FR_Rhône_South

Question 1

5 Descriptors for Grenache

Answer 1

• Aroma: Subtle orange rinds and ruby red grapefruit
• Palate: Strawberry, Raspberry, Black Cherry with hints of Cinnamon and Anise. “cinnamon fruit roll-up”
• Tannin: Medium
• Acid: Medium
• Alcohol: High (13.5-16%)

Question 2

9/12 Appellations of Southern Rhône

Answer 2

• Côtes-du-Rhône Villages
• Rasteau
• Gigondas
• Vacqueras
• Beaumes de Venice (bome-duh-veh-knees)
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Lirac
• Tavel
• Mount Ventoux (von-too)

Question 3

Gigondas AOP
(ghee-gon-dahs)
5 facts

Answer 3

• Primarily red and very little rosé
• Traditionally a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, but can include a maximum 10% of other varieties.
• Considered the little brother of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Warmer climate than Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Known for it’s power rather than elegance.

Question 4

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
6 facts

Answer 4

• Red (94%) or white
• Largest AOP in Rhône
• Highest Minimum abc in France at 12.5%
• Grenache-based blends that an be a blend of 18 different varieties.
• Full bodied and powerful
• Whites are very “earthy”

Question 5

One top vineyard/producer
from Gigondas
2 facts

Answer 5

• Domaine: Raspail-Ay (ras-pel)
• Owner: Dominique Ay
• Domaine Raspail is located Mid-slope
Where the best terroir exists.
• Consistently ranked among the top wines produced in the appellation year in and year out.

Question 6

Châteauneuf du Pape
A top old-vine producer/vineyard
+5 facts

Answer 6

• Domaine Du Grand Tinel (tee-nel)
• Owner: Jeune Family.
• EST: 1846
• Average age of vines is 80-100 years old, adding layers of concentration and complexity to their wines.
• Wine is fermented in stainless steel and new oak is rare to produce a clean/sleek expression of the old vines.
• Lusty,full-bodied, Granache blends

Question 7

One of the oldest estates to produce Châteauneuf-du-Pape
7 facts

Answer 7

• Château La Nerthe (nayrt)
• EST: 1560
• Owned by The Richard Family since 1985.
• One of the first estates to bottle their own wine and possibly the first estate export wine outside of France.
• Average vine age: 40yrs
• Hand harvested
• Certified Organic.
• Aged 12-18months in a variety of vessels, including18% new French oak

Question 8

Three great vintages in Southern Rhône with Wine spectator scores

Answer 8

• 2020: 93 “Wines with good freshness and balance. With generous, supple fruit profiles and accessible tannins, the wines stand out for their immediate drinkability”
• 2019: 96 “Reds are rich, ripe and expressive, with refined textures. A gorgeous vintage that just lacks the spine to be among the truly elite years”
• 2017: 92 “Grenache crops ripened quickly in hot, dry conditions, leading to inconsistent quality.”