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French Wine Scholar 2024 > Rhône > Flashcards

Rhône Flashcards

1
Q

How many AOCs are in the Diois area of the Rhone Valley?

A

There are 4 AOCs:
* Clairette de Die (major grape Muscat)
* Crémant de Die (mostly Clairette)
* Coteaux de Die (still white wine)
* Châtillon-en-Diois (white, red, rosé)

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2
Q

What is the hottest and driest Non-CdR AOC in the Rhône Valley?

A

Costières de Nîmes AOC

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3
Q

Which Non-CDR AOC in the Rhône produces mostly rosé?

A

Luberon AOC

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4
Q

Which Non-CdR AOC in the Rhône climbs to 6,000 feet?

A

Ventoux

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5
Q

In the Rhône what is Septentrionaux?

A

It means “of the north”

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6
Q

In the Rhône what is Meridionaux?

A

It means “of the south”

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7
Q

What is the climate of the southern Rhône ?

A

Mediterannean

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8
Q

What is the Mistral?

A

A northerly wind that blows through the Rhône

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9
Q

What Rhône AOC was the first to have its zone of production delineated?

A

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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10
Q

What 2 Rhône AOC’s make vin doux naturels (VdN)?

A
  1. Rasteau: white, rosé, & red
  2. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise: majority white fortified
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11
Q

What are foudres?

A

Large wooden barrels

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12
Q

What is the only red grape variety grown in the Northern Rhône?

A

Syrah

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13
Q

Is Côtes du Rhône Villages made in the Northern or Southern Rhône, or in both?

A

All 95 CdR villages lie within the southern Rhône.

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14
Q

What are the 2 Northern Rhône Crus located on the left bank?

A
  1. Hermitage
  2. Crozes-Hermitage
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15
Q

What is the difference between the Beaumes-de-Venise AOC and the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC?

A

The first is dry red and Muscat produces VDN.

White is the majority of production in Muscat.

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16
Q

The term échalas refers to?

A

A teepee like trellising structure that provides support and wind protection for vines.

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17
Q

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

A

granite & schist

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18
Q

Where is the most Côtes du Rhône produced in the North or South?

A

The south. The north makes only about 4% of total production.

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19
Q

What is the principal grape of Tavel AOC rosé?

A

Grenache

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20
Q

The “Rhône Rangers” are whom?

A

California winemakers making Rhône style wines.

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21
Q

Are Côtes du Rhône Villages wines strictly single varietals or blends or can they both?

A

CDR Villages are blends.

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22
Q

Rhône Valley vineyards are situated between the ____th and ____th parallels north?

A

44th and 45th

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23
Q

Can the entire Rhône Valley produce wine under the Côtes du Rhône AOC designation?

A

No, the Côtes du Rhône AOC is a delineated area within the greater Rhône Valley.

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24
Q

What are the 3 main white grapes of the Northern Rhône?

A

Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne

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25
Q

What are Galets?

A

Rounded river stones

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26
Q

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

A

Gobelet

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27
Q

What is the Southernmost AOC in the Southern Rhône?

A

Costières de Nîmes

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28
Q

What are the Characteristics of the Non-CDR AOC of Costières de Nîmes?

A
  • Location: Right Bank; southernmost appellation
  • Climate: Hot, annual semi-drought. Cold air from the Petit Camargue cools the nights; the Mistral also impacts
  • Variety: Unlike rest of Southern Rhône, Syrah is the dominant grape here.
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29
Q

What are the characteristics of the Non-CDR AOC of Ventoux?

A
  • Location: Left Bank; foot of Mont Ventoux
  • Climate: Mediterranean with alpine influences
  • Largest of the 7 Non-CdR AOCs
  • 36% is rosé; half of production is red
  • Carignan and Cinsault are both primary grapes (all wines at least 2 primary grapes)
  • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
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30
Q

What are the characteristics of the Non-CDR AOC of Luberon?

A
  • Location: Left Bank
  • Production: Over 50% rosé
  • Climate: Mediterranean with strong continental influences
  • UNESCO Bisophere Reserve
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31
Q

What is Méridionaux?

A

The Southern Rhône

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32
Q

What is the principal grape of Clairette de Die and Clairette de Die Méthode Ancestrale?

