Rhone * Flashcards
Which areas surround Rhone?
Going clockwise…to the
North=Lyon and Beaujolais
East=Prealps
South=Provence and Languedoc
West=Massif Central
How long is the Rhone river in Rhone
192km from Vienne to the sea
What are the 3 subdivisions of the Rhone?
1 Northern Rhone: Vienne to Valence 72km
2 Southern Rhone: Montelimar to Nimes
3 Les Cotes du Rhone: Vienne to Avignon (except cru areas)
What two common factors affect the climate in Northern and Southern Rhone
Rhone river
Mistral
Describe the typical vineyard of northern Rhone
Terraced steep slopes (S, SE facing for sun)
Banks of Rhone
Syrah Guyot trained to tee-pee stakes (=echelas)
Individual family holdings
Manual harvesting
Bottlings by negociants
Stones from top of hill replaced after harvest
Describe the typical vineyard of southern Rhone
Vineyards on flatter land
Vines grow south flattened by Mistral
Grenache grown on Gobelet, untrellised, close to ground
Co-ops
Describe the climate of the Northern Rhone
Sunny
Continental with some Med influence
Mistral
Cooler than S Rhone
What are the typical soils of Northern Rhone
Granite subsoil
Mica schist topsoil - poor nutrients
Crozes Hermitage= Galets, clay, loess/molasse
Hermitage=Granite with some clay and sand
Which are the 3 main white grapes of Northern Rhone
Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane
What are the main characteristics of Viognier
Aromatic
Adds perfume
Helps set colour
Blending partner to reds
What are the main characteristics of Marsanne
Full bodied
Aromatic complexity
Softens tannins
Can flab
Blending partner to reds
Not allowed in CNdP
What are the main characteristics of Roussanne
Adds perfume
Lower quality than Marsanne and not as hardy
Russet skin tones
Blending partner to reds
Allowed in CNdP
What are the main characteristics of Syrah
Productive, disease resistant,
Reductive
Pepper spice
Ages well
What aging vessels are used in Northern Rhone
Red=beton (=concrete), inox (=SS0 or foudres (large wooden casks)
White=neutral vessels as for fermentation or some oak
What are the common characteristics of the 8 AOCs of Northern Rhone
1 All lie in Cotes du Rhone production area
2 Each considered a cru
3 None authorised to make rose
Which are the 8 AOCs of Northern Rhone
1 Cote Rotie
2 Condrieu
3 Chateau Grillet
4 Saint-Joseph
5 Cornas
6 Saint-Peray
7 Hermitage
8 Crozes-Hermitage
What are the main points to remember about Cote Rotie
Red wines
20% Viognier may be added
Some steepest slopes in France
Right bank
What are the main points to remember about Condrieu
White wines - dry and sweet (rare)
Viognier
Right bank
What are the main points to remember about Chateau Grillet
Dry white
Viognier
2 yrs aging
Right bank
One of only 2 monpoles (single owner AOC) outside Burgundy
What are the main points to remember about Saint Joseph
Dry red (86%) and dry white (14%)
Quality varies with aspect
Matures more quickly than other N Rhone crus
Right bank
What are the main points to remember about Cornas
Red, 100% Syrah
“Burned Earth”
Right bank
What are the main points to remember about Saint Peray
Dry white, some sparkling
Marsanne and Roussanne
Some Steep slopes of deep valley
Right bank
What are the main points to remember about Hermitage
Red (2/3), dry white, Vin de Paille
Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne
One of oldest vineyards
Numerous lieux-dits
Long lived
White may be co-fermented with red
Left bank
What are the main points to remember about Crozes-Hermitage
Largest cru
Red and dry white
Varied soils
White co-fermented with red
Lighter, faster maturing than Hermitage
Which northern Rhone winemaking area lies outside the Cotes du Rhone zone of production
The Diois - four AOCs around the town of Die
Specify the climate, topography, soils, wine style and primary grape in the Diois
For Clairette de Die ( =96% production)
Continental climate with alpine influence
Large seasonal and diurnal variation
High vineyards
Limestone and clay
Sparkling white and rose
Clairette and Clairette Rose (ancestral/traditional method)
What is the general climate of the Southern Rhone
Mediterranean
Sunny
Average 700mm rain
Mistral
Mountains of Dentelles de Montmirail and Mount Ventoux
Drought in summer
What is the topography of Southern Rhone
Broad rocky plains
Rugged mountains
Landscape resulted from glaciers and when Alps were formed
What are the 5 main soil types of the Southern Rhone
1 Rounded river stones (Galets)
2 Limestone (Garrigue)
3 Sandstone
4 Clay
5 Loess/Molasse (windblown silts and sands)
How many authorised grape varieties are there in the Southern Rhone -
and how many are responsible for 94% of production
over 30
Top 6
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc
How many grape varieites can be included in Cotes du Rhone AOC
23
What are the 6 major white grapes of the Southern Rhone
Alphabetically
1 Bourboulenc - high acidity
2 Clairette - big leaves protect from sun
3 Grenache Blanc - main grape, oxidative
4 Marsanne
5 Rousanne
6 Viognier
What are the 3 main red grapes of the Southern Rhone
1 Grenache - high alcohol, tolerates heat, low alcohol, oxidative
2 Syrah - higher acidity and tannins
3 Mourvedre - adds acid, colour, tannins, alcohol
What is the traditional VTS of the Southern Rhone
Gobelot
What VTS do new vineyards in the Southern Rhone use?
