Geology/ Soils

Question 1

What soils are found in the Northern Rhône Valley?

Answer 1

The soils of the Northern Rhône consist largely of Granite/ Granitic sand/ Schist/ Slate/ Gneiss/ all with mineral content of quartz-feldspar-mica

Question 2

What is ‘Arzelle’ soil? Where is it found?

Answer 2

Arzelle soil is decomposed mica. It has been recorded in the vineyards of Chavanay in Condrieu

Question 3

What are the soils of the Côte Brun and Côte Blonde composed of?

Answer 3

The soils of the Côte-Brun in the north contains mica schist. The soils of the Côte Blonde in the south contain decomposed granite and gneiss

Question 4

What is a local term for the granite soils in and around Cornas AOP?

Answer 4

The granite soils in and around the Cornas AOP is referred to as “gore” locally.

Question 5

Describe the soils of Cornas AOP.

Answer 5

The soils of the most important lieux-dits of Cornas have thin sandy-gravelly granitic soils and deep sandy-gravelly granitic soils in Les Mazards.