France - Loire / Rhone Valley Flashcards
Where is The Rhone Valley
Between Burgundy and Provence.
There is a 30-mile gap between the Northern Rhône
and Southern Rhône sections
What is the major body of water that runs from north to south through the Rhone?
The Rhone River
What are two major areas of the Rhone Valley?
Northern Rhone - Rhone septentionale
Southern Rhone - Rhone mèridionale
What is the only red grape legally allowed in the appellations on Northern Rhone?
Syrah
What is the main red grape of Southern Rhone?
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
What is is the main city of the north?
Lyon
What is is the main city of the south
Avignon
What is the unofficial dividing line between the two regions.
Montélimar
What is the climate type of the Northern Rhone?
Warm - Continental
Which part of France is Rhone Valley in?
Southern France
What is the main white varietal in Northern Rhone?
Viognier
What is the most famous region in Rhone where Grenache is used?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape ( new castle of the pope)
What is the most popular grape used to make Rośe in the Rhone Valley?
Grenache
What is the appellation that is known for their Rośe in the Rhone Valley?
Tavel
What region in Northern Rhone is allowed to produce 100% Viognier?
Condrieu
Chateau - Grillet - single monopole
True or False
Viognier is used for red blends in the southern Rhone?
True - Viognier is used in red blends in the southern Rhone to add aroma and complexity to the wine
How are the Vineyards set up in Northern Rhone?
On terraces due to the steepness of the hills. Most Vineyards set right off the Rhone River
What is the climate type of Southern Rhone?
Mediterranean
Despite the warmth in Southern Rhone, what physical phenomenon allows for grapes to be grown in the region?
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
Where does the Rhone River flow?
The Rhône river originates in Switzerland, flows south through France to the Mediterranean Sea.
What is soil type in the Northern Rhone?
Decomposed granite, schist
What’s the terrain of Northern vs Southern Rhone
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
What are the smooth rocks that make up part of the soil in top Vineyards in the Rhone Valley?
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
Which of the two regions of Rhone is the largest?
Southern Rhone, Northern Rhone only makes up like 10% of Southern Rhone
3 white grape varietals in the Northern Rhone?
Viognier - Main Grape
Roussane - Secondary Grape
Marsanne - Secondary Grape
In the Northern Rhone which direction does the Vines face?
South, so that they can maximize direct sunlight and ripeness
How are grapes grown in Northern Rhône
Terraced slopes with staked vines to reinforce from Mistral wind.
Describe modern grape growing
Modern plantings in the south are often trellised and often dictated by economics.
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
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
How are grapes grown in Southern Rhône
Traditionally bush vines to conserve water and provide shade from the sun.
What type of wines does the region of Hermitage produce?
Red and white wines
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: offers the almost counterintuitive advantage of stabilizing red wine color and moderating tannin extraction.
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
Southern Rhone Red Varieties (3)
(-) Grenache
(-) Mourvèdre
(-) Cinsault
Southern Rhone White Varieties (4)
(-) Grenache Blanc
(-) Bourboulenc
(-) Clairette Blanche
(-) Picpoul
Northern Rhone Red Variety
Syrah
Northern Rhone White Varieties (3)
(-) Viognier
(-) Marsanne
(-) Roussanne
What region produces wines that has syrah with max 15% Rousaane and Marsanne and produce white wines made of Marsanne and Rousanne?
Hermitage
Northern Rhone AOPs (8)
Name varieties
Côte-Rôtie 🔴
Cornas 🔴
Condrieu ⚪
Château-Grillet ⚪
Saint-Péray ⚪
Saint-Joseph 🔴⚪
Hermitage 🔴⚪
Crozes-Hermitage 🔴⚪
Which AOPs (2) in the Northern Rhone produce 100% Viogner?
Condrieu
Château-Grillet AOP
What grapes are in Cornas?
100% Syrah - only reds
What grapes are in Hermitage and Crozes - Hermitage
Red: Syrah and a max of 15% Marsanne and Roussane
White: Marsanne and Roussane
What grapes are in Côte-Rôtie
Red wines only
Syrah with a max of 20% of Viogner
What grapes are in Saint-Joseph
Red: Syrah with a max of 20% of Viogner
Whites: Rousanne and Marsanne
What grapes are in Condrieu
White: Only Viognier (100%)
What grapes are in Saint-Péray AOP
White: Marsanne, Roussanne
Sparkling wines
What grapes are in Château-Grillet AOP
White: Only Viognier (100%)
Côte-du-Rhone wines are usually a blend of what grape?
Grenache
Classification tiers of Southern Rhone
- Côtes-du-Rhône AOP
- Côtes-du-Rhône Villages AOP (named villages)
- Crus/Single Villages
What is the major city that is located in the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Avignon
Name the villages in Southern Rhone
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
- Tavel AOP
- Gigondas AOP
- Vacqueyras AOP
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
What is the soil type of Southern Rhone?
Rock Based: Galets, alluvial, clay,limestone or gravel
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.
Muscat de Beaumes -de-Venise produces what type of wine from the Muscat Grape?
Vin Doux Natural - Sweet fortified wines
Other examples of Vins Doux Naturels, what grapes make up the blend
Rasteau AOP - Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, and Grenache Gris.
What does Cru mean
single village
What direction do the slopes face in Côte Rotie
Southeast and are protected from the cold northerly winds
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
The white wines of Hermitage and Crozes - Hermitage are a blend of what grapes
Marsanne and Roussanne
What is Le Mistral?
A howling icy, northern wind. It’s good for keeping the vines cool in Rhone Valley
What method is used to make the sparkling wine from St Péray
Méthode Traditionnelle
Méthode Tradionalle Mousseux
Name relevant producers in Rhone Valley
(-) Chave
(-) Chapoutier
(-) Guigal
(-) Beaucastel
(-) Rayas
Describe Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Lightly fortified, unoaked
What is the permitted minimum abv in Châteaneuf - du - Pape
12.5%
White Rhône wines can be an alternative for what wine?
