Rhone

Question 1

What is the climate of the Northern Rhone?

Answer 1

Continental with Mediterranean influence

Question 2

What is the climate of the Southern Rhone?

Answer 2

Mediterranean

Question 3

Which AOCs in the Rhone can make sparkling wine?

Answer 3

Saint-Peray (Northern Rhone)
Clairette de Die
Cremant de Die

Question 4

What is the Mistral?

Answer 4

A strong, cold wind that blows from the north through the Rhone Valley

Question 5

What are galets?

Answer 5

Rounded river stones
Most famously found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Question 6

Which Rhone appellation is a monopole?

Answer 6

Chateau-Grillet

Question 7

Which two Southern Rhone crus are on the right bank of the Rhone river?

Answer 7

Tavel
Lirac

Question 8

Is the entire Rhone Valley inside the Cotes du Rhone zone of production?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

How do vines benefit from being located in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail?

Answer 9

The Dentelles act as a wind block and sun trap
They blanket the vines with cool air at night

Question 10

What is VDN? Where are these wines produced?

Answer 10

Vins Doux Naturels
These are sweet fortified wines

Rasteau
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Question 11

What is the southernmost appellation in the Rhone Valley?

Answer 11

Costieres de Nimes

Question 12

Which Rhone AOC’s name means “burned earth” in Celtic?

Answer 12

Cornas

Question 13

In which century did the Papacy move to Avignon?

Answer 13

14th century

Question 14

Which 2 “Other AOCs of Rhone Valley” appellations have UNESCO recognition?

Answer 14

Ventoux
Luberon

Question 15

Which Northern Rhone appellations allow white grape varieties to be co-fermented with Syrah in their red wines?

Answer 15

Cote Rotie - Viognier

Hermitage - Marsanne & Roussanne
Crozes-Hermitage - Marsanne & Roussanne
Saint-Joseph - Marsanne & Roussanne

Question 16

Which 3 grape varieties dominate the red wine blends of the Southern Rhone?

Answer 16

Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre

Question 17

What is the northernmost cru in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 17

Cote Rotie

Question 18

What are the main soil types found in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 18

Granite
Schist

Question 19

Which 2 Southern Rhone cru appellations are authorized to produce dry white, rose, and red wines?

Answer 19

Lirac
Vacqueyras

Question 20

Which AOC in the Southern Rhone mandates hand harvesting?

Answer 20

Beaumes de Venise AOC

Question 21

Which grape variety forms the backbone of most Cotes du Rhone white wines?

Answer 21

Grenache Blanc

Question 22

The Northern Rhone is bookended by which 2 cities?

Answer 22

Vienne
Valence

Question 23

The Southern Rhone is bookended by which 2 cities?

Answer 23

Montelimar
Nimes

Question 24

What is the Dentelles de Montmirail?

Answer 24

A mountain range on the eastern flank of the Southern Rhone

Question 25

What is Vin de Paille, and which appellation makes it?

Answer 25

Marsanne and/or Roussanne grapes are harvested and dried on straw mats for at least 45 days The process dries the grapes and concentrates the sugars Hermitage

Question 26

Which appellation is responsible for the majority of production in the Diois?

Answer 26

Clairette de Die

Question 27

What are the 5 soil types of the Southern Rhone?

Answer 27

Galets Garrigue Sandstone Clay Loess/molasse

Question 28

What is the most common vine training system in the Southern Rhone?

Answer 28

Gobelet

Question 29

Which 3 Southern Rhone crus surround hilltop towns?

Answer 29

Vinsobres Rasteau Cairanne

Question 30

How consistant are the vintages wines in the Rhone Valley?

Answer 30

Northern Rhone has high vintage variation. However, the Rhone is more consistent than Beaujolais and Bourgogne. Southern Rhone has low vintage variation.

Question 31

What is loess?

Answer 31

Fine wind-blown soil deposits that are usually comprised of silt and sand

Question 32

What does Meridionaux mean?

Answer 32

"Of the Southern Rhone" (in nature, style, or location)

Question 33

Describe the Cote Rotie AOC.

Answer 33

Red wine only Grapes: Syrah, Viognier Up to 20% Viognier can be added to Syrah to make the red wine. In practice this number is typically 5%, if used at all Viognier is co-planted, co-harvested, and co-fermented

Question 34

Describe the Condrieu AOC.

