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WSET Level 4 - D3 > France - Southern Rhône - Wine Regions > Flashcards

France - Southern Rhône - Wine Regions Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the climate and rain?

A
  • Warm, Mediterranean
  • Adequate rainfall, but dry summers
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2
Q

Is irrigation permitted?

A
  • Yes, if drought is severe
  • But only under strict conditions
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3
Q

How is the topography compared to Northern Rhône? What does that mean for vine training?

A
  • Flatter land
  • Little protection from Mistral wind
  • Low bush-trained vines
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4
Q

How are Grenache Noir and Syrah trained?

A
  • Grenache Noir: Bush vines
  • Syrah: tied to wires on trellises
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5
Q

Describe the hierarchy of appellations from lowest to highest

A
  • Côtes du Rhône
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages + named village (currently 22 villages)
  • Individual appellations for the top villages, e.g., Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Gigondas AOC, Cairanne AOC etc.
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6
Q

What are the regulations (except in Châteauneuf-du-Pape) regarding varieties for red wines?

A
  • Grenache Noir-dominant blends
  • Typically with Mourvèdre and Syrah
  • Other varieties, e.g., Carignan and Cinsault
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7
Q

How are grapes for red, white and rosé wines categorized for the final blends?

A
  • Principal
  • Complementary (i.e. the main blending varieties)
  • Other permitted varieties
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8
Q

Côtes du Rhône
Where can the grapes come from and how is it in practice?

A
  • All vineyard land suitable for grape growing in the southern Rhône and northern Rhône
  • Except! “Other appellations”
  • In practice, majority from the south as producers in the north can usually sell their wines under more valuable appellations
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9
Q

Côtes du Rhône
How large is this area?

A

2nd largest in France after Bordeaux AOC

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10
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What are the principal varieties for red and rosé wines?

A
  • Grenache Noir
  • Mourvèdre
  • Syrah
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11
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What are the requirements for principal varieties?

A
  • Min 60%
  • If from southern Rhône, additionally:
  • Min 30% Grenache Noir
  • Min 20% Mourvèdre and Syrah
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12
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What other varieties are allowed for red and rosé wines?

A

Local varieties, e.g., Carignan and Cinsault

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13
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What is the max yield for red, white, and rosé wines?

A

51 hL/ha

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14
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What are the principal varieties for white wines and what is the min of them in the final blend?

A
  • Min 80%
  • Bourboulenc
  • Clairette
  • Grenache Blanc
  • Marsanne
  • Roussanne
  • Viognier
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15
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What other varieties are allowed for white wines?

A

Local varieties, e.g., Piquepoul Blanc

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16
Q

What are the max yields for Côtes du Rhône Villages, Côtes du Rhône Villages + named village, other village, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages: 44 hL/ha
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages + named village: 41 hL/ha
  • Other villages: 36–38 hL/ha
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape: 35 hL/ha
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17
Q

Côtes du Rhône
What are the requirements for Côtes du Rhône Villages regarding principal grape varieties?

A
  • Min 66% of at least two of the three principal varieties
  • Grenache Noir must be included
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18
Q

Côtes du Rhône
Describe the typical style of wine (color, intensity, aromas, acidity, tannin, alcohol, quality, price)

A
  • Medium ruby
  • Medium intensity
  • Red plum, blackberry, no oak flavours
  • Medium acidity
  • Medium tannin
  • Medium alcohol
  • Good quality
  • Inexpensive
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19
Q

Gigondas
Where are the vineyards located and what effect does it have on grape growing?

A
  • Vineyards up to 600 m above sea level
  • Shaded by mountains, reducing temperature in the mornings
  • Extends period of maturation and increases the flavour
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20
Q

Gigondas
What are the effects of the cooler temperature on grape varieties?

A
  • Better balanced wine from Grenache Noir
  • As warmer temperatures would result in high alcohol wines
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21
Q

Gigondas & Vacqueyras
What does the final blend consist of?

A
  • Principal variety: Grenache Noir (min 50%)
  • At least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre
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22
Q

Vacqueyras
Where are the vineyard located?