Chardonnay
Pair Rhone reds
Meaty dishes involving herbs, bacon, peppercorn
Burgers
What is the main grape of Southern Rhone
Grenache
In Gigondas AC what is the grape requirements
80% Grenache maximum in red and rosè wines, with a minimum 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre
What is this main grape of Vacqueras AC
Grenache
What is the grape requirement for Vacqueras AC
50% minimum Grenache in the red and rosé blends
What is the only French AC that is for rosé wines only
Tavel AC
What are the main grape varietals for Tavel AC
Grenache 🔴
Cinsault 🔴
Morvèdre 🔴
Picpoul Noir 🔴
What are the grape varietal requirements for Tavel AC
No grape can exceed 60% of a blend
What type of wines does Lirac AC produce
Red 🔴
White ⚪
Rosé 🔴⚪
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
Where does Muscat de Beaumes de Venice get its name
From the village with the same name Beaumes de Venise
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
What type of wine is Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
Vin Doux Natural
What is Vin duex Natural
A fortified wine, that has been muted during fermentation, after it has achieved between 5 to 8 percent alcohol
What is Vin de Liqueur
A fortified wine that is muted with alcohol before fermentation can begin
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
What are type of wines produced in Rasteau and what AC do they fall under
Red 🔴
White ⚪
Rosé ⚪🔴
- Côtes du Rhône Villages
What are the natural sweet red fortified wines produced in Rasteau and can originate from Rasteau, Sablet, and Cairanne
VDN - Vin deux Natural
How many villages make up the Côtes du Rhone Villages
20
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
Where is Rivesaltes AOC located
In the centre of Languedoc / Rousillon
Rivesaltes AC produces 50% of what wines in France
Vin Doux Naturel (VDN)
What pope was responsible for building his summer papal palace in Châteauneuf du Pape
Pope John XXII
What were wines called that were produced from the papal vineyards
Vin d’Avigonon
What was the first area in France to be hit with Phylloxera
South France in 1863
- Lirac to be exact
What was the wine that blended with Bordeaux wine give it more strength in the 18th and 19th century
Hermitage
Name the AOPs of Northern Rhone from north to south
Côte Rotie
Corndrieu
St Jospeh
Hermitage
Crozes - Hermitage
Cornas
St. Péray
Château-Grillet
What is the climate of Northern Rhône
Continental
What are some of the flavor notes for Syrah in Northern Rhône
Full bodied
Firm
Savory
Secondary Aromas
Smoked, grill meat
Olive
Lavender
Peppercorn
What are the wines of Northern Rhone typically fermented and aged in
Foudres - large oak cast
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.
Major producers from Hermitage
Jean Louis Chave
Delas
M. Chapoutier
Jaboulet
What does Mousseux mean
Sparkling, found only on cheap fizz
What are some flavor notes for Marsanne
Broad, Oily texture and marzipan character
What are some flavor notes for Viognier
Honeyed Lushness
Intriguing Floral Aromas
Rich Texture
What type of barrels are used for aging in Châteauneuf du Pape
Old Oak Foudres
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%
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
Where is Loire Valley
Spans from the Atlantic Coast to Central France
Four Regions of the Loire Valley from West to East
Pays Nantais
Anjou-Saumur
Touraine
Central Vineyards
What is the longest river in France
The Loire river
Where does the Loire River Run
Begins in the center of France in the Massif Central
What other river is in Loire Valley
Layon River
Climate of Pays Nantais
Cool and wet Maritime
Climate of Anjou-Saumur
Maritime moving toward Continental,
humid
Climate of Touraine
Continental
Climate of Central Vineyards
Continental
AOPs in Pays Nantais (2)
Muscadet AOP
Muscadet de Sèvre-et- Maine AOP
AOPs in Anjou-Saumur (5)
Saumur AOP
Saumur-Champigny AOP
Savennières AOP
Quarts-de-Chaume AOP
Bonnezeaux AOP
AOPs in Touraine (3)
Chinon AOP
Bourgueil AOP
Vouvray AOP
AOPs in Central Vineyards (2)
Sancerre AOP
Pouilly-Fumé AOP
Soil type in Vouvray
Tuffeau
Soil type in Loire Valley
Silex, Kimmeridgian Clay
Which two AOPs are impacted by botrytis?
Why are they impacted?
Bonnezeaux AOP
Quarts-deChaume AOP
Due to humidity from multiple rivers
Sparkling Wines in Loire Valley
Vouvray Pétillant
Crémant de Loire
Winemaking process common in Muscadet
Sur lie aging
Types of wines Saumur
Traditional method sparkling wines
Dry white wines
Dry red wines
Lusciously sweet wines
Types of wines Touraine
Vouvray can be sparkling, dry, off-dry and
sweet in style
Wine varieties in Pay Nantais (Muscadet)
Melon de Bourgogne
Wine varieties Anjou-Saumur
Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Wine varieties Touraine
Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Wine varieties Central Vineyards
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
Vouvray Moelleux
Loire Valley Botrytis affected wine - Chenin Blanc
Top Loire Valley Producers
Domaine Huet
Nicolas Joly
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,
Sur lie aging
A process in which the wine is in constant contact with lees adding additional flavors and aromas into the final product
Main white grape of Loire Valley
Chenin Blanc
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
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.
Classic pairings with Pouilly-Fumé
Oysters
Shellfish
Cheese fondu
Seafood gratin
Sweetbreads in cream
Lamb stew with turnips
Scallops
Seafood platter
Mediterranean prawn brochettes
