Vins Doux Naturels

Question 1

The general climate in all the VDN PDOs is

Answer 1

Mediterranean.

Question 2

——– is the warmest and driest region and is influenced by the Tramontane wind all of which leads to greater transpiration from the grapes during the end of ripening, and hence a greater concentration of sugar.

Answer 2

Roussillon

Question 3

A grape with a high level of sugar can ferment for longer, producing more alcohol, before reaching the desired level of residual sugar for the final wine. T/F

Answer 3

True

Question 4

How is a greater concentration of sugar in the grapes is more beneficial?

Answer 4

Although this reduces juice yield, less spirit is needed to fortify a wine

Question 5

The majority of VDNs are produced from ——

Answer 5

Muscat or Grenache Noir

Question 6

This Muscat variety is the most widely planted in France.

Answer 6

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Question 7

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains suited to Mediterranean climates because

Answer 7

It is tolerant of dry weather where rain during the growing season is scarce.

Question 8

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is susceptible to ….

Answer 8

powdery mildew/oïdium, botrytis bunch rot and mites

Question 9

This Muscat variety has bigger grapes than Muscat Blanc and achieves high sugar levels.

Answer 9

Muscat of Alexandria

Question 10

——- is a late ripening variety with good drought resistance, making it suitable to Mediterranean climates. It produces high yields, but can be relatively pale in colour unless these are controlled.

Answer 10

Grenache Noir

Question 11

Why is Grenache Noir suitable for production of fortified wines?

Answer 11

It accumulates sugar quickly

Question 12

Grenache Noir is susceptible to —-

Answer 12

coulure at fruit set,
downy mildew,
phomopsis and
botrytis bunch rot

Question 13

Why is a shady a canopy is required for growing grapes for VDNs?

Answer 13

To reduce the chances of sunburn and excessive grape shrivelling

Question 14

Grapes for VDN must be picked with a minimum of 14.8% abv potential alcohol.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

For VDN Late harvest or botrytized characters are not desired.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

For VDN Grapes tend to be hand-harvested, and there may be several passes through the vineyard depending on the ripeness of the crop.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Why is a neutral spirit of 95–96% abv is used in the production of VDNs?

Answer 17

so that the character of the spirit does not compete with the character of the base wine and/or maturation.

Question 18

_____ are produced by adding grape spirit to stop fermentation early to give a sweet, fortified wine.

Answer 18

VDNs

Question 19

Spirit is added when the fermentation reaches —— abv to makes wines of 15–18% abv.

Answer 19

5–8%

Question 20

Why VDNs do not have a particularly spirity character?

Answer 20

Only approximately 5–10 per cent of the volume of the wine is made up of the fortifying spirit.

Question 21

What are the two VDN Appellations in the Rhône?

Answer 21

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and
Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau

Question 22

The vines of —— are planted on terraces on the south-east facing slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail

Answer 22

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Question 23

Grapes for the production of red and rosé VDN wines

Answer 23

Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge, a dark-skinned mutation (Brown Muscat in
Australia)

Question 24

Due to —– winemaking the VDN wines usually show primary aromas and flavours including blossom, grape, peach and honey.

Answer 24

protective

Question 25

A significant producer of VDN wines in Rhone include ------

Answer 25

Domaine des Bernardins

Question 26

How many VDN appellations are there in Languedoc?

Answer 26

4

Question 27

The largest appellation in Languedoc for VDNs, is ---------, and it is based south west of Montpellier at low altitude, and is hence relatively warm. It produces wines with a fuller body than many of the other appellations and displays aromas of tropical fruits.

Answer 27

Muscat de Frontignan

Question 28

What is the climate of the Languedoc appellation for VDNs, Muscat de St-Jean-de-Minervois is located in the north east corner of Minervois at 250–300m elevation?

Answer 28

cool continental which gives wines higher acidity, lighter body and more stone fruit and floral aromas.

Question 29

What colour is Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau?

Answer 29

Red, Rose or white

Question 30

What is the style of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau?

Answer 30

can be made in unaged or oxidative styles.

Question 31

What is the requirement for red Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau?

Answer 31

Minimum of 75 per cent Grenache Noir; Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc as well as a number of other Southern Rhône varieties can also be blended in.

