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)
2
Q
What is the hottest and driest Non-CdR AOC in the Rhône Valley?
A
Costières de Nîmes AOC
3
Q
Which Non-CDR AOC in the Rhône produces mostly rosé?
A
Luberon AOC
4
Q
Which Non-CdR AOC in the Rhône climbs to 6,000 feet?
A
Ventoux
5
Q
In the Rhône what is Septentrionaux?
A
It means “of the north”
6
Q
In the Rhône what is Meridionaux?
A
It means “of the south”
7
Q
What is the climate of the southern Rhône ?
A
Mediterannean
8
Q
What is the Mistral?
A
A northerly wind that blows through the Rhône
9
Q
What Rhône AOC was the first to have its zone of production delineated?
A
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
10
Q
What 2 Rhône AOC’s make vin doux naturels (VdN)?
A
- Rasteau: white, rosé, & red
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise: majority white fortified
11
Q
What are foudres?
A
Large wooden barrels
12
Q
What is the only red grape variety grown in the Northern Rhône?
A
Syrah
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.
14
Q
What are the 2 Northern Rhône Crus located on the left bank?
A
- Hermitage
- Crozes-Hermitage
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.
16
Q
The term échalas refers to?
A
A teepee like trellising structure that provides support and wind protection for vines.
17
Q
What are the main soil types found in the Northern Rhône?
A
granite & schist
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.
19
Q
What is the principal grape of Tavel AOC rosé?
A
Grenache
20
Q
The “Rhône Rangers” are whom?
A
California winemakers making Rhône style wines.
21
Q
Are Côtes du Rhône Villages wines strictly single varietals or blends or can they both?
A
CDR Villages are blends.
22
Q
Rhône Valley vineyards are situated between the ____th and ____th parallels north?
A
44th and 45th
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.
24
Q
What are the 3 main white grapes of the Northern Rhône?
A
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
25
What are Galets?
Rounded river stones
26
What is the most common vine training system in the Southern Rhône?
Gobelet
27
What is the Southernmost AOC in the Southern Rhône?
Costières de Nîmes
28
What are the Characteristics of the Non-CDR AOC of Costières de Nîmes?
* 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.
29
What are the characteristics of the Non-CDR AOC of Ventoux?
* 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
30
What are the characteristics of the Non-CDR AOC of Luberon?
* Location: Left Bank
* Production: Over 50% rosé
* Climate: Mediterranean with strong continental influences
* UNESCO Bisophere Reserve
31
What is *Méridionaux*?
The Southern Rhône
32
What is the principal grape of Clairette de Die and Clairette de Die Méthode Ancestrale?
1. 100% Clairette
2. Muscat and Clairette
33
What is the most common style of wine in the Diois?
Sparkling white
34
What is the primary grape of the Rasteau AOC?
Grenache
35
What is the primary difference between a wine labeled Clairette de Die and a wine labeled Coteaux de Die?
Clairette de Die AOC is sparkling; Coteaux de Die AOC is dry white still
36
What Rhône Cru is devoted to making only rosé wine?
Tavel
37
What are the 8 Crus from North to South in the Northern Rhône
1. Côte-Rôtie
2. Condrieu
3. Château-Grillet
4. Saint-Joseph
5. Crozes-Hermitage
6. Hermitage
7. Cornas
8. Saint-Péray
38
What are the primary red grapes in the Southern Rhône?
Grenache Noir
Mourvèdre
Syrah
39
When does most of the Southern Rhône precipitation fall?
In the winter
40
How many hours of sunshine does the Southern Rhone receive?
2600-2800 hours
41
What is the climate of the Southern Rhône ?
Mediterranean
42
What is the Southernmost town/area of the Côtes du Rhône area?
Avignon
43
What towns are the North and South ends of the Southern Rhône Valley?
Montélimar in the north and Nîmes in the south
44
What types of wines are made in the Diois?
Majority is white sparkling wine
45
What is the climate and topography of the Diois?
