Languedoc/Roussillon - Nellites

Question 1

What wine style is associated with Limoux AOC?

Answer 1

• SPARKLING
• Crémant de Limoux: Traditional method sparkling
  — Minimum 40% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and Mauzac or Pinot Noir
  — 9 months on the lees
• Blanquette de Limoux: Traditional method sparkling
  — Minimum 90% Mauzac
  — 9 months on the lees
• Blanquette de Limoux: Méthode ancestrale
  — 100% Mauzac
  — The first intentional French sparkling wine (1531)

Question 2

What are the main grape varietys used in Fitou AOP?

Answer 2

Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Fitou AOP is known for its blend of these grape varieties.

Question 3

Where is Fitou AOP? What kind of wine do they make?

Answer 3

Western edge of Languedoc, North of Roussillon, France
- RED blends dominated by Carignan

Question 4

What is Banyuls AOP famous for? Where is it located?

Answer 4

Roussillon, France
(Southern corner of France, Spain and the Mediterranean)
- Produces the finest RED Vin Doux Naturel in France
— The BEST pairing for chocolate/chocolate dessert
- Banyuls AOP: 50% Grenache Noir minimum
- Banyuls Grand Cru AOP: 75% Grenache Noir minimum, aged 30 months
- Banyuls Vintage: Labeled as ‘Rimage’—Only in exceptional years
- Contains four communes: Banyuls-sur-Mer, Cerbère, Collioure and Port-Vendres

Question 5

Rivesaltes AOP
‘high riverbanks’

Answer 5

Roussillon, France
(Corner of Spain, France and Mediterranean, North of Banyuls)
- The birthplace of vin doux naturel!!
— Arnaud de Villeneuve, a 13th-century physician, introduced the process of mutage
- Four styles: Ambré, grenat, tuilé, and rosé—Amber, red, tawny, and pink
- Aged +5 years: hors d’age
- Varietal OR blends
— Exception: Grenat must be Grenache Noir ONLY

Question 6

What type of wine is produced at Domaine du Mas Blanc?

Answer 6

Fortified wine

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Banyuls is a _______ wine.

Answer 7

fortified

Question 8

What does IGP stand for? Which IGP covers Languedoc-Roussillon?

Answer 8

• Indication Géographique Protégée
• Pays d’Oc IGP encompasses the Languedoc-Roussillon region

Question 9

What is the Pays d’Oc IGP?

Answer 9

• Languedoc-Roussillon area (mas o menos)
• Varietally labeled
• NOT restricted like AOC: producers have more liberty to do what they want
• Mas de Daumas Gassac
  — Most famous wine from this category
  — “Lafite Rothschild of the Languedoc-Roussillon”

Question 10

What is ‘mutage’?

Answer 10

• Clear brandy (grape based spirit) is added to wine during fermentation to halt fermentation, leaving natural RS
• Vin Doux Naturels (and Port!!) are made using ‘mutage’

Question 11

True or False: Mauzac is a type of white grape variety.

Answer 11

True
- Blanquette de Limoux is minimum 90% Mauzac
— Méthode traditionnelle wine
— France’s oldest purposefully made sparkling wine

Question 12

What is the climate of Languedoc Roussillon?

Answer 12

Mediterranean

Question 13

Where are Languedoc and Roussillon in France?

Answer 13

• Stretches from the Spanish border to the Rhône River/Provence, along the Mediterranean coast in southern France
• Roussillon is further south, borders Spain, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean
• Languedoc borders the Mediterranean and ends at the Rhône River/Provence

Question 14

What is Roussillon famous for?

Answer 14

• Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
• 90% of France’s fortified wines are made here
• Banyuls Grand Cru AOP is considered the best VDN appellation in France
• Rivesaltes AOP was the birthplace of VDN
  — Arnaud de Villeneuve, a 13th-century physician, introduced the process of mutage

http://winesofroussillon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ROUSILLON-MAP-2020_Small_NoBleed.pdf

Question 15

Name three AOPs that produce VDN in Languedoc-Roussillon

Answer 15

• Maury AOP
• Rivesaltes AOP
• Banyuls AOP
  ** All in Roussillon!! **