Vins Doux Naturels

Question 1

80% of VDNs produced where?

Answer 1

Roussillon

Question 2

General climate for VDNs

Answer 2

Medietrranean

Question 3

Warmest and driest region for VDNs?

Answer 3

Roussillon

Tramontane wind = greater transpiration = more sugar concentration

Question 4

More sugar concentration in grapes good for VDN why.

Answer 4

Less spirit is needed to fortify while retaining RS

But it reduces juice yield

Question 5

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grans

Answer 5

Smaller grapes than Musc of Alexandria
Greater intesntity of aroma and flavour
Tolerates dry weather (good for Med climate)
Powdery, botrytis, mites
Plantings growing

Question 6

Muscat of Alexandria

Answer 6

Bigger gripes than Muscat Blanc a Petits Grands
Higher sugar levels
Plantings in decline

Question 7

Grenache

Answer 7

Grenache Noir
Late ripening
Drought resitant = suits Mediterannean climate
High yields (pale colour if not controlled)
Accumualtes sugar quickly, good for fortified
Coloure, downy, phomopsis, botrytis = can affect yield

Question 8

Why shady canopy for unaged VDN?

Answer 8

Reduce sunburn and excessive grape shrivelling

Question 9

Yields for VDN

Answer 9

generalyl small, 30hl/ha max

Question 10

Minimum abv potential aclohol for VDN

Answer 10

14.8%

Question 11

Late harvest/botrytis desirable for VDN?

Answer 11

No

Question 12

VDNs made how?

Answer 12

Adding grape spirit to stop fermentation early = sweet, fortified wine

Question 13

What kind of spirit used for VDN?

Answer 13

95-96% neutral

no spirity aromas

Question 14

Spirit added to VDN at what abv, resulting in what abv?

Answer 14

Added when ferment reaches 5-8%

Makes wine 15-18%

Question 15

VDNs from black grapes. Ferment on skins?

Answer 15

Yes
Addition of spirit increases extraction of colour, flavour and tannins = important for wines undergoing long ageing
Maceration on skins can continue for a couple of weeks after fortification = maximise extraction

Question 16

Youthful, unaged VDNs released when

Answer 16

Shortly after fermetnation

Question 17

Youthful, unaged VDN style

Answer 17

Primary aromas
Msucat: floral, grape, peach, pear, honey
Grenache; blackberry, raspberry, plum

Question 18

Oxidative aged VDNs ageing vessels

Answer 18

Old oak barrles (not topped up = encourage oxidation)

Demijohns (aka bonbonnes) not quite full, unstoppered, left outside

Question 19

2 VDN appellations in Rhone Valley

Answer 19

AOC Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

AOC Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau

Question 20

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise vineayrds where?

Answer 20

Terraces on south-east facing slopes of Dentelles de Montmirail = shelter from Mistral aids ripening

Question 21

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise grape varety

Answer 21

Mostly Muscat Blanc a Petis Grains
Some Msucat a Petits Grains Rouge (Brown Muscat) for read dn rosé
Always unaged style

Question 22

Style of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Answer 22

Always unaged
Medium body
Medium acidity
Low alcohol
Primary aromas blossom, grape, paech, honey

Question 23

Significant producer of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Answer 23

Domaine des Bernardins

Question 24

Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau style

Answer 24

red, rosé (saignee, fortified off skins) or white
oxidative or unaged
Most is red
Red: min 75% Grenache Noir.

Question 25

All Languedoc VDNs from what grape and what style?

Answer 25

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains Unaged style (varies from AOC to AOC exactly but always unaged) e.g. Muscat de Frontignan, southwest of Montpellier, low altitude (warm): full body, tropical fruit

Question 26

AOC Muscat de Frontignan

Answer 26

``` Languedoc Muscat Blanc PG, unaged style Southwest of Montpellier Low altitude, warm climate Full body, tropical fruit ```

Question 27

AOC Muscat de St-Jean-de-Mienrvois

Answer 27

``` Languedoc Muscat Blanc PG, unaged Northeast corner of Minervois 250-300m elevation Continental climate, cooler Higher acid, lighter body, stone fruit, floral ```

Question 28

VDNs make up what % of Roussillon AOC production?

Answer 28

45% | vs 2% of Languedoc AOC production

Question 29

Grenat/Rimage (in Roussillon VDN)

Answer 29

Unaged red RoussilloN VDN Grenat in Maury/Rivesaltes Rimage in Banyuls

Question 30

"Blanc" (in Roussillon VDN)

Answer 30

White unaged

Question 31

Tuilé/Traditionnel (in Roussillon VDN)

Answer 31

Oxidative red Tuilé in Maury/Rivesaltes Traditionnel in Banyuls

Question 32

Ambré (in Roussillon VDN)

Answer 32

oxidative white

Question 33

Hors d'age (in Roussillon VDN)

Answer 33

Oxidative red or wite | Longer ageing than Tuilé or Ambré

Question 34

Rancio

Answer 34

Rancio character | Red or white wines

Question 35

Grand Roussillon AOC

Answer 35

Wide, specific area for VDNs outside five main AOCs (can include declassified wine from those AOCs)

Question 36

Five main Roussillon VDN AOCs

Answer 36

``` Banyuls AOC Banyuls Grand Cru AOC Maury AOC Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC Rivesaltes AOC ```

Question 37

Banyuls AOC

Answer 37

``` Eastern end of Pyrnees Mediterrean sea to east' Spain to south 50% Grenache Noir (also Grenache Blanc and Gris) Steep terraced Schist Small amount of white VDN ```

Question 38

Significant Banyuls producer

Answer 38

Domaine Vial-Magneres

Question 39

Domaine Vial-Magneres a significant producer in which Roussillon VDN AOC?

Answer 39

Banyuls AOC

Question 40

Banyuls Grand Cru AOC

Answer 40

Same area as Banyuls AOC (east end of Pyrnees beside Med sea and Spain) 75% Grenache Noir Matured 30 months (longer: Hors d'Age and Rancio)

Question 41

Maury AOC

Answer 41

``` in north of Roussillon 100-400m Pyrnees foothills Dark schist, store heat from day, release at night 75% Grenache Noir for red Small amount of white: unaged ```

Question 42

Maury Sec AOC

Answer 42

Dry unfortified, same area as Maury AOC

Question 43

Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

Answer 43

Largest AOC in Roussillon Muscat Blanc PG + Muscat Alexandria Unaged only

Question 44

Rivesaltes AOC

Answer 44

North of Roussillon, close to Mediterranean Red and white Grenate, Tuilé, Ambré, Hors d'Age and Rancio Whites: max 20% Muscat (+ Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu, Malvoisie) Reds: Grenache noir Domaine Cazes

Question 45

Significant producer in Rivesaltes AOC

Answer 45

Domaine Cazes

Question 46

Domaine Cazes a significant producer in which AOC

Answer 46

Riveasltes AOC