* 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
46
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône cru AOC of Saint-Péray?
* Steep slopes of a deep valley make it slightly cooler than its neighbors
* Still and sparkling Roussanne/Marsanne
* 100% white
* Sparkling produced since 1825
47
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Cornas?
* Right bank
* Steep, southeast-facing terraced slopes of granite
* means "burned earth"
* natural ampitheatre protecting vines from cold winds
* 100% red/100% Syrah
48
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Hermitage?
* 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
49
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Crozes-Hermitage?
* Left bank with varied soils
* Largest of Northern Rhône Crus
* Reds: Syrah with up to 15% Marsanne and/or Roussanne
* Whites: Marsanne/Roussanne blends
50
What are the 3 primary white grapes of Southern Rhône?
Bourboulenc
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
51
What special soil type is Châteauneuf-du-Pape known for?
Galets
52
What 3 Southern Rhône AOCs are considered on the plain?
1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape (LB)
2. Lirac (RB)
1. Tavel (RB)
| Soils of Garrigue, sand/sandstone, shingle/clay, galets, loess/molasse
53
What 3 Southern Rhône AOC's are considered the hilltop towns with vineyards at elevation?
1. Vinsobres
1. Rasteau
1. Cairanne
54
What 3 Southern Rhône AOCs are nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail?
1. Gigondas
1. Vacqueyras
1. Beaumes de Venise
55
Where does the Rhône River begin?
As a glacier in Switzerland on Lake Geneva, flowing through the lake and becoming a river in Geneva
56
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC of Château-Grillet?
* 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.
57
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC Condrieu?
* Right Bank
* 100% white Viognier only
* 90-95% dry although sweet is allowed
58
What are the characteristics of the Northern Rhône Cru AOC Côte-Rôtie?
* Northernmost of Northern Cru AOCs
* Right Bank on steep slopes
* Southeast facing
* 100% red with up to 20% Viognier, co-planted and co-fermented
59
Where does the Rhône Valley rank in terms of wine production in France?
France's 2nd largest producer of AOC wine
| The wine industry is the region's #1 business activity.
60
How does the Rhône River link to other waterways?
* 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
61
Where is the Rhône Valley situated?
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
Between what Parallels north does the Rhône Valley sit?
44th and 45th
63
What is the river effect on the Northern and Southern Rhône Valley?
* 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
What are the benefits of the Mistral?
* Clears away clouds and dust increasing sunny days
* Brings dry weather
* Prevents frost
* Chases humidity, reducing disease pressure
* Drops the temperature
65
What are the risks of the Mistral?
* Breaks shoots
* Rips off leaves and berries
* Uproots vines
* Damages crops
* Desiccates the grapes too much
66
What is the name of the cold north wind blowing through the Rhône?
Mistral
67
T or F? The Rhône River impacts the growing area of the Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône equally.
False
68
What is the significance of the 45th Parallel?
It is the 1/2 way point between the equator and the north pole
69
T or F? Rhône Valley is bordered by the Massif Central on the east.
False, it is on the west
70
What is the location of the Northern Rhône?
It begins 20 miles south of Lyon and stretches for 45 miles from Vienne to Valence.
71
What is the consistency of the Rhône Valley vintages in the north & south?
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
What is the rosé production like in the Rhône Valley?
* Only in Southern Rhône Valley
* Primarily Grenache and Cinsault
73
When are most Rhône Valley white AOC wines meant to be consumed?
2-4 years
| A small percentage of Cru whites are aged in oak giving long ageability.
74
What are the primary soil types of the Southern Rhône?
1. *galets* (rounded river stones)
2. *garrigue* (limestone)
3. sandstone
4. clay
5. loess/molasse (windblown silt and sands)
75
What are the white wine styles of the Southern Rhône?
dry white & sweet fortified white (VDN)
| Sweet fortified white: Vins Doux Naturels VdN
76
What are the red wine styles of the Southern Rhône?
dry red & sweet fortified red (VDN)
77
T or F? The wine of the Southern Rhône are blended products.
