Piquepoul

PIQUEPOUL NOIR  
Carignan Les piquepouls sont connus en Languedoc depuis très longtemps et faisaient partie de l'encépagement des vins de qualité. O.de Serres les cite déjà en 1608. On peut penser qu'ils sont originaires de cette région puisqu'on y rencontre fréquemment les trois couleurs de raisins. Ils sont également cultivés en Catalogne.
Typicité : Grappe moyenne, cylindro-conique, ailée, compacte. Peau mince et chair juteuse.
Propriétés : Le piquepoul noir est à port étalé et son débourrement est tardif.
Vin : Son vin est peu coloré, alcoolique, avec un bouquet assez riche, fait de parfums floraux et fruités, très originaux, que suit une forme élégante, peu tanique et fine.
PIQUEPOUL BLANC  
Piquepoul Origin : It is the white variety of the "piquepoul noir”.It takes up 600 hectares in France of which the half in Hérault.
Characteristics : Grapes with small oval grains gilded when mature.
Atttributes : This fertil and productive type of vine must be short shaped. It is well adapted to the cleyey-limestone of the soils and to sandy grounds. Of rather late ripeness, it must be reserved for the hot southernmost areas.
Wine : Dry white wine with brilliant look, of pale gold with green glints. The bouquet is fine, elegant, fruity and floral with perfumes of hawthorn and lime. The "attack in mouth" is sharp and fresh, and the balance is harmonious between volume, acidity and roundness.
CINSAULT  
Cinsault

Origin : old province of Languedoc ; the name Cinsault (or cinq Saou or Cinsaut) is used only in Hérault.
Characteristics : large bunches with a pointed, cylindrical shape. Plump grapes that are oval and elongated ; the skin is resistant and fairly thick, turning a fine, velvety black when ripe. The crisp, firm flesh is sweet, juicy and spicy.
Atttributes : Average growth, falling down bearing. Average ripeness. Supports the dryness well.
Wine : coming from inclined grounds with an average output, it has a luminous, flexible color with a pleasant perfume, reminding almonds and nuts. It contains few tannins and is not favourable to a long conservation.
GRENACHE  
Grenache

Origin : Spain, wine area of Aragon. It was spread in France during the XVIIIth century.
Characteristics : Bunches of average size to large, shouldered, compact. Bays of average size, round to slightly oval, very juicy. Thick film.
Atttributes : Late ripeness. The drawn up bearing and the vigorous branches are adapted to dryness and winds (" mistral " and " tramontagne "). Generally it is cut out in a "gobelet" shape.
Wine : "Rosés" are aromatic, rich in body and alcohol. They age quickly, are slightly bitter, but nevertheless sweet.
MERLOT  
Merlot Origin : Bordeaux, already mentioned before the XIXth century. In 1789, this variety was found in the collection of the Garden of Luxembourg under the name of "Bigney Rouge".
Characteristics : Bunches of average size, partially shouldered, cylindrical and loose. Bays of average size, round, blue-black, juicy pulp, thin film.
Atttributes : Croissance vigoureuse. Préfère les sols profonds avec une bonne alimentation hydrique. Fortement menacé par les gels du mois de mai en raison de son débourrernent précoce, peu de résistance aux gels hivernaux. Under cold climate, very sensitive to "millerandage". In favourable sites, early ripeness, very large yields and high content in alcohol. Acidity quickly decreases along maturation.
Wine : From a single grape variety, dark red, rich in alcohol. To drink after 2 to 3 years.
SAUVIGNON BLANC  
Sauvignon Origin : doubtful. Cultivated in France for centuries. Presence in the "Graves" in 1736, mentioned in Pouilly (in the area Nièvre) in 1783.
Characteristics : Small, compact and sometimes shouldered bunches. Small, round bays, golden when fully mature. Thick film.
Atttributes : Very active growth during springtime. Fairly late ripeness. Adapted to poor and dry grounds.
Wine : Color of water to pale yellow, generally drawing to green. Professional find an herbaceous, vegetable note, of gunpowder, an aromatic taste, accompanied by fruit flavours like the passion-fruit, citrus fruits, tomato leaves, currants, asparaguses. Always with a rich body. A cautious breeding in a wooden barrel can reinforce the fruity character, tannins and vanilla brings interesting additional notes.
SYRAH  
Syrah Origin : rather vague and discussed ; some claim that this variety was imported of Schiras in Perse, others make it come from Syracuse. It is more likely that this type of vine comes from the Valley of the Rhône between Lyon and Valence ; in the north, in the area "Côte Rôtie", we find this variety under the name of Sérine ; more in the south, towards Valence and Saint Marcelin, this same variety is known as "Syrah" or "Marsanne noire".
Characteristics : bunch of average size, conical, lenghtened, not very tight ; ellipsoidal average grains; fine and thin skin but resistant enough, plum black when mature; a little firm, juicy, well sweetened and prononced flesh.
Atttributes : late average ripeness. When ripeness is over reached, fruits fall. Average to good growth.
Wine : coming from favourable sites, of an intense red, rich in tannins, smelling the violet. You find in it mixed flavours of truffles, amber, liquorice and tobacco. In the South of France, under a hot and dry climate, the wine is rougher. Raspberry, bilberry and currant flavours dominate in this area. A long conservation reinforces the odor and the taste.

Summary