France - Loire / Rhone Valley Flashcards
(136 cards)
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
2
Q
What is the major body of water that runs from north to south through the Rhone?
A
The Rhone River
3
Q
What are two major areas of the Rhone Valley?
A
Northern Rhone - Rhone septentionale
Southern Rhone - Rhone mèridionale
4
Q
What is the only red grape legally allowed in the appellations on Northern Rhone?
A
Syrah
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
6
Q
What is is the main city of the north?
A
Lyon
7
Q
What is is the main city of the south
A
Avignon
8
Q
What is the unofficial dividing line between the two regions.
A
Montélimar
9
Q
What is the climate type of the Northern Rhone?
A
Warm - Continental
10
Q
Which part of France is Rhone Valley in?
A
Southern France
11
Q
What is the main white varietal in Northern Rhone?
A
Viognier
12
Q
What is the most famous region in Rhone where Grenache is used?
A
Châteauneuf-du-Pape ( new castle of the pope)
13
Q
What is the most popular grape used to make Rośe in the Rhone Valley?
A
Grenache
14
Q
What is the appellation that is known for their Rośe in the Rhone Valley?
A
Tavel
15
Q
What region in Northern Rhone is allowed to produce 100% Viognier?
A
Condrieu
Chateau - Grillet - single monopole
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
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
18
Q
What is the climate type of Southern Rhone?
A
Mediterranean
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
20
Q
Where does the Rhone River flow?
A
The Rhône river originates in Switzerland, flows south through France to the Mediterranean Sea.
21
Q
What is soil type in the Northern Rhone?
A
Decomposed granite, schist
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
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
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
25
3 white grape varietals in the Northern Rhone?
Viognier - Main Grape
Roussane - Secondary Grape
Marsanne - Secondary Grape
26
In the Northern Rhone which direction does the Vines face?
South, so that they can maximize direct sunlight and ripeness
27
How are grapes grown in Northern Rhône
Terraced slopes with staked vines to reinforce from Mistral wind.
28
Describe modern grape growing
Modern plantings in the south are often trellised and often dictated by economics.
29
How does winemaking differ in the North vs the South
Northern Rhône: Co-fermented wines in the north
Southern Rhône: Blended wines in the south
30
Why are wines are blended in the South?
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
31
How are grapes grown in Southern Rhône
Traditionally bush vines to conserve water and provide shade from the sun.
32
What type of wines does the region of Hermitage produce?
Red and white wines
33
Cause and effect of co-fermentation
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: Co-fermentation allows winemakers to create the desired wine without having to adjust the recipe after fermentation.
34
Grenache and its strengths and
weaknesses
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
35
Southern Rhone Red Varieties (3)
(-) Grenache
(-) Mourvèdre
(-) Cinsault
36
Southern Rhone White Varieties (4)
(-) Grenache Blanc
(-) Bourboulenc
(-) Clairette Blanche
(-) Picpoul
37
Northern Rhone Red Variety
Syrah
38
Northern Rhone White Varieties (3)
(-) Viognier
(-) Marsanne
(-) Roussanne
39
What region produces wines that has syrah with max 15% Rousaane and Marsanne and produce white wines made of Marsanne and Rousanne?
Hermitage
40
Northern Rhone AOPs (8)
Name varieties
Côte-Rôtie 🔴
Cornas 🔴
Condrieu ⚪
Château-Grillet ⚪
Saint-Péray ⚪
Saint-Joseph 🔴⚪
Hermitage 🔴⚪
Crozes-Hermitage 🔴⚪
41
Which AOPs (2) in the Northern Rhone produce 100% Viogner?
Condrieu
Château-Grillet AOP
42
What grapes are in Cornas?
100% Syrah - only reds
43
What grapes are in Hermitage and Crozes - Hermitage
Red: Syrah and a max of 15% Marsanne and Roussane
White: Marsanne and Roussane
44
What grapes are in Côte-Rôtie
Red wines only
Syrah with a max of 20% of Viogner
45
What grapes are in Saint-Joseph
Red: Syrah with a max of 20% of Viogner
Whites: Rousanne and Marsanne
46
What grapes are in Condrieu
White: Only Viognier (100%)
47
What grapes are in Saint-Péray AOP
White: Marsanne, Roussanne
Sparkling wines
48
What grapes are in Château-Grillet AOP
White: Only Viognier (100%)
49
Côte-du-Rhone wines are usually a blend of what grape?