True
78
What are the 3 white grapes of the Northern Rhône ?
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
79
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Cairanne AOC?
* 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
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Gigondas AOC?
* 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
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Vacqueyras AOC?
* 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
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Beaumes de Venise AOC?
* 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
How big is the Rhône Valley, and what cities mark the north and south ends of the Rhône Valley?
* 120 miles long
* 300 villages
* In the north is the city of Vienne
* In the south is the city of Nîmes
84
What is the most important soil of the Northern Rhône?
Granite/Schist
85
What are the windblown silts and sands known as?
Loess/Molasse
86
What is the result of windblown silts and sands on wine?
Fruit forward and less structured
87
What do Galets do to the grape?
Adds alcohol & tannins, age worthy wines
88
What cities bookend the Côtes du Rhône AOC?
Vienne in the north; Avignon in the south
89
What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?
Mediterranean, much warmer than the Northern Rhône
90
What cities bookend the Southern Rhône?
Montelimar in the north; Nîmes in the south
91
What cities mark the northern and southern boundaries of the Northern Rhône?
* Vienne in the north
* Valence in the south
* 45 miles long
| 4% of total production
92
What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?
Continental
| The Diois has Alpine influences.
93
What are the beneficial effects of the Mistral?
* Chases clouds, dust and humidity
* Drops temperatures
* Lowers disease pressue
* Dessicates the grapes
94
What are some of the detrimental effects of the Mistral?
* Breaks shoots
* Rips off leaves and berries
* Shuts down the vine
* Desiccates the grapes too much
95
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Tavel AOC?
* 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
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Lirac AOC?
* 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
What are the core red and white blends of the Southern Rhône?
* Core Red: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault & Mourvedre
* Core White: Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne & Roussanne
98
What are the 9 Crus of the Southern Rhône from north to south?
1. Vinsobres
1. Rasteau
1. Cairanne (most recent Cru)
1. Gigondas
1. Vacqueyras
1. Beaumes de Venise
1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape
1. Lirac
1. Tavel
99
What are the 8 Crus of the Northern Rhône from north to south?
1. Côte-Rôtie
2. Condrieu
3. Château-Grillet
4. Saint-Joseph
5. Crozes-Hermitage
6. Hermitage
7. Cornas
8. Saint-Péray
100
What 2 Côtes du Rhône Villages AOCs produce *vin doux naturels* (VDN)?
Rasteau AOC
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise AOC
| Min. 15% alcohol
101
How many villages have been awarded AOC status and can add their name to CDRV wines as CDRV-named village?
22
| * As of 2020
102
What are the characteristics of CDRV AOC wines?
* 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
What are the Rhône Valley AOCs that lie outside the CdR zone of production?
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
What are the CDR zones of production AOCs?
* 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
When did the viticulture begin in the Rhône Valley?
600 BCE with the Phocaeans
106
When did the Romans arrive and what was one of the first things they did?
121 BCE and they built terraces into the steep slopes of the north
107
What major event happened in the 14th century?
The Papal Palace moved from Rome to Avignon.
| 1309-1376 (seven French popes)
108
What major changes occured to the Côtes du Rhône in the 1600-1800s?
* 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
What was one of the most significant ways Phylloxera in the early 1870s changed the vineyards of Southern Rhône?
Mourvèdre was exceedingly difficult to graft, plantings decreased dramatically from 1/3 of all plantings to just 4% today.
110
What happened in 1956 that resulted in a huge increase in viticulture in the Rhône Valley?
* A severe winter frost killed off the olive and fruit trees, the vines survived
* Many farmers switched to viticulture
111
What is the vine spacing in the Southern Rhône?
* 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
How are the new vineyards usually trained in the Rhône?
* 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
What training method is traditionally used in the Southern Rhône?
