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D3 - France > South of France > Flashcards

South of France Flashcards

1
Q

What is the total area under vine in Languedoc Roussillon?

A

240,000 hectares

More than chile, South Africa or Australia

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2
Q

What is the common factor between Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence?

A

Low yields for AOC wines due to low rainfall and warm windy climate which accelerates evapotranspiration

(Lowest yields of all French regions)

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3
Q

What is the climate and overall topography of the Languedoc?

A

Mediterranean with long sunshine hours and very warm summers

Majority of vines sit on a low lying alluvial plain

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4
Q

Which two developments transformed the fortunes of the Languedoc?

A

Canal du Midi was built in the 17th century enabling travel to Bordeaux

Building of railways (19th century)

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5
Q

What is the average yearly rainfall in Languedoc?

A

600mm or less

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6
Q

What is the name of the cool dry wind which blows in the Languedoc around 200 days per year?

A

Tramontane

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7
Q

What influences allow successful organic viticulture in Languedoc?

A

Low moisture levels

Cool, dry Tramontane wind

Both significantly reduce fungal disease pressure and need for spraying

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8
Q

What percentage of France’s organic wine production is Languedoc responsible for?

A

One third

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9
Q

What are the 6 most grown grape varieties in the Languedoc?

A
  1. Carignan
  2. Syrah
  3. Grenache Noir
  4. Merlot
  5. Cabernet Sauvignon
  6. Cinsault
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10
Q

What are the main characteristics of Carignan?

A

Late budding

Late ripening

Capable of achieving very high yields (200 hl/ha) but will lose concentration

Old vines naturally control yields and increase concentration

Prone to powdery mildew and grape moths

Hard to machine harvest as bunches are very firmly attached to the vine

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11
Q

What training method has historically been used in Languedoc?

A

Bush vines - well adapted to the hot Mediterranean climate

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12
Q

What training system do new vineyards in the Languedoc tend to use and why?

A

Trellising - easier to machine harvest, reduces costs and need for labour

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13
Q

Which technique is often used in Languedoc to create fruity wines with medium to deep colour and low tannins?

A

Carbonic maceration

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14
Q

How is the majority of red wine in the Languedoc made?

A

5-7 days on skins to limit extraction of tannins

Mid range fermentation temperatures to preserve primary fruit

Stainless steel/concrete vessels

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15
Q

What percentage of Languedoc production is IGP wine?

A

70%

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16
Q

Which is the Languedoc’s largest IGP and what percentage of French wine production does it account for?

A

IGP Pays d’Oc

Accounts for 10-15% of all French wine production depending on vintage

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17
Q

What is the usual style of an IGP Pays d’Oc wine?

A

Fresh and fruity varietal expressions with little or no oak - good to very good and inexpensive to mid priced

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18
Q

What are the 3 forms of IGP (which can overlap) in Languedoc?

A

Regional

Departmental

Smaller unit named after a historical/geographical feature (eg IGP Cotes de Thongue)

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19
Q

What are the AOC requirements for composition of red wine in Languedoc?

A

A minimum of two varieties must be used INCLUDING one of the principal varieties (which are chosen by the individual appellation)

They may also set upper limits for the inclusion of any one variety and may set minimum and maximum amounts for certain combinations

20
Q

Which grapes are usually required as part of the blend in AOC Languedoc winds?

A

Grenache

Most also want Syrah and Mourvèdre

21
Q

In which two Languedoc AOCs is Carignan a principal variety?

A

Fitou AOC

Corbieres AOC

22
Q

What is the average AOC yield limit in Languedoc and why are yields often lower than this?

A

Maximum yield 45-50 hl/ha

Often lower in practise due to low rainfall and low fertility soils

23
Q

What are the 3 main appellation groupings in Languedoc?

A

Regional - Languedoc AOC

Named appellation - Corbieres AOC

Sub-appellation - corbieres-Boutenac AOC

24
Q

Which Languedoc appellation is the 4th largest in France?

A

Corbieres AOC - 10,000 HA

25
Q

Name at least 3 of the main appellations in Languedoc

A

Can have

Minervois AOC

Saint-Chinian AOC

Fitou AOC

Faugeres AOC

La Clape

Terrasses du Larzac

Picpoul de Pinet

26
Q

What percentage of Languedoc production is AOC wine?

A

15%

27
Q

Which producers have pioneered a drive to showcase the potential of high quality winemaking in Languedoc ?

A

Mas de Daumas Gassac

Gerard Bertrand

28
Q

What is the area under vine in Roussillon?

A

21,000 hectares

Massively reduced under EU vine pull schemes and overproduction in the 1980s

29
Q

How does the topography of Roussillon differ from Languedoc

A

Mountainous - dominated by the Pyrenees

Very little flat land suitable for high volume grape growing like the flat alluvial plain in the Languedoc

Vineyards mainly on slopes or foothills of the Pyrenees

30
Q

What is the AOC production of Roussillon vs Languedoc

A

Roussillon - 70%

Languedoc - 15%

31
Q

What percentage of production are co ops responsible for in Roussillon?

A

75%

32
Q

What is the climate in Roussillon?

A

Warm, windy Mediterranean

500-600mm rainfall

Long sunshine hours

33
Q

What weather factors reduce yields in Roussillon?

A

Frequent winds

Low rainfall

34
Q

What are the most important grape varieties in Roussillon?

A

Grenache
Syrah
Carignan
Mourvèdre

Muscat’s for fotified

Macabeo/Viura for white

35
Q

Why has there been less of a transition from bush vines to trellising in Roussillon vs Languedoc?

A

Less flat land suitable for trellising - many vineyards are on slopes/foothills of the Pyrenees

36
Q

Which are the two main Roussillon AOCs for dry wine?

A

Cotes du Roussillon AOC - 5000HA
Red, white, rosé

Cotes du Roussillon Villages AOC - less than half the size of CdR
Red only

37
Q

What are the principal grape varieties used in Provence rosé?

A

Grenache Noir and Cinsault

38
Q

What is the climate in Provence?

A

Warm Mediterranean with adequate rainfall for grape growing and cooling influence from the Mistral wind

39
Q

What effects does the mistral have on Provence?

A

Reduce disease pressure - Provence has double the national average of organic vineyards

Damage to vines

Disruption to flowering and fruit set, reducing yields

40
Q

Why is harvest date selection critical in Provence?

A

Grapes must be sufficiently ripe to avoid bitterness if skin contact is used, but still need to retain desired level of high acidity

41
Q

What are the two main techniques used for the production of Provence rosé?

A

Direct pressing

Short maceration (a few hours on skins)

42
Q

How and why is fruit for Provence rosé handled protectively?

A

Techniques which exclude oxygen & refrigeration are used

In order to maximise fruity aromas and preserve pale pink-orange colour

43
Q

Why is fermentation temperature for Provence rosé limited to 14-18 degrees?

A

Top end of cool - to preserve primary fruit but avoid banana aroma often associated with v cool fermentation

44
Q

Why is malolactic conversion blocked for Provence rosé?

A

To preserve primary fruit and maintain high acidity

45
Q

What is the largest appellation in Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence AOC

20,000 hectares

90% of production is rosé

46
Q

What makes Bandol AOC unusual in Provence?

A

Produces more red than rosé

D3 - France (10 decks)

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