Answer 34

White wine only Mostly dry, but also some sweet Grape: Viognier Most Condrieu AOC wine used to be sweet, but now the preferred style is dry

Question 35

Describe the Chateau-Grillet AOC.

Answer 35

Dry white wine only Grape: Viognier Tiny AOC located within the boundary of Condrieu AOC Monopole (single-owner AOC) Wine is aged 2 years in oak barrels or tanks Can continue to age for 10+ years

Question 36

Describe the Saint-Joseph AOC.

Answer 36

Dry white and red wine White grapes: Marsanne, Roussanne Red grape: Syrah In general, the wines mature more quickly than other N. Rhone crus Production is mainly red Syrah can be made by co-fermenting up to 10% of Marsanne/Roussanne

Question 37

Describe the Cornas AOC.

Answer 37

Red wine only Grape: Syrah Name is Celtic for "burned earth", signifying the warm conditions

Question 38

Describe the Saint-Peray AOC.

Answer 38

Dry white and sparkling white Grapes: Marsanne, Roussanne Temperatures are cooler so production focuses on white wine Can make traditional-method sparkling, but production is rare

Question 39

Describe the Hermitage AOC.

Answer 39

Dry white, red, Vin de Paille White grapes: Marsanne, Roussanne Red grape: Syrah Production is mainly red Both red and white wines are long-lived and need a few years to bottle mature Syrah can be made by co-fermenting up to 15% of Marsanne/Roussanne

Question 40

Describe the Crozes-Hermitage AOC.

Answer 40

Dry white and red wine White grapes: Marsanne, Roussanne Red grape: Syrah Largest of the N. Rhone crus Syrah can be made by co-fermenting up to 15% of Marsanne/Roussanne

Question 41

Describe the Northern Rhone sub-region.

Answer 41

Temperature drops earlier than the Southern Rhone, which shortens the ripening window Syrah and Viognier are early ripeners Vines are tied to stakes to counteract Mistral Contains 8 AOCs Each is considered a cru Cornas and Hermitage are more powerfully structured Saint-Joseph and Cote Rotie are generally more elegant Small, new oak in not common

Question 42

Describe the Diois sub-region.

Answer 42

Considered part of the Northern Rhone, but cannot produce Cotes du Rhone wine Lies to the southeast of Cornas at the base of the Alpines One of France's highest wine regions Most of the wines are white sparkling wines made in the ancestral method or traditional method ("Dee-wah")

Question 43

Describe the Clairette de Die AOC.

Answer 43

Sparkling white and sparkling rose Two wines are made under this AOC - Clairette de Die is traditional method sparkling wine made from 100% Clairette - Clairette de Die Methode Dioise Ancestrale is a sweet sparkling blend of Muscat and Clairette (white or rose)

Question 44

Describe the Southern Rhone sub-region.

Answer 44

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel, and Lirac and are on flat valley floor, by the Rhone river Vinsobres, Raseau, and Cairanne are on hilltops, away from the Rhone river Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Beaumes de Venise are in the foothills, away from the Rhone river Contains 9 AOCs Each is considered a cru Small, new oak is not common

Question 45

Describe the Cotes du Rhone AOC.

Answer 45

Dry white, rose, and red wine North of Montelimar: - At least 1 of the principal grapes must comprise as least 60% of blend South of the Montelimar: - At least 2 of the principal grapes must comprise at least 60% of blend - Grenache is required White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viogner Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre All of the Northern Rhone is permitted to make Cotes du Rhone AOC wine. However, this is rare. All of the Southern Rhone, except for 7 AOCs, can make Cotes du Rhone AOC wine. Diois is not included in the zone of production.

Question 46

Describe the Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC.

Answer 46

Dry white, rose, and red wine White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Production rules are more stringent than Cotes du Rhone AOC All of the eligible villages are in the Southern Rhone

Question 47

Describe the Vinsobres AOC.

Answer 47

Red wine only Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Wine is Grenache-based and must contain at least one of Syrah or Mourvedre Vineyards are terraced at elevation, and are cooled by night winds ("Van-so-bo")

Question 48

Describe the Rasteau AOC.

Answer 48

Red and fortified wine White grape: Grenache Blanc Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Reds are predominantly GSM blends. Vineyards face south and create an amphitheater that traps sunlight and blocks the Mistral wind ("Ras-two")

Question 49

Describe the Cairanne AOC.

