South of France - Languedoc - AOC wines, wine law, regulations
7 important questions on South of France - Languedoc - AOC wines, wine law, regulations
What are general rules for AOC wines in Languedoc
- For red wines
- Distinction between principal and other grape varieties
- Each AOC lists its own
- Minimum two varieties, including one or more of the principal
- Upper limit for any other variety
- Min-Max amounts for single variety or blends
- Almost all Grenache Noir in the blend
- Most also Syrah and Mourvèdre
- rules for sub-zones stricter
- different percentages in vineyard and wine
- Max yield typically 45-50 hl/ha, subzones 40
In terms of style, quality and price, how can the red wines of Languedoc be grouped?
- Regional appellations = Languedoc AOC
- simple, medium
- Inexpensive, mid priced
- acceptable to good
- primary fruit
- Named appellations
- e.g. Corbières AOC
- higher body, more %abv
- good to very good
- inexpensive to premium priced
- primary fruit with herbs, sometimes oak
- Sub-appellations
- e.g. Corbières-Boutenac AOV
- pronounced aromas
- very good to outstanding
- mid-priced to premium
Blackberry, red plum, (herbs) more intense and more body 1-3
Which of Languedoc's AOC are Atlantic influenced?
- Malapère AOC; protected by mountains, min 40% Merlot!
- Cabardès AOC; both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, min 40% of Bordeaux varieties plus Grenache and/or Syrah
Both west of Carcassonne
Don't require high % of Grenache (exception)
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Give facts on Corbières AOC in the Languedoc
- 10.000 ha > 4th largest of France
- 30% export
- south of Languedoc area
- Tauch and D'Alaric mountain ranges
- > hilly up to 450 ma
- Acidity retained due to:
- Cooling influence of altitude and cold northern winds
- 90% red
- Principal varieties: GSMCC
- Carignan
- Grenache Noir
- Mourvèdre
- Syrah
- 40 % of any of those in final blend
- Max yield 50 hl/ha
- Corbières-Boutenac AOC
- Sub-appellation
- Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre min 70%
Give facts on La Clape AOC in Languedoc
- Languedoc
- young appellation 2015
- coastal
- warm, sunny, arid, windy > Mourvèdre
- 80% red
- Well known for white wines
- 60% must be Grenache Blanc and/or Bourboulenc
Give facts on Terrasses du Larzac AOC in the Languedoc
- Languedoc
- young appellation: 2014
- 120-400 m
- high diurnal range
- red only
- at least 3 varieties in blend
- high quality and some super-premium priced
Give facts on Picpoul de Pinet AOC in the Languedoc
- Languedoc
- Low-lying land close to the coast
- devoted to white
- variety Piquepoul Blanc
- retains acidity
- historically vermouth > new technology to avoid oxidation > fruitier wines > rapid growth
- 90% produced by co-operatives
- 55 hl/ha
- mainly exported 65% > UK - USA - Netherlands
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