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WSET Diploma & CMS Advanced 2025 > France: Southern Rhône > Flashcards

France: Southern Rhône Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 22 geographic designations for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC?

A
  1. Chusclan
  2. Gadagne
  3. Laudun
  4. Massif d’Uchaux
  5. Nyons
  6. Plan de Dieu
  7. Puyméras
  8. Roaix
  9. Rochegude
  10. Rousset-les-Vignes
  11. Sablet
  12. Saint-Andéol
  13. Saint-Gervais
  14. Saint-Maurice
  15. Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes
  16. Saint-Cécil
  17. Séguret
  18. Signargues
  19. Suze-la-Rousse
  20. Vaison-la-Romaine
  21. Valréas
  22. Visan
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2
Q

Describe the climate of the Southern Rhône.

A
  • Warm mediterranean
  • Drought is an increasing problem
  • Flatter terrain means less protection from the Mistral
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3
Q

How are vines commonly trained in the Southern Rhône?

A

Syrah is trained on trellises for wind support, while Grenache is often trained as bush vines

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4
Q

What is the hierarchy of appellations in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Côtes du Rhône
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages
  • Côtes de Rhône Villages + geographical designation (currently 22).
  • Individuel appellations (eg Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC).
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5
Q

What area does the Côtes du Rhône AOC cover?

A

Both the Northern and Southern Rhône, excluding Southern Rhône’s satellite appellations.

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6
Q

What are the principal white grape varieties (and assemblage requirements) of the Côtes du Rhône AOC?

A

Min. 80% combined Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier

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7
Q

What are the accessory white grape varieties (and assemblage requirements) of the Côtes du Rhône AOC?

A

Max 20% combined Piquepoul Blanc and Ugni Blanc

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8
Q

What are the principal black grape varieties (and assemblage requirements) of the Côtes du Rhône AOC?

A

Min. 60% Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah.

In the Southern Rhône, min. 30% (excluding Montélimar) and min. 20% Syrah and Mouvédre.

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9
Q

Give two examples of accessory black varieties of Côtes du Rhône AOC?

A

Cinsault and Carignan

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10
Q

What are the assemblage requirements for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC? Rouge + Blanc.

A

Rouge: Min. 66% combined Grenache and another principal variety.
Blanc:

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11
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC? With named GD?

A

44hL/ha
41hL/ha with subzone designation

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12
Q

What are the principal soils of Gigondas AOC?

A

Stony red clay alluvium, Limestone

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13
Q

When was the AOC of Gigondas granted?

A

1971

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14
Q

Where are the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains located?

A

Gigondas, Southern Rhône

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15
Q

What is the name of the mountains influencing viticulture in Gigondas AOC?

A

Dentelles de Montmirail

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16
Q

How do the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains influence Gigondas AOC?

A
  • Reduces temperature in the mornings (extending maturation period).
  • Provides altitudes of up to 600m
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17
Q

What are the two cooling influences in Gigondas AOC?

A
  • The Mistral wind
  • The Dentelles de Montmirail mountains
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18
Q

What are the assemblage requirements for Gigondas AOC Blanc?

A

Min. 70% Clairette Blanc

White wine production was permitted in Gigondas from the 2023 vintage.

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19
Q

What are the assemblage requirements for Gigondas AOC rouge and rosés

A

Min. 50% Grenache, plus at least one of the two complementary varieties (Mourvèdre and/or Syrah)

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20
Q

Name three producers of Gigondas AOC.

A
  • Domaine Santa Duc
  • Domaine Raspail-Ay
  • Domaine de la Bouïssiere
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21
Q

When was the AOC granted for Vacqueyras?

A

1990

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22
Q

What are the assemblage requirements for Vacqueyras AOC rouge?

A

Red wines must include at least 50% Grenache and at least one complementary variety

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23
Q

What are the max. permitted yields for Vacuqueras AOC?

A

36hL/ha

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24
Q

Name a producer in Vacqueras AOC.