Grenache
50
Classification tiers of Southern Rhone
- Côtes-du-Rhône AOP
- Côtes-du-Rhône Villages AOP (named villages)
- Crus/Single Villages
51
What is the major city that is located in the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Avignon
52
Name the villages in Southern Rhone
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
- Tavel AOP
- Gigondas AOP
- Vacqueyras AOP
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
53
What is the soil type of Southern Rhone?
Rock Based: Galets, alluvial, clay,limestone or gravel
54
Understand the elevation differences between Côtes-du-Rhône, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Cru AOP (single villages).
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.
55
Muscat de Beaumes -de-Venise produces what type of wine from the Muscat Grape?
Vin Doux Natural - Sweet fortified wines
56
Other examples of Vins Doux Naturels, what grapes make up the blend
Rasteau AOP - Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, and Grenache Gris.
57
What does Cru mean
single village
58
What direction do the slopes face in Côte Rotie
Southeast and are protected from the cold northerly winds
59
What are some characteristics of Viognier from Condrieu
- fruit flavors of apricot and peach
- golden in color
- dry and spicy
- best drunk young up to 5 years
60
The white wines of Hermitage and Crozes - Hermitage are a blend of what grapes
Marsanne and Roussanne
61
What is Le Mistral?
A howling icy, northern wind. It's good for keeping the vines cool in Rhone Valley
62
What method is used to make the sparkling wine from St Péray
Méthode Traditionnelle
Méthode Tradionalle Mousseux
63
Name relevant producers in Rhone Valley
(-) Chave
(-) Chapoutier
(-) Guigal
(-) Beaucastel
(-) Rayas
64
Describe Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Lightly fortified, unoaked
65
What is the permitted minimum abv in Châteaneuf - du - Pape
12.5%
66
White Rhône wines can be an alternative for what wine?
Chardonnay
67
Pair Rhone reds
Meaty dishes involving herbs, bacon, peppercorn
Burgers
68
What is the main grape of Southern Rhone
Grenache
69
In Gigondas AC what is the grape requirements
80% Grenache maximum in red and rosè wines, with a minimum 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre
70
What is this main grape of Vacqueras AC
Grenache
71
What is the grape requirement for Vacqueras AC
50% minimum Grenache in the red and rosé blends
72
What is the only French AC that is for rosé wines only
Tavel AC
73
What are the main grape varietals for Tavel AC
Grenache 🔴
Cinsault 🔴
Morvèdre 🔴
Picpoul Noir 🔴
74
What are the grape varietal requirements for Tavel AC
No grape can exceed 60% of a blend
75
What type of wines does Lirac AC produce
Red 🔴
White ⚪
Rosé 🔴⚪
76
What is the grape requirements for the wines of Lirac AC
For red wines: Minimum 40% Grenache plus 25% Morvèdre and Syrah, the rest made up of Côtes - du - Rhone varietals
77
Where does Muscat de Beaumes de Venice get its name
From the village with the same name Beaumes de Venise
78
What makes Muscat Beaume de Venice different from any other wine in Southern Rhone
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
What type of wine is Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
Vin Doux Natural
80
What is Vin duex Natural
A fortified wine, that has been muted during fermentation, after it has achieved between 5 to 8 percent alcohol
81
What is Vin de Liqueur
A fortified wine that is muted with alcohol before fermentation can begin
82
Why is there a papal coat of arms on Rhone wine
- 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
What are type of wines produced in Rasteau and what AC do they fall under
Red 🔴
White ⚪
Rosé ⚪🔴
- Côtes du Rhône Villages
84
What are the natural sweet red fortified wines produced in Rasteau and can originate from Rasteau, Sablet, and Cairanne
VDN - Vin deux Natural
85
How many villages make up the Côtes du Rhone Villages
20
86
Côtes du Rhone Villages (name 5)
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
Where is Rivesaltes AOC located
In the centre of Languedoc / Rousillon
88
Rivesaltes AC produces 50% of what wines in France
Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
89
What pope was responsible for building his summer papal palace in Châteauneuf du Pape
