7. The Rhone Valley Flashcards
What is the climate of the northern Rhone?
Continental
What is the climate of the southern Rhone?
Mediterranean
How much land is under vine in the northern and southern Rhone respectively?
1) 4,200 ha
2) 65,000
What is Syrah decline/disorder and how is it caused?
1) Leaves turn red and the grape point breaks
2) Produced by pathogens including viruses.
What are the five key black grape varieties of the Rhone?
1) Grenache
2) Syrah
3) Mourvedre
4) Cinsault
5) Carignan
What are the five leading white platings?
1) Grenache Blanc
2) Viognier
3) Clairette
4) Roussanne
5) Marsanne
What is the red, white, rose percentage split in production terms across the Rhone?
1) 76% red
2) 14% rose
3) 10% white
When does Grenache ripen?
Late
What is a rising trend in Rhone viticulture?
Organics
Cotes du Rhone AOC and Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC account for approximately what percent of all Rhone wine production?
60%
What two viticultural hazards is Syrah vulnerable to?
1) Mites
2) Botrytis
What four disease pressures is Grenache vulnerable to?
1) Coulure
2) Downy
3) Phomopsis
4) Botrytis
When does Mourvedre bud and ripen?
Late
Is Mourvedre drought tolerant?
No
How is Mourvèdre best grown in the vineyard? (3)
1) Deep calcareous soils with small but steady water supplies
2) Best pruned short
3) Suited to cordon training or bush vines
What three disease pressures is Mourvedre prone to?
1) Mites
2) Leafhoppers
3) Sour rot
What is sour rot?
A disease that affects ripening bunches due to insect or bird damage to grapes, which then become prone to bacteria and fungi
Why must care be taken in the winery to ensure Mourvedre has adequate access to oxygen?
It is prone to reduction
How is Mourvedre typically aged?
In old oak
What are two positive attributes of Cinsault in the vineyard?
1) Drought tolerant
2) Heat tolerant
Cinsault is vulnerable to what five things?
1) Chlorosis
2) Esca
3) Eutypa
4) Mites
5) Grape moths
Why is Cinsault highly suitable for early drinking reds and roses?
The lifted aromas of the variety are most prominent in the first year after the wine is made
When does Viognier bud?
Early
Why are Viognier and Roussanne yields often low and unpredictable?
Due to poor flowering and fruit set (coulure) exacerbated by the Mistral
When do Roussanne and Marsanne bud?
Late
Where do Roussanne, Marsanne and Clairette grow best?
On stone, low fertility soils (low fertility prevents vigour)
Marsanne and Roussane vulnerable to what three things?
1) Powdery
2) Mites
3) Botrytis
Why is Grenache Blanc’s early budding nature not considered an issue?
It is mostly planted in the southern Rhone where spring frost is less common
What does Grenache Blanc contribute to a blend?
Low intensity ripe green fruit and some floral notes, high alcohol and low acidity
What is Clairette prone to?
Autumn rains as it is late ripening
How much Clairette be treated in the winery?
Gently as it oxidises easily
What does Clairette contribute to a wine? (3)
1) Freshness and fruit - flower, fennel, apple, grapefruit
2) High alcohol
3) Low to medium (–) acidity.
When does Bourboulenc ripen?
Late
What does Bourboulenc contribute to a wine?
Lemon flavour, medium (+) acidity
and medium alcohol
Explain the winemaking style required for Grenache and why (2)
1) Prone to oxidation and premature loss of colour if it is exposed to too much oxygen
2) Fermented and aged in concrete vats or stainless steel tanks.
What are two positive attributes of Bourboulenc in the vineyard? Why?
1) Late ripening
2) Loose bunches
3) Resistant to botrytis
Explain the winemaking style required for Syrah and why
Syrah is prone to reduction and therefore has to be pumped over more often and is often aged in oak to provide gentle oxidation, adding to cost.
What vessel type can be said to be traditional in the Rhone of a) fermentation and b) maturation?
1) Concrete
2) Small/large wood
What are five production differences between cru and high volume red wines?
1) Hand vs machine
2) Cold soak vs flash detente/thermovinification
3) Warm vs mid-range fermentation temperatures
4) Intense, prolonged vs short maceration
5) Maturation vs quick release
Why is the incidence of fungal disease lowered in the northern Rhone?
