FR: Southern Rhône Valley Flashcards
Mistral
Cold violent dry north wind
*high pressure in the Bay of Biscay meets low pressure in the Gulf of Genoa, when the flow of air from high to low pressure zones brings cold air from the north
Rhône move from polyculture to monoculture
The 1956 frost. Olives were a very important crop at the time - the day before the sudden drop in temperatures was very warm, causing sap to rise in the trees which froze the following day and destroyed the Rhone’s olive tree population.
Where was the first viticultural co-op established in France? When?
1891, established in Damery in Champagne
France’s 2 most planted grapes?
Merlot #1
Grenache #2
Marselan
Grenache Noir x Cabernet Sauvignon
(developed by Paul Truel at Montpellier, 1961)
*accessory grape in CDR AC
*one of the “climate change varieties” allowed in BDX/BDX Superier AC
Caladoc
Grenache Noir x Malbec
*developedin 1958. Meant to be more like Grenache but couloure resistant… acts more like Malbec
*one of the recent additions to CDR AC
Vaccarese
Brun Argente
Only 12ha planted, but half are in Chateauneuf.
*Chateau des Fines Roches makes a varietal bottling called “Forget Me Not”
Couston
Grenache x Aubun, a local grape. Only allowed for Cotes-du-Rhone wines, added to the list in 2019
Most planted white grape in the Rhone?
Grenache Blanc
Why is there so much Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains in the Rhone?
1617ha, the vast majority going to Clairette de Die’s methode ancestrale sparkling wine where it makes up a min. 75% of the blend.
Of course, it is also the star of Muscat de Beames des Venise, which requires 100% participation.
2 Southern Rhone appellations wholly devoted to Clairette?
Clairette de Bellegarde
Coteaux de Die
Only Southern Rhone AC to feature monovarietal white?
Clairette Blanche, the star of Clairette de Bellegarde
Coteaux de Die
What Rhone appellation allows a high percentage of Ugni Blanc?
Luberon, up to 50%
What appellation allows Vermentino in high proportions?
Luberon
The Rhone area covers what 6 departments?
Loire
Ardeche
Drome
Gard
Vaucluse
Isere
Principal red varieties for Cotes-du-Rhone AOP?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Principal white varieties for Cotes-du-Rhone AOP? (6)
Marsanne
Roussanne
Viognier
Bourbelenc
Grenache Blanc
Clairette
What 3 modern crossings are allowed in a bottle of Cotes-du-Rhone AC wine?
Couston
Marselan
Caladoc
What is the term for a local group of winegrowers that work together to promote their region?
Syndicat
What 2 regional IGPs cover the Rhone?
IGP Méditerranée
IGP Comtés Rhodaniens
Chene Bleu is located within what AOP but instead chooses to label their wines as ________?
Located in Ventoux, labels as Vaucluse IGP
What 4 departmental IGPs are in play for the Rhone Valley?
- IGP Gard
- IGP Drome
- IGP Vaucluse
- IGP Ardeche
What was Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s (the village) official name prior to 1893?
Chateauneuf Calcernier, references the lime kilns and productions that was once important to the town’s economy
What are the communes of production in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape AC?
Bedarrides
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Orange
Sorgues
Courthezon
What is Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s rendemant de base?
35 hl/ha
(42 hl/ha including rapé)
What is the râpé?
In Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a mandatory amount of grapes (2%) that’s required to be discarded or used for table wine
Who was the key figure in the development of the INAO and French AC’s?
Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarie
Who were the six in the 1st wave of French AC’s to debut? In what year (officially)?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape (decreed on 14 May 1936, one day before the rest)
Arbois, Monbazillac, Cassis, Tavel, Cognac
What are the 4 most planted red grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Grenache (77%)
Syrah (12%)
Mourvedre (7%)
Cinsault (3%)
*all others amount to less than 1%
What are the 4 most planted white grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Grenache Blanc (35%)
Clairette (32%)
Roussanne (16%)
Bourbelenc (15%)
All others 2%
Hommage a Jacques Perrin
- producer
- vineyard
- varieties
- vintages
Beaucastel
* Courrieux vineyard
*Mourvedre-dominant + Grenache, Syrah, Counoise
*1st vintage 1989. Only made in great years.
Destemmed, natural yeast, old foudre.
The Perrins own what property in Gigondas?
Domaine du Clos des Tourelles
Pignan: what is it, who makes it?
Chateau Rayas’ “other” Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Comes from a 2ha Grenache plot in the lieu-dit Pignan.