Pope John XXII
90
What were wines called that were produced from the papal vineyards
Vin d'Avigonon
91
What was the first area in France to be hit with Phylloxera
South France in 1863
- Lirac to be exact
92
What was the wine that blended with Bordeaux wine give it more strength in the 18th and 19th century
Hermitage
93
Name the AOPs of Northern Rhone from north to south
Côte Rotie
Corndrieu
St Jospeh
Hermitage
Crozes - Hermitage
Cornas
St. Péray
Château-Grillet
94
What is the climate of Northern Rhône
Continental
95
What are some of the flavor notes for Syrah in Northern Rhône
Full bodied
Firm
Savory
Secondary Aromas
Smoked, grill meat
Olive
Lavender
Peppercorn
96
What are the wines of Northern Rhone typically fermented and aged in
Foudres - large oak cast
97
What is Co Fermentation
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
Major producers from Hermitage
Jean Louis Chave
Delas
M. Chapoutier
Jaboulet
99
What does Mousseux mean
Sparkling, found only on cheap fizz
100
What are some flavor notes for Marsanne
Broad, Oily texture and marzipan character
101
What are some flavor notes for Viognier
Honeyed Lushness
Intriguing Floral Aromas
Rich Texture
102
What type of barrels are used for aging in Châteauneuf du Pape
Old Oak Foudres
103
What do all 5 of the appellations that got independent status from being labeled Côte de Rhone Village have in common
They all share the same minimum potential alcohol requirement of 12.5%
104
When a Wine is labeled ambré and tuilé from Rivesaltes in Rousillon what does that mean
* The red and wine VDN wines display more oxidative character
* Subject to at least 3 years of aging prior to release
105
Where is Loire Valley
Spans from the Atlantic Coast to Central France
106
Four Regions of the Loire Valley from West to East
Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards
107
What is the longest river in France
The Loire river
108
Where does the Loire River Run
Begins in the center of France in the Massif Central
109
What other river is in Loire Valley
Layon River
110
Climate of Pays Nantais
Cool and wet Maritime
111
Climate of Anjou-Saumur
Maritime moving toward Continental,
humid
112
Climate of Touraine
Continental
113
Climate of Central Vineyards
Continental
114
AOPs in Pays Nantais (2)
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet de Sèvre-et- Maine AOP
115
AOPs in Anjou-Saumur (5)
Saumur AOP
Saumur-Champigny AOP
Savennières AOP
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP
Bonnezeaux AOP
116
AOPs in Touraine (3)
Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
Vouvray AOP
117
AOPs in Central Vineyards (2)
Sancerre AOP
Pouilly-Fumé AOP
118
Soil type in Vouvray
Tuffeau
119
Soil type in Loire Valley
Silex, Kimmeridgian Clay
120
Which two AOPs in Loire are impacted by botrytis?
Why are they impacted?
Bonnezeaux AOP
Quarts-deChaume AOP
Due to humidity from multiple rivers
121
Sparkling Wines in Loire Valley
Vouvray Pétillant
Crémant de Loire
122
Winemaking process common in Muscadet
Sur lie aging
123
Types of wines Saumur
Traditional method sparkling wines
Dry white wines
Dry red wines
Lusciously sweet wines
124
Types of wines Touraine
Vouvray can be sparkling, dry, off-dry and
sweet in style
125
Wine varieties in Pay Nantais (Muscadet)
Melon de Bourgogne
126
Wine varieties Anjou-Saumur
Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
127
Wine varieties Touraine
Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
128
Wine varieties Central Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
129
Vouvray Moelleux
Loire Valley Botrytis affected wine - Chenin Blanc
130
Top Loire Valley Producers
Domaine Huet
Nicolas Joly
131
History of Nicholas Joly
(-) 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
Sur lie aging
A process in which the wine is in constant contact with lees adding additional flavors and aromas into the final product
133
Main white grape of Loire Valley
Chenin Blanc
134
Pairings with the different sweetness levels of Chenin
Blanc
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
Classic pairings with Sancerre
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
Classic pairings with Pouilly-Fumé
Oysters
Shellfish
Cheese fondu
Seafood gratin
Sweetbreads in cream
Lamb stew with turnips
Scallops
Seafood platter
Mediterranean prawn brochettes
