Title: WSET Level 3 / WSET Level 3 C21 - Southern France

Front: Describe the climate of Southern France
Back: It has a warm mediterranean climate Summer temperatures often in excess of 30CMild wintersLow rainfall

Front: What are the two main areas of terrain in Southern France?
Back: The foothills of the surrounding mountainsThe coastal plains

Front: Describe vineyards in the foothills of Southern France
Back: Noticeably cooler, less fertile, better drained

Front: What is an additional climatic problem in Southern France?
Back: Strong winds

Front: Describe the winds of Southern France
Back: Cool winds blow from the northThe mistral blows down the RhoneThe tramontane blows through the gap between the Pyrenees and the Massif Central

Front: What is the biggest grape growing challenge in Southern France?
Back: Drought
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Name: What is the biggest grape growing challenge in Southern Fran

Front: Despite frequent drought conditions, Southern France can occasionally experience...
Back: Summer floods
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Name: Despite frequent drought conditions, Southern France can occ

Front: ...varieties account for the majority of Southern France's plantings
Back: Black
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Name: ...varieties account for the majority of Southern Frances p

Front: What ind of varieties are used in Southern France?
Back: Local and international

Front: What are the two most important local grape varieties in Southern France?
Back: Grenache and Syrah
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Name: What are the two most important local grape varieties in Sou

Front: Where are Syrah and Grenache respectively best suited within Southern France?
Back: Syrah: The cooler sitesGrenache: The warmer, drier sites
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Name: Where are Syrah and Grenache respectively best suited within

Front: What is Southern France's third most grown grape variety?
Back: Carignan
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Name: What is Southern Frances third most grown grape variety?

Front: Describe Carignan in Southern France
Back: High tanninHigh acidityDeep colourCan lack fruit/finesse

Front: In what circumstance can Carignan produce quality wines?
Back: Old vine Carignan in poor soils

Front: Where does Carignan's historical popularity in Southern France stem from?
Back: Its ability to produce very high yields
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Name: Where does Carignans historical popularity in Southern Fran

Front: What has counteracted Carignan's ability to produce massive yields?
Back: Significantly reduced plantings
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Name: What has counteracted Carignans ability to produce massive

Front: Which grape is permitted by all AC regulations in Southern France?
Back: Carignan
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Name: Which grape is permitted by all AC regulations in Southern F

Front: What is the role of Cinsault in Southern France?
Back: It's used in Rose production or to add red fruit flavours to red blends

Front: Which grape adds richness, colour and complexity to blends in Southern France?
Back: Mourvèdre
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Name: Which grape adds richness, colour and complexity to blends i

Front: Which grapes have a big role in the production of IGP wines in Southern France?
Back: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
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Name: Which grapes have a big role in the production of IGP wines

Front: Describe contemporary winemaking in Southern France
Back: Most wines now benefit from modern equipment, improved cellar hygiene, temperature control, oxygen management and judicious use of new and old oak

Front: Which additional winemaking practice is practiced by some producers in Southern France
Back: Semi-carbonic maceration
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Name: Which additional winemaking practice is practiced by some pr

Front: What is the chief aim of semi-carbonic maceration in Southern France?
Back: To soften the tannins in Carignan
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Name: What is the chief aim of semi-carbonic maceration in Souther

Front: What are the two most widely planted white varieties in Southern France?
Back: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
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Name: What are the two most widely planted white varieties in Sout

Front: What is the third most significant white grape in Southern France?
Back: Viognier
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Name: What is the third most significant white grape in Southern F

Front: What are the most widely planted local varieties in Southern France?
Back: Muscat and Grenache Blanc
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Name: What are the most widely planted local varieties in Southern

Front: What is Muscat used for in Southern France?
Back: Production of sweet fortified winesDry wines with aromatic, grapey aromas

Front: Describe the profile of Grenache Blanc in Southern France
Back: Dry winesSoft, peachy fruitinessFull bodyLow acidityTend to oxidise easily

Front: Name five additional local varieties in Southern France and the locales in which they are most prized
Back: Picpoul; PinetMauzac; LimouxMaccabeu; RousillonRolle; ProvenceClairette; Languedoc and Provence
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Name: Name five additional local varieties in Southern France and

Front: What is the best known of the local varieties in Southern France? Describe the wine
Back: PicpoulRefreshing, high acidityGreen and citrus fruit flavours
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Name: What is the best known of the local varieties in Southern Fr

Front: Which departements make up the Languedoc?
Back: Aude, Herault and Gard

Front: Which department makes up Rousillon?
Back: Pyrenees-Orientales

Front: Where do the majority of wines in Southern France come from?
Back: Languedoc

Front: Roughly describe the terrains of Languedoc and Rousillon
Back: There is a large coastal plain area between Beziers and MontpellierVineyards more hilly and rugged further inland and towards the Spanish border

Front: What area does the Languedoc appellation cover?
Back: All vineyards from the Spanish border to Nimes

Front: Under what circumstances may qualifying regions label their wines with more than just Languedoc AC? Give an example of one
Back: The best subregions may add their names to the labelsPic-St-Loup
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Name: Under what circumstances may qualifying regions label their

Front: Give examples of areas within the Languedoc boundaries which do not need to apply 'Languedoc' to their label at allWhy is this?
Back: MinervoisCotes-du-RousillonSome of the more geographically specific appellations have their own individual regulations
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Name: Give examples of areas within the Languedoc boundaries which