La Pialade: who makes it, what is it?
Chateau Rayas’ Cotes-du-Rhone, made from barrels that didn’t make it into the main Rayas or Fonsalette bottlings. Usually around 80% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 5% Syrah.
Chateau Rayas’ Reserve Blanc is comprised of what varieties?
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
What lieux-dit would you find on the main bottlings of Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe?
Le Crau
*the stony plateau is the high point between CDP and Bedarrides
*65ha for rouge, 5ha for blanc
What is the name of Vieux Telegraphe’s outpost in Gigondas?
Domaine Les Pallieres
What is the name of Vieux Telegraphe’s outpost in the Beqaa Valley?
Massaya
What properties has Guigal purchased in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Domaine du Nalys (2017)
Domaine les Clefs d’Or (2020)
What is the name of Chapoutier’s negotiant bottling in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
La Bernadine
Ogier’s Chateauenuf-du-Pape is bottled under what label?
Clos de l’Oratoire du Papes
Approximately how many hectares of vineyard does Chateauneuf-du-Pape contain?
3200ha
What was the first Rhone wine to be offered on the Place de Bordeaux?
Beaucastel’s 2009 Hommage à Jacques Perrin (in 2011)
*this was the first non-Bordeaux French wine to be offered on the Place
What controversial method does Beaucastel use for grapes prior to fermentation?
Flash heating grapes for 2 minutes, then cooling them down. They don’t do this in every vintage or for every lot.
PURPOSE: reduces oxidation enzymes, speeds extraction of color and flavor from skins
* useful in challenging vintages: faster extraction reduces presence of undesirable compounds
What is the top bottling of Domaine du Pegau?
Cuvée Da Capo
- a parcel selection of 100yr old vines planted in a sandy parts of La Crau as well as Montpertuis and Escondudes
- whole cluster, ferments in concrete
- not made every vintage
- 1998 (1st)……. 2003, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2020
2020 retailing for $460 (wine.com 2023)
What is the top bottling of Henri Bonneau?
Réserve des Célestins
- sourced from La Crau
- 90% Grenache
Retails for about $550 on release
(Cuvee Speciale is seldom made but not necessarily the top - more of a one-off style)
What are Clos Saint Jean’s top 3 bottlings?
Le Combe des Fous
Sanctus Sanctorum
Deux Ex Machina
What is Chapoutier’s varietal Grenache bottling in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
There’s 2 of them!
Barbe Rac
Croix du Bois
Barbe Rac: what is it, who makes it?
Chapoutier
Varietal Grenache, Chateauneuf-du-Pape
1989 was the 1st vintage
Retails for about $90
Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarie was associated with what winery?
Chateau Fortia
What communes are authorized to produce Rasteau VDN and Rasteau’s dry wines?
Rasteau ONLY for dry reds
Rasteau, Cairanne, Sablet for VDN wines
What styles of dry wine are made in Rasteau?
Red only
What is the minimum level of RS for Rasteau VDN?
45 g/l
In what year was Rasteau authorized to produce dry red table wines?
2010
(the AC for VDN was approved in 1944)
*only about 2% of Rasteau production is VDN
What is the minimum ABV of Rasteau’s VDN wines?
15%
(21.5% potential)
What is the term for the process of arresting fermentation via spirit?
Mutage
What is mutage?
Arresting fermentation with the addition of spirit - literally to mute the fermentation
What is the difference between Rasteau VDN Rosé and Ambré?
Same same, but the Ambré term requires min. 30 months oxidative aging
*both cannot be released until March 1 of 3rd year post harvest
What is the elevage requirement for Rasteau VDN Hors d’Age?
May not be released until Sept 1 of the 5th year following harvest
Recommend 3 producers of Rasteau Rouge.
Elodie Balme (based in)
Domaine Gourt de Mautens (based in)
Domaine de Beaurenard (produces a Rasteau since 1980)
What are 3 unique factors stipulated in Cairanne AC’s cahiers des charges?
- outlawed machine harvesting
- max. total sulfites in reds 100mg or less; 150mg or less for whites
- reduction of herbicide use
- they define Vieilles vignes as 30+, 20 for Syrah/Viognier
- plots with young vines aren’t allowed to be labelled until 5 years or older
What does the term “en vrac” mean?
Wine that is ready to drink but hasn’t been bottled - it might be that it is about to be packaged or it may be sold to another producer. Basically, it is still in the bulk phase.