A
  1. 100% Clairette
  2. Muscat and Clairette
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33
Q

What is the most common style of wine in the Diois?

A

Sparkling white

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34
Q

What is the primary grape of the Rasteau AOC?

A

Grenache

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35
Q

What is the primary difference between a wine labeled Clairette de Die and a wine labeled Coteaux de Die?

A

Clairette de Die AOC is sparkling; Coteaux de Die AOC is dry white still

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36
Q

What Rhône Cru is devoted to making only rosé wine?

A

Tavel

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37
Q

What are the 8 Crus from North to South in the Northern Rhône

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie
  2. Condrieu
  3. Château-Grillet
  4. Saint-Joseph
  5. Crozes-Hermitage
  6. Hermitage
  7. Cornas
  8. Saint-Péray
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38
Q

What are the primary red grapes in the Southern Rhône?

A

Grenache Noir
Mourvèdre
Syrah

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39
Q

When does most of the Southern Rhône precipitation fall?

A

In the winter

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40
Q

How many hours of sunshine does the Southern Rhone receive?

A

2600-2800 hours

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41
Q

What is the climate of the Southern Rhône ?

A

Mediterranean

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42
Q

What is the Southernmost town/area of the Côtes du Rhône area?

A

Avignon

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43
Q

What towns are the North and South ends of the Southern Rhône Valley?

A

Montélimar in the north and Nîmes in the south

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44
Q

What types of wines are made in the Diois?

A

Majority is white sparkling wine

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45
Q

What is the climate and topography of the Diois?

A
  • Continental climate with alpine influences
  • Seasonal and diurnal variations are the greatest in all of the Rhône Valley
  • One of France’s highest wine regions up to 2,300 feet
  • Soil is mainly limestone and clay
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46
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône cru AOC of Saint-Péray?

A
  • Steep slopes of a deep valley make it slightly cooler than its neighbors
  • Still and sparkling Roussanne/Marsanne
  • 100% white
  • Sparkling produced since 1825
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47
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Cornas?

A
  • Right bank
  • Steep, southeast-facing terraced slopes of granite
  • means “burned earth”
  • natural ampitheatre protecting vines from cold winds
  • 100% red/100% Syrah
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48
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Hermitage?

A
  • One of oldest vineyards in France still under cultivation
  • Reds: Syrah with up to 15% Marsanne/Roussanne (co-fermented)
  • Whites: Marsanne/Roussanne blends - long lived whites
  • 2/3 red, 1/3 white
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49
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Crozes-Hermitage?

A
  • Left bank with varied soils
  • Largest of Northern Rhône Crus
  • Reds: Syrah with up to 15% Marsanne and/or Roussanne
  • Whites: Marsanne/Roussanne blends
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50
Q

What are the 3 primary white grapes of Southern Rhône?

A

Bourboulenc
Clairette
Grenache Blanc

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51
Q

What special soil type is Châteauneuf-du-Pape known for?

A

Galets

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52
Q

What 3 Southern Rhône AOCs are considered on the plain?

A
  1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape (LB)
  2. Lirac (RB)
  3. Tavel (RB)

Soils of Garrigue, sand/sandstone, shingle/clay, galets, loess/molasse

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53
Q

What 3 Southern Rhône AOC’s are considered the hilltop towns with vineyards at elevation?

A
  1. Vinsobres
  2. Rasteau
  3. Cairanne
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54
Q

What 3 Southern Rhône AOCs are nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail?

A
  1. Gigondas
  2. Vacqueyras
  3. Beaumes de Venise
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55
Q

Where does the Rhône River begin?

A

As a glacier in Switzerland on Lake Geneva, flowing through the lake and becoming a river in Geneva

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56
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Château-Grillet?

A
  • Right Bank; within boundary of southern Condrieu
  • Very steep terraces constructed by the Romans
  • 100% white Viognier only
  • Very small AOC only 8.6 acres
  • One of two monopoles outside of Bourgogne

Other monopole is Coulée de Serrant in Loire Valley.

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57
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC Condrieu?

A
  • Right Bank
  • 100% white Viognier only
  • 90-95% dry although sweet is allowed
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58
Q

What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC Côte-Rôtie?

