Southern France

Question 1

What is the climate of Southern France ?

Answer 1

Warm Meditarrean Climate

with summer temperature in excess of 30°
mild winters and low rainfalls

Question 2

What are the factors influencing the climate in the vineyards of Southern France ?

Answer 2

Foothills of the mountains are cooler
Coastal plains are wamer

Strong cool dry winds blow from the north - cooling eastern and western ends of the region

The Mistral blows down the Rhône and the Tramontane blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees

Question 3

What are the climatic hazards of Southern France ?

Answer 3

Drought
occasional summer floods

Question 4

Where are located the best vinyards for grape growing in Southern France ?

Answer 4

On the cooler, less fertile, well drained soils in the foothills of the mountains

Question 5

Is Southern France uniform in terms of grapegrowing ?

Answer 5

No, it depends on the location

Question 6

Which of black or white grape variety accounts for the majority of plantings in Southern France ?

Answer 6

Black

But over the last 30 years, the composition of vineayrds have dramatically change and now reflet a mix of loccal and international varieties

Question 7

Which black grape varieties are planted in Southern France ?

Answer 7

Grenache
Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon
Carignan
Cinsault
Mourvèdre
Merlot

Question 8

What is the local IGP for the wines of Languedoc and Rousillon?

Answer 8

Pays d’Oc

Question 9

On what type of sites is planted Syrah in Southern France ?

Answer 9

In the cooler sites

Question 10

Describe the characteristics of Carignan of Southern France

Answer 10

High tannin, high acidity, deep colour
Lack fruit or finesse
Can produce quality wines on poor soils
Can produce enormous yields
Widely planted

Question 11

What is the purpose of Cinsault of Southern France ?

Answer 11

used in rosé production
to add red fruit flavours to red blends

Question 12

On what type of sites is planted Mourvèdre in Southern France ?

Answer 12

Only in the warmest sites

Question 13

What is the purpose of mourvèdre of Southern France ?

Answer 13

adding richness, colours and complexity to blends

Question 14

What are the black international varieties planted in Southern France ?

Answer 14

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 15

Describe the winemaking techniques used in southern France for red wine

Answer 15

Modern equipment, improved cellar hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management and use of new and old oak
Semi-carbonic maceration is practised and can soften the tannins in Carignan

Question 16

Which grape variety benefits from semi-Carbonic maceration in Southern France ?

Answer 16

Carignan, to soften its tannins

Question 17

What are the white grape varieties of Southern France ?

Answer 17

Chardonnay (widely planted)
Sauvignon blanc (widely planted)
Viognier
Piquepoul (local variety)

Other local varieties
Grenache Blanc
Muscat
Mauz, Maccabeu, Rolle, Clairette, piquepoule

Question 18

What are the most widely planted local white grape varieties in Southern France ?

Answer 18

Grenache Blanc
Muscat

Question 19

What grape varities are used for IGP wines in southern France ?

Answer 19

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier

Question 20

What is the style of wine of Muscat of Southern France ?

Answer 20

Sweet fortified wines
Dry wines with aromatic grapey aromas

Question 21

What is the style of wine of Grenache blanc of Southern France

Answer 21

Dry wines with soft peachy fruitiness
full body , low acitidity, oxidise easily
Blended with other local or Rhône varieties

Question 22

What are the characteristics of Piquepoul of Southern France ?

Answer 22

refreshing acidity
green fruit and citrus flavours

Question 23

Explain Languedoc appellation

Answer 23

Covers all the appelation vineyards from the spanish border to Nîmes
Above this there are a number of geographically specitifc appellations, which have their own regulation.
Certain areas withing these appellations have been recognized for their quality and have sub-appellations

Appellation system evolve as the subregions of the Languedoc apply for the full AC status

Question 24

What wines are permitted in most appellations of Souther France ?

Answer 24

red, white and rosé

Question 25

Why is it difficult to describe a typical wine from each Southern France appellation ?

Answer 25

Majority are blends Possible variations in the blends many appellation covers significatn area with different climatic and soil conditions

Question 26

What are the grape varities most often blended in Southern France ?

Answer 26

Carignan Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre

Question 27

Explain the different styles of red wine of Languedoc AC

Answer 27

Cooler areas : finesse, lighter tannins, best syar Warmer areas: greater body, meaty, gamey flavours Best wines are full bodied, concetrated spicy red fruit with oak flavours Rosé tend to be soft and fruity

Question 28

Name the regional appellation of Languedoc

Answer 28

Côtes du Roussillon Côtes du Roussillon Villages Fitou Corbières Minervois Picpoul de Pinet

Question 29

Describe Côtes du Roussillon and Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Answer 29

Near the Spain border Rugged and mountainous Bright sunlight, low rainfall, strong winds Concentrated wies Best vineyards in the north - Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Question 30

Describe Fitou AOC

Answer 30

just to the north of Côtes du Rousillon Villages Split in two 1. warm coastal strip with fuller-bodied wines 2. Cooler area in land and at altitude where lighter wine dominates

Question 31

Describe Corbières AOC

Answer 31

Covers warm sites near the coast and altitude sites colled by Tramontane subdivided into 11 sub-regions (boutenac AOC) Between Côtes du Roussillon Villages and Minervois

Question 32

Describe Minervois

Answer 32

on the slopes of Massif central, North of Corbières Do not reach the coast but vary in quality due to altitudes, richness of soil and cooling influences from Atlantic La livinières has its own AC within Minervois

Question 33

Describe Picpoul de pinet

Answer 33

Near the coast Cooling sea breezes help retain the natural high acidity

Question 34

# Bonus What is the region source of premium oaked Chardonnay ?

Answer 34

Limoux

Question 35

Why are IGP wines so vital in South of France ?

Answer 35

Vital for the commercial survival of grape growing The success is due to the regulations which permit a wider range of grape varieties and Varietal labelling The warm, sunn climate meangs that large volumes cand be produced easily Excellent value for money

Question 36

Describe the landscape of Provence and its advantages ?

Answer 36

Very varied and broken up by many prominent ranges of hills Protect from Mistral Provide variety of site climates and soils

Question 37

What is the syle of wines most produced in Provence ? Describe it

Answer 37

Rosé Very pale, light to medium bodied, dry delicate flavours of red fruits

Question 38

Describe the red wine styles of provence

Answer 38

Range from fresh and fruity to more full-bodied, barrel-matured styles Often feature aromatic qualities of Rolle or Clairette

Question 39

What is the largest appellation in Provene ?

Answer 39

Côtes de Provence

Question 40

What is the most important appellation contrôlée in côtes de Provence ?

Answer 40

Bandol East of Marseille

Question 41

What is the style of wine of Bandol?

Answer 41

Premium reds based on Mourvèdre Able to ripen on south-facing terraced slopes Dark, full bodied wines with powerful tannins Require bottle age before showing their full spectrum of bramble, meat , liquorice-spice flavours.