What styles of wine are allowed to be made in Cairanne AC?
Blanc
Rouge
What year was Cairanne established as a cru?
2016
What are the allowances for irrigation in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
- a producer can appeal to the INAO to use irrigation in drought circumstances. Irrigation may not be used after August 15
- for young vines not yet in production
What is the minimum planting density in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
3000 vines per hectare for en ligne
*this is the only density explicitly stated
Au Carré spacing equals about 2500 vines per hectare
the 2 logos embossed on Chateauneuf-du-Pape bottles
The Fédération (est. 1963) is the tiara with the keys of St. Peter. This one’s been used the longest - SIDVAOC members would use it for a fee.
They didn’t like the fee. There were some protests in court. Then, they created “La Mitriale” (the bishops miter with no coat of arms) which has been in use since 2001.
Who/when was the first estate bottled Chateauneuf-du-Pape sold?
Chateau La Nerthe, 1785
Chateauneuf-du-Pape climate?
Mediterranean
Chateauneuf-du-Pape is located within what department?
Vaucluse
What is Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s min. ABV?
12.5%
(high for France)
What are galets roules? What part of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are they primarily found in?
Large round quartzite/silica stones left by retreating Alpine glaciers
*found mostly in the north/northwest sector
Chateauneuf-du-Pape soils?
Varied - but most of the region features limestone bedrock and some variation of clay, sandstone, sand, and marl
What is the most planted commune in Chateauneuf-du-Pape? 2nd most planted?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape #1 with about 1650ha
Courthezon #2 with about 675ha
Worst Chateauneuf-du-Pape vintages since 2000?
2002 was a complete wash - rain
2008 was cool, wet, humid
2013 was cool but dry
2014 was trickiest since 2008. Rain, humid, disease
2021 saw frost, bad yields and mixed quality
Best Chateauneuf-du-Pape vintages between 2000 and 2010?
2001: great! hot, dry
2005: rivals 90, 98. Excellent, warm, consistent
2007: great, ripe, powerful
2009: great
2010: Best of the bunch! Like 05 but more flesh
Best Chateauneuf-du-Pape vintages since 2010?
2010: Excellent!
2015: great year! Warm, dry, August rain
2016: Best year! New benchmark. Unusual diurnal shift with hot days + cool nights
Which of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s communes are furthest east?
Courthezon
Bedarrides
Which of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s communes is furthest south?
Sorgues
Which of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s communes are to the west?
Orange
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Sorgues
What degree of strength is the alcohol added to arrest the fermentation of French VDN appellations? (Rasteau, Beaumes-des-Venise, etc)
96º
For Cairanne AC, wines carrying a “Vieilles Vignes” label must be at least how many years of age?
Min. 30 years
**20 years for Syrah/Viognier
What is the minimum vine age required for Cairanne AC wine?
5 years
Gigondas AC sits on the slopes of what mountain?
Dentelles des Montmirail
Name 3 Gigondas producers. Or more.
Santa Duc
Grapillon d’Or
Raspail-Ay
Saint-Cosme
Moulin de la Gardette
Des Bosquets
Gigondas AC is authorized to make what styles of wine?
WHITE, red, rosé
*99% of production is red
Assemblage for Gigondas Blanc?
Min. 70% Clairette
(accessories: Bourboulenc, Clairette Rosé, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul, Roussanne)
Assemblage for Gigondas Rosé/Rouge?
Min. 50% Grenache plus Syrah and/or Mourvedre
Gigondas soils?
Stony red clay alluvium/limestone
What 3 Southern Rhone cru AC’s are located in the area of the Dentelles des Montmirail?
Beaumes-des-Venise
Vacqueyras
Gigondas
Vacqueyras Rouge must be at least ____% Grenache?
50%
Southern Rhone cru AC for R/R/W
Gigondas (as of 2022)
Vacqueyras
Lirac
Costieres des Nimes
Ventoux
Luberon
Duche d’Uzes
Grignan Les Adhemar
Cote du Vivarais
In Beaumes-des-Venise, Muscat thrives on what soil type?
Clay/limestone and Miocene sand - Muscat loves the deep sandy soils
Muscat de Beaumes-des-Venise can be made in what styles?
Blanc, Rosé, Rouge
(Rasteau has all of that excess - they fashioned their AC after Rivesaltes)
What is the minimum ABV for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
Min 15% actual, 21.5% potential
What is the minimum RS for Muscat de Beaumes-des-Venise?
Min. 100 g/l RS
What is the minimum ABV for Beaumes-de-Venise rouge?