A
  • Northernmost of Northern Cru AOCs
  • Right Bank on steep slopes
  • Southeast facing
  • 100% red with up to 20% Viognier, co-planted and co-fermented
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59
Q

Where does the Rhône Valley rank in terms of wine production in France?

A

France’s 2nd largest producer of AOC wine

The wine industry is the region’s #1 business activity.

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60
Q

How does the Rhône River link to other waterways?

A
  • From its start to finish the Rhône River falls 6,000 feet in 505 miles
  • It links to the Rhine, Seine, and Loire through a series of waterways
  • It connects the Mediterranean with Northern Europe
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61
Q

Where is the Rhône Valley situated?

A

It is in the Southeastern corner of France

  • Lyon and Beaujolais to the North
  • Languedoc and Provence on the SW and SE
  • The pre-alps to the east
  • The Massif Central to the west
62
Q

Between what Parallels north does the Rhône Valley sit?

A

44th and 45th

63
Q

What is the river effect on the Northern and Southern Rhône Valley?

A
  • The moderating effects of the river is felt more in the North.
  • This is because the vineyards flank the river or are very close to the river.
  • In the south the vineyards are up to 50 miles away
64
Q

What are the benefits of the Mistral?

A
  • Clears away clouds and dust increasing sunny days
  • Brings dry weather
  • Prevents frost
  • Chases humidity, reducing disease pressure
  • Drops the temperature
65
Q

What are the risks of the Mistral?

A
  • Breaks shoots
  • Rips off leaves and berries
  • Uproots vines
  • Damages crops
  • Desiccates the grapes too much
66
Q

What is the name of the cold north wind blowing through the Rhône?

67
Q

T or F? The Rhône River impacts the growing area of the Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône equally.

68
Q

What is the significance of the 45th Parallel?

A

It is the 1/2 way point between the equator and the north pole

69
Q

T or F? Rhône Valley is bordered by the Massif Central on the east.

A

False, it is on the west

70
Q

What is the location of the Northern Rhône?

A

It begins 20 miles south of Lyon and stretches for 45 miles from Vienne to Valence.

71
Q

What is the consistency of the Rhône Valley vintages in the north & south?

A

In the north the continental climate equates to weather and vintage variability.

In the south the Mediterranean is consistently good from year to year with low vintage variability.

72
Q

What is the rosé production like in the Rhône Valley?

A
  • Only in Southern Rhône Valley
  • Primarily Grenache and Cinsault
73
Q

When are most Rhône Valley white AOC wines meant to be consumed?

A

2-4 years

A small percentage of Cru whites are aged in oak giving long ageability.

74
Q

What are the primary soil types of the Southern Rhône?

A
  1. galets (rounded river stones)
  2. garrigue (limestone)
  3. sandstone
  4. clay
  5. loess/molasse (windblown silt and sands)
75
Q

What are the white wine styles of the Southern Rhône?

A

dry white & sweet fortified white (VDN)

Sweet fortified white: Vins Doux Naturels VdN

76
Q

What are the red wine styles of the Southern Rhône?

A

dry red & sweet fortified red (VDN)

77
Q

T or F? The wine of the Southern Rhône are blended products.

78
Q

What are the 3 white grapes of the Northern Rhône ?

A

Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne

79
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Cairanne AOC?

A
  • Left Bank, Newest Cru
  • Production: large % of production is red/half exported internationally
  • Reds: Grenache-based with Syrah and/or Mourvèdre as blending
  • Whites: Clairette with Roussanne and/or Grenache Blanc
  • Soils: Stony pebbles
80
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Gigondas AOC?

A
  • Left bank; foothills of Dentelles
  • Production: Almost all red tiny amount of rosé
  • Soils: marls, limestone and sand
  • Vineyards: elevation up to 1,350 feet, northwest- and west-facing
  • Grenache and either Syrah or Mourvèdre
81
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Vacqueyras AOC?

A
  • Left bank on the slopes of the Dentelles
  • Wines: reds are fleshier and meatier than Gigondas
  • Reds: predominantly GSM blends
  • Rosés: Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault
  • Whites: Any of the white grapes
  • Soils: mix of sand and silt atop limestone, sandstone and marl
82
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Beaumes de Venise AOC?