Front: What is the smallest type of appellation area within Languedoc?
Back: Sub-regional appellations such as Minervois-La Liviniere
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Name: What is the smallest type of appellation area within Langued

Front: The...system continues to evolve in Languedoc, as the sub-regions...
Back: AppellationContinue to apply for full AC status
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Name: The...system continues to evolve in Languedoc, as the sub-re

Front: What styles of still, dry wine are permitted in Languedoc?
Back: Red, white and rosé in most appellations

Front: What style are the vast majority of Languedoc wines? From which grapes?
Back: RedFrom Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and some Mourvedre
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Name: What style are the vast majority of Languedoc wines? From wh

Front: Describe the wines of Languedoc
Back: They are very difficult to describe due to the variations in blend possibilities and because of the large areas covered by appellations (each with varying climatic conditions and soils)

Front: How do styles broadly differ based on location within Languedoc? Which varieties flourish
Back: Cooler areas produce wines with more finesse and lighter tannins - Syrah is at its best hereWarmer areas produce more gamey, meaty flavours and greater body - Mourvedre is at its best hereIn larger appellations, wines can be blends of these styles
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Name: How do styles broadly differ based on location within Langue

Front: Describe the best wines of the larger appellations within Languedoc
Back: Full-bodiedSpicy, concentrated red fruitOften with oak flavours
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Name: Describe the best wines of the larger appellations within La

Front: Describe rosés of Southern France
Back: Soft and fruity

Front: What is the most rugged and mountainous appellation of the Languedoc? Describe its climate and wine styles
Back: Cotes du RousillonBright sunlight, low rainfall and strong windsConcentrated wines
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Name: What is the most rugged and mountainous appellation of the L

Front: What constitutes Cotes du Rousillon Villages?
Back: The best vineyards in the north of Cotes du Rousillon

Front: Describe and name the appellation just to the north of Cotes du Rousillon Villages
Back: FitouIt's split into two separate areas; a warm coastal strip producing fuller bodied wines and a cooler inland area at altitude, which produces lighter wines
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Name: Describe and name the appellation just to the north of Cotes

Front: Describe and name the appellation just north of Fitou
Back: CorbieresWarm sites near the coast and cooler vineyards at altitude, cooled by the tramontane

Front: How many subregions make up Corbieres? Which is the best?
Back: 11Boutenac (which has its own AC)

Front: Where is Minervois in relation to Southern France's other sub-regions?
Back: North of Corbieres
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Name: Where is Minervois in relation to Southern Frances other su

Front: Describe the aspect/topography of Minervois
Back: On the slopes of the Massif CentralVaries in quality due to altitude, soil quality and exposure to cooling influences of the Atlantic

Front: Like Corbieres, Minervois is...
Back: Sub-divided

Front: What is the best sub-region of Minervois?
Back: La Liviniere (which has its own AC)

Front: Describe the location of Picpoul de Pinet
Back: Near the coastCooling sea breezes help to retain the grape's natural high acidity

Front: Describe the wines of Limoux and its terroir
Back: It's a source of premium, oaked ChardonnaysBenefit from the cooling effect of altitude

Front: Describe the role of IGP wines in Southern France
Back: More IGP wines are made in Languedoc than any other region of FranceVital for the survival of grape growing in Southern France

Front: Which IGP name accounts for the appellations of Southern France
Back: Pays d'Oc
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Name: Which IGP name accounts for the appellations of Southern Fra

Front: What has contributed to the success of Pays d'Oc wines?
Back: The IGP regulations permit a wider range of grape varieties and varietal labellingThe warm sunny climate means that large volumes of ripe, fruity wines can be produced easily here compared with other regions of France, resulting in excellent value for money
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Name: What has contributed to the success of Pays dOc wines?

Front: Describe the landscape of Provence
Back: Very varied and broken up by many prominent ranges of hills

Front: Where is Provence?
Back: Just east of Pays d'Oc, on the coast

Front: What purpose do the hills of Provence serve relating to wine?
Back: They protect vineyards from the mistral and provide a variety of soils and climates
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Name: What purpose do the hills of Provence serve relating to wine

Front: What style of wine accounts for the vast majority of wines within Provence?
Back: Rosés
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Name: What style of wine accounts for the vast majority of wines w

Front: Describe typical Rosé wines from Provence
Back: PaleLight-bodiedDryDelicate flavours of grapefruit and red fruits

Front: Describe red wines of Provence
Back: Range from fresh and fruity, to more full-bodied, barrel matured styles

Front: Which grapes can feature in the best white wines of Provence? What role do they play?
Back: Rolle and ClairetteTheir aromatic qualities are made use of in these wines
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Name: Which grapes can feature in the best white wines of Provence

Front: What is the largest appellation in Provence?
Back: Cotes de Provence

Front: What style dominates in Cote de Provence?
Back: Rosé

Front: Describe how Cotes de Provence is organised
Back: There are three isolated pockets of vineyards along the coast, each with its own AC

Front: What is the most important of Cotes de Provence's three coastal ACs?
Back: Bandol
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Name: What is the most important of Cotes de Provences three coas

Front: Geographically, where is Bandol?
Back: Just to the east of Marseille

Front: Describe wines from Bandol
Back: Premium reds based on Mourvedre (ripens reliably on the southern facing terraced slopes)DarkFull-bodiedPowerful tanninsRequire bottle ageBramble, meat and liquorice-spice flavours