12.5%
What is the assemblage for Beaumes-de-Venise rouge?
Grenache and Syrah must be the majority
What river is a defining feature of Gigondas?
Ouveze
Vacqueyras AOP - grapes/styles
White: Bourbelenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Clairette
Red: at least 50% Grenache + some Syrah and/or Mourvedre
Rosé: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre
1st 5 CDR Villages to be upgraded?
Gigondas (1971)
Vacqueyras (1990)
Beaumes-des-Venise (2005)
Vinsobres (2006)
Cairanne (2016)
*all require min. 50% Grenache & min. 12.5% ABV
Most recent CDR Village upgrade?
Cairanne, 2016
Lirac soils?
Sand over clay and limestone
Lirac AC
Red, white, rosé
*in Gard on west bank of Rhone
*sand over clay and limestone
*principal whites: bourboulenc, Grenache blanc, clairette, roussanne
*principal whites: grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mouvedre
*Lirac, Roquemaure, Saint-Geniès-de-Comolas and Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres
Tavel AOP
- communes
- grapes/styles
- soils
- ABV, RS
One of the only communal AC’s dedicated to pink
*Tavel, Roquemaure
*Grenache Noir must be in blend
*“Lausses” = white calcareous stones + galets
*min. ABV 11.5%, max RS 4 g/l
*AC since 1936 - one of the first
*Dom. L’Anglore, Chateau d’Aqueria
Southern Rhone Vin Doux Naturel?
Rasteau
*VDN in styles similar to Rivesaltes
Muscat de Beaumes-des-Venise
*VDN Blanc, Rosé, Rouge
Muscat de Beaumes-des-Venise AC
- villages
- grapes/styles
- min RS, ABV
- min must weight
VDN Blanc, Rosé, Rouge
*BDV and Aubignan in the Vaucluse
*MPG and MPG Rouge
*min 100g/l RS
*min 15% ABV
*252 g/l min must weight
*Min. 96° neutral alcohol in 5-10% proportion to wine
*clay-limestone and miocene sand
*Domaine de Durban
Rasteau VDN
- villages
- min ABV/potential ABV
Rasteau, Cairanne, Sablet
*VDN Blanc, Rosé Rouge - Ambré, Tuilé, Hors d’Age, Rancio
*15% actual ABV, 21.5% min potential
*min. 45 g/l RS
*Blanc, grenat = fresher styles
*Hors d’Age = min 5 years
*Rancio = distinct oxidative character from time in open barrel
Min. RS for Rasteau VDN? Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise?
45g/l Rasteau
100 g/l Muscat Beaumes-des-Venise
Northernmost Southern Rhone AC?
Grignan-les-Adhemar
*rebranded from Tricastin in 2010
*Drôme dept
*red, white, rosé from the usual Rhone suspects
Luberon AC
White, Rosé, Red - all blends
*varietal wines can use Vaucluse IGP
*principal reds = GSM
*Principal whites = Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle
Clairette de Bellegarde AC
100% Clairette from…. Bellegarde.
Single commune AC in Costières de Nîmes and the only AC in the S. Rhone dedicated to a single variety
Costières de Nîmes AC
Southernmost of the S. Rhone
*white, red, rosé - at least 2 varieties in every bottle
*Alluvial rounded pebbles within a sandy matrix, locally called gress, atop clay subsoil
*previously part of the Languedoc - INAO gave it to the Rhone in 2004
Garrigue
low-lying scrubland atop limestone soils typical to S. France, generally populated with rosemary, lavender and thyme, as its relatively loose, free-draining soils are poor in nutrients
Côtes du Vivarais AC
- styles
- location
White, rosé, red
*Reds = min. 40% Syrah, min. 30% Grenache
*whites = Min. 50% Grenache Blanc, min. 30% combined Marsanne and Clairette; max. 10% combined Viognier and Roussanne
*Rosé 60-80% Grenache
Duché d’Uzès AOP
Huge area in the Gard dept, covers 77 communes
*Viognier-based whites, Grenache-based reds
*not much to say here
Ventoux AC
- styles
- grapes
Gard dept on the border with Provence, Luberon lies on the southern border. Ventoux itself stands alone but is technically part of the Alps
*WHITE RED ROSÉ
*principal whites: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne
*principal reds: Carignan, Cinsault, GSM
(interesting that Carignan is a principal)
Min ABV, max RS for Tavel?
4gl RS max
min 11.5% ABV