A
  • Left Bank, foothills of the Dentelles - protecting it from the Mistral
  • Production: Red only (GSM)
  • Elevation: average 1000 feet
  • Soils: complex array of marl, limestone and clay
83
Q

How big is the Rhône Valley, and what cities mark the north and south ends of the Rhône Valley?

A
  • 120 miles long
  • 300 villages
  • In the north is the city of Vienne
  • In the south is the city of Nîmes
84
Q

What is the most important soil of the Northern Rhône?

A

Granite/Schist

85
Q

What are the windblown silts and sands known as?

A

Loess/Molasse

86
Q

What is the result of windblown silts and sands on wine?

A

Fruit forward and less structured

87
Q

What do Galets do to the grape?

A

Adds alcohol & tannins, age worthy wines

88
Q

What cities bookend the Côtes du Rhône AOC?

A

Vienne in the north; Avignon in the south

89
Q

What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?

A

Mediterranean, much warmer than the Northern Rhône

90
Q

What cities bookend the Southern Rhône?

A

Montelimar in the north; Nîmes in the south

91
Q

What cities mark the northern and southern boundaries of the Northern Rhône?

A
  • Vienne in the north
  • Valence in the south
  • 45 miles long

4% of total production

92
Q

What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?

A

Continental

The Diois has Alpine influences.

93
Q

What are the beneficial effects of the Mistral?

A
  • Chases clouds, dust and humidity
  • Drops temperatures
  • Lowers disease pressue
  • Dessicates the grapes
94
Q

What are some of the detrimental effects of the Mistral?

A
  • Breaks shoots
  • Rips off leaves and berries
  • Shuts down the vine
  • Desiccates the grapes too much
95
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Tavel AOC?

A
  • Right bank
  • Production: 100% rosé
  • Grenache must be in the wine blend
  • Soil: sand, limestone and galets
  • Vinification is via maceration/saignée but no red wine is produced
96
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Lirac AOC?

A
  • Right bank
  • Climate is hot, sunny, dry
  • Whites: Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc
  • Rosés: Both saignée & direct press. Mostly Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre
  • Dark in Color; generous on the palate
  • Reds: Same varieties as rosés
97
Q

What are the core red and white blends of the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Core Red: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault & Mourvedre
  • Core White: Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne & Roussanne
98
Q

What are the 9 Crus of the Southern Rhône from north to south?

A
  1. Vinsobres
  2. Rasteau
  3. Cairanne (most recent Cru)
  4. Gigondas
  5. Vacqueyras
  6. Beaumes de Venise
  7. Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  8. Lirac
  9. Tavel
99
Q

What are the 8 Crus of the Northern Rhône from north to south?

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie
  2. Condrieu
  3. Château-Grillet
  4. Saint-Joseph
  5. Crozes-Hermitage
  6. Hermitage
  7. Cornas
  8. Saint-Péray
100
Q

What 2 Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs produce vin doux naturels (VDN)?

A

Rasteau AOC
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise AOC

Min. 15% alcohol

101
Q

How many villages have been awarded AOC status and can add their name to CDRV wines as CDRV-named village?

A

22

* As of 2020

102
Q

What are the characteristics of CDRV AOC wines?

A
  • 95 villages that can produce it
  • Standards are more stringent than CDR
  • Blending formula refers to what’s in the bottle not the field
  • 22 DGCs
103
Q

What are the Rhône Valley AOCs that lie outside the CdR zone of production?

A

The Diois
- 2 Sparkling: Clairette de Die & Cremant de Die (DK)
- 2 Still: Coteaux de Die & Châtillon-en-Diois (DK)

In the South
* Ventoux
* Luberon
* Costières de Nîmes
* Côtes du Vivarais (DK)
* Duché d’Uzès (DK)
* Grignan-les-Adhémar (DK)
* Clairette de Bellegarde (DK)

104
Q

What are the CDR zones of production AOCs?

A
  • Côtes du Rhône Regional AOC: 171 villages located here both north and south
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC: 95 villages, south only
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages + named Villages: 22 villages south only
  • 17 Cru AOC’s: 8 in the north and 9 in the south including the 2 VdN AOCs
105
Q

When did the viticulture begin in the Rhône Valley?

A

600 BCE with the Phocaeans

106
Q

When did the Romans arrive and what was one of the first things they did?

A

121 BCE and they built terraces into the steep slopes of the north

107
Q

What major event happened in the 14th century?

A

The Papal Palace moved from Rome to Avignon.

1309-1376 (seven French popes)

108
Q

What major changes occured to the Côtes du Rhône in the 1600-1800s?

A
  • The effort to protect the wine and certify the Costes du Rhône name
  • Wine barrels were stamped “CDR”
  • In the 1800s Coste du Rhône was changed to Les Côtes du Rhône
109
Q

What was one of the most significant ways Phylloxera in the early 1870s changed the vineyards of Southern Rhône?

A

Mourvèdre was exceedingly difficult to graft, plantings decreased dramatically from 1/3 of all plantings to just 4% today.

110
Q

What happened in 1956 that resulted in a huge increase in viticulture in the Rhône Valley?

A
  • A severe winter frost killed off the olive and fruit trees, the vines survived
  • Many farmers switched to viticulture
111
Q

What is the vine spacing in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • They are spaced wider apart due to the depleted soil and lack of water
  • Irrigation is not illegal but permission is needed
  • Can be either machine or hand harvested
112
Q

How are the new vineyards usually trained in the Rhône?

A
  • They are often trellised
  • This is for better sun exposure, ease of pruning, elimination of humidity build-up within the canopy, structural support against the Mistral
113
Q

What training method is traditionally used in the Southern Rhône?

A

The Gobelet method

Keeps vines close to the ground to protect it from the Mistral.

114
Q

When did Phylloxera hit the Rhône?

115
Q

What did Phylloxera do to the grape landscape in the Rhône?

A
  • Greatest impact on Mourvèdre
  • Mourvèdre was very difficult to graft
  • This reduced vineyard plantings from 30 to 4% currently.
116
Q

What grapes took over vineyard production after Phylloxera?

A

Easy to Graft: Grenache and Syrah
Mourvèdre now around 4%

117
Q

What are some weather characteristics in spring, autumn, and winter in the Northern Rhône?

A
  • Spring: Can be fog & frost
  • Autumn: sunny, warm, and dry; hail possible
  • Winter: snow

Continental with some Mediterranean influence.

118
Q

What is the topography of the Northern Rhône?

A
  • Vineyards are planted on slopes facing the Rhône up to 60 degrees
  • Romans carved terraces on these slopes to stop slope wash and make vineyard work easier
119
Q

In the Northern Rhône what is the ideal vineyard aspect?

120
Q

What is the only red grape of the Northern Rhône?

A

Syrah

  • Early ripening
  • Densely pigmented
  • Tannic
  • Moderate acidity and alcohol
  • The wine can express leather & gamey notes due to Syrahs reductive nature
121
Q

What is the soil type of the Northern Rhône?

A
  • Mostly granite subsoils with a topsoil of decomposed schist and granite sand
  • Pockets of galets, clay and loess/molasse (windblown sediment)
122
Q

How do the French mitigate the Mistral effects?

A
  • In the North: Plant on protected SE facing slopes and use échalas trellesing
  • In the South: Plant untrellised, low-facing the wind Gobelet style
123
Q

What is the quality pyramid in the Les Côtes du Rhône?

A

Crus
Côtes du Rhône Villages + named villages DGC
Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
Côtes du Rhône AOC

124
Q

How many crus are in the Northern Rhône?

125
Q

How many crus are in the Southern Rhône?

126
Q

How many CDR named villages (DGCs) are there?

127
Q

Are these red, white or rosé AOCs
* Vinsobres
* Rasteau
* Cairanne (most recent Cru)
* Gigondas
* Vacqueyras
* Beaume de Venise
* Châteauneuf du Pape
* Lirac
* Tavel

A
  • Vinsobres - red only
  • Rasteau - red only; white, rosé, red VDN
  • Cairanne - dry white and red
  • Gigondas - dry rosé (small) and red
  • Vacqueyras - white, rosé, and red
  • Beaumes de Venise - dry red (Muscat white, rosé, red VdN)
  • Châteauneuf du Pape - white and red
  • Lirac - white, rosé, and red
  • Tavel - rosé only
128
Q

How many CDR-villages villages are there?

