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wset diploma > France - Rhône > Flashcards

France - Rhône Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate in Northern Rhône?

A

moderate continental climate - warm summers - cold winters - adequate rainfall mainly in autumn and winter

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2
Q

What is the climate in Southern Rhône?

A

Mediterranean

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3
Q

What is the area under vine for North and South Rhône?

A

4,000 ha and 66,000 ha

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4
Q

What is the percentage of production by volume of AOC wines in the Rhône valley?

A

46% Côte du Rhône 11% Côte du Rhône Village 8% S Rhône crus 6% N Rhône crus 24% Other Rhône AOCs

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5
Q

What is the split of red white and rose AOC in the the Rhône valley?

A

74% red 16% rosé 10% white

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6
Q

What is Syrah susceptible to?

A

vigorous mites botrytis bunch rot Syrah decline - leaves turn red, graft point breaks up and vine dies

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7
Q

What affects grape growing in N and S Rhône?

A

Mistral wind (Syrah needs protection and tying)

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8
Q

What is the only black variety used in N Rhône crus?

A

Syrah

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9
Q

How and why is Syrah trained in N Rhône?

A

Individual plants tied to one or two poles as trellising is not possible due to steep slopes

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10
Q

What are typical characteristics of red wines from N Rhône?

A

deep ruby intensity: M/P violet, plum (red cooler years/sites, black - warmer years/sites), blackberry, pepper, herbal notes acidity: M/H tannins M/H

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11
Q

What does Syrah add to S Rhône blends?

A

structure, fruit and colour

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12
Q

What are the characteristics of Grenache Noir?

A

high yielding late ripening upright growth makes suitable for bush vines, trained short to contain vigour

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13
Q

What soils does Grenach Noir grow best on?

A

dry, low fertility soils

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14
Q

What is Grenache Noir susceptible to?

A

coulure downy mildew phomompsis botrytis bunch rot bacterial necrosis /blight - kills leaves, shoots then plant (plant diseases free stock and avoid contamination from pruning tools)

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15
Q

Why is Grenache Noir suited to S Rhône?

A

good drought resistance

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16
Q

What happens to sugar in Grenache Noir?

A

accumulate high sugar levels quickly

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17
Q

What does Grenache Noir contribute to blends?

A

pale ruby ripe red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry), spicy and herbal notes acidity: L alcohol: H tannins: L/M

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18
Q

When does Mourvèdre bud and ripen?

A

late budding late ripening

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19
Q

What climate does Mourvèdre require?

A

warm to hot climate, with high temperatures at end of season to ripen fully

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20
Q

What does Mourvèdre require with regards to water?

A

Requires small but regular amounts of water, e.g calcareous soils that store water Not drought resistant

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21
Q

What are the relative yields of Mourvèdre?

A

low

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22
Q

What is Mourvèdre prone to?

A

mites leafhoppers sour rot (disease affecting ripening bunches due to insect or bird damage)

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23
Q

What is Mourvèdre prone to in the. vineyard?

A

reduction - must requires adequate oxygen

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24
Q

What does Mourvèdre contribute to Rhône blends?

A

deep ruby intense blackberries, blueberries, violets alcohol: H tannins: H - firm

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25
Q

When does Cinsaut bud?

A

late budding

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26
Q

What are the relative yields of Cinsaut?

A

high, requires restricting for highest quality

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27
Q

What to Cinsaut prone to?

A

esca eutypa mites grape moths chlorosis if grown on lime

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28
Q

What does Cinsaut contribute to Rhône blends?

A

light ruby intensity: M/M+ fresh red fruit (raspberry, red cherry) alcohol: H tannins: L/M

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29
Q

When does Viognier bud?

A

early budding

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30
Q

What are the relative yields of Viognier?

A

low and unpredictable due to poor flowering and fruit set (coulure)

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31
Q

Why is harvest time of Viognier particularly important?

A

fruit needs to be fully ripe to have its typical pronounced aromas, but if left. too long lose flavour, acidity and rapidly gain sugar resulting in unbalanced wines lacking flavour

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32
Q

What are the characteristics of Viognier?

A

medium lemon pronounced intensity honeysuckle, apricot, peach alcohol: H acidity: L

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33
Q

When does Marsanne bud?

A

late budding

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34
Q

What is the relative yield of Marsanne?

A

high, very vigorous, needs to be controlled

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35
Q

What is Marsanne prone to?

A

powdery mildew mites botrytis bunch rot

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36
Q

Where does Marsanne grow best? Why?

A

slopes of northern Rhône, less fertile help reduce yields

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37
Q

What are the characteristics of Marsanne?

A

medium lemon, sometimes gold low intensity honeysuckle, lemon, apricot oily texture acidity: M body: full alcohol: M/H

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38
Q

When does Roussanne bud?

A

late budding

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39
Q

What considerations are required when growing Roussanne?

A

low-fertile, well drained soils poor resistance to wind

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40
Q

What is Roussanne susceptible to?

A

mites coulure powdery mildew botrytis bunch rot

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41
Q

What are the characteristics of Roussanne?

A

medium lemon/gold Intensity: M/M+ pear, herbal notes acid: M/M+ ABV: M/H

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42
Q

When does Grenache Blanc bud?

A

early budding, not not an issue in S Rhône

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43
Q

What are the characteristics of Grenache Blanc?

A

intensity: L ripe green fruit, some floral notes acid: L ABV: H

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44
Q

Where does Clairette grow well? Why?

A

S Rhône (low rainfall) vigorous, requires low fertile soils and dry soils

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45
Q

How is the vigorous Clairette controlled?

A

pruned short, excessive buds removed

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46
Q

Wen does Clairette ripen?

A

late ripening

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47
Q

What make Clairette easy to grow?

A

Grows upright and is relatively wind resistant without staking

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48
Q

What is Clairette prone to?

A

oxidation

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49
Q

What are the characteristics of Clairette?

A

typically used in blends, adding freshness, fruit white flower, fennel, apple, grapefruit acid: L/M- ABV: H

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50
Q

When does Bourboulenc ripen?

A

late ripening

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51
Q

What are the benefits of Bourboulenc?

A

loose bunches, thick skins so resistant to botrytis, giving disease resistance for late ripening

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52
Q

What are the characteristics of Bourboulenc?

A

blends lemon flavour acid: M+ ABV: M

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53
Q

What is the general winemaking approach in the Rhône Valley?

A

fermentation: traditional, preference concrete vats (stainless steel and large wooden vessels also used) maturation: small and large wooden vessels little new oak used

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54
Q

What is Grenache Noir prone to in the winery?

A

oxidation and premature colour loss if exposed to too much oxygen typically fermented and aged in concrete vats or steel

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55
Q

What is Syrah prone to in the winery?

A

reduction has to pumped over often and aged in oak for gentle oxidation

56
Q

What reduces incidence fungal disease in N Rhône?

A

cold mistral wind blowing from North

57
Q

How does the mistral wind affect the winery?

A

decreases vine vigour, leading to lower yields and higher concentration in the wines

58
Q

What other factor aids grape growing in N Rhône?

A

steep slopes - better sunlight interception - better drainage

59
Q

What style of wines are made in Côte Rôtie AOC?

A

reds only - Syrah - up to 20% Viognier in practice 0-8% used

60
Q

What rootstock is used in Côte Rôtie AOC?

A

3309 - relatively productive - vines produces grapes with good depth of colour

61
Q

What is the vine density in Côte Rôtie AOC? Why?

A

10,000 vines / hectare - create competition between vines - reduces yields - concentrates fruit

62
Q

What is the max permitted yield in Côte Rôtie AOC?

63
Q

What factors in the vineyards of Côte Rôtie AOC result in fully ripe grapes?

A
  • steep slopes, often terraced - mostly face east / south-east - high sunlight interception and heat - rapid drainage - stoney soils
64
Q

What problems do grape growers face in Côte Rôtie AOC?

A
  • steep slopes require work to be done by hand - erosion, terraces often have to be repaired
65
Q

How are vines trained in Côte Rôtie AOC?

A
  • single or double Guyot - tied to one or two poles (échalas)
66
Q

What was the size of plantings in Côte Rôtie AOC in 1970’s? Why?

A

70 ha - lack of commercial interest and hard work required

67
Q

Who revived Côte Rôtie AOC?

A

Etienne Guigal and son Marcel

68
Q

What is the size plantings in Côte Rôtie AOC today?

69
Q

What are the quality levels of wines from Côte Rôtie AOC?

A

very good - outstanding premium - super-premium prices

70
Q

If Viognier is used in Côte Rôtie AOC, how are the wines fermented?

A

Syrah and Viognier must be co-fermented, emphasising aromatic potential of wines

71
Q

How are wines made in Côte Rôtie AOC?

A
  • mostly destemmed and cold soaked, increasingly percentage stems used in ferment - warm fermentation for full extraction - natural yeasts frequently used - MLC in cask - maturation small barrels (225L barrique on model Guigal) or larger wooden vessels demi-muids 500-600 L
72
Q

What does Viognier add to Côte Rôtie AOC reds?

A

floral and fruity aromas

73
Q

Stylistically, ho do wines from Côte Rôtie AOC compare to the rest of N Rhône?

A

pronounced aromas and typically softer and less full bodied than Hermitage and Cornas

74
Q

What is the style of wine in Condrieu AOC?

