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VB - Court of Master Sommeliers - Certified > France - Loire / Rhone Valley > Flashcards

France - Loire / Rhone Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is The Rhone Valley

A

Between Burgundy and Provence.
There is a 30-mile gap between the Northern Rhône
and Southern Rhône sections

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2
Q

What is the major body of water that runs from north to south through the Rhone?

A

The Rhone River

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3
Q

What are two major areas of the Rhone Valley?

A

Northern Rhone - Rhone septentionale

Southern Rhone - Rhone mèridionale

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4
Q

What is the only red grape legally allowed in the appellations on Northern Rhone?

A

Syrah

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5
Q

What is the main red grape of Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache Noir

Note:
Grenache came to France when the Spanish where it is called Granacha, the Spanish crossed the Pyrenees Mountains and brought the grape with them to plant

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6
Q

What is is the main city of the north?

A

Lyon

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7
Q

What is is the main city of the south

A

Avignon

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8
Q

What is the unofficial dividing line between the two regions.

A

Montélimar

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9
Q

What is the climate type of the Northern Rhone?

A

Warm - Continental

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10
Q

Which part of France is Rhone Valley in?

A

Southern France

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11
Q

What is the main white varietal in Northern Rhone?

A

Viognier

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12
Q

What is the most famous region in Rhone where Grenache is used?

A

Châteauneuf-du-Pape ( new castle of the pope)

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13
Q

What is the most popular grape used to make Rośe in the Rhone Valley?

A

Grenache

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14
Q

What is the appellation that is known for their Rośe in the Rhone Valley?

A

Tavel

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15
Q

What region in Northern Rhone is allowed to produce 100% Viognier?

A

Condrieu

Chateau - Grillet - single monopole

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16
Q

True or False

Viognier is used for red blends in the southern Rhone?

A

True - Viognier is used in red blends in the southern Rhone to add aroma and complexity to the wine

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17
Q

How are the Vineyards set up in Northern Rhone?

A

On terraces due to the steepness of the hills. Most Vineyards set right off the Rhone River

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18
Q

What is the climate type of Southern Rhone?

A

Mediterranean

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19
Q

Despite the warmth in Southern Rhone, what physical phenomenon allows for grapes to be grown in the region?

A

Le Mistral - a powerful wind that blows north from the Mediterranean where it flows through the Southern Rhone cooling down the grapes during the heat of the day in the summer months

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20
Q

Where does the Rhone River flow?

A

The Rhône river originates in Switzerland, flows south through France to the Mediterranean Sea.

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21
Q

What is soil type in the Northern Rhone?

A

Decomposed granite, schist

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22
Q

What’s the terrain of Northern vs Southern Rhone

A

Northern Rhône: Steep hills, the Rhône River reflects light and provides more exposure. It also concentrates the effects of Mistral

Southern Rhône: Flatter terrain, Rolling hills, the Rhône River provides cooling impact and less slope

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23
Q

What are the smooth rocks that make up part of the soil in top Vineyards in the Rhone Valley?

A

Galets - they help to absorb energy from the sun during the day and then release it in the form of gentle heat to the Vines in the evening

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24
Q

Which of the two regions of Rhone is the largest?

A

Southern Rhone, Northern Rhone only makes up like 10% of Southern Rhone

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25
Q

3 white grape varietals in the Northern Rhone?

A

Viognier - Main Grape

Roussane - Secondary Grape

Marsanne - Secondary Grape

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26
Q

In the Northern Rhone which direction does the Vines face?

A

South, so that they can maximize direct sunlight and ripeness

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27
Q

How are grapes grown in Northern Rhône

A

Terraced slopes with staked vines to reinforce from Mistral wind.

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28
Q

Describe modern grape growing

A

Modern plantings in the south are often trellised and often dictated by economics.

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29
Q

How does winemaking differ in the North vs the South

A

Northern Rhône: Co-fermented wines in the north
Southern Rhône: Blended wines in the south

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30
Q

Why are wines are blended in the South?