129
Q

How many CDR wine producing villages are there?

130
Q

How many VDN AOCs are there in the Rhône and what are their names?

A

2
Rasteau
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

131
Q

From north to the south what are the the 8 Northern Cru AOCs?

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie (red)
  2. Condrieu (white)
  3. Château-Grillet (white)
  4. Saint-Joseph (white, red)
  5. Crozes-Hermitage (white, red)
  6. Hermitage (white, red, vin de paille)
  7. Cornas (red)
  8. Saint-Péray (white)
133
Q

Which AOC in Northern Rhône makes sweet Vins de Paille?

134
Q

What is the difference between Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Château-Grillet and the rest of the cru AOCs in the Northern Rhône?

A

The top 3 have Viognier as the white grape, below that the rest have Marsanne and Roussanne as their whites.

135
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A
  • Left bank
  • Production: almost all red with some white
  • Largest and driest AOC
  • Soils: limestone, sandstone, shingle/clay and galets
  • Explosed to full brunt of Mistral
  • Lie on open expanse of valley floor
  • Grapes: 13 Authorized
136
Q

What is the northernmost cru in the Northern Rhône?

A

Côte-Rôtie

137
Q

Which northern Rhône Cru is known for sparkling wine?

A

Saint-Péray

138
Q

What percentage of the total Rhône Valley production does the Cote du Rhône AOC represent?

A

more than 40%

139
Q

What does the Côtes du Rhône regional AOC cover?

A

It is the regional AOC of the Les Côtes du Rhône region

It represents over 40% of the production of the entire Rhône Valley.

140
Q

What are the wines form the Northern and Southern Rhône called?

A

Northern: Côtes du Rhône Septentrionaux
Southern: Côtes du Rhône Méridionaux

141
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Vinsobres?

A
  • Left Bank
  • At elevation of 650-1,500 feet
  • Climate: Has alpine influences that preserve the wines natural acidity
  • Red: Grenache-based and must contain either Syrah or Mourvèdre
  • Soils: Sand and clay with pocket of gravel and limestone
142
Q

What is the “new castle of the Pope”?

A
  • Pope John XXII built a new summer home in a small town
  • He named it “The New Castle of the Pope” or Châteauneuf du Pape.
  • This name became the name of the town.
143
Q

When did the Romans arrive in the Rhône and what did they do for formal viticulture?

A
  • Arrived in 121 BCE
  • They planted the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône before planting the relatively flat and more farmed expanse of the Southern Rhône.
  • They thought lowlands were frost pockets.
144
Q

When did formal viticulture begin in the Rhône?

A

Celtic tribes were present when the Phocaeans arrived in Marseille around 600 BCE.

145
Q

What is the primary white grape of the Northern Rhône?

146
Q

What is the primary grape of the Southern Rhône?

147
Q

When was the Church in Rhône ?

A

1309 - 1376
The Catholic church center of power was in Avignon with 7 Catholic Popes ruling from here.

148
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône VDN AOC of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise?

A
  • Muscat à Petits Grains (blanc & rouge)
  • white, rosé, red (but white 83%)
  • All wines made in a fresh, reductive style.
149
Q

What 3 Northern Rhône Crus permit Viognier?

A

Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Château-Grillet

150
Q

What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Rasteau?

A
  • Left Bank
  • Production: dry red plus red, white and rosé VdN
  • Unique Mesoclimate: South facing amphitheater that traps sun and blocks the Mistral
  • Elevation - average of 750 ft
  • Soils: marls, red clay and sand with pockets of gravel
  • Reds: Predominantly GSM
151
Q

What are the characteristics of the VDN Rasteau AOC?

A
  • Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc (with up to 10% of the other varieties)
  • White VdNs: Blanc (reductive) or Ambré (oxidative) styles
  • Red VdNs: Grenat (reductive) or Tuilé (Oxidative) styles
  • Hors d’ Age: 5 years oxidative aging
  • Rancio: 12 months oxidative aging in barrel

French Wine Scholar 2024 (17 decks)

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