The cool Mistral wind from the north
How long is the northern Rhone from north to south?
65km
By what method is most Rhone rose made? Example?
1) Short maceration (saignee), but with the intention of creating rose rather than concentrating a red wine
2) Tavel
What is another consequence of the Mistral wind?
It decreases vine vigour and leads to lower yields of higher concentration
Four common winemaking decisions for white wine?
1) Mid-range temperatures
2) MLC sometimes avoided
3) Lees stirring avoided in most cases
4) Oak for premium
What are the two red-only AOCs of the northern Rhone?
1) Cote-Rotie
2) Cornas
What are the three AOCs of the northern Rhone that can be red or white?
1) Saint-Hoseph
2) Crozes Hermitage
3) Hermitage
What are the three white only AOCs of the northern Rhone?
1) Condrieu
2) Chateau Grillet
3) Saint-Peray
What is the red, white and rose IGP of the northern Rhone?
Collines Rhodaniennes
Describe a Cote Rotie vineyard
Steep terraces facing east and south-east
How are vines in Cote-Rotie trained?
Single- or double-Guyot and tied to one or two poles offering good sunlight interception and protection from northerly winds
What are echalas?
The poles to which Cote-Rotie’s vines are tied due to the strength of the Mistral
What per cent of Viognier is permitted in Cote-Rotie?
20%
What is the preferred rootstock in Cote-Rotie?
3309
What is the typical planting density in Cote-Rotie?
10,000 vines per ha
What is the maximum yield in Cote-Rotie, Hermitage Rouge, Saint-Joseph and Cornas?
40 hL/ha
If Viognier is used in Cote-Rotie, how must it be fermented?
Co-fermented with Syrah
What are two common maturation vessel sizes in Cote-Rotie?
1) 225l barrique
2) 500-600l demi-muids
What are four common winemaking steps for Cote-Rotie?
1) Destem
2) Cold soak
3) Warm fermentation
4) Ambient yeasts
What famous trio of wines uses 225l barrique for maturation?
Guigal’s La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque
What is the maximum yield of Condrieu?
41 hL/ha
Condrieu must be 100% of what variety?
Viognier
Describe the terroir of Condrieu
South-facing vineyards on steep, low fertility, rocky terraced slopes
What two vessel materials are most common for Condrieu?
Stainless steel and old oak
Besides oak and MLC, what other winemaking technique is up to the winemaker but commonly employed in Condrieu?
10-12 months lees maturation and stirring
Name two highly regarded producers in Saint-Joseph
Jean-Louis Chave
Domaine Gonon
What two white grapes are permitted in Saint-Joseph’s red wines but rarely used?
Marsanne and Roussanne
What are the two common maturation vessel types for Saint-Joseph?
Stainless steel and large oak
In which direction do the vineyards of Hermitage face?
South
What is a famous lieu-dit of Hermitage at the western end of the hill that records the highest temperatures?
Le Meal
Hermitage whites are mostly which variety?
Marsanne, sometimes with Roussanne
What is a key difference between Chapoutier and Chave?
Chapoutier focuses on individual parcels whereas Chave blends across the appellation
What is the leading co-operative of Hermitage?
Cave de Tain
Crozes-Hermitage is the northern Rhone’s largest appellation. What are the differences in climate between north and south?
It is continental in the north with strong Alpine and Mistral influences, whereas it is more temperature in the south.
What is unique about the climate of Cornas?
Mediterranean rather than continental
Name three significant producers of Cornas
Alain Voge
Vincent Paris
Auguste Clape
What are the soils types of Saint-Peray?
Limestone and granite
What is the maximum yield of Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage Blanc and Saint-Peray?
45 hL/ha
What is the principal variety planted in Saint Peray?
Marsanne with some Roussanne
Why is Saint-Peray cooler than Cornas despite being further south?
It sits within a valley through which flows a cool wind (Bise)
Why is there less protection from the Mistral in the southern Rhone compared with the north?
It is flatter
How are Grenache vines trained to protect from the Mistral?
Low bush-trained vines are common for Grenache
What is the appellation hierarchy of the southern Rhone?