A

Domaine Montirius

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25
Where is Vinsobres AOC located?
Southern Rhône
26
What are the assemblage requirements for Vinsobres AOC?
Min. 50% Grenache, and at least one complementary variety must be present in the blend.
27
Are white wines produced in Vinsobres AOC?
No. Red wines only
28
Describe the growing conditions of Vinsobres AOC.
* South, south-east facing slopes of 200-250m in altitude * Good sunlight interception, good drainage and some protection from the Mistral.
29
What styles of wine are made in Rasteau AOC
* Rouge based on Grenache * VDNs from Grenache (Noir, Blanc and Gris) (Blanc, Ambré, Grenat, Tuilé, Rosé, Hors d'Age and Rancio).
30
What are the assemblage requirements for Rasteau AOC rouge?
Min. 50% Grenache with at least one of Syrah or Mouvédre.
31
Describe the growing climate of Rasteau AOC.
Vines are planted on low south-facing slopes (100 m) in a warm enclave, sheltered from the Mistral, resulting in ripe, full-bodied wines.
32
Where is Cairanne AOC located?
Southern Rhône Directly west of Rasteau
33
When was Cairanne granted its AOC?
2015
34
What are the assemblage requirements for Cairanne AOC?
**Blanc:** A minimum of 2 principal grapes (Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussane) must be used at a minimum of 20% each. **Rouge:** Min. 40% of Grenache Noir with at least one of Syrah and Mouvédre.
35
What are the assemblage requirements for Beaumes-de-Venise AOC?
Grenache Noir and Syrah must account for min. 50% of the blend
36
What are the VDN appellations of the Southern Rhône?
* Muscat de Beaumes de Venise * Rasteau
37
What key historical events does Chateauneuf-du-Pape owe its fame to?
* It was the summer residence of the Pope in the 14th century when the papacy had been relocated to Avignon * In 1923 Baron du Roy of Château Fortia drew up a set of rules to protect the name from being used by others outside of the region, which were initially approved in 1936. (This was the prototype for the first AOC of France).
38
What are the 13 (18) grape varieties of CHateauneuf-du-Pape?
* Grenache (Noir, Blanc and Gris) * Mouvédre * Syrah * Cinsault * Counoise * Bourboulenc * Roussane * Brun Argenté * Clairette (and Clairette Rosé) * Muscardin * Picardin * Piquepoul (Noir, Blanc and Gris). * Terret Noir
39
How much do red wines account for the total production of Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
90%
40
What is the min. required abv for Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
12.5%
41
What is 'le râpé' in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
AOP regulations mandate that producers declassify or discard at least 2% of harvested grapes (le râpé), a process that serves as a safeguard against underripeness.
42
Which two common Rhóne white grape varieties are **not** permitted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Marsanne and Viognier
43
What is the area under vine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Over 3000ha
44
What are galets in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Large rounded stones
45
What are the principal soils of Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Varies across the appellation and includes limestone, clay, sandstone and sandy soils with some areas featuring galets.
46
Where is Château Rayas located?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
47
What producer of Chateauneuf-du-Pape is known for single varietal wines?
Château Rayas
48
Which producer in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC produces the wine 'Hommage à Jacques Perrin'?
Château de Beaucastel
49
Where is Château de Beaucastel located?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
50
Where is Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe located?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
51
Name five producers of Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.
* Château Rayas * Château de Beaucastel * Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe * Domaine du Pegau * Henri Bonneau
52
What producer is considered the oldest estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Château La Nerthe
53
How big is a demi-muid?
600l
54
Where is Lirac AOC located?
Southern Rhône West of Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
55
What are the principal black grape varieties and assemblage requirements of Lirac AOC?
Min. 90% combined Grenache (min. 40%), Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre (min. 25% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre)
56
Describe the growing conditions of Lirac AOC.
High sunlight hours and well-drained, infertile soils make for good conditions for growing and ripening grapes.
57
Name a producer of Lirac AOC.
Domaine de la Mordorée
58
Where is Tavel AOC located?
