Provence Flashcards
Influence of railroad on Provence beginning 19th century
Brought tourists that consumed local wines
Climate Provence
Mediterranean
in some interior regions alpine and continental influences
Mistral in Provence
Cooling effect, mostly in winter & spring, although Mistral usually blows N - S, here its channeld South-westwards
Traditional training system and modern system in Provence
Traditional: Gobelet
Now: Guyot
Largest AOC in Provence
& wines produced
Côtes de Provence AOC
75% of production
90% rosé, 7% red, 3% white
Grapes used in Côtes de Provence AOC
Rosé / red: min 2 of: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Tibouren (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan as additional blending allowed), rosé can contain small % of white grapes
White: Clairette, Rolle (Vermentino) Sémillon, Ugni Blanc
4 geographic designations (no independent AOCs) in Côte de Provence AOC, production standards
Sainte-Victoire
Fréjus
La Londe
Pierrefeu
Higher alcohols, lower yields, Fréjus red min 6 months in oak
Name of white grape Rolle in Italy (land of origen)
Vermentino
Ugni Blanc (white grape) name in italy and synonym in Provence
Italy: Trebbiano
Provence: Roussan
Côtes de Provence Cru Classés
Ranking from 1955, ranks estates but only applies for original ranked vineyard sites
Originally ranked 23 / 5 don’t exist anymore, today: 18 estates
Only AOC in Provence that produces majority white & grapes for whites
Cassis AOC
Marsanne & Clairette blend
Cassis AOC, wine styles and grapes
white (67%), rosé (30%), red (3%)
white: Marsanne & Clairette blend
rosé, red: Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Only AOC in Provence that allows Chardonnay
Bellet AOC
Whites usually Rolle/Chardonnay/Clairette blends
Typical bottle Provence
Flûte à Corset / skittle
corset for mid section, skittle for game
Vins de Soif
Vins de Gastronomie
Vins de Soif - light bodied, crisp, no oak, as apperitif
Vins de Gastronomie - deeper, fuller bodied, more structure, red also vin de garde
Newest Provence AOC & its climate
Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC
mediterranean with strong alpine influence
2 Provence AOC’s that produce more red wine
Les Baux de Provence AOC
Palette AOC
Smallest AOC in Provence
Palette AOC
Provence AOCs that mandate oak ageing
Bandol AOC, Palette AOC, Côte de Provence Fréjus
Main red grape in Bandol AOC and ageing requirement for Bandol reds
Mourvèdre, 18 months in oak
Main red and main white grape in Bandol AOC
Red: Mourvèdre (min 50% in reds, min 20% in rosé)
White: Clairette (min 50%)
Most northern AOC in Provence
Coteaux de Pierrevert AOC, only AOC that lies north of Durance river, strong alpine influence
2 principal soil types in Provence
Crystalline schist (eastern part) Limestone / Clay (north & west)
2 white grapes of Provence with italian origin and italian names
Rolle - Vermentino
Ugni Blanc - Trebbiano
2 red grapes grown in Provence with spanish origin and spanish names
Carignan - Cariñena / Mazuelo
Mourvèdre - Mataro / Monastrell
2 principal methods of rosé production and resulting wine style
Direct Press - pale rosé with fruity aromas and minimal tannins
Saignée - more concentrated color and tannin; less complex aromatics
What wine styles can be labeled with Côtes de Provence AOC geographic designations - Sainte Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Pierrefeu
Reds & Rosé only
lower yields, higher alcohol
Reds from Fréjus six months in oak (barrels or foudre)
How many estates are classified Côtes de Provence Cru Classé
18 (originally 23 - 5 do no longer produce)
Palette AOC - ageing requirements
Reds: 18 months in Oak
Rosés & whites: 8 months before release
Only Provence AOC which produces Marsanne as primary grape
Cassis AOC
67% white, Marsanne-Clairette blend
Which Provence AOC only covers hillside vineyards
Bandol AOC