L3 - Southern Rhone Ch. 20

Question 1

What is the climate and region of the Southern Rhone like?

What is the best soil in the region? Why?

What are potential risks of the region?

Answer 1

The Southern Rhone is located south of the town, Valence

-It is much flatter than Northern Rhone
-Mediterranean climate (with mild winters and warm summers)

-many, but not all of the best sites have stony soils (including Chateauneuf-du-Pape)

-these soils are important for absorbing the sun’s heat and warming the vineyards which aids in the ripening process

-the cold northerly winds (mistral) pose a great risk of damage to the vineyards

Question 2

How do vineyards in the southern rhone combat mistral?

Answer 2

-the cold northerly winds (mistral) pose a great risk of damage to the vineyards

For Grenache- vines are trained low to the ground to offer protection from the wind and benefit from the warmth of the soil

For Syrah, which is more easily damage, it is trellised

Windbreaks are also planted to protect vines from wind

Question 3

What varietals are most common in the Southern Rhone?

Answer 3

Dozens of varietals that are blended. The most famous are:

Reds:
-Grenache
-Syrah
-Mouvedre
Cinsault

Whites:
-Clairette
-Grenache Blanc
-Bourboulenc

Question 4

What styles are common in the Southern Rhone?

Answer 4

Hard to define given all of the blends: Styles vary from light to medium bodied fresh, fruity wines with low tannins to highly tannic full bodied reds with flavors of meat, spice and earth

Question 5

Describe white styles of wine in Southern Rhone

Answer 5

-Clairette
-Grenache Blanc
-Bourboulenc

Tend to be full-bodied, rich textured, high in alcohol, with low to medium acidity and sublte fruit aromas

Question 6

Describe wines in the generic Cote du Rhone appellation.

Answer 6

most are medium body, fruity but simpele wines. Same for roses and whites

Cote du Rhone villaegs makes higher quality. Has minimum alcohol levels and maximum yields and greater percentage must be made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre

Has more body, structure, and spiced red fruit flavors than generic Cote du Rhone.

A village can have tis name on the bottle if 100% of grapes come from the named village. (ie. Cote du Rhone, Villages Seguret)

Question 7

Describe wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 7

The Chateauneuf-du-Pape region is known to be a flat. Largest cru in the Rhone valley. Variety of soils including stony soil adn aspects

Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines can be made of one of 13 varietals although Grenache dominates

Some of the best are 100% Grenache

While others are primarily Mourvedre which is gamey and meaty

The best wines are full bodied and richly textured with concentrated spiced red fruit flacors that balance the high alcohol

Question 8

What are Tavel and Lirac AOC known for?!

Answer 8

Tavel -full bodied roses from grenache and cinsault, capable of developing greater complexity aged in bottle

Lirac– top quality reds. Some whites similar to those from Chateauneuf-du-Pape