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Sud de France Master-LevelWebinar Program

Webinar 2:Geology, Topography and Climate

Rocks, Sun, Winds and Waves

Learning ObjectivesDefine the location of the region studied and its bordersOverview of the key facts and figuresLearn about the climate and its effects on vines and winesUnderstand the lay of the landLearn the different soil types and their attributes

location

LocationFrom Nimes to Spanish Border

Facts and Figures

Vineyard area: 567,000 acres/236,000 hectaresTotal production: 385,691,196 gallons /14.6 m hl (2011)Number of Vignerons: 19,800Yield (average): 2.52 tons/acre (42hl/ha)Average Vineyard Holding: 28.8 acres/12 haSplit: Red 75%, White 13%, Rosé 8%, Sparkling 2%, Fortified/Sweet 2%Domains: 2500Co-operatives: 300

Climate

Climate - GeneralMediterranean Climate – mild winters and autumns, hot summers

Pockets of continentality– inland areas– Diurnal variations

Numerous and frequent winds

Average annual climatic parameters:– Rainfall levels = 20-24 in. (500–600 mm) – Sunlight = 2,530 hours (~316 days/365)– Temperature = 59 °F (15°C)

Climate - LanguedocSunshine: – Average : 2500 hours per year

Rainfall – Dry season = summer– rainy season = winter– Total around 24in (600mm)

Numerous and frequent winds

Variations:– Coastal areas eg Picpoul de Pinet– Inland areas : eg Pic St Loup, Terrasses du Larzac– West eg Limoux, Cabardes

Aspres vineyards in the summer

Climate - RoussillonSunshine: – Average : 2900 hours per year

Rainfall – Very dry– drought – a regular challenge– Total around 18in (450mm)

Wind and Mountains

Variations – Always windy– Pyrenees dominate climate– Aspect and Altitude

Winds - LanguedocTramontane: – N-NW wind. Cold and Dry. Strong, frequent

Cers:– variation on Tramontane– Cold winter, warm in summer– Strong and beneficial

Marin:– SE wind off the Mediterranean– Warm and humid. Enemy of the vigneron ?

Autan:– Extension of Marin– Opposite of Tramontane. SE, powerful– Wind of the devil

Clouds shaped by the Tramontane

Winds - RoussillonTramontane and Marin Canigounenc– Westerly wind from Canigou– Cold and dry

Winds off the sea– Levant : a « morning » Marin. Warm– Grec or Gregal. NE, gentle, warm..brings rain

Sirocco:– Southerly wind from Sahara– Very rare– Sand

A scirocco from Libya blowing dust over the

Mediterranean

TopographyThe Lay of The Land…

3 topographical areas of the Languedoc

Coastal plainsFlat and fertile..Very Mediterranean

Hillsides and MountainsVariations in soils, aspect and altitude

Atlantic corridorA zone apartVaried soilsCrossroads of climatesAltitude« Bordeaux » and Med

Roussillon - TopographyBreathtakingSurrounded by mountainsPyreneesCapture waterAltitude and windSki and swim

GarrigueThe perfume of the Languedoc-Roussillon

Major Soil types

ClayLimestoneSchist

Limestone Soils

Schist terraces in the Roussillon

Schist

Clay Soils

Major Soil types

Grès in Saint-Chinian

GranitGrèsGneiss

Granit in Lesquerde

Gneiss in Lesquerde

Major Soil Types GaletsRed SoilsBasalt

Gravel

Terres rouges

Basalt

Geological Map