1) Cotes du Rhone AOC
2) Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC
3) Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC + named village i.e. Seguret
4) Individual top village appellations i.e. Gigondas
How many named villages are there as part of the Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC?
22
What is the maximum yield for red, white and rose Cotes du Rhone AOC?
51 hL/ha
Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre must account for what per cent of the final blend of Cotes du Rhone AOC?
60%
What six varieties must account for 80% of the final blend of a Cotes du Rhone AOC blanc?
1) Bourboulenc
2) Clairette
3) Grenache Blanc
4) Marsanne
5) Roussanne
6) Viognier
What is the maximum yield for Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC?
44 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield for Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC + named village?
41 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield for Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
35 hL/ha
Gigondas’s vineyards extend how far above sea level?
600m
What helps reduce the morning temperatures of Gigondas?
The Dentelles de Montmirail montains
Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Vinsobres, Beaumes-de-Venise and Rasteau must be at least what per cent Grenache Noir?
50%
From 2023 white wine based on what variety will be allowed in Gigondas?
Clairette (minimum 70%)
Vacqueyras’s vineyards extend how far above sea level?
440m
Can Gigondas, Vinsobres, Rasteau and Vacqueyras be 100% Grenache Noir?
No. They must feature at least some Syrah or Mourvedre
What is the most northerly southern Rhone cru?
Vinsobres
At what elevation range are the vineyards of Vinsobres?
200-500m
What are the nine crus of the southern Rhone?
1) Chateauneuf-du-Pape
2) Gigondas
3) Vacqueyras
4) Rasteau
5) Vinsobres
6) Cairanne
7) Tavel
8) Beaumes-de-Venise
9) Lirac
How must Cheateauneuf-du-Pape be harvested?
By hand
What is unique about Chateaneuf-du-Pape when compared with the other eight crus with respect to the final blend?
There is no stipulation of principal varieties and minimum percentages. It is possible to make varietal wines
What are galets roules and where are they common?
Large pebbles in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
What is the effect of galets roules?
They absorb heat during the day and reflect it at night
What soil types are common in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Limestone, clay, sandstone and sand
Chateauneuf–du-Pape can be a blend of 13 varieties. Which two white varieties common in the northern Rhone cannot be included?
1) Viognier
2) Marsanne
The final blend of Lirac must be made from 90% of which four varieties?
Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault
Name a significant producer of Lirac
Chateau Mont Redon
Tavel is dedicated to which style of wine?
Rose
Tavel may include 12 varieties, but must include which?
Grenache Noir up to 60%
What is the maximum yield of Tavel?
46 hL/ha
What are the four key (of seven) ‘satellite’ appellations of the southern Rhone?
1) Costieres de Nimes AOC
2) Grignan-les-Adhemar AOC
3) Ventoux AOC
4) Luberon AOC
What is the maximum yield of Costieres de Nimes & Ventoux?
60 hL/ha
What production trend has been seen in Costieres de Nimes?
From co-ops to privately-owned estates
Describe the terroir of Costieres de Nimes
South-west facing vineyards with good sunlight interception and Mediterranean breezes
What geological feature is an important cooling aspect of Ventoux?
Mount Ventoux from which descends cool air and into which vines are planted up to 450m
What is the maximum yield of Luberon?
55 hL/ha
What are two benefits of Mourvedre’s late ripening from a winery and labour perspective?
1) Can remain on the vine while Syrah and Grenache are being fermented
2) Can be harvested once temperatures are in decline, which could save on expensive labour and/or energy to keep fruit cool
When do Carignan and Cinsault bud?
Late
What are the primary soils of Saint-Joseph?
Predominantly granite
What is the aspect of Saint-Joseph?
East-facing running north-south along the Rhone River
Why is there the increasing potential for Saint-Joseph to improve in quality and international recognition?
Climate change means that temperatures are rising and potentially increasing Saint-Joseph’s east-facing vineyards the ability to produce higher quality fruit
What two varieties are commonly planted in the Gard IGP?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
What are three requirements for irrigation of Rhone vineyards?
1) Proof of water stress
2) No irrigation after veraison
3) Cannot irrigate to exceed max yields