The Gobelet method
| Keeps vines close to the ground to protect it from the Mistral.
114
When did Phylloxera hit the Rhône?
1870s
115
What did Phylloxera do to the grape landscape in the Rhône?
* Greatest impact on Mourvèdre
* Mourvèdre was very difficult to graft
* This reduced vineyard plantings from 30 to 4% currently.
116
What grapes took over vineyard production after Phylloxera?
Easy to Graft: Grenache and Syrah
Mourvèdre now around 4%
117
What are some weather characteristics in spring, autumn, and winter in the Northern Rhône?
* Spring: Can be fog & frost
* Autumn: sunny, warm, and dry; hail possible
* Winter: snow
| Continental with some Mediterranean influence.
118
What is the topography of the Northern Rhône?
* 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
In the Northern Rhône what is the ideal vineyard aspect?
South
120
What is the only red grape of the Northern Rhône?
Syrah
- Early ripening
- Densely pigmented
- Tannic
- Moderate acidity and alcohol
- The wine can express leather & gamey notes due to Syrahs reductive nature
121
What is the soil type of the Northern Rhône?
* Mostly granite subsoils with a topsoil of decomposed schist and granite sand
* Pockets of *galets*, clay and loess/molasse (windblown sediment)
122
How do the French mitigate the Mistral effects?
* 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
What is the quality pyramid in the Les Côtes du Rhône?
Crus
Côtes du Rhône Villages + named villages DGC
Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
Côtes du Rhône AOC
124
How many *crus* are in the Northern Rhône?
8
125
How many *crus* are in the Southern Rhône?
9
126
How many CDR named villages (DGCs) are there?
22
127
Are these red, white or rosé AOCs
* Vinsobres
* Rasteau
* Cairanne (most recent Cru)
* Gigondas
* Vacqueyras
* Beaume de Venise
* Châteauneuf du Pape
* Lirac
* Tavel
* 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
How many CDR-villages villages are there?
95
129
How many CDR wine producing villages are there?
171
130
How many VDN AOCs are there in the Rhône and what are their names?
2
Rasteau
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
131
From north to the south what are the the 8 Northern Cru AOCs?
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)
132
133
Which AOC in Northern Rhône makes sweet *Vins de Paille*?
Hermitage
134
What is the difference between Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Château-Grillet and the rest of the *cru* AOCs in the Northern Rhône?
The top 3 have Viognier as the white grape, below that the rest have Marsanne and Roussanne as their whites.
135
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
* 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
What is the northernmost *cru* in the Northern Rhône?
Côte-Rôtie
137
Which northern Rhône Cru is known for sparkling wine?
Saint-Péray
138
What percentage of the total Rhône Valley production does the Cote du Rhône AOC represent?
more than 40%
139
What does the Côtes du Rhône regional AOC cover?
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
What are the wines form the Northern and Southern Rhône called?
Northern: Côtes du Rhône Septentrionaux
Southern: Côtes du Rhône Méridionaux
141
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Vinsobres?
* 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
What is the "new castle of the Pope"?
* 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
When did the Romans arrive in the Rhône and what did they do for formal viticulture?
* 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
When did formal viticulture begin in the Rhône?
Celtic tribes were present when the Phocaeans arrived in Marseille around 600 BCE.
145
What is the primary white grape of the Northern Rhône?
Viognier
146
What is the primary grape of the Southern Rhône?
Grenache
147
When was the Church in Rhône ?
1309 - 1376
The Catholic church center of power was in Avignon with 7 Catholic Popes ruling from here.
148
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône VDN AOC of Muscat de Beaumes de Venise?
* Muscat à Petits Grains (blanc & rouge)
* white, rosé, red (but white 83%)
* All wines made in a fresh, reductive style.
149
What 3 Northern Rhône Crus permit Viognier?
Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Château-Grillet
150
What are the characteristics of the Southern Rhône Cru of Rasteau?
* 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
What are the characteristics of the VDN Rasteau AOC?
* 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
