Ch. 7 – Rhone Flashcards
Northern vs. Southern Rhone Valley
Nothern Rhone
- Syrah
- Continental climate
- 4,000 ha
Southern Rhone
- Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre
- Mediterranean climate
- 66,000 ha
White grape varieties in the Rhone
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
Grenache Blanc
Clairette
Bourboulenc
Syrah (Rhone)
Vigorous, needs careful training and tying in to protect from Mistral (trellising is not possible on steep slopes)
Susceptible to mites and botrytis bunch rot
Disease ‘Syrah decline’ - leaves turn red and graft points break, vine dies
The only black grape used in Northern Rhone crus
Deep ruby colour, med to pronounced intensity (violet, plum, blackberry, black pepper, herbal notes)
Acidity and tannin medium to high.
Adds structure, fruit and colour to Southern blends
Grenache Noir (Rhone)
High yielding
Ripens late (can be affected by autumn rains)
Upright growth makes it suitable for bush vine, pruned low to contain vigour
Does well on dry, low fertile soils (drought resistant)
Prone to coulure and fungal diseases
Prone to bacterial blight (kills shoots, leaves, and plant eventually)
Prone to oxidation and premature colour loss (if exposed to too much oxygen)
Blends - contribute to pale ruby colour, ripe red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry) spicy, herbal notes, high alcohol, low to med tannins and low acidity
Mourvedre (Rhone)
Late budding and late ripening
Thrives in warm to hot climates
- Can be under-ripe if late summer is not hot
Not drought resistant (needs small but regular supply of water)
Best pruned short (cordon or bush vine)
Low yields
Prone to mites, leafhoppers, sour rot (affects ripening bunches)
Strongly prone to reduction (adequate access to oxygen is very important)
Typically aged in old oak.
Almost always used as part of blend in Rhone - deep colour, intense aroma of blackberries, blueberries, violets, high alcohol and firm tannins
Cinsault
Late budding, high yielding
Good drought resistance and heat resistance
Yield must be managed
If grown on excessive lime in soil - suffers from chlorosis
Prone to esca and eutypa, mites and grape moths
Typically small part of blend (made in style to preserve fruitiness) light ruby colour, med (+) aroma (fresh red fruit - raspberry, red cherry) high alcohol and low to med tannins
Aroma most prominent in the first year after wine is made (early drinking styles and rose)
Viognier
Early budding (prone to spring frost)
Low and unpredictable yields (poor flowering and fruit set - coulure)
Picking time is very important - fruit must be absolutely ripe to get pronounced aromas
- if left too long - loses flavour and acidity -unbalanced
Lemon in colour, pronounced aroma of honeysuckle, apricot, peach. Medium to high alcohol and low acidity.
Up to 20% allowed in northern Rhone red wines
Marsanne
Late budding
Vigorous and productive (yields must be kept low)
Best on stony and low fertility soils
Prone to powdery mildew, mites, botrytis
Medium lemon colour (sometimes gold) light intensity honeysuckle, lemon, apricot, oily texture, medium acidity, full body, med to high alcohol
Northern Rhone can be varietal (south usually blend)
Roussanne
Late budding
Best on low fertility, well drained soils
Poor resistance to wind
Unpredictable yields due to coloure.
Very susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis and mites
More difficult than Marsanne (therefore less common)
Medium lemon colour (sometimes gold) medium+ intensity (pear, herbal notes) medium (+) acidity, med (high) alcohol.
Tends to age quicker than Marsanne
Grenache Blanc
Good wind resistance
Almost exclusively in southern part of Rhone
Low intensity, ripe green fruit and floral notes, high alcohol and low acidity
Clairette
Vigorous
Grows very upright (wind resistant)
Ripens late (prone to autumn rains)
Oxidizes easily
Adds fresh fruit and white flowers to blends
- High alcohol and low acidity
Bourboulenc
Late ripening
Loose bunches and thick skins (resistant to botrytis)
Adds acidity to blends
General winemaking in Rhone
and winemaking for Grenache and Syrah
very traditional
Preference for concrete for ferment (also stainless, large wood)
Small and large wooden vessels for maturation
Grenache prone to colour loss and oxidation if exposed to too much oxygen (so usually fermented and aged in concrete)
Syrah (prone to reduction) must be pumped over more often, often aged in oak (gentle oxidation)
Production procedure for cru level red wine in the Rhone
Harvested by hand (small crates)
- May be destemmed and cold soaked for 1-3 days for color
- May be left as whole bunches and vinified as such
Ferment in steel, concrete or open top wooden ferment
Cultured or ambient yeast
Warm temperature ferment (extract colour, flavour, tannin)
Post-ferment maceration on skins for full extraction with punch-down, pump-over or rack and return
Maturation of 12-24 months, in large oak for Grenache, or small barrels for Syrah, Mourvedre
- often 20-30% new
Production of high volume inexpensive red wine in the Rhone
Usually harvested by machine
Hand picking and carbonic maceration is also an option
Large producers - flash detente or termovinification (enhance colour, fruit intensity, low tannin)