Southern Rhône Below Lirac AOC and west of Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.
59
What style of wine is produced in Tavel AOC?
Exclusively Rosés based on Grenache (Noir, Gris and Blanc).
60
What are the max. permitted yields for Tavel AOC?
46hL/ha
61
Describe a wine from Tavel AOC.
The wines are mediumintensity pink-orange in colour, much darker than most other rosés, with medium to medium (+) intensity of strawberry and raspberry fruit, medium (+) to full body and medium alcohol, but atthe top end of that band (e.g. 13.5% abv). The wines are good to very good in quality and mid-to premium priced.
62
What is the biggest challenge Tavel AOC faces today?
Market preference for the paler, lighter of Provence rather than the gastronomic, fuller bodied wines of Tavel
63
Where is Costières de Nîmes AOC located?
Southern Rhône South of the city of Nîmes Between Rhône and Languedoc
64
Outline the growing conditions of Costières de Nîmes AOC.
Vines are grown on South-West facing slopes. Good sunlight interception. Ventilated by breezes from the Mediterranean
65
Outline the production of Costières de Nîmes AOC (red, white and rosé).
Half of the production is red wine, just over 40 per cent is rosé, with a small proportion of white wines.
66
What are the principal black grape varieties and assemblage requirements of Costières de Nîmes AOC?
Grenache, Mouvédre and Syrah. Together or singly must make up a minimum of 50 per cent of the final blend.
67
What are the max. permitted yields of Costières de Nîmes AOC?
60hL/ha
68
Where is Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC located?
The Northern end of Southern Rhône
69
What are the principal black varieties of Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC?
Grenache Noir and Syrah
70
Where is Ventoux AOC located?
South-East of Southern Rhône
71
What is the name of the mountain that influences the growing conditions of Ventoux AOC?
Mont Ventoux
72
How does the Mont Ventoux influence Ventoux AOC?
* Provides South and West facing slopes. * Provides altitudes of up to 450m * Cool air descending from the mountain provides a moderating influence
73
Where is the Mont Ventoux?
The Mont Ventoux is in Southern Rhône, and influences the growing conditions of Ventoux AOC.
74
Outline the production of Ventoux AOC (red, white and rosé).
Almost 54 per cent of production in 2021 was red wines, 40 per cent rosé and 6 per cent white wines
75
What are the principal black varieties of Ventoux AOC?
Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsaut
76
What are the max. permitted yields for Ventoux AOC?
55hL/ha for red and rosé 60hL/ha for whites
77
Name a producer of Ventoux AOC.
Domaine de Fondrèche
78
Where is Luberon AOC?
South-East of the Rhône Valley, borders Provence
79
What are the principal black varieties of Luberon AOC?
Grenache Noir, Syrah and Mouvédre
80
What are the max. permitted yields for Luberon AOC (rouge)?
55hL/ha
81
Name the AOCs that produce red wines only in the Southern Rhône.
Vinsobres AOC Beaumes-de-Venise AOC (Muscat-de-Beaumes-de-Venise is its own appellation).
82
Which AOC of the Southern Rhône produces rosé wines only?
Tavel AOC
83
Which AOC of the Southern Rhône produces white wines only?
Clairette de Bellgarde AOC
84
Where is Clairette de Bellegarde AOC located?
Southern Rhône. Surrounded by Costières de Nimes AOC in the North and East
85
Where is Côtes de Vivarais AOC located?
North West of Southern Rhône
86
What was Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC previously known as?
Coteaux du Tricastin AOC
87
Why did the producers of Côtes du Tricastin AOC rebrand their appellation?
To rebound sales and avoid an unsavory association with the troubled Tricastin nuclear plant
88
What is Côtes du Tricastin AOC now known as?
Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC
89
What is the min. abv for Hermitage Blanc?
11%
90
Which appellation is nearest to Avignon? Costières de Nimes Côtes du Vivarais Tavel Lirac
Tavel
91
What is the most recent Côtes du Rhône village to be upgraded to AOP status?
Cairanne
92
What are the irrigation restrictions of the Rhône Valley?
The general prohibition of irrigation for AOC wines in France has been amended so that AOCs may apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions. Proof of water stress to vines is required, no irrigation is permitted after véraison, and in no circumstances can irrigation be used to exceed the maximum yield allowed by individual AOCs.
93
Name three significant negociants of the Rhône Valley?
Jaboulet Guigal Chapoutier
94
Outline the domestic and export markets of Rhône wines (as a whole).
63% sold in France (Supermarkets, specialist wine retailers, hospitality, in that order). 37% exported with Belgium, UK and USA most important markets. USA highest by value.

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