A

The Southern Rhône’s Mediterranean climate has warm, dry summers and mild winters, but mistral winds can challenge vineyard growth. Blending grapes that ripen at different rates can help manage high alcohol levels and tannins. For example, in warmer years, a winemaker might use more Grenache, which can tolerate drought conditions and has high sugar content and potential alcohol. In cooler years, they might use more Syrah.\

also a lot of the grapes are good blending grapes

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31
Q

How are grapes grown in Southern Rhône

A

Traditionally bush vines to conserve water and provide shade from the sun.

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32
Q

What type of wines does the region of Hermitage produce?

A

Red and white wines

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33
Q

Cause and effect of co-fermentation

A

Cause: Began in the Côte-Rôtie, a wine-growing region in France’s Northern Rhône Valley where Viognier often grows alongside Syrah. And, some winemakers there simply went with what they had - producing a “field-blend” wine. And, it worked quite well.

Effect: offers the almost counterintuitive advantage of stabilizing red wine color and moderating tannin extraction.

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34
Q

Grenache and its strengths and
weaknesses

A

Strengths:
(-) Helps stabilize the color from more intensely pigmented varieties
(-) Provides a smoother mouthfeel and mitigates the harsher tannins of varieties like Syrah or Mourvèdre, enhancing the blend’s overall texture
(-) Add body and warmth to blends

Weaknesses:
(-) Low Acidity: Its naturally low acidity can be a drawback, potentially leading to flabby wines if not balanced with higher-acid varieties.
(-) Can lack the tannic structure needed for aging, requiring blending with more tannic grapes to ensure longevity and complexity.
(-) Color Dilution: Its lighter color can dilute the intensity of more deeply colored varieties, which may not be desirable in certain blends

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35
Q

Southern Rhone Red Varieties (3)

A

(-) Grenache
(-) Mourvèdre
(-) Cinsault

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36
Q

Southern Rhone White Varieties (4)

A

(-) Grenache Blanc
(-) Bourboulenc
(-) Clairette Blanche
(-) Picpoul

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37
Q

Northern Rhone Red Variety

A

Syrah

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38
Q

Northern Rhone White Varieties (3)

A

(-) Viognier
(-) Marsanne
(-) Roussanne

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39
Q

What region produces wines that has syrah with max 15% Rousaane and Marsanne and produce white wines made of Marsanne and Rousanne?

A

Hermitage

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40
Q

Northern Rhone AOPs (8)
Name varieties

A

Côte-Rôtie 🔴
Cornas 🔴
Condrieu ⚪
Château-Grillet ⚪
Saint-Péray ⚪
Saint-Joseph 🔴⚪
Hermitage 🔴⚪
Crozes-Hermitage 🔴⚪

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41
Q

Which AOPs (2) in the Northern Rhone produce 100% Viogner?

A

Condrieu
Château-Grillet AOP

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42
Q

What grapes are in Cornas?

A

100% Syrah - only reds

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43
Q

What grapes are in Hermitage and Crozes - Hermitage

A

Red: Syrah and a max of 15% Marsanne and Roussane
White: Marsanne and Roussane

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44
Q

What grapes are in Côte-Rôtie

A

Red wines only
Syrah with a max of 20% of Viogner

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45
Q

What grapes are in Saint-Joseph

A

Red: Syrah with a max of 20% of Viogner
Whites: Rousanne and Marsanne

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46
Q

What grapes are in Condrieu

A

White: Only Viognier (100%)

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47
Q

What grapes are in Saint-Péray AOP

A

White: Marsanne, Roussanne
Sparkling wines

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48
Q

What grapes are in Château-Grillet AOP

A

White: Only Viognier (100%)

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49
Q

Côte-du-Rhone wines are usually a blend of what grape?

A

Grenache

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50
Q

Classification tiers of Southern Rhone

A
  • Côtes-du-Rhône AOP
  • Côtes-du-Rhône Villages AOP (named villages)
  • Crus/Single Villages
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51
Q

What is the major city that is located in the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A

Avignon

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52
Q

Name the villages in Southern Rhone

A
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
  • Tavel AOP
  • Gigondas AOP
  • Vacqueyras AOP
  • Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
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53
Q

What is the soil type of Southern Rhone?