A
  • A bit lower than Gigondas (up to 440m)
  • Diurnal shift, but warm enough to ripen
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23
Q

What is the typical quality and price of all Crus besides Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
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24
Q

Vacqueyras
What types of wines are made?

A
  • Red
  • Small amounts of white and rosé
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25
Q

Vinsobres
Where is the region located?

A

Most northerly cru

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26
Q

Vinsobres
What are the two most important varieties and what wines are produced?

A
  • Grenache (dominates)
  • Syrah (increasing)
  • Red ONLY
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27
Q

Vinsobres
What does the final blend consist of?

A
  • Principal variety: Grenache Noir (min 50%)
  • At least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre
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28
Q

Vinsobres
Where are the vineyards located? And what are the influences on grape growing?

A
  • South, south-east facing slopes
  • 200–500m
  • Good sunlight interception
  • Good drainage
  • Protection from Mistral
  • Higher slopes: cooler, longer ripening, and increasing flavour intensity
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29
Q

Rasteau
What types of wines are produced?

A
  • Red
  • Small amounts of Vin Doux Naturel
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30
Q

Rasteau
What does the final blend consist of?

A
  • Principal variety: Grenache Noir (min 50%)
  • At least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre
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31
Q

Rasteau
Where are the vineyards located? And what are the influences on the finale wine (ripeness, body)?

A
  • Low south-facing slopes (100 m)
  • Warm enclave
  • Sheltered from the Mistral
  • Ripe, full-bodied wines
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32
Q

Cairanne
How does it compare to Gigondas and Rasteau in terms of steepness and temperature?

A
  • Not as steep as Gigondas
  • Not as warm as Rasteau
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33
Q

Cairanne
What types of wines are produced?

A
  • Red
  • Small amounts of high quality whites
34
Q

Cairanne
What does the final blend consist of?

A
  • Principal variety: Grenache Noir (min 40%)
  • At least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre
35
Q

Beaumes-de-Venise
What types of wines does it produce?

A
  • Vin Doux Naturel
  • Red wine
36
Q

Beaumes-de-Venise
Where are vineyards located?

A
  • Mostly on slopes
  • Shaded from mountains
37
Q

Beaumes-de-Venise
What does the final blend consist of?

A

Min 50% of Grenache Noir and Syrah

38
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Where does the name come from?

A
  • Summer residence of the Pope
  • 14th century
  • Papacy relocated to the nearby city of Avignon
39
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What types of wines are produced (incl. %)

A
  • Red (90%)
  • White (10%)
40
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Why is it historic?

A
  • Was the first prototype for an appellation
  • 13 (18) varieties allowed, min alcohol of 12.5%
41
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What are the main varieties for red wines?

A
  • Grenache Noir
  • Mourvèdre
  • Syrah
42
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What are the main varieties for white wines?

A
  • Grenache Blanc
  • Clairette
  • Bourboulenc
  • Roussanne
43
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What varieties are NOT allowed?

A
  • Marsanne
  • Viognier
44
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What is the area under vine?

A
  • Large
  • 3,000 ha
45
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What are the soils and their impact on grape growing?

A
  • Limestone, clay, sandstone, and sandy soils
  • Clay helpful in water-holding capacity
  • Low fertility
  • Fast-draining soils -> low vegetative vigor
  • -> Smaller crops of ripe grapes
46
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What are requirements regarding grapes in the final blend?

A
  • NO requirements
  • Could be single varietal
47
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
How are the grapes harvested?

A

Hand harvest only

48
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What effect do the large pebbles have on grape growing?

A
  • Radiate heat at night -> warming effect
  • Was valued in the past, but leads increasingly to higher alcohol levels
49
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What are the differences between wines from sandy soil and soil with large pebbles?

A
  • Sandy: finer and lighter
  • Pebble: More structured
50
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Describe the typical style of red wines (color, intensity, aromas, acidity, alcohol, tannin, quality, price)

A
  • Medium ruby
  • Medium(+) to pronounced intensity
  • Ripe red plum, blackberry, spice notes and sometimes new oak
  • Medium acidity
  • High alcohol
  • Medium(-) to high tannins (depending on varietal mix)
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to super-premium priced
51
Q

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What are options for producing white wines?