Trellis with Guyot training
How have viticultural practices changed because of climate change
Lack of ground water to irrigate
Sustainable viticulture
New varieties - drought/heat resistant
Canopy management/ shade panels to prevent scorching
Adjust to increased alcohol levels
Pick earlier
Plant higher
How has blending changed in Southern Rhone
Previously pick field blend and co-ferment
Now harvest and vinify each variety separately
What aging vessels are used in Southern Rhone
Red=beton (=concrete), inox (=SS0 or foudres (large wooden casks)
White=neutral vessels as for fermentation or some oak
Which is more subject to vintage variation - Northern or Southern Rhone
Northern Rhone
What is the hierarchy of Cotes du Rhone
1 Cotes du Rhone AOC
2 Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC
3 Cotes du Rhone Villages + Village Name AOC
4 Crus
Out of the 300 wine producing villages in Cotes du Rhone, how many are with the CdR AOC, and how many can put their village name on the label
171, 22
How many Southern Rhone crus are there
9
What is the minimum for GSM in Cotes du Rhone red and rose
60%, Grenache mandatory
What is the minimum for GSM in Cotes du Rhone Villages red
66% must be at least 2 of GSM and one must be Grenache
What is the core white blend of the Southern Rhone
Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Marsanne and Rousanne
What is the core red blend of the Southern Rhone
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
Which are the 3 cru AOCs of the North east Southern Rhone
Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne
Which are the 3 cru AOCs of the Southern Rhone which are in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmiral
Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise
Which are the 3 cru AOCs that lie on the open valley floor of the Southern Rhone
Chateauneuf du Pape, Lirac, Tavel
Which two Southern Rhone AOCs produce fortified sweet wines
Rasteau and Beaumes de Venise
Which are the 3 main cru AOCs of the Southern Rhone which are not in the cotes du Rhone zone of production
Ventoux, Luberon and Costieres de Nimes
What are the main points to remember about Vinsobres
Red only
Terraced
Gravel limestone
30% Organic/sustainable
GSM
What are the main points to remember about Rasteau
Red and fortifieds
Reds GSM
Unique mesoclimate
South facing ampitheatre
Marl, clay, sand, gravel
Known for fortified
-Min sweetness 4.5%
-all styles
-Grenache at least 90%
-aging (ex roses)
What are the main points to remember about Cairanne
New AOC 2018
Stony pebbles
GSM Reds
Clairette white blends
50% exported
What are the main points to remember about Gigondas
Red and rose
North west, west facing vineyards
Marl, limestone, sand
GSM - fresh but structured
Hardly any rose
What are the main points to remember about Vacqueyras
DryWhite, rose and red
Foothills of Dentelles
Warmer than Gigondas
Complex soils
GSM
What are the main points to remember about Beaumes de Venise
Foothills of Dentelles = windbreak
Marl, limestone, clay
GSM
Also VDN from Muscat
What are the main points to remember about Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Drywhites and reds
Largest Southern Rhone Cru
13 grape types (18 with colour variations)
Limestone, clay, sandstone, galets
One of Least restrictive AOCs in France
50% exported
What are the main points to remember about Tavel
Rose production only
9 grapes (15 with colour variations)
No one more than 60% - must have Grenache
Limestone, sand, galets
Vinification by maceration only
What % of Grenache must be in White/rose Rasteau VDN
At least 90%
When are white Rasteau VDN released and what is special for ambre (oxidative)
1 May in year after harvest
More than 3/12 in bottle
For ambre 1 March in 3rd year after harvest
What 2 styles are red Rasteau VDNs
Grenat (reductive) or Tuile (oxidative)
What is the minimum Grenache in red Rasteau VDN
> 75% Grenache Noir
90% All types Grenache
What is the aging time for red Rasteau VDN (both styles)
Grenat= 1 May in year after harvest
More than 3/12 in bottle
Tuile= 1 March in 3rd year after harvest
What does hor’s d’age mean for Rasteau VDN
5 years of oxidative aging
What does rancio mean for Rasteau VDN
Wines that have achieved a rancio taste
What is the minimum Grenache and aging in rose Rasteau VDN
> 90% all types of Grenache
No aging requirement
What style is normal for Beaumes de Venise VDN
White, fresh, reductive
Muscat a Petits Grains
>10% sugar
>15% abv
Ventoux, Luberon and Costieres de Nimes lie inside the Cotes du Rhone zone of production - True or False
