FWS Rhône Flashcards
Where is the Rhône Valley located?
Southeastern France, stretches from Lyon and Beaujolais to the north and Languedoc and Provence to the south.
What is the Rhône Valley known for in terms of wine production?
It is the second largest AOC wine producer in France, with half its wine bottled under the regional Côtes du Rhône AOC.
What are the two main regions of the Rhône Valley?
Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône.
What has caused shifts in wine production in the Rhône Valley?
Declining red wine sales and increasing rosé wine sales due to changing consumer preferences.
What was the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the Rhône wine industry?
It played a pivotal role, especially during the 14th century when the Papal Palace moved to Avignon.
What are the major topographical features of the Northern Rhône?
Rugged terrain with steep slopes, granite subsoils, and pockets of clay and loess.
What characterizes the climate of the Northern Rhône?
Predominantly continental with some Mediterranean influences, colder winters, and hotter summers.
What is the effect of the Mistral wind on vineyards?
It cools vineyards and prevents disease by drying the vines.
What is the primary red grape variety in the Northern Rhône?
Syrah.
Fill in the blank: The main red grape in the Southern Rhône is _______.
Grenache.
What are the main soil types found in the Northern Rhône?
Granite and schist soils, with pockets of clay and loess.
What grape varieties are commonly used in Southern Rhône white blends?
Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier.
How has global warming affected viticultural practices in the Rhône?
Increased air temperatures leading to earlier harvests, higher alcohol levels, and lower acidity.
Which AOCs cannot produce under the Côtes du Rhône AOC?
Larger, more distinctive Crus outside of the Côtes du Rhône production zone.
What does the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC represent vs the CdR AOC?
A higher quality designation with stricter regulations for wines produced.
Name three notable Crus from the Northern Rhône.
Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage.
What types of wines does the Southern Rhône produce?
A variety of styles, including powerful reds, aromatic whites, and increasingly popular dry rosés.
What is Vin Doux Naturel and how is it produced?
A fortified wine produced by adding alcohol during fermentation to preserve sweetness.
What is the primary grape used in Côte-Rôtie AOC?
Syrah, with up to 20% Viognier.
What are the main characteristics of wines from the Hermitage AOC?
Long-lived, collectible, powerful wines with aging in wood.
What is the main grape variety in Clairette de Die AOC?
Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc and Clairette.
Fill in the blank: The Southern Rhône features _______ soil types.
five.
What is the significance of the Mistral wind in the Southern Rhône?
It helps cool vineyards and can prevent disease.
What grape variety is known for being high in alcohol and prone to oxidation in the Southern Rhône?
Grenache.
True or False: All red wines in the Northern Rhône are authorized to make rosé.
False.
What is the primary white grape variety in the Northern Rhône?
Viognier.
What is the method for producing sparkling wine in Saint-Péray?
Traditional method.
What does the term ‘Vin de Paille’ refer to?
A type of wine made from dried grapes, specifically Marsanne and/or Roussanne.
What is the climate of the Diois region?
Continental climate with significant seasonal and diurnal temperature variations.
What is the primary grape used in the production of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc.
What are the typical characteristics of red wines from Cornas AOC?
Powerful and structured, made from 100% Syrah.
What makes Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines different in terms of ageing?
Wines can be aged in oak (red and white)
Which grape is lower in acidity but highly aromatic?
Viognier
What is Muscat à Petits Grains Blanc used for?
Used in VDN (Vin Doux Naturel).
What are the characteristics of Grenache?
High in alcohol, moderate pigment, and acidity; prone to oxidation.
How does Syrah complement Grenache?
Higher acidity, more tannic, and reductive.
What does Mourvèdre contribute to blends?
Alcohol, tannin, acidity, and pigment; also reductive.
Which grapes are commonly used in rosés?
Cinsaut, Carignan, Counoise, and Marselan.
What is the typical consumption timeline for Southern Rhône white wines?
Typically consumed within 2-4 years.
How are Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites aged?
Aged in oak, giving them ageability.
What 4 materials are typically used for ageing red wines?
Béton, inox, demi-muids, or foudres.
demi-muids are 600L casks
What challenges has climate change posed for wine production?
Warmer temperatures, earlier harvests, higher alcohol levels, and lower acidity.
What adaptations are producers making in response to climate change?
Planting at higher elevations, experimenting with shade panels and misters, developing disease-resistant and drought-tolerant varieties.
What is the geographical range of the Côtes du Rhône zone?
Runs from Vienne to Avignon.
How many villages are encompassed in the Côtes du Rhône?
171 villages.
How many villages can bottle as Côtes du Rhône Villages?
95 villages.
What is the top tier of the quality pyramid in Côtes du Rhône?
17 crus.
What are the primary red grapes in Côtes du Rhône AOC?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre.
What percentage of Rhône Valley production does Côtes du Rhône account for?
40%.
What is required for red wines produced south of Montélimar?
At least two principal red grapes must make up 60% of the blend, including Grenache.
What characterises a Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC wine as opposed to a CdR AOC?
Exhibit distinct, more concentrated flavors.
What are the three hilltop towns known for dry wines in the Southern Rhône?
Vinsobres AOC, Rasteau AOC, Cairanne AOC.
What is a unique feature of Rasteau AOC’s climate?
Amphitheatre that blocks the Mistral.
What grape varieties are found in Gigondas AOC?
Grenache with Syrah or Mourvèdre.
What types of wines does Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC produce?
Reds, rosés, and whites.
What is the minimum percentage of Grenache in Beaumes-de-Venise AOC red wines?
At least 60% Grenache.
What is Tavel AOC known for?
Rosé only, with 9 sanctioned grapes.
What are the two styles of white VDNs in Rasteau AOC?
Reductive and oxidative, ambré styles.
What is the primary focus of Ventoux AOC?
Mostly produces red wine.
Fill in the blank: The primary grape variety in Costières de Nîmes AOC is _______.
Syrah
True or False: Luberon AOC primarily produces red wine.
False
What is the growing condition in Costières de Nîmes AOC?
Hot, semi-drought conditions.
Rhône map
