20. The Southern Rhone

Question 1

Which vineyard area is bigger: Northern or Southern Rhone?

Answer 1

Southern

Question 2

Describe the geography and climate of the Southern Rhone

Answer 2

• Mediterranean climate
• mild winters, warm summers
• drought can be a problem
• mistral: north winds
• flatter terrain
• mostly stony soils (absorb sun’s heat, warm vineyard, aid ripening)

Question 3

What is the name of the powerful wind in the Rhone? What grape varietal is more susceptible to damage from these wines? What grape variety adapts well?

Answer 3

The mistral

• Grenache: bush trained low to the ground to offer protection from the wind, benefits from warmth of the soil
• Syrah is more easily damaged by the wind, benefits from trellising

Question 4

What is the most widely planted variety in the Southern Rhone, and makes up most of the blends? Why? What’s it like? What’s it like if the weather is too hot?

Answer 4

Grenache

• requires warm weather to ripen
• concentrated spiced red fruit flavors
• too hot? baked and jammy fruit

Question 5

What does Syrah add to a blend?

Answer 5

• extra color
• extra tannin
• struggles in the hottest sites

Question 6

What does Mourvedre add to a blend?

Answer 6

• ripens well in hot climates
• deeply colored
• high tannins
• dense black fruit flavors
• gamey/meaty aromas

Question 7

What does Cinsault add to a blend?

Answer 7

• red fruit flavors

- best known for blending with Grenache to make fresh, fruity rosés

Question 8

What white grapes are grown in the Southern Rhone? Describe the best white wines.

Answer 8

• Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne
• richly textured, full bodied, high in alcohol, low-to-medium acidity, subtle fruity flavors, new oak rarely used

Question 9

Describe wine from Cotes du Rhone. How much of total production does this make up?

Answer 9

• mostly red, some white and fruity rosés
• medium bodied
• fruity
• simple
• more than half total production

Question 10

What is Cotes du Rhone Villages?

Answer 10

Within Cotes du Rhone, some villages are allowed to call their wine Cotes du Rhone Villages.

• more stringent min alcohol levels
• maximum yields
• greater % of blend must be made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre

Question 11

What is Cotes du Rhone Villages + Village name? What are these wines like?

Answer 11

• Some Individual villages can add their name to the label if 100% of the wine comes from that village
• Can apply for cru status
• best wines outside of crus
• more body
• more structure
• spiced red fruit flavors

Question 12

What was the first area in France to have an AOC status?

Answer 12

Chateauneau-du-Pape

Question 13

Describe the geography and climate of Chateauneau-du-Pape. Describe the best wines.

Answer 13

• notably flat
• east bank of the Rhone
• small aspect variations can impact how well Syrah and Mourvedre perform
• largest of all the crus
• variety in soil
• 13 permitted grape varieties (Grenache dominates)
• possible to use 100% Grenache
• best wines: full bodied, richly textures, concentrated spiced red fruit, high alcohol

Question 14

Where are Tavel & Lirac located? Describe the best wines from these regions.

Answer 14

• Southern Rhone crus
• west bank of the Rhone
• most famous for rosé (Grenache & Cinsault)
• full bodied
• intensely flavored
• age well in bottle
• Tavel: only rosé
• Lirac: also reds and whites (same style as CdP)

Question 15

Describe the wines of Gigondas and Vacqueyras.

Answer 15

• red wines
• Grenache-based
• full body
• spicy
• lower “status” than CdP