French Wines: Rhone

Question 1

What are the classifications of Rhone wines?

Answer 1

Cotes de Rhone (lower classification), Cotes de Rhone Village (higher classification)

Question 2

What are the major grape varieties grown in Northern and Southern Rhone?

Answer 2

north - Syrah, Viognier; south - Grenache

Question 3

How do the wines of Northern Rhone differ from the wines of Southern Rhone?

Answer 3

north - harsher winters, warm summers (finer wines, monovarietal); south - mild winters, hot summers (riper grapes, mainly blends)

Question 4

What is Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 4

red wine blend in south Rhone (Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah predominate)

Question 5

What is Cornas?

Answer 5

blend; mostly Syrah, from north Rhone

Question 6

What is Condrieu?

Answer 6

entirely Viognier, from north Rhone

Question 7

How does the Rhone’s climate influence its wine style?

Answer 7

hotter and sunnier than Burgandy; makes reds fuller and higher alcohol content; even whites are fuller