A

Rock Based: Galets, alluvial, clay,limestone or gravel

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54
Q

Understand the elevation differences between Côtes-du-Rhône, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Cru AOP (single villages).

A

Côtes du Rhône: Lower elevation, leading to warmer temperatures and more straightforward wines.

Côtes du Rhône Villages: Higher elevation with better drainage and cooler temperatures, resulting in more structured and complex wines.

Cru AOP: Higher and more varied elevations, often on slopes and terraces, leading to the most complex, structured, and age-worthy wines due to optimal ripening conditions and diverse terroirs.

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55
Q

Muscat de Beaumes -de-Venise produces what type of wine from the Muscat Grape?

A

Vin Doux Natural - Sweet fortified wines

56
Q

Other examples of Vins Doux Naturels, what grapes make up the blend

A

Rasteau AOP - Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, and Grenache Gris.

57
Q

What does Cru mean

A

single village

58
Q

What direction do the slopes face in Côte Rotie

A

Southeast and are protected from the cold northerly winds

59
Q

What are some characteristics of Viognier from Condrieu

A
  • fruit flavors of apricot and peach
  • golden in color
  • dry and spicy
  • best drunk young up to 5 years
60
Q

The white wines of Hermitage and Crozes - Hermitage are a blend of what grapes

A

Marsanne and Roussanne

61
Q

What is Le Mistral?

A

A howling icy, northern wind. It’s good for keeping the vines cool in Rhone Valley

62
Q

What method is used to make the sparkling wine from St Péray

A

Méthode Traditionnelle

Méthode Tradionalle Mousseux

63
Q

Name relevant producers in Rhone Valley

A

(-) Chave
(-) Chapoutier
(-) Guigal
(-) Beaucastel
(-) Rayas

64
Q

Describe Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

A

Lightly fortified, unoaked

65
Q

What is the permitted minimum abv in Châteaneuf - du - Pape

A

12.5%

66
Q

White Rhône wines can be an alternative for what wine?

A

Chardonnay

67
Q

Pair Rhone reds

A

Meaty dishes involving herbs, bacon, peppercorn
Burgers

68
Q

What is the main grape of Southern Rhone

A

Grenache

69
Q

In Gigondas AC what is the grape requirements

A

80% Grenache maximum in red and rosè wines, with a minimum 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre

70
Q

What is this main grape of Vacqueras AC

A

Grenache

71
Q

What is the grape requirement for Vacqueras AC

A

50% minimum Grenache in the red and rosé blends

72
Q

What is the only French AC that is for rosé wines only

A

Tavel AC

73
Q

What are the main grape varietals for Tavel AC

A

Grenache 🔴

Cinsault 🔴

Morvèdre 🔴

Picpoul Noir 🔴

74
Q

What are the grape varietal requirements for Tavel AC

A

No grape can exceed 60% of a blend

75
Q

What type of wines does Lirac AC produce

A

Red 🔴

White ⚪

Rosé 🔴⚪

76
Q

What is the grape requirements for the wines of Lirac AC

A

For red wines:

Minimum 40% Grenache plus 25% Morvèdre and Syrah, the rest made up of Côtes - du - Rhone varietals

77
Q

Where does Muscat de Beaumes de Venice get its name

A

From the village with the same name Beaumes de Venise

78
Q

What makes Muscat Beaume de Venice different from any other wine in Southern Rhone

A

The wines are naturally sweet

They are produced by adding a grape spirit (brandy) to the fermentation to stop it

To ensure that plenty of unfermented sugar remains in the wine

79
Q

What type of wine is Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

A

Vin Doux Natural

80
Q

What is Vin duex Natural

A

A fortified wine, that has been muted during fermentation, after it has achieved between 5 to 8 percent alcohol