Cultured yeast (quick, reliable)
Mid-range temperatures ferment (retain fruit)
Short period of maceration on skins
Stored in stainless
Rose winemaking in the Rhone
Typically short maceration (12-48 hours)
Typically aged in large oak or concrete vats or steel
(some producers use old small oak for texture)
White winemaking in the Rhone
Mostly mid-range temperatures to retain fruit
Malo sometimes avoided
Mostly aged in large old oak or stainless
Lees stirring sometimes avoided (due to natural full body of Rhone varieties), but some do it (Chapoutier’s Hermitage)
Northern Rhone environment and grape growing
Moderate continental climate
- adequate rainfall mainly in autumn and winter
Cold Mistral winds from north
(reduced fungal disease, decreases vigour - lower yields and gives concentration)
Better vineyards are on steep slopes
(increased interception of sunlight, better drainage)
Most work has to be done by hand
Appellations of Northern Rhone
Côte-Rôtie AOC
Condrieu AOC
- Ch. Grillet AOC
Saint Joseph AOC
Hermitage AOC
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
Cornas AOC
Saint-Péray AOC
Collines Rhodaniennes IGP
Côte-Rôtie AOC
Only red wines (Syrah + up to 20% Viognier)
Steep often terraced slopes (east and south-east exposure) - high sunlight interception
- most work done by hand
- erosion
- terrace maintenance
- Sheltered from winds
Rapid drainage, poor, stony soils - fully ripe grapes
Guyot, tied to one or two poles (locally known as Échalas)
Typical density 10,000 vines/ha (competition, low yields)
Lack of commercial interest before Guigal
- increased from 70 ha to 250 ha (now premium prices)
Syrah usually propagated by mass selection
Max yields are low
Winemaking emphasizes aromatic potential
- Most will destem and cold soak
- Usage of a proportion of stems is increasingly common
Typically softer and less full-bodied than rest of the N Rhone
Condrieu AOC
100% Viognier
Max yields are low
South facing vineyards (river turns here)
- steep, terraced, rocky, low fertility
- soil erosion
- strong winds
Single-estate appellation - Ch. Grillet AOC (3.5 ha)
Most ferment in steel or large wood (some small barrels)
Malo may or may not be allowed (normally yes)
Typically aged on lees 10-12 months, often with lees stirring
Very good to outstanding
Saint-Joseph AOC
90% red
Max yields are low
Includes some sites not on the hillside (which typically produce lower quality).. debate over whether to limit the appellation to only hillside sites
Marsanne, Roussanne both allowed in red wine (rarely used)
Stainless, large wood to ferment
Matured in larger wood, occasionally barriques
Wide range of quality
Hermitage AOC
1/3 white. 2/3 reds
South facing slopes
- Sunlight
- Protected from wind
- Thin soil
- pronounced intensity, high tannins, longevity
- erosion is a challenge
Max yields are low
- Many old vines, giving low yields
Rare Vin de Paille (sweet)
- made in warm years
- made by drying grapes off the vine
Producers, co-ops and negociants in Hermitage
Negociants: Chapoutier and Jaboulet
Co-op: Cave de Tain
Producer: Jean-Louis Chave
Winemaking in Hermitage
Reds:
- Traditional winemaking
- Proportion of stems often included
- Long oak ageing 12-18 months
(proportion of new oak common)
Whites:
- Typically a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, or pure Marsanne
- Any fermentation vessel
- Maturation in oak or steel
- Typically aged on lees 10-12 months
- Rich, creamy, nutty after long bottle aging
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
North
- steeper slopes
- continental with alpine influences
- influence from the Mistral
- Long growing season, high diurnal range
South
- more temperate with more rainfall
- flatter
- deeper, more fertile soils (lower concentration)
- machine harvesting possible
Generally, wines are intended for early drinking
- Carbonic maceration can be used (but this is rare today)
Whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne
Cornas AOC
Must be 100% Syrah (first AOC to be picked)
Max yields are low
Natural south and east-facing amphitheater with steep slopes
Warm mediterranean climate, good protection from Mistral
Tannic, long-lived wines (some use small barrels to soften tannins)
Producers: Alain Voge, Domaine Vincent Paris
Very good to outstanding
Saint-Péray AOC
slightly cooler climate
White wines (from limestone and granite soils)
Mainly Marsanne (with some Roussanne)
Max yields are low
Fermented in stainless or oak and aged in same or large old oak
Typically aged for 10-12 months
Some producers stir lees to add body
Collines Rhodaniennes IGP
Red, white and rose from grapes grown outside of the AOCs in the northern Rhone
High yields allowed
Also allows more grape varieties than AOCs
Southern Rhone growing environment and grape growing
Warm mediterranean climate
- warm, dry summers, adequate rainfall
- drought is an increasing problem
- Irrigation permitted if drought is severe within rules
Flatter land than Northern Rhone
- less protection from Mistral
- low bush vines are very common (Grenache)
- Syrah is tied to wires on trellises
Appellation hierarchy in the Southern Rhone
Côtes du Rhône AOC
Côtes du Rhône Village AOC
Côtes du Rhône Village AOC + named village
Cru (such as Gigondas AOC)
Outside of this, there are other appellations such as Ventoux
