France: Rhône Valley

Question 1

How much vineyard land is planted in the southern Rhône as compared to the northern?

Answer 1

66000 ha vs 4000ha

Question 2

Why is grenache typically fermented and aged in neutral vessels?

Answer 2

It is prone to oxidation and loss of color

Question 3

What can be done to combat reduction in syrah?

Answer 3

Pumping over often, oak aging

Question 4

What technique is used to process large volumes of fruit quickly?

Answer 4

Flash détente/thermovinification

Question 5

What is the climate in the northern Rhône?

Answer 5

Moderate continental (cold winters, warm summers, adequate rainfall)

Question 6

What role does the Mistral wind play in the northern Rhône?

Answer 6

Reduces fungal diseases risk

Decreases vigor, leads to lower yields and higher concentration in wines

Question 7

Where are the best vyds planted in the northern Rhône?

Answer 7

Steep slopes to intercept sunlight and promote drainage

Work must be manual labor

Question 8

Who was responsible for the revival of the Côte Rôtie appellation in the 1970s?

Answer 8

Etienne and Marcel Guigal

Question 9

Discuss the vineyard layout of Côte Rôtie

Answer 9

Steep, terraced slopes
East and southeast facing
Protection from wind and good exposure
Erosion and manual labor, repairing terraces and training poles

Question 10

What wines are permitted in Côte Rôtie?

Answer 10

Only red; minimum 80% syrah and up to 20% viognier (rarely practiced)

Question 11

What is done to ensure good quality wines from Condrieu?

Answer 11

Low yields, max 41hl/ha

Vyds are south facing to ensure good ripeness

Question 12

Name two highly regarded producers making wine in St-Joseph

Answer 12

J.L. Chave

Domaine Gonon

Question 13

What percentage of wines from St-Joseph are red?

Answer 13

90%

Question 14

How much vyd land in Hermitage is dedicated to white grapes?

Answer 14

1/3

Question 15

Where will you find Le Méal?

Answer 15

Western end of the hill of Hermitage; known for highest temps in N. Rhône

Question 16

What is the name of the cooperative in Hermitage?

Answer 16

Cave de Tain (owns 15% of appellation)

Question 17

Which two negociant houses dominate holdings in Hermitage?

Answer 17

Chapoutier

Jaboulet

Question 18

Which is the largest appellation within the northern Rhône?

Answer 18

Crozes-Hermitage

Question 19

What wine is permitted in Cornas?

Answer 19

Only red; 100% Syrah

Question 20

What reputation does Cornas have for its wines?

Answer 20

Tannic intensity, very long lived and robust

Question 21

What types of wine are produced in Saint-Péray?

Answer 21

Mainly white and some sparkling, usually from Marsanne and Roussanne

Question 22

What types of wines are maxes for Collines Rhodaniennes IGP?

Answer 22

Red, white and rosé
Max 80hl/ha
Grapes grown outside of the N Rhône AOCs
Allows for grapes other than reqd grapes in AOCs, less expensive

Question 23

Describe the climate of the southern Rhône.

Answer 23

Warm Mediterranean with mild winters and warm, dry summers

Question 24

Why are low bush-trained vines common in the southern Rhône?

Answer 24

The land is flatter than in northern Rhône, so this protects vines from Mistral

Question 25

How many villages can append their name to Côtes du Rhône Villages?

Answer 25

20

Question 26

What is the second largest appellation by hectares planted in France?

Answer 26

Côtes du Rhône AOC

Question 27

What is Gigondas characterized by?

Answer 27

At the base of the Dentelles so reduces temps and extends maturation; cooling effects of Mistral

Question 28

Which notable AOCs recently got promoted to being crus in the southern Rhône in the last 15 years?

Answer 28

Vinsobres, 2006 (most northerly)
Rasteau, 2010 (along with VDNs)
Cairanne, 2015 (gentle hills; fruity wines)
Beaumes-de-Venise, 2015 (VDNs)

Question 29

Who was responsible for setting up the prototype for the AOC system in France in 1923?

Answer 29

Baron du Roy, Château Fortia

Question 30

What is the rule for grape percentages in the final blend for CDP wines?

Answer 30

No rule—can be single variety, on up to using all 13 permitted

Question 31

Characterize the different styles of CDP between sandy and stony soils.

Answer 31

Sandy: lighter, more finesse
Stony: more muscular, structured

Question 32

Why do many producers blend across lieux dits for CDP and other wines?

Answer 32

More complexity

Commercially viable amounts for export

Question 33

Which AOC lies just across the river from CDP?

Answer 33

Lirac

Question 34

How many satellite appellations surround the CDR growing area? Name the top 4 producing ones

Answer 34

7
Ventoux
Costières de Nîmes
Luberon
Grignan-Les-Adhémar

Question 35

Which CDR satellite borders Provence?

Answer 35

Luberon

Question 36

Which satellite AOC is closest to Vinsobres?

Answer 36

Grignan-Les-Adhémar

Question 37

Which AOC satellite borders eastern Languedoc?

Answer 37

Costières de Nîmes

Question 38

What grapes can make up IGP blends in the southern Rhône?

Answer 38

Rhône varieties or international ones

Question 39

Is irrigation allowed in the Rhône?

Answer 39

Only with permission upon application, and under strict conditions

Question 40

What cooperative is responsible for 40% of all Crozes Hermitage wine sales?

Answer 40

Cave de Tain

Question 41

What has happened to cooperatives in the Rhône as the value of wine has risen?

Answer 41

Less prevalent, as more growers are making and bottling their own wines rather than selling off their grapes