False
What are the 5 main points about Ventoux
SE fringes of Rhone
Mostly red and rose
Med with alpine influences
Rose via saignee
Co-ops
What are the 3 main points about Luberon
Between Rhone and Provence
More than 50% is rose
Med climate with continental influence
What are the 4 main points about Costieres de Nimes
Right bank of Rhone river
Between Rhone and Languedoc
Hot drought summer but cool nights
Syrah dominant
Mostly red and rose
What parallel north does Rhone lie on
Between 44-45
What are the 3 sub-divisions of the Rhone region
1 Cotes du Rhone
2 Northern Rhone
3 Southern Rhone
Which is flatter - northern or Southern Rhone
Southern Rhone
The Dios vineyards are part of Les Cotes du Rhone area - True or False
False
Which feels the Mistral more - Northern or Southern Rhone
Northern because the wind funnels through steep narrow slopes
Gallic Celtic tribes were established in the Rhône Valley when traders and settlers arrived from the eastern Mediterranean around what era and who were the newcomers
600 BC - Phoceans from Greece/Turkey
Founded Marseille and then traded using Rhone
Who arrived in 121 BC and what did they establish
Romans
Vine terraces in Northern Rhone
In the 14th century, the Papal Palace moved from Rome to where
Avignon
What is the wine connection to Pope John XXII’s summer residence
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Growers within the Vicariate of Uzès began calling their wines by what name in 17c
- and what idicated their authenticity
Coste du Rhone
Regulations were introduced in 1650 to guarantee the origin and the quality of these wines, such was their renown.
Also King Louis XV in 1737
Barrels branded with CDR
Why was Mouvedre slow to be replaced after phylloxera
Difficult to graft onot suitable rootstock partner
33%=> 4% plantings
What temperature did the Rhone valley fall to in 1956
-15c
Where copies Rhone wine styles
California - Rhone Rangers
Australian shiraz/viognier
Who originally planted the vineyards of the Northern Rhône?
Phoenicians
Greeks
Phocaeans
Romans
Romans
Whose summer palace was built north of Avignon?
Pope Clement III
Pope John XXII
Pope Benedict XII
Pope Urban V
Pope John XXII
What is the main red grape variety of the northern Rhone
Syrah
Which are the 3 white grape varieites of the Northern Rhone - often co-fermented with red or seperately made
Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne
What makes Viognier attractive
Aromatic
Adds lift and perfume to Syrah
Which is considered finer - Marsanne or Rousanne
Marsanne - higher extract,
Roussanne - adds perfume
How many grapes did Inter Rhone record as planted in the Rhone and how many can be used in the wines
34 and 23
Inter Rhône – the Rhône Valley’s inter-professional organization – records 34 grape varieties planted throughout the Rhône Valley. Twenty-three of these may be incorporated into the wines of Côtes du Rhône AOC.
What is lacking in Grenache that it needs a blend with Syrah and Mouvedre in Southern Rhone
Moderate colour and acid - eg from Syrah
Oxidative - where Syrah and Mourvedre are reductive
Mourvedre brings alcohol, tannin, acid and pigment
Name one of the other red grapes of the Southern Rhone
Cinsalut
Carignan
Counoise
Marselan
Name one of the gris grapes used to make rose wines
Clairette gris
Grenache Gris
Piquepoul Gris
What are the 6 main white grapes of the southern Rhone and what do they bring to the blend
1 Grenache Blanc=Extract/flavour
2 Bourboulenc=High acidity
3 Clairette=large leaves against sunburn
4 Marsanne
5 Rousanne
6 Viognier
7 Muscat aa Petit Grains - for VDN
What benefits does Viognier give when co-fermented with Syrah? Select all that apply
Adds body to the wine
Helps with the wine’s color
Adds texture
Adds aroma
Produces a longer lived wine
Helps with colour and adds aroma
What makes Clairette a good variety for the Southern Rhône?
Keeps high acidity in hot conditions
Very drought tolerant
Large vine leaves protect grapes from sunburn
Thick skins help prevent sunburn
Large vine leaves protect grapes from sunburn
Generally what are the soils of the Northern Rhone
but what is particular about
a) Hermitage
b) Crozes Hermitage
Shist and granite
a) Clay and sand
b) Galets, clay and windblown loess/molasse
Match the grape to the soil type
stony/clay and sand
white/red
stony=red (Syrah)
caly and sand = white
What is the particular type of VTS in the Northern Rhone for windy sites
Echelas and trellis
Teepee of 2/3 stakes over 2 vines
More protection against wind damage in steep vineyards
Otherwise Guyot