81
Q

What is Vin de Liqueur

A

A fortified wine that is muted with alcohol before fermentation can begin

82
Q

Why is there a papal coat of arms on Rhone wine

A
  • Avignon housed the papal court during the 14th century, when civil war was stirring in Rome
    -Pope John XXII ordered a vineyard to be cultivated in the “Newcastle of the Pope.”
    -Under the spiritual and practical guidance of the Church, the region thrived
    -Within the century, however, the Pope was called back to Rome
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape would not have found its vinous calling without a little holy intervention.
    -Owners of vineyards in the region are permitted to emboss on the bottle the coat of arms of the Holy See, consisting of the papal tiara and the crossed keys of Saint Peter (representing the power to bind and to loose on earth and in heaven). A holy reminder that, when uncorking a bottle Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one is heartily quaffing God’s wine. Divine motivation to reach for another bottle
83
Q

What are type of wines produced in Rasteau and what AC do they fall under

A

Red 🔴

White ⚪

Rosé ⚪🔴

  • Côtes du Rhône Villages
84
Q

What are the natural sweet red fortified wines produced in Rasteau and can originate from Rasteau, Sablet, and Cairanne

A

VDN - Vin deux Natural

85
Q

How many villages make up the Côtes du Rhone Villages

A

20

86
Q

Côtes du Rhone Villages (name 5)

A

Beaume de Venise

Cairanne

Chusclan

Gadagne

Laudun

Rasteau

Roaix

Rochegude

Rousset-les-Vignes

Sablet

Saint Gervais

Saint - Maurice

Séguret

Saint Pantaléon

Saint Cecile

Suze - la Rousse

Vaison - la - Romaine

Valreas

Vinsobres

Visan

These villages make up what area in southern Rhone

87
Q

Where is Rivesaltes AOC located

A

In the centre of Languedoc / Rousillon

88
Q

Rivesaltes AC produces 50% of what wines in France

A

Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)

89
Q

What pope was responsible for building his summer papal palace in Châteauneuf du Pape

A

Pope John XXII

90
Q

What were wines called that were produced from the papal vineyards

A

Vin d’Avigonon

91
Q

What was the first area in France to be hit with Phylloxera

A

South France in 1863

  • Lirac to be exact
92
Q

What was the wine that blended with Bordeaux wine give it more strength in the 18th and 19th century

A

Hermitage

93
Q

Name the AOPs of Northern Rhone from north to south

A

Côte Rotie
Corndrieu
St Jospeh
Hermitage
Crozes - Hermitage
Cornas
St. Péray
Château-Grillet

94
Q

What is the climate of Northern Rhône

A

Continental

95
Q

What are some of the flavor notes for Syrah in Northern Rhône

A

Full bodied

Firm

Savory

Secondary Aromas

Smoked, grill meat

Olive

Lavender

Peppercorn

96
Q

What are the wines of Northern Rhone typically fermented and aged in

A

Foudres - large oak cast

97
Q

What is Co Fermentation

A

Co-fermentation is the practice in winemaking of fermenting two or more grape varieties at the same time when producing a wine. This differs from the more common practice of blending separate wine components into a cuvée after fermentation.

98
Q

Major producers from Hermitage

A

Jean Louis Chave
Delas
M. Chapoutier
Jaboulet

99
Q

What does Mousseux mean

A

Sparkling, found only on cheap fizz

100
Q

What are some flavor notes for Marsanne

A

Broad, Oily texture and marzipan character

101
Q

What are some flavor notes for Viognier

A

Honeyed Lushness

Intriguing Floral Aromas

Rich Texture

102
Q

What type of barrels are used for aging in Châteauneuf du Pape

A

Old Oak Foudres

103
Q

What do all 5 of the appellations that got independent status from being labeled Côte de Rhone Village have in common

A

They all share the same minimum potential alcohol requirement of 12.5%

104
Q

When a Wine is labeled ambré and tuilé from Rivesaltes in Rousillon what does that mean

A
  • The red and wine VDN wines display more oxidative character
  • Subject to at least 3 years of aging prior to release
105
Q