Question 32

Where are the vineyards for Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau located?

Answer 32

Southern Rhone, on gentle south-facing slopes, providing maximum exposure to sunlight and some protection from the cool Mistral.

Question 33

What is a giving for red Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau?

Answer 33

juicy, almost jammy fruit flavours. Unaged wines can show notes of cherries and plums, with oxidative styles showing more dried fruit and nutty hints.

Question 34

What is the abv level of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau?

Answer 34

Levels of alcohol are generally low to medium, with 16–18% abv being typical

Question 35

VDNs represent 45 per cent of all this AOC production

Answer 35

Roussillon

Question 36

This style denotes unaged styles of red VDN wines.

Answer 36

Grenat is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes, Rimage in Banyuls in Roussillon.

Question 37

This style denotes a red wine that has been matured oxidatively.

Answer 37

Tuilé is the term used in Maury and Rivesaltes, Traditionnel in Banyuls in Roussillon.

Question 38

This style denotes a white wine that has been matured oxidatively.

Answer 38

Ambré > Roussillon

Question 39

This style denotes a wine that has been matured oxidatively for a longer period than Tuilé or Ambré wines. The wines can be red or white.

Answer 39

Hors d’âge > Roussillon

Question 40

This style denotes a wine with ‘rancio’ character. The wines can be red or white.

Answer 40

Rancio > Roussillon

Question 41

This appellation covers a wide yet specifically delineated area for VDNs produced outside the five leading AOCs but can include declassified wines from those AOCs.

Answer 41

Grand Roussillon AOC

Question 42

This appellation is located at the eastern end of the Pyrenees, bordered by the Mediterranean to the east and Spain to the south.

Answer 42

Banyuls AOC

Question 43

What is the soil of Banyuls AOC?

Answer 43

Schist

Question 44

Where is Domaine Vial-Magneres located and what do they produce?

Answer 44

Banyuls AOC, at the eastern end of the Pyrenees, VDN from minimum of 50 per cent Grenache Noir

Question 45

This appellation covers the same area as Banyuls, but the wines can only be red, must be made of a minimum 75 per cent Grenache Noir and must be matured for a minimum of 30 months.

Answer 45

Banyuls Grand Cru AOC

Question 46

Banyuls Grand Cru AOC that have been aged longer than 30 months may qualify to be labelled as

Answer 46

Hors d’âge or Rancio

Question 47

This appellation is located in the north of Roussillon. The vines are planted at 100–400 m in the foothills of the Pyrenees on dark-coloured schist soils that store heat from the day and release it at night, aiding ripening.

Answer 47

Maury AOC

Question 48

What is Maury Sec AOC?

Answer 48

Dry, unfortified wines made from Grenache Noir in Maury

Question 49

What is the requirement for Maury AOC?

Answer 49

The red VDNs must be made from a minimum of 75 per cent Grenache Noir.

Question 50

This is by far the largest appellation in Roussillon in terms of production. It is often made from a blend of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat of Alexandria, and only made in an unaged style.

Answer 50

Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

Question 51

What is the requirement for white Rivesaltes AOC?

Answer 51

The whites can only be made with a maximum 20 per cent Muscat varieties, with the balance coming from Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Macabeu and Malvoisie.

Question 52

Where is Rivesaltes AOC located?

Answer 52

in the north of Roussillon close to the Mediterranean coast

Question 53

Where is Domaine Cazes located?

Answer 53

Rivesaltes AOC

Question 54

VDNs are always sweet and should be served well chilled.

Answer 54

True

Question 55

Muscats and Muscatels are produced from Muscat grapes. Apart from Muscat d'Alsace and dry Muscats from Australia, Muscat wines are all sweet and raisin-like with a strong Muscatel bouquet.

Answer 55

True

Question 56

This AOC is produced in Vaucluse in the Cotes-du-Rhone and takes its name from the village of Beaumes-de-Venise

Answer 56

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Question 57

This is classified as a natural sweet wine—vin doux naturel (VDN) and although it is very sweet, no sugar has been added. It is rarely sold under a vintage, and is at its best when young; it is not for keeping.

Answer 57

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise