saint Jean-de-Minervois
What are the characteristics of the Atlantic corridor Malepère AOC?
- most westerly AOC in Languedoc
- flatter and more open than other Atlantic corridor appellations of Cabardès & Limoux
- Atlantic varieties make up the majority of the red blend with Merlot as the backbone
- also makes rosé
What are the characteristics of the Atlantic Corridor Cabardès AOC?
- This is where the cooler Atlantic breezes meet the more temperate Mediterranean winds
- Only Languedoc AOC with an equal split of Atlantic and Mediterranean grape varieties
- Soils: limestone, granite & gneiss
What are the AOCs of the Atlantic Corridor of Languedoc?
- Cabardès AOC
- Malepère AOC
- Limoux AOC
- Crémant de Limoux AOC
What are the characteristics of the Fitou AOC?
- Two non-contiguous zones of production within southern part of Corbières.
- Fitou Maritime: close to the coast; clay/limestone
- Haut Fitou: midst the mountains; limestone/sandstone
- Carignan and Grenache blends
What are the characteristics of the Corbières AOC?
- Biggest non-regional AOC in Languedoc
- 4th largest AOC in France
- Soil: predominantly limestone, but also schist, red clay, galets, and marl
- Overwhelming majority is Carignan-based red wine
What are the characteristics of the Clairette du Languedoc AOC?
- White only, 100% Clairette
- Limestone soils
- semi-sweet and fortified exist, but are rare
- Along with Picpoul de Pinet are the only 2 AOCs dedicated to a single white grape variety in the Languedoc
What are the characteristics of the Minervois AOC?
- North of the Canal du Midi
- Soils: predominantly clay and limestone with pockets of sandstone
- Reds are Syrah based with high proportions of Grenache & Mourvèdre
- Vast majority of production is red
What are the characteristics of the Saint Chinian AOC?
- Mostly red, some rosé and a little white
- Elevation mitigates Mediterranean heat
- Schist and clay/limstone soils
- Reds: GSM + Lledoner Pelut
- 2 DGCs: Berlou (GSM) and Roquebrun (G+S)
What are the white grapes of Languedoc?
- Bourboulenc
- Clairette
- Mauzac Blanc
- Piquepoul (Blanc)
- Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc
Grenache Blanc, Marsa, Rousa, Viognier, Verm, Macabeu, Chard, Chenin
What are the characteristics of the Faugères AOC?
- foothills of the Cévennes Mts.
- gray-white schist soil
- overall production predominantly red
- all wines must be blend of at least two varieties; Rousanne must be one in white
What are the 2 AOCs in Languedoc that produce white wines from a single grape?
- Clairette du Languedoc (Clairette grape)
- Picpoul de Pinet (Picpoul grape)