Rhone Flashcards
Which strong wind affects the Rhone’s climate?
Mistral (northern winds) and Sicorro (southern winds)
What are the main grapes of the northern Rhone?
Syrah, Viognier, marsanne, roussanne. Syrah is the only red grape allowed.
How does the Rhone River influence climate in the Rhone?
It reflects light and moderates temperatures.
What is the climate of the northern Rhone?
Warm continental but cooler than southern Rhone.
What are good vintages for the Rhone?
1995