A

100% Viognier

75
Q

What is the maximum permitted yield in Condrieu AOC?

A

41 hL/ha - ensuring good to high levels of flavour intensity

76
Q

What is the grape growing environment in Condrieu AOC?

A
  • river turns south, so south facing - steep, low fertility, often terraced
77
Q

What are the challenges facing grape growers in Condrieu AOC?

A

erosion and wind

78
Q

What is the size of Condrieu AOC?

79
Q

Which estate in Condrieu AOC created the reputation of Viognier?

A

Chateaux Grillet 3.5ha in centre of AOC

80
Q

How are wines in Condrieu AOC made?

A
  • stainless steel / large wooden vessels - some producers ferment in small barrels for enhanced texture and flavour - MLC normally carried out, but can depend on vintage - aged on lees 10-12 months with lees stirring
81
Q

What are the quality levels of Condrieu AOC wines?

A

very good - outstanding premium - super-premium

82
Q

What are the styles of wines in Saint-Joseph AOC?

A

90% red Marsanne and Roussanne are allowed in small proportions in reds, but in practice including whites is rare

83
Q

What are the maximum permitted yields in Saint-Joseph AOC?

84
Q

What are the qualities of wines from Saint-Joseph AOC?

A

broad good - outstanding mid–price to super-premium

85
Q

What vessels are used for fermenting and maturation in Saint-Joseph AOC?

A

ferment - stainless steel and large wooden tanks ageing - large wooden tanks or barrels, occasionally barriques

86
Q

What is the history of Saint-Joseph AOC?

A
  • historical lieu-dit named site Saint-Joseph southern end of 30 mile long appellation - extended 1994 include non hillside sites - confidence in appellation grown, debating whether to reduce size and limit hillside slopes only - Jean-Louis Chave highly regarded producer raised prestige
87
Q

What is the size of Hermitage AOC?

88
Q

Why does Hermitage AOC produce wines of pronounced intensity?

A
  • south-facing slope on bank of river - protection from winds - hot dry vineyards with thin stony soils
89
Q

What are the permitted yields of Hermitage AOC?

A

red - 40 hl/ha white - 45 hl/ha but seldom achieved due to old vines

90
Q

How are red wines made in Hermitage AOC?

A
  • traditional - proportion stems used in warm vintages - warm fermentation temps (maximum extraction tannins and flavour) - lengthy oak ageing (12-18 months) - proportion new oak is common, but not always used - medium to large wooden vessels common
91
Q

How are white wines made in Hermitage AOC?

A
  • fermentation old wood vats or new or old oak barrels or stainless steel - maturation in oak, minority new or stainless steel - aged on lees for 10-12 months
92
Q

What are white wines made in Hermitage AOC?

A

blend of majority Marsanne with some Roussanne or pure Marsanne

93
Q

What happens to white wines made in Hermitage AOC as they age?

A

rich, creamy and nutty flavours with outstanding complexity

94
Q

What are the quality and prices of wines from Hermitage AOC??

A

for red and white wines: very good - outstanding super premium prices

95
Q

Who owns the majority of holdings in Hermitage AOC?

A
  • négociant houses Chapoutier and Jaboulet - co-operative Cave de Tain - Jean-Louis Chave
96
Q

Whos uses individual parcels for wines and who blends across appellation in Hermitage AOC?

A
  • Chapoutier pioneered focus on individual parcels - Chave supports blending
97
Q

what is the size of Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A

1700 ha biggest of Northern Rhône appellations

98
Q

What is the climate in northern Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A
  • continental - marked Alpine influence - extremely cold winter - strong influence Mistral - long growing season - high diurnal range
99
Q

What impact does the climate in northern Crozes-Hermitage AOC have on the wines?

A

moderate sugar accumulation and retained acidity

100
Q

What is the climate in southern Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A
  • more temperate than north - can be heavy rainfall in late autumn through the winter
101
Q

What is the permitted yield of Hermitage AOC?

102
Q

What is the difference in growing environment between north and south Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A

north - relative steep slopes south - flatter (used to be orchards and farms)

103
Q

What is the difference in soils between Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A

deeper and more fertile in Crozes-Hermitage resulting in wines with lower concentration

104
Q

What is the quality and price of wines from Crozes-Hermitag AOC?

A
  • mostly mid-price & good to very good - also number of premium priced high quality wines e.g Jaboulet Domain de Thalabert
105
Q

What style of wines are normally produced in Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A

91% red - mostly wines made for early drinking with medium tannins 9% white Marsanne and Roussanne

106
Q

How are red wines made in Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A
  • carbonic and semi-carbonic can be used to enhance fruitiness, but is rare today - destemming widely practiced
107
Q

How are top white wines made in Crozes-Hermitage AOC?

A

aged in old wood, occasionally new barrels

108
Q

What colour wines are produced in Cornas AOC?

A

Red only - 100% Syrah

109
Q

What is the climate and growing environment of Cornas AOC?

A

Natural South & East facing amphitheatre with some steep slopes Warm Mediterranean climate, good protection from cold winds & excellent aspect mean first Syrah in N Rhône to be picked

110
Q

What is the size of Cornas AOC?

111
Q

What is the maximum permitted yield in Cornas AOC?

112
Q

What is the reputation of wines from Cornas AOC?

A

tannic intensity - some producers use small barrels to help soften them, trend is back towards robust & long lived wines

113
Q

What are significant producers from Cornas AOC?

A

Domaine Vincent Pais & Domaine Alain Voge

114
Q

What is the climate of Saint-Péray AOC?

A

Although most Southern or N Rhône, it is slightly cooler than immediate neighbours

115
Q

What type of wines are produced in Saint-Péray AOC?

A

White only - majority is Marsanne, some Roussanne

Some traditional method sparkling from same varieties - rare

116
Q

What is the soil in Saint-Péray AOC?

A

limestone & granite ensuring good water holding capacity and drainage

117
Q

What is the maximum permitted yield in Saint-Péray AOC?

118
Q

How are wines typically produced in Saint-Péray AOC?

A
  • fermented in stainless steel or oak barrels and aged in samme or large old oak vessels
  • Higher quality wines aged on lees 10-12 months
  • some producers stir lees for body
    *
119
Q

What is the typical quality and price of wines in Saint-Péray AOC?

A

good-very good

mid-premium priced

120
Q

Briefly describe Collines Rhodaniennes IGP

A

red, white & rosé made from grapes grown outside of the AOCs in N Rhône

80 hL/ha permitted yields

Grapes varieties outside AOC are permitted and typically less expensive than producers AOC wines - mid to premium priced

121
Q

What is the climate of S Rhône?

A

Warm Mediterranean

Mild winters & very warm, dry summers

122
Q

What is the growing environment in S Rhône?

A

Overall rainfall adequate for grape growing, but drought is an increasing problem

Irrigation is permitted if drought is severe - strict rules

123
Q

How are vines trained in S Rhône?

A

Low bush trained as land flatter than N Rhône, little protection from Mistral, esp Grenache Noir

Syrah usually grown tied to wires on trellises giving protection from wind

124
Q

What is the hierarchy of wine appellations in S Rhône?

A
  1. Côtes du Rhône AOC
  2. Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
  3. Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + named village, currently 20 e.g Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC Séguret
  4. Indicidual appellations for the top villages known as cru e.g Châteauneuf-du-Pape
125
Q

What are the typical regulations is S Rhône except Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?

A

Red wines - Grenache Noir dominant blends with Mourvèdre and Syrah. Also permitted are Carignan & Cinsaut

Regulations for red, róse & white:

  1. Distinguish between principal, complementary (i.e main blending varieties) and other permitted varieties
  2. State total minimum proportion of principal (and where applicable complementary) varieties which must be used
126
Q

What is the second largest appellation in France by ha?

A

Côtes du Rhônes AOC

127
Q

What area does Côtes du Rhônes AOC cover?

A

All vineyard land suitable for grape growing in S Rhône and in principle N Rhône, but in practise vast majority come from South as North can be sold for more

128
Q

What is the maximum permitted yield for red, white & róse wines in Côtes du Rhônes AOC?

129
Q

What are the principal varieties and proportions permitted for red and róse wines in Côtes du Rhônes AOC?

A
  1. Grenach Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah - together minimum 60% final blend
  2. If grapes are from S Rhône, Grenach Noir must be minimum 30% & Mourvèdre + Syrah minimum 20%
130
Q

What are the principal varieties and proportions permitted for white wines in Côtes du Rhônes AOC?

A

Bouboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Noir, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier together minimum 80% final blend

131
Q

What are the permitted proportions for red wines in Côtes du Rhônes AOC Villages?

A

Similar Côtes du Rhônes AOC, final belnd must have minimum m66% of at leaest two of 3 principal varieties & must include Grenache Noir

132
Q

What are the permitted yields for Côtes du Rhônes Villages AOC & Côtes du Rhônes Villages AOC + named village?

A

Côtes du Rhônes Villages AOC: 44 hL/ha

Côtes du Rhônes Villages AOC + named village: 41 hL/ha

133
Q

What are the permitted yields for Côtes du Rhônes Crus?

A

35 hL/ha Châteauneuf-du-Pape

36-38 hL/ha other villages

134
Q

What is the typical style of Côtes du Rhône AOC?

A

M ruby

M intesnity red plum, blackberry, no oak

M acid

M tannin

M alc

good & inexpensive

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