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D3 Wines of the World > 7 - Southern Rhone > Flashcards

7 - Southern Rhone Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the climate and topography of the Southern Rhone.

A

Climate: Mediterranean - mild winter, warm and dry summers

Rainfall: adequate but drought increasing risk

Topography: flatter than N Rhone, little protection from Mistral

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2
Q

How are vines trained to protect them from the mistral in the Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache - bush vines

Syrah - trellised (vigour)

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3
Q

Is irrigation permissible in the Southern Rhone? If so, under what circumstances?

A

Yes, when drought is severe - proof of water stress needed, not allowed post-veraison (yield/concentration), yield cannot exceed AOC maxes

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4
Q

Name the four levels of appellations in the Southern Rhone

A
  • Côtes du Rhône
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages + named village (22)
  • Individual cru appellation for top villages e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape , Gigondas, Cairanne

Other appellations exist outside of the hierarchy e.g. Ventoux

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5
Q

What is the typical blend of grapes stipulated by most Southern Rhone appellations?

A

Grenache-dominant blends w/ Mourvedre, Syrah + others like Carignan, Cinsault

CNDP an exception

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6
Q

Appellation regulations in the Southern Rhone typically stipulate… (2)

A

1. Varieties: Principal, complementary (main blending components) and permitted varieties

2. Min % of each variety esp. principal and complementary

N.B. difference between min % planted and % in the final blend gives flexibility e.g. CdR requires 70% principal in vineyard but only 60% in blend

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7
Q

Describe the budding, ripening, yield, ideal climate and soil, training methods, vulnerabilities, style and uses of/for Mourvedre

A

Budding: late

Ripening: late

Yield: low

Climate: hot for ripeness

Soils: soils with water-retaining property (e.g. calcereous)

Training: pruned short for either cordon or bush vine

Vulnerabilities: water stress, mites, leafhoppers, sour rot

Style: Deep ruby, intense blackberry, blueberry, violet, prone to reduction, high + firm tannin and high alc

Used for: blended with Grenache/Syrah in southern Rhone, main grape for red and rose in Bandol AOC

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8
Q

Outline the max yields, principal and permitted varieties for Cotes du Rhone AOC.

A
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10
Q

Contrast the appellation rules of Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages?

A

Min 66% of 2/3 principal varieties incl Grenache Noir (c.f. 60%)

44 hL/ha (Villages) or 41 hL/ha (Named village) (c.f. 51 hL/ha)

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11
Q

How do the yields of Southern Rhone crus compare to other appellations in the region?

A

CNDP 35

Others 36-38

C.f. 41 (named village), 44 (Villages), 51 (CdR)

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12
Q

Describe the situation, climate, blends, and price/quality of Gigondas and Vacqueryras AOC

A

Situation: Gigondas 600m ASL and shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail; Vacqueyras is SW and adjacent at 440m ASL

Climate: Gig cooler than central valley due to above + Mistral –> morning temps –> maturation length –> concentration; Vac is somewhat warmer but retain some diurnal

Blends: >50% Grenache, at least one of Syrah/Mour

Quality/Price: Good-VG/mid-premium

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13
Q

Describe the split of production (by vol) across the entire Rhone by:

  1. AOC to IGP
  2. CdR, CdR Villages, S. Rhone cru, N Rhone cru and other AOCs
A
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14
Q

Describe the situation, climate, winemaking, blends and price/quality of Rasteau AOC

A

Situation: east of the valley, north of Gig, 100m south-facing slopes –> sunlight, drainage, Mistral

Climate: Warm (obvs) –> irrigation allowed

Winemaking: Large vats esp concrete with maturation in large vats –> HQ Syrah may go into small barrels. Some VDN also made.

Blend: >50% Grenache, at least one of Syrah/Mour.

Price/quality: Good/VG, mid/premium

Vinsobres: Good-VG, mainly mid-priced with some prem

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15
Q

Describe the typical CdR AOC wine (appearance, nose, structure, price-quality)

A

Med intensity ruby

Med intensity red plum and blackberry, no oak

Med acid, med tannin (low if carbo used), med alc

Good / inexpensive

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16
Q

What are the main grape varieties used for CNDP

A
  • 13 total

RED

  1. Grenache Noir
  2. Mourvedre - intense black fruit but needs moisture in soil
  3. Syrah

WHITE

  1. Grenache Blanc
  2. Clairette
  3. Bourboulenc
  4. Roussanne

N.B. no principal varieties or min % and single varietal wines allowed

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20
Q

Describe the situation and soils of CNDP (7)

A

Situation: centre of S. Rhone valley on largely flat ground - 3000ha

Soils: vary significantly incl. limestone, clay, sandstone, sand

–> clay important for water retention

–> generally low fertility and fast draining –> average yield 30 hL/ha

–> galets roules radiate heat at night –> diurnals –> climate change

–> sand gives finer, lighter styles c.f galets roules

–> producers commonly blend across vineyards and soil types for complexity, balance and volume

21
Q

Describe the situation, wines, grapes, yield, appearance, nose, structure and price/quality of wines made in Tavel.

A

Situation: south of Lirac, SE of CNDP

Wines: rose only

Grapes: Grenache (>60%) of 12 different varieties

Yield: 46 hL/ha

Appearance: med pink-orange

Nose: Med-med(+) strawberry and raspberry

Structure: Med(+) - full body, med alcohol

Quality/Price: Good-VG, mid-premium

23
Q

What % of CNDP production is red wine?