Answer 49

Dry white and red wines White grapes: Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne Red grape: Grenache White wines are typically Clairette and suplemented with Grenache Blanc and/or Roussanne Red wines are Grenache-based with Syrah and/or Mourvedre as primary blending partners ("Keh-rahn")

Question 50

Describe the Gigondas AOC.

Answer 50

Rose and red wines Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Red and rose wine must be made from Grenache and at least one of Syrah or Mourvedre Wines are fresh Rose production is small

Question 51

Describe the Vacqueyras AOC.

Answer 51

Dry white, rose, and red wines White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut Generally warmer than Gigondas Red wines are fleshier, meatier Red wines are predominantly GSM blends Rose wines are mostly Grenache with Mourvedre and Cinsaut as blending partners White wines are any of the white grapes

Question 52

Describe the Beaumes de Venise AOC.

Answer 52

Red wine only Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Grenache is mandatory in the blend At least 60% of the blend must be Grenache, Syrah, or Mourvedre Dentelles de Montmirail serve as a windbreak, sheltering the vines from the Mistral ("Boom-du-vah-knees")

Question 53

Describe the Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.

Answer 53

Dry white and red wines White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Picardan, Piquipoul Blanc Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Brun Aregente, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquipoul Noir, Terret Noir Most famous and largest of the Southern Rhone crus Wine can be varietal or a blend of any of the grapes above Red wines are powerfully full-bodied, fleshy, ripe tannins, and jammy fruit White wines are similarly full-bodied

Question 54

Describe the Lirac AOC.

Answer 54

Dry white, rose, and red wines White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut Hot, sunny, and dry Vineyards have poor soil, resulting in low yields of top-quality fruit White wines are usually Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Grenache Blanc Red wines are usually GSM + Cinsaut blends Rose are made from the same grapes as red

Question 55

Describe the Tavel AOC.

Answer 55

Only dry rose wine Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Piquepoul Noir Grenache must be in the wine blend and no one variety ca be over 60% of blend Travel has a reputation for roses with concentration, structure, and depth of color

Question 56

Describe the fortified wine made in the Rasteau AOC.

Answer 56

This is the same AOC as the Rasteau AOC that also makes red wines VDN production is tiny Made in white, rose and red styles White can be Blanc (reductive style) or Ambre (oxidative style) If reductive, main grape is Grenache Blanc/Gris If oxidative, can also include Grenache Noir Red can be Grenat (reductive style) or Tuile (oxidative style) Main grape is Grenache Noir Rose has no ageing requirements Main grape is Grenache Noir Wines labelled Hors D'Age underwent 5 years of oxidative ageing Wines labelled Rancio are fully oxidized

Question 57

Describe the fortified wine made in the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC.

Answer 57

This is a different AOC than Beaumes-de-Venise AOC, which makes red wine This AOC makes VDN wine from Muscat grapes, in the same area Majority is white, followed by rose and then red All wines are made in a fresh, reductive style

Question 58

Describe the Ventoux AOC.

Answer 58

Dry white, rose, and red wines White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Carignan Majority of production is red, followed by rose. All wines must be blends from at least 2 primary grapes One of the "Other AOCs of Rhone Valley" ("Vaan-two")

Question 59

Describe the Luberon AOC.

Answer 59

Dry white, rose, and red wines White grapes: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre More than half of production is rose One of the "Other AOCs of Rhone Valley" ("Loo-be-ran")

Question 60

Describe the Costieres de Nimes AOC.

Answer 60

Dry white, rose, red wines White grapes: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne Red grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre Syrah is predominant grape 90% of production is red and rose Has some of the hottest temperatures in France, from June to August Cold air cools the nights One of the "Other AOCs of Rhone Valley" ("Co-sti-air-de-neem")

Question 61

What is a special cuvee?

Answer 61

Wines made from either - particularly good parcels of fruit within a vineyard, or - a small lot of wine that was vinified in a different manner from the estate's regular wine Labels can read "cuvee speciale", "cuvee exceptionnelle", "cuvee du XXX", etc.

Question 62

Describe the Cotes du Rhone zone of production and quality levels.

Answer 62

171 villages can make Cotes du Rhone AOC 95 villages can make Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC 22 villages can make Cotes du Rhone Villages + named village DGC There are also 17 cru that sit at the top of the quality pyramid The crus are from both Nothern and Southern Rhone