21. Southern France Flashcards Preview

WSET 3 by Sarp Sarac > 21. Southern France > Flashcards

Flashcards in 21. Southern France Deck (28)
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1
Q

What is the climate of Southern France?

A

Warm Mediterranean. Mild winters and low rainfall during growing season

2
Q

What are the climatic factor that moderates the weather in Southern France

A

Cool winds from the north:

  • Mistral blows down the Rhone Valley
  • Tramontane blows throughthe gap between Massif Central and Pyrenees
3
Q

What are the most important climatic hazards in Southern France?

A
  • Drought (most important)

- Summer floods (rare)

4
Q

Which grape variety dominates in Southern France, black or white?

A

Black varieties

5
Q

What are the important black local grape varieties grown in Southern France?

A
  • Grenache
  • Syrah (better in cooler sites)
  • Carignan
  • Cinsault
  • Mouvedre
6
Q

Which black grape varieties are used for the production of IGP wines in Southern France?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

- Merlot

7
Q

Tasting notes for Carignan

A
  • Dark color
  • High acid
  • High tannins
  • Lacks fruit or finesse
8
Q

What does Cinsault add to a blend? What is it used for primarily in Southern France?

A
  • Add red fruit flavors

- It is used for rose wine production

9
Q

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

A
  • Muscat

- Grenache Blanc

10
Q

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

A
  • Chardonnay

- Sauvignon Blanc

11
Q

What kinds of wines can be produced from Muscat in Southern France?

A
  • Sweet fortified wines generally

- Sometimes dry wines with grapey aromas

12
Q

Tasting notes for Grenache Blanc wines

A
  • Low acidity
  • Full body
  • Soft peachy fruitiness
  • Oxidize easily
  • Often blended with other local or Rhone varieties
13
Q

Tasting notes for Picpoul wines

A
  • High acidity

- Green fruit and citrus flavors

14
Q

What kind of appellation is Languedoc?

A

It is a generic appellation that covers the area from Spanish border to Nimes

15
Q

Name the important appellations in Languedoc and Rousillion and the way the climate is moderated in these areas?

A
  • Picpoul: Sea breezes
  • Minervois: Altitude, cooling from Atlantic
  • Corbieres: Altitude, tramontane wind
  • Limoux: Altitude
  • Fitou: Altitude in inland part
  • Cotes du Rousillion: Altitude
  • Cotes du Rousillion Villages: Altitude
16
Q

Why is it not possible to describe a typical wine from Languedoc and Rousillion?

A
  • Possible variations in the blends

- Big area with different climatic and soil conditions

17
Q

Compare the wines produced in cooler and warmer parts of Languedoc and Rousillion

A
  • Cooler sites: Produce best Syrahs. Wines with more finesse and lighter tannins
  • Warmer sites: Mouvedre is at its best. Wines with greater body, meaty, gamey flavors
18
Q

What is the best sub-region of Minervois?

A

La Liviniere

19
Q

What kinds of wines are produced in Fitou?

A
  • Warm coastal area: Full bodied wines

- Cooler inland area: Lighter wines

20
Q

What is the rank of Languedoc and Rousillion in terms of IGP wine production in France?

A

Number one

21
Q

How are the IGP wines labelled in Languedoc and Rousillion?

A

Pays d’Oc

22
Q

How is Provence protected from mistral?

A

Prominent range of hills

23
Q

Which kind of wine (red/white/rose) accounts for the most majority of wine produced in Provence

A

Rose

24
Q

Tasting notes of a typical Provence rose wine

A
  • Very pale in color
  • Dry
  • Light bodied
  • Delicate flavours grapefruit and red fruits
25
Q

Best white wines of Provence are made with which grapes?

A
  • Rolle

- Clairette

26
Q

What is the biggest appellation of Provence?

A

Cotes de Provence

27
Q

Name the most important appellation in Provence

A

Bandol

28
Q

What kind of wines does Bandol produce. Describe the tasting notes

A
  • Premium reds based on Mouvedre

- Dark, full bodied, powerful tannins, with bottle aging shows bramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavors