20 - The Southern Rhône Flashcards
Describe the climate and grape growing in the Southern Rhone?
Vineyards are planted on much flatter terrain than in the Northern Rhone. Many of best sites have very stony soils that absorb the suns heat and warms the vineyards. In some sites the stones completely cover the soil surface. Climate is mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers, which can lead to drought. The mistral winds can pick up speed here and cause extensive damage to vineyards as their is less natural protection. Granche is bush trained low to offer protection form the wind and warmth from the soil. Syrah is most easily damaged so benefits from support from trellising systems.
Explain the winemaking in the Southern Rhone?
Instead of wine just being made from one or two different varieties. Southern Rhone wines are often blends. Some wines can be made from a dozen or more varietals.
What are the dominant varietals in the Southern Rhone?
- Grenache
- Syrah
- Mourvedre
- Cinsault
The growing of white grapes in the Southern Rhone is a minor concern.
Why is Grenache the dominant varietal in the Southern Rhone?
The warm summers mean it can ripen fully here, producing wines with concentrated spiced red fruit flavours. However in hot years the fruit can become baked and jammy.
How to Syrah and Mourvedre play a role to Grenache in the blend for Southern Rhone wines?
Syrah provides blends with extra colour and tannin but it can struggle in the hottest sites. Mourvedre however when fully ripe can develop dense black fruit flavours as well as gamey and meaty aromas that are highly prized by top producers, especially those in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
How does Cinsault perform a supporting role in these Southern Rhone blends?
Providing red fruit flavours rather than tannin or colour. But is best known for as blending partner to Grenache in the production of fresh, fruity roses.
What are the generic appellations of the Southern Rhone?
Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Chateauneuf-du-pape, Tavel, Lirac, Gigondas and Vacqueryas.
Describe the Cotes du Rhone and its wines?
It accounts for more than half the entire production od the appellation wines in the Southern Rhone, most of which is red. Wines are generally medium bodied, fruity but simple wines. Fruitr roses and white wines are made too.
To qualify as a Cote du Rhone Villages wine what must the wine have
Stringent minimum alcohol levels, maximum yields must be observed and a greater percentage of the blend must be made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
There are a number of individual Cote du Rhone villages that can add their name on the label if?
100% of the wine comes from the named village e.g Cotes du Rhones Villages Cairanne. The are the best wines outside of the ‘crus’, and have more body, structure and spiced red fruit flavours than generic Cote du Rhone. All of these villages have the option to apply for ‘cru’ status.
Where is Chateaneuf-du-Pape?
Situated on the east bank of the Rhône. It’s by far the largest of all the crus in the Rhône. It was also the first area in France to have appellation contrôlée status.
Describe the appellation area in ‘CDP’?
The area is notably flat, although small variations in aspect can have great impact on how Syrah and Mourvèdre perform. The wide range of soils, aspect and grape varieties means there is lots of diversity among wines here.
Describe the best wines of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Full bodied and richly textured with concentrated spiced red fruit flavours that balance the characteristic of high alcohol. Unfortunately the highness of alcohol can lead to some very poor CDP that is rather diluted.
What are the only two appellations on the West Bank of the Rhône?
Tavel and Lirac. Generally most famous for rosés.
Describe the common profile for Rosé from Tavel and Lirac?
Usually made from Grenache and Cinsault. Are full bodied compared to Provence rosés, intensely flavoured and capable of greater complexity when aged in bottle. Only rosés can be made in Tavel. Lirac also produces top quality red and white wines in the style of CDP.
