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WSET 3 - zakharka > C20 - The Southern Rhone > Flashcards

C20 - The Southern Rhone Flashcards

1
Q

What is the first town north of the Southern Rhone?

A

Valence

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2
Q

Describe the terrain in the Southern Rhone

A

Much flatter than that of the Northern Rhone

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3
Q

Describe the soils of many of the best vineyard sites in the Southern Rhône

A

They have very stony soils

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4
Q

What is the effect of the very stony soils in the Southern Rhone?

A

They absorb the sun’s heat and warm the vineyard, aiding ripening

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5
Q

What are the soils in some areas of Chateauneuf-du-Pape like?

A

The stones/galets completely cover the soil surface

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6
Q

Describe the climate of the Southern Rhone

A

It is mediterranean

Mild winters and warm, dry summers

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7
Q

What are the two major climatic hazards of the Southern Rhone?

A

Drought

High winds (from the Mistral)

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8
Q

Why is the Mistral more of a problem in the Southern Rhone than the Northern Rhone?

A

Winds gain more speed here

There is less shielding from the wind by slopes

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9
Q

How are the effects of the Mistral protected against in the Southern Rhone?

A

By building wind-breaks

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10
Q

Describe how Grenache and Syrah respectively are protected from the Mistral

A

Grenache is trained low

Syrah benefits from the support offered by trellising systems

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11
Q

What is particularly different about grape content in Southern Rhone wines (particularly relating to the North)

A

The wines are often complex blends

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12
Q

How many grape varieties can a Southern Rhone wine be made from?

A

More than a dozen

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13
Q

Which variety is by far the most widely planted in the Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache

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14
Q

Which variety dominates the wines of the Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache

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15
Q

Why is Grenache successful in the Southern Rhone?

A

The warm summers allow it to ripen fully

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16
Q

What flavours does Grenache produce in the Southern Rhone?

A

Concentrated, spiced red fruit flavours

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17
Q

What can happen to Grenache-based wines in the Southern Rhone?

A

Their flavours can become baked and jammy

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18
Q

What does Syrah offer to blends in the Southern Rhone?

A

Extra colour and tannin

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19
Q

Which grape variety of the Southern Rhone can struggle in the hottest sites?

A

Syrah

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20
Q

Which grape is at its northernmost limit in the Southern Rhone?

A

Mourvedre

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21
Q

Describe Mourvèdre in Southern Rhône

A

Deeply coloured

Very high tannins

Dense, black fruit flavours and gamey/meaty aromas when fully ripe

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22
Q

Where are Mourvedre’s ripe aromas most prized in the Southern Rhone?

A

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

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23
Q

Name the fourth most important grape in the Southern Rhone and describe its role(s)

A

Cinsault

It provides red fruit flavours (rather than structure)

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24
Q

What is the best known role of Cinsault in the Southern Rhone?

A

As a blending partner to Grenache in the production of fresh, fruity Roses

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25
What is notable about winemaking in the Southern Rhone
It is incredibly varied
26
What is a consistent challenge for winemakers in the Southern Rhone?
They must all find a way of managing potentially high tannins and high alcohol levels to produce a balanced wine
27
Name some ways in which Southern Rhone producers may battle high tannins and high alcohol levels
Cold pre-fermentation maceration and storage in stainless steel Warm, extractive fermentations in traditional open fermenters and maturation in large old oak vessels
28
How will Southern Rhone producers usually make up their blends?
With wines that have been fermented using different techniques
29
What is the role of oak in the Southern Rhone?
New oak is used by some producers Some producers believe that new oak overwhelms the flavours of Grenache
30
What is the range of styles within the Southern Rhone?
From light-to-medium bodied fresh, fruity wines with low tannins to highly tannic, full-bodied reds with flavours of spice, meat and/or earth
31
What are the notable white grape additions to those of the Northern Rhone in the Southern Rhone?
Clairette Grenache Blanc Bourboulenc
32
Describe the best whites of the Southern Rhône
Usually richly textured and full-bodied High alcohol Low to medium acidity Subtle fruity aromas Rarely made with new oak
33
What is the role of white wine in the Southern Rhone?
Relatively very small
34
What are the generic appellations of the Southern Rhone?
Cotes du Rhone Cotes du Rhone Villages
35
What fraction of appellation wine production in the Southern Rhone does Cotes du Rhone account for?
More than half
36
Describe most Cotes du Rhone wines
Medium-bodied Fruity but simple
37
What colour of wine is Cotes du Rhone made into?
White, red and rose
38
What kind of rules must a producer adhere to if it is to call its wine 'Cotes du Rhone Villages'?
More stringent minimum alcohol levels and maximum yields must be observed A greater percentage of the blend must be made from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
39
What additional rule must a producer adhere to if they are to add a village name to Cotes du Rhône Villages?
100% of the wine must come from the village on the label
40
Give an example of a village-labelled Cotes du Rhone
Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne
41
What are the best Southern Rhone wines outside of the crus?
Village-named Cotes du Rhone Villages wines
42
What sets the wine flavour/structure of a village CDR apart from generic CDR?
They have more body, structure and spiced red fruit flavours
43
Legally what option do village-named CDRs have?
To apply for cru status
44
Where is Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
On the east bank of the Rhone
45
What is the largest of all of the crus in the Rhone valley?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
46
What was the first area in France to have Appellation Controlee status?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
47
What is the general topography of CNdP?
It is notably flat
48
What has the biggest impact on how Syrah and Mourvedre perform in CNdP?
Small variations in aspect
49
What are the factors accounting for CNdP's diversity in styles?
Appellation size Wide range of soil types Wide range of aspects Large number of grape varieties (13)
50
Which grape dominates the wines of CNdP?
Grenache
51
Some CNdPs are 100%...
Grenache
52
What do producers hope to bring to a wine by adding Mourvedre?
Its gamey, meaty quality
53
Describe the best wines of Chateauneuf-du Pape
Full bodied and richly textured High alcohol Concentrated spiced red fruit flavours
54
What are the characteristic problems of lesser-quality CNdPs?
It can be dilute and high in alcohol
55
What colours of CNdP are produced?
Red and some white
56
How many Southern crus are on the west bank of the Rhone? What are they?
2 Tavel and Lirac
57
What are Tavel and Lirac most famous for?
Rosés
58
Describe the Roses of Lirac and Tavel
Made mainly from Grenache and Cinsault Full-bodied Intensely flavoured Capable of further complexity when bottle-aged
59
What styles can be made in Tavel and Lirac respectively?
Tavel: Rosé only Lirac: Rosé, red and white (reds and whites in the style of CNdP)
60
Where else in the Southern Rhone has been promoted to cru status?
Some other Southern Rhone villages that lie in and around the hills to the east of Chateauneuf
61
What are the two most longstanding crus in Southern Rhone besides CNdP?
Gigondas and Vacqueyras
62
Describe the cru wines of Southern Rhone besides CNdP
Red wines Usually Grenache-led blends Full-bodied and spicy (similar to CNdP)
63
What is the quality of the cru wines outside of CNdP?
Many are as good as the better CNdP
64
What colours are the cru wines of Southern Rhone made into?
Mainly red, but some permit white and rose production
65
What is the fortified wine of the Southern Rhone called?
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

WSET 3 - zakharka (45 decks)

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