AOC general requirements and regulations in Southern Rhone
Red wines are Grenache-dominated blends with Mourvedre and Syrah (along other permitted grapes)
Regulations:
- distinguish between principal, complementary and other permitted varieties
- State the total minimum proportion of principal (and sometimes complementary) varieties
- Some AOCs distinguish between min % of variety in the vineyard and in final blend
Appellations in Southern Rhone
Côtes du Rhône AOC
Côtes du Rhône Village AOC
Côtes du Rhône Village AOC + named village
Gigondas AOC
Vacqueyras AOC
Vinsobres AOC
Rasteau AOC
Cairanne AOC
Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Lirac AOC
Tavel AOC
Côtes du Rhône AOC
+ requirements of varieties, yield
Covers all vineyard land suitable for grape growing in the Rhone (in practice, almost all comes from the south)
Second largest appellation in France (after Bordeaux)
Max yields are moderate
Red and rose
- at least 60% GSM
- permitted: Carignan, Cinsaut, other local varieties
White wine
- at least 80% Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier
- permitted: Piquepoul Blanc, other local varieties
Reds of Côtes du Rhône AOC Village
- at least 66% GSM
- max yields are lower
Côtes du Rhône Village AOC + named village
- max yields are even lower
Med ruby, med intensity (red plum, blackberry) no oak aroma, med acidity, med tannin (or low if carbonic) good quality
Gigondas AOC
up to 600m
Shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail mountains
- reducing temperature in the morning
- longer growing season, increased flavour
Also a cooling effect from the Mistral
At least 50% Grenache and must contain either Syrah or Mourvèdre
Vacqueyras AOC
Up to 440m
- diurnal variation
At least 50% Grenache and must contain either Syrah or Mourvèdre
Vinsobres AOC
Most northerly of the Southern Rhone
South/southeast facing slopes at 200-500m
- good sunlight
- good drainage
- some protection from Mistral
Older plots of Carignan and Cinsault, valued for high-quality
Red GSM blends
Rasteau AOC
Low south-facing slopes sheltered from Mistral - ripe, full bodied
Red GSM blends
Cairanne AOC
Not as steep as Gigondas, not as warm as Rasteau
Fruity, approachable red GSM blends
High reputation for the small amount of white produced
Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
Red GSM blends
On slopes, slightly shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Became first AOC in France in 1936
-13 varieties allowed
-Min alcohol 12.5% without chaptalization
-Must be picked by hand
-No requirements for principal grapes and %
(possible to make single varietal wine)
Limestone, sand, clay (water-holding)
-low fertility, generally fast-draining
Large pebbles (Galets roulés)
- radiate heat at night
Usually:
Red: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
White: Grenache, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne (Marsanne and Viognier NOT permitted)
Expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Red:
- Med ruby colour
- Med+ intensity (ripe red plum, blackberry, spice, sometimes new oak)
- Med acidity
- Tannin from med- to high
- Range of quality
White:
- Some fermented in oak, some in steel
- Occasionally, a proportion is aged in new oak
Lirac AOC
Mainly red, with some rose and white
High sunlight hours, well-drained infertile soils
At least 90% Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault
Producer: Domaine de la Mordoree
Tavel AOC
Rose only
12 principal grape varieties
- Final blend must include Grenache Noir
- None of the varieties may exceed 60%
Max yields are moderate
Med intensity pink/orange, med(+) intensity of strawberry, raspberry, med+ (full) body and med alcohol
Other Rhone appellations (satellites)
Higher max yields than the Crus
Mostly GSM blends
- followed by rose
- very small amount of white
4 largest in terms of production:
- Ventoux AOC
- Costières de Nîmes AOC
- Luberon AOC
- Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC
Good to very good
Inexpensive to mid-priced
Co-ops are very important
Ventoux AOC
Below Mont Ventoux
- cooling influence from altitude
Costières de Nîmes AOC
Between the Rhone and Languedoc
South-west facing slopes
- good light interception and breezes from Mediterranean
Luberon AOC
Borders on Provence
Gentle slopes or flat land
Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC
Lighter style than other Southern Rhone reds
IGP wines in the Southern Rhone
Rhone or international varieties
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon quite successful
Irrigation regulations and rules in the Southern Rhone
AOC can apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions
Proof of water stress is required
No irrigation allowed after veraison and in no circumstances to exceed maximum yield allowed
Wine business in the Rhone
Negociants usually operate across both regions but often are based in the north
(Guigal, Jaboulet, Chapoutier)
Cooperatives more important in southern part
(Cellier des Princes)
Increasing number of producers are making and bottling their own wines, rather than selling to a negociant
Export 33%
- UK, Belgium, USA
Domestic sales split between supermarkets vs. specialist/hospitality
Small En Primeur and investment market
