Sud de France Master- Level Webinar Program

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Sud de France Master-LevelWebinar Program

Webinar 6:The Atlantic Corridor

The Atlantic Corridor

– Languedoc+ 14 designations

– Corbières & FitouCorbières Boutenac

– MinervoisMinervois La Livinière

– Saint ChinianSaint Chinian RoquebrunSaint Chinian Berlou

– Faugères– Clairette du Languedoc– Picpoul de Pinet– Limoux (Still & sparkling AOCs)– Malepère– Cabardès– Muscat de Frontignan, de Lunel, de

Mireval et de Saint Jean de Minervois (VDN)

– Côtes du Roussillon• Côtes du Roussillon Les Aspres

– Côtes du Roussillon Villages• Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Caramany• Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour

de France• Côtes du Roussillon Villages

Lesquerde• Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel

– Collioure– Muscat de Rivesaltes (VDN)– Rivesaltes (VDN) – Maury (VDN) – Maury Sec– Banyuls & Banyuls Grand

Cru (VDN)

AOC LANGUEDOC AOC ROUSSILLON

The Atlantic Corridor

Languedoc-Roussillon Master-Level Program

In this segment… The Atlantic Corridor

CabardèsMalepèreLimoux

Cabardès

Cabardès

AOC since 19991,625 acres (650 ha)90% red, 10% rosé40% Mer/ CS/ CF and 40% Syrah/GrenacheLimestone and granite2 winds - Atlantic/Med

Cabardès

North West FrontierPlains in south, rugged in northBordeaux and Mediterranean varietiesCot, Fer Servadou and Cinsault..secondary varietiesQuiet yet determined

Malepère

MalepèreRed (80%), Rosé (20%)1,250 acres (500 ha)317,006 gallons (12,000 hl)Clay/LimestoneRED : Merlot (min. 50%), Cot, Cabernet Franc (min. 20%), Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Cinsault (max 30%)

Rosé : Cabernet Franc (min 50%), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Grenache, Syrah (min 20%)

MalepèreMost Westerly appellationUndulating rather than hillyLeast well knownWooded in west but rest is quite openCool and late ripening regionGenerally light in style, more for immediate drinkingNot widely available

Limoux

Limoux

90% Sparkling, 10% still4,500 acres (1800 ha) Predominantly limestone4 sub-zonesCool : Atlantic, Altitude and PyreneesStrict AOC regulations

Limoux Sparkling

3 Appellations… Differ with regard to:

Grape VarietiesAgeingResidual SugarAlcohol

Blanquette de Limoux

Mauzac (min 90%)Chenin and Chardonnay (max 10%) Min ageing : 9 monthsEmphasis on fruit. Not looking for autolysisBrut and demi-sec styles

Crémant de Limoux

Chardonnay (min 40%)Chenin (20-40%) Max 90% Chard/CheninBalance PN (15%) and Mauzac (max 20% together)Min 12 months ageingRosé permitted since 2006.

Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale

Mauzac 100% 2 methods of productionOriginal : Ferment in tank, chill partially fermented must and bottle in following MarchModern : Initial ferment in tank..Transfer partially fermented must to bottle. Second ferment in bottle, disgorge BEFORE all sugar is consumedRS : 60-80 g/lAlcohol : max 7%2 months ageing min.No autolysisNo dosage

4 Sub Zones - Méditerranéen

Most easterlyHottest of 4 regionsWarm easterly breezesRainfall 650mm (26in)Altitude max 200mFirst area to be harvested

4 Sub Zones - Autan

Middle of the regionAround town of LimouxDriest partRainfall 570mm (23in)Altitude max 200mHarvested just after Méditerranéen zone

4 Sub Zones - Océanique

Western end of regionMost Atlantic influenceCool and windyRainfall 780mm (31in)Altitude max 300mHarvested 2 weeks Méditerranéen zone

4 Sub Zones – Haute Vallée

Southern end of regionClose to PyreneesCoolest and highest zoneRainfall 750mm (30in)Altitude max 500mLong growing season

White Limoux

3 grape varieties : Chardonnay, Chenin and MauzacHand harvestedBarrel fermentedNo co-fermentationBarrel aged , min 7 months15% Mauzac in vineyardTrailer max 3 tonnes (6600 pounds)

Red Limoux

7 grape varieties : Merlot (50%), Cot,Syrah, Grenache (30%), Carignan (max 10%), CF and CS (0-20%)Less strict rules than whiteMust be blend 3 varietiesAgeing in tank or barrelPinot Noir NOT permitted150 hectares planted

Final thoughts

Cabardès : currently unknown but potential for high quality wineMalepère : Good without being top quality. Needs a flagship estate to raise profileLimoux : Excellent sparklingsSome of best white wines in Languedoc‘Best French Chardonnay outside Burgundy’Reds more variablePinot Noir : an enigma. Not allowed under AOC, some very good examples under IGP