A
  • Some high quality: fermented in oak barrels
  • Others try to preserve freshness and primary fruit character
  • Ageing: either in tanks or oak barrels (some new oak)
  • Trend: lighter wines, more floral and fresher in style
52
Q

Lirac
What types of wines does it produce?

A
  • Mainly red
  • Some rosé and white
53
Q

Lirac
What are the requirements regarding varieties for red wines?

A
  • Min 90% of
  • Grenache Noir
  • Mourvèdre
  • Syrah
  • Cinsault
54
Q

Lirac
What are the conditions for grape growing?

A
  • High sunlight hours
  • Well-drained and infertile soils
  • Good conditions
55
Q

Tavel
What types of wines does it produce?

A

Rosé only

56
Q

Tavel
What are the requirements regarding varieties?

A
  • 12 permitted black and white varieties
  • Grenache Noir must be included
  • No principal varieties may contribute more than 60%
57
Q

Tavel
What is the max yield?

A

46 hL/ha

58
Q

Tavel
Describe the typical style of wine (color, intensity, aromas, body, alcohol, quality, price)

A
  • Medium pink-orange
  • Medium to medium(+) intensity
  • Strawberry, raspberry
  • Medium(+) to full body
  • Medium alcohol
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
59
Q

Tavel
What is the current trend?

A
  • Very high reputation in last 2 centuries
  • Now challenged by paler style from Provence
60
Q

How many satellite appellations outside Côtes-du-Rhône exist?

A

7

61
Q

What are the 4 largest other Rhône appellations (outside Côtes- du-Rhône)?

A
  • Costières de Nîmes
  • Grignan les Adhémar
  • Ventoux
  • Luberon
62
Q

Costières de Nîmes
Where is the appellation located?

A

South-west limit of Rhône

63
Q

Costières de Nîmes
Where are the vineyards located and what are effects on grape growing?

A
  • South-west facing slopes -> good sunlight interception
  • Breezes from the Mediterranean
64
Q

Costières de Nîmes
What types of wines are produced?

A
  • Red (2/3)
  • Rosé (1/3)
  • Tiny amount of whites
65
Q

Costières de Nîmes
What are the requirements regarding varieties for red wines?

A
  • Principal varieties: Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, and Syrah
  • Min 50% of final blend
66
Q

Costières de Nîmes
What is the max yield?

A

60 hL/ha

67
Q

Grignan-les-Adhémar
Where is the appellation located?

A

Northern end of the southern Rhône

68
Q

Grignan-les-Adhémar
What are the requirements regarding varieties for red wines?

A
  • Principal varieties: Grenache Noir and Syrah
  • Min 50% of final blend
69
Q

Grignan-les-Adhémar
What types of wines are produced?

A
  • Mainly red blends
  • Some white and rosé
70
Q

Ventoux
Where is the appellation located?

A

South-east of southern Rhône

71
Q

Ventoux
Where are the vineyards located and what are the effects on grape growing?

A
  • Southern and western slope below the high Mont Ventoux (up to 450m)
  • Cooling influence due to the altitude and cool air from the mountain
72
Q

Ventoux
What types of wines are produced?

A
  • Red (2/3)
  • Rosé (1/3)
  • Tiny amount of whites
73
Q

Ventoux
What are the requirements regarding varieties for red wines?

A
  • Principal varieties: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Cinsaut
  • Min 50% of final blend
  • At least two varieties must be included
74
Q

Ventoux
What is the max yield?

A

60 hL/ha

75
Q

Luberon
Where is the appellation located?

A
  • South-east Rhône
  • Borders to Provence
76
Q

Luberon
Where are the vineyards located?

A

Gentle slopes or flat land

77
Q

Luberon
What are the requirements regarding varieties for red wines?

A
  • Principal varieties: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre
  • Min 50% of final blend
  • At least two varieties must be included
78
Q

Luberon
What is the max yield?

A

55 hL/ha

79
Q

What is the general quality and price for the four satellite appellations?

A
  • Good to very good quality
  • Inexpensive to mid-priced (some premium)
80
Q

IGP wines
What other varieties are often used for IGP wines?

A
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

WSET Level 4 - D3 (56 decks)

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