A

90%

24
Q

Describe the situation, wines, grapes, yield, production structure and price/quality of Ventoux AOC.

A

Situation: SE of Southern Rhone on south + west slope of Mount Ventoux with vineyards up to 450m

Wines: 2/3 red, 1/3 rose, very small amount of white

Grapes: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, >50% of final blend –> many possibilities (must have at least two)

Yield: 60hL/ha max –> concentration

Structure: 25% exported, co-ops v. important

Price/Quality: Good-VG, Inexpensive-mid-priced

25
Q

Is machine harvesting allowed in CNDP?

A

No

26
Q

Describe the appearance, nose, structure and price/quality of a red CNDP. Describe the general winemaking and style trends for white CNDP (2).

A

RED

  • Med ruby
  • Med(+) - pronounced ripe red plum, blackberry, spice, occasionally new oak
  • Med acid, high alc, med(-) - high tannin
  • Good-outstanding, mid-SP

WHITE

  • Varying degrees of reductive/oxidative winemaking, % of new oak varies
  • Trend toward lighter, floral fresher style
27
Q

Account for the wide range in style and quality within CNDP (3)

A
  • Large (3000ha) area with varying soil types
  • Relaxed laws on varietal blends
  • Differences in winemaking
29
Q

What wines are challenging Tavel’s reputation as France’s best rose’s and how have some producers in Tavel responded? (2)

A
  • Challenging by pale Provence rose
  • Some producers are copying the style but most are still making the deeper style
31
Q

Why is Ventoux AOC cooler than neighbouring appellations? (2)

A
  1. Higher altitude (up to 450m) –> diurnals and lower average temp
  2. Cool air descending from the mountain
32
Q

How do IGP’s differ from AOCs? Give examples.

A

Int’l varieties may be used e.g. Merlot is 3rd and Cab S is 5th most planted in Gard (where Costieres de Nimes is located

33
Q

Outline the difference in production structured between the North and Southern Rhone. Which companies are important in both regions?

A

Co-ops more important in south e.g. Cellier des Princes (CNDP), although important N.Rhone co-ops include Cave de Tain (40% of sales of Crozes-Herm AOC)

Largest negociants based in North but operate in south incl. Guigal, Jaboulet, Chapoutier

34
Q

How are sales of Rhone wine (N+S) divided? Where are its main export markets?

A

2/3 Domestic / 1/3 export - by vol

Domestic - supermarkets (32%), specialist retail and hospo (29%), discounters (6%) - by volume, of total sales

Export markets - USA, UK, Belgium (by vol)

35
Q

Briefly describe trends in production structure in the recent past (4)

A

Move from negoc + co-op –> growers

Alongside rise in value of wines from AOCs and crus

E.g. C-R has the highest ratio of domains to negociants with 50 producers bottling their own wine

Small EP market for top wine e.g. CR, Hermitage and CNDP

36
Q

Where does the Cotes du Rhone appellation apply?

A

Large swathes of Southern Rhone - Northern Rhone applicable too but rarely used as producers can sell under more prestigious appellations

37
Q

What is sour rot and how is it dealt with?

A

A disease which enters bunches via bird/insect damage –> then prone to bacterial and fungal diseases. Mainly affects Mourvedre.

38
Q

Describe the ripening, yield, ideal climate and soil, vulnerabilities and style of Grenache

A

Ripening: late (–> autumn rain), accumulates sugar quickly –> ABV, VDN

Yield: high

Climate: warm

Vigour: grows upright so good for training as bush vine if pruned short

Soils: dry, low fertility soil –> drought resistance

Vulnerabilities: coulure, downy mildew, phomopsis, BBR, bacterial blight

Style: pale ruby, ripe red fruit, spice, herbal, low acid, low-med tannin, high ABV

Used for: blending with Syrah, Mourvedre and more

39
Q

What is bacterial blight and how is it dealt with?

A

Bacterial disease which kills leaves and shoots –> plant

Disease combatted by planting disease free root stocks and avoiding contaminate pruning tools

40
Q

Describe the budding, yield, resistances, vulnerabilities, style and uses of/for Cinsault

A

Budding: late

Yield: high –> must be restricted to produce quality

Resistant to: drought, heat

Vulnerabilities: chlorosis, Esca, Eutypa, mites, grape moths

Style: Light ruby, med-med(+) fresh red fruit, low-med tannin, high alcohol

Used for: mid-range temp for ferment –> fruit and protective winemaking –> small part of red blends and/or early-drinking reds and rose

41
Q

Compare and contrast Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc.

In particular, focus on which aspects make them well suited to be grown in the Southern Rhone and how they are used in white blends.

A

Grenache Blanc

  • Early budding and resistance to wind –> where is suitable to grow?
  • Can reach high ABV –> VDN
  • Low intensity ripe green fruit, floral, low acid, high ABV –> white blends and VDN

Clairette

  • Vigorous - soil and rainfall –> where is suitable?
  • Needs pruning for vigour (how?) but grows upright (easy to manage canopy) and resistant to wind
  • Late ripening
  • Apple, grapefruit, fennel, white flower, oxidises easily, low-med(-) acid and high ABV –> white blends

Bourboulenc

  • Late ripening
  • Loose bunches and thick skins –> resistance to BBR
  • Lemon, med(+) acid, med alc –> white blends

D3 Wines of the World (55 decks)

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