Where is Loire Valley

A

Spans from the Atlantic Coast to Central France

106
Q

Four Regions of the Loire Valley from West to East

A

Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards

107
Q

What is the longest river in France

A

The Loire river

108
Q

Where does the Loire River Run

A

Begins in the center of France in the Massif Central

109
Q

What other river is in Loire Valley

A

Layon River

110
Q

Climate of Pays Nantais

A

Cool and wet Maritime

111
Q

Climate of Anjou-Saumur

A

Maritime moving toward Continental,
humid

112
Q

Climate of Touraine

A

Continental

113
Q

Climate of Central Vineyards

A

Continental

114
Q

AOPs in Pays Nantais (2)

A

Muscadet AOP
Muscadet de Sèvre-et- Maine AOP

115
Q

AOPs in Anjou-Saumur (5)

A

Saumur AOP
Saumur-Champigny AOP
Savennières AOP
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP
Bonnezeaux AOP

116
Q

AOPs in Touraine (3)

A

Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
Vouvray AOP

117
Q

AOPs in Central Vineyards (2)

A

Sancerre AOP
Pouilly-Fumé AOP

118
Q

Soil type in Vouvray

A

Tuffeau

119
Q

Soil type in Loire Valley

A

Silex, Kimmeridgian Clay

120
Q

Which two AOPs are impacted by botrytis?
Why are they impacted?

A

Bonnezeaux AOP
Quarts-deChaume AOP

Due to humidity from multiple rivers

121
Q

Sparkling Wines in Loire Valley

A

Vouvray Pétillant
Crémant de Loire

122
Q

Winemaking process common in Muscadet

A

Sur lie aging

123
Q

Types of wines Saumur

A

Traditional method sparkling wines
Dry white wines
Dry red wines
Lusciously sweet wines

124
Q

Types of wines Touraine

A

Vouvray can be sparkling, dry, off-dry and
sweet in style

125
Q

Wine varieties in Pay Nantais (Muscadet)

A

Melon de Bourgogne

126
Q

Wine varieties Anjou-Saumur

A

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc

127
Q

Wine varieties Touraine

A

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc

128
Q

Wine varieties Central Vineyards

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir

129
Q

Vouvray Moelleux

A

Loire Valley Botrytis affected wine - Chenin Blanc

130
Q

Top Loire Valley Producers

A

Domaine Huet
Nicolas Joly

131
Q

History of Nicholas Joly

A

(-) Early adapter of biodynamic viticulture

(-) His work at Château de la Roche-aux-Moines has not only elevated the quality and reputation of Savennières wines but also inspired a global movement towards more sustainable and terroir-focused winemaking practices

(-) His success with biodynamic viticulture inspired many other winemakers in the Loire Valley and beyond to explore and adopt similar practices,

132
Q

Sur lie aging

A

A process in which the wine is in constant contact with lees adding additional flavors and aromas into the final product

133
Q

Main white grape of Loire Valley

A

Chenin Blanc

134
Q

Pairings with the different sweetness levels of Chenin
Blanc

A

Dry: Seafood, goat cheese, charcuterie, cream sauces, and fresh or roasted veggies, simply poached salmon

Off Dry: Sriracha or Asian Dishes, Vegetables that are sweet or imply sweetness (corn, carrots, yams)

Sweet: Desserts based on white stone fruits (peach, nectarine) and tree fruits (pear and apple, especially in tarts), or with custards such as crème brûlée.

Sparkling: Fried foods

135
Q

Classic pairings with Sancerre

A

Gumbo
White Meat. Poultry. Chicken. Turkey. Pork Chops.
Herbs. Fresh Green Herbs. Parsley. Basil. Thyme. Mint. …
Cheese. Goat Cheese. Feta.
Specialities. Salmon with Vinegar Cucumber Salad.

136
Q

Classic pairings with Pouilly-Fumé

A

Oysters
Shellfish
Cheese fondu
Seafood gratin
Sweetbreads in cream
Lamb stew with turnips
Scallops
Seafood platter
Mediterranean prawn brochettes

VB - Court of Master Sommeliers - Certified (43 decks)

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