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WSET® Level 4 Wine > WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World > D3 - Southern Rhône > Flashcards

D3 - Southern Rhône Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of Southern Rhône.

1
Q

What is the climate of Southern Rhône?

A

Mediterranean

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2
Q

Describe Grenache from the Southern Rhône.

A
  • Pale ruby;
  • Ripe red fruits (strawberry, red plum, red cherry);
  • Spicy and herbal notes;
  • High alcohol;
  • Low to medium tannins;
  • Low acidity.
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3
Q

What maladies is Grenache prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Coulure;
  • Downy mildew;
  • Phomopsis;
  • Botrytis bunch rot;
  • Bacterial necrosis/bacterial blight.
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4
Q

Grenache:

a. is low or high yielding?
b. needs warmth to ripen or performs well in cool climates?
c. ripens early or late?

A

a. high yielding;
b. needs warmth to ripen;
c. ripens late.

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5
Q

Select the correct answer from each prompt.

Mourvèdre is:

a. early budding or late budding?
b. thrives in cool or warm/hot climates?
c. low yielding or high yielding?

A

a. Late budding;
b. Thrives in warm/hot climates;
c. Low yielding.

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6
Q

What maladies is Mourvèdre prone to?

A
  1. Mites;
  2. Leafhoppers;
  3. Sour rot.
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7
Q

In the winery, why does Mourvèdre need adequate access to oxygen?

A

It is strongly prone to reduction.

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8
Q

Describe the general profile of Mourvèdre.

A
  • Deep ruby;
  • Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries and violets;
  • High alcohol;
  • High, firm tannins.
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9
Q

Why is Cinsaut/Cinsault highly suitable for early drinking reds and rosés in the Southern Rhône?

A

Its lifted aromas are most prominent in the first year after the wine is made (fresh red fruits – raspberry, red cherry).

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10
Q

What maladies is Cinsaut/Cinsault prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Esca;
  • Eutypa;
  • Mites;
  • Grape moths.
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11
Q

What makes Cinsaut/Cinsault well suited to the Mediterranean climate of the Southern Rhône?

A

It has good drought and heat resistance.

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12
Q

Cinsaut/Cinsault is a __-budding and __-yielding variety.

A

Late budding, high yielding

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13
Q

On what soils does Marsanne thrive?

A

Stony, low-fertility soils.

Marsanne is productive so stony, low-fertility soils help keep yields low.

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14
Q

What maladies is Marsanne prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Powdery mildew;
  • Mites;
  • Botrytis bunch rot.
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15
Q

Give a typical profile of Marsanne from the Rhône.

A
  • Medium lemon, sometimes gold in color;
  • Low intensity honeysuckle, lemon and apricot fruit;
  • Oily texture;
  • Medium acidity;
  • Full bodied;
  • Medium to high alcohol.
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16
Q

Marsanne is __-budding and vigorous.

A

Late-budding

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17
Q

Much like Marsanne, Roussanne is also a __-budding variety that grows best in __ soils.

A
  • Late-budding;
  • Low fertility soils.
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18
Q

In the Southern Rhône, why must vineyard sites be chosen carefully for Roussanne?

A

It has poor resistance to wind.

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19
Q

What maladies is Roussanne prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Powdery mildew;
  • Botrytis bunch rot;
  • Mites.
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20
Q

Generally, Roussanne and Marsanne are similar in color and structure but Roussanne tends to age faster or slower?

A

Age faster.

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21
Q

Grenache Blanc is a relatively __-budding variety that has a good resistance to __.

A
  • Early-budding;
  • Resistance to wind.
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22
Q

Give a typical profile of Clairette in Southern Rhône.

A
  • White flowers;
  • Fennel;
  • Apple and grapefruit notes;
  • High alcohol;
  • Low to medium (–) acidity.

Clairette oxidizes easily so it needs careful handling in the winery.

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23
Q

Why is Clairette well suited to the Southern Rhône (and its low rainfall)?

A

It grows well in low fertility, dry soils.

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24
Q

Why is Bourboulenc well suited to the conditions in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Grows well in warm, dry locations;
  • Ripens late;
  • Has loose bunches and thick skins, giving it resistance to botrytis bunch rot and disease resistance.
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24
Q

Why is Grenache Noir typically fermented and aged in concrete vats or stainless steel tanks?

A

It is prone to oxidation and premature loss of color if it is exposed to too much oxygen.

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25
Q

Why are low bush-trained vines common for suitable varieties (especially Grenache Noir) in the Southern Rhône?

A

Southern Rhône is flatter than northern Rhône so there is less protection from the Mistral, resulting in this type of training.

Syrah, however, is usually grown tied to wires on trellises to give it protection from the Mistral.

26
Q

What is the hierarchy of appellations in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Côtes du Rhône AOC;
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC;
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + named village (currently 22 villages);
  • Individual appellations known as crus, e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and Gigondas AOC.
27
Q

In the Southern Rhône, AOC regulations require typically that red wines are Grenache Noir-dominant blends with Mourvèdre and Syrah EXCEPT for this appellation.

A

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC

28
Q

What is the maximum yield Côtes du Rhône AOC?

(it’s the same for red, white, and rosé)

A

51 hL/ha

29
Q

For red Côtes du Rhône AOC wine, what are the 3 principal varieties?

A
  1. Grenache Noir;
  2. Mourvèdre;
  3. Syrah
30
Q

Together, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah must make up a minimum of __% of the volume of the final blend of a red or rosé Côtes du Rhône.

A

60%

If the grapes come from the southern Rhône, Grenache Noir must be a minimum 30% and the combo of Syrah and Mourvèdre 20%.

31
Q
  • For white Côtes du Rhône, what are the 6 principal white varieties allowed in the blend?
  • What percentage must these varietes make of the final blend?
A
  • Varieties:
    1. Bourboulenc;
    2. Clairette;
    3. Grenache Blanc;
    4. Marsanne;
    5. Roussanne;
    6. Viognier;
  • Together must make up minimum 80% of the final blend.
32
Q
  1. What are the maximum yields for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC?
  2. What are the maximum yields for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + named village?
A
  1. 44 hL/ha
  2. 41 hL/ha
33
Q

What is the final blending rule for red wines from Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC?

A

Final blend must have a minimum of 66% of at least two of the three principal varieties and must include Grenache Noir.

34
Q

What is the maximum yield in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A

35 hL/ha

35
Q

Gigondas AOC has vineyards up to __m asl.

A

600m asl

36
Q
  • Which mountains partly shade Gigondas AOC?
  • What do these mountains do for the Gigondas appellation?
A
  • Dentelles de Montmirail;
  • Reduce morning temperatures, which extends the period of maturation (ripening) and increases flavor in the resulting wines.
37
Q

The final blend in Gigondas AOC must be __% minimum this grape.

A

50% minimum Grenache Noir

The blend must also contain at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre, but there is no minimum percentage.

38
Q

Vacqueyras AOC rises up to __m asl.

A

440m asl

39
Q

In addition to red wines, what other color(s) of wine is Vacqueyras AOC allowed to produce?

A

White and rosé.

40
Q

Much like Gigondas AOC, Vacqueyras AOC red wines must be a minimum __% Grenache Noir.

A

50%

The final blend must also contain at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre, but there is no minimum percentage.

41
Q

The most northerly of all the Southern Rhône crus is __.

A

Vinsobres AOC

42
Q

What color wine does Vinsobres AOC make exclusively?

A

Red

Must be minimum 50% Grenache Noir + at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre.

43
Q

What is the elevation range for Vinsobres AOC?

A

200-500m asl

44
Q

What is the elevation for Rasteau AOC?

A

100m asl

45
Q

Why are wines from Rasteau AOC so ripe and full bodied?

A

Vines are planted on south-facing slopes in a warm enclave sheltered from the Mistral.

46
Q

The minimum percentage of Grenache Noir in the final blend of Cairanne AOC is LOWER than those of neighboring AOCs.

What is the minimum percentage of Grenache Noir in Cairanne AOC?

A

40%

47
Q

Red wines from Beaumes-de-Venise AOC must have a final blend of __ and __, and together must make up __% of the blend.

A
  • Grenache Noir and Syrah;
  • 50% of the blend.
48
Q

In Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, red wines make up more than __% of the wine produced.

A

90%

The remainder is white.

49
Q

Is machine harvesting allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A

No; Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC must be hand harvested.

50
Q

What are the soil types found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A
  • Limestone;
  • Clay (helpful for its water retention);
  • Sandstone;
  • Sand.
51
Q

What are galets roulés?

A

Large pebbles found in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC vineyards that radiate heat at night back to the vines, adding to the warming effect.

52
Q

Why do many producers blend across lieux-dits and soil types in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A
  • For added complexity;
  • To create volumes that are commercially viable;
  • Generally, growers believe wines from sandy soils are finer and lighter in style vs. more structured wines from soil with galets roulés.
53
Q

Which AOC lies across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A

Lirac AOC

54
Q
  • For red wines from Lirac AOC, what are the 4 principal varieties?
  • What percent of the final blend must the 4 make up?
A
  • Varieties:
    1. Grenache Noir;
    2. Mourvèdre;
    3. Syrah;
    4. Cinsaut.
  • Together must make up minimum 90% of final blend.
55
Q

What is the maximum yield for Tavel AOC?

A

46 hL/ha

56
Q

What is the one grape variety that Tavel AOC must include?

A

Grenache Noir

Tavel AOC lists 12 permitted grape varieties.

57
Q

In Tavel AOC, none of the principal grape varieties may contribute more than __% to the final blend.

A

60%

58
Q

Select the correct answer.

The color for Tavel AOC is:
a. pale candy pink
b. deep pink-orange

A

b. deep pink-orange

59
Q

What other 4 southern Rhône satellite appellations should you know for the exam?

A
  1. Ventoux AOC;
  2. Costières de Nîmes AOC;
  3. Luberon AOC;
  4. Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC.
60
Q

What are the maximum yields for:
1. Ventoux AOC
2. Costières de Nîmes AOC
3. Luberon AOC

A
  1. 60 hL/ha;
  2. 60 hL/ha;
  3. 55 hL/ha.
61
Q

What are the laws in the Rhône surrounding irrigation?

A
  1. AOCs may apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions;
  2. Proof of water stress to vines is required;
  3. No irrigation is permitted after véraison;
  4. Under no circumstances can irrigation be used to exceed the maximum yield allowed by individual AOCs.
62
Q

Sales of Rhône wines are nearly equal across which 3 sectors?

A
  1. Domestic supermarkets;
  2. Domestic retail and hospitality;
  3. Exports.
63
Q

Combined together, the appellations Côtes du Rhône AOC and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC produce around __% of all wine produced in the Rhône as a whole.

A

60%

In 2021, Côtes du Rhône AOC alone accounted for 49% of production by volume of all Rhône AOC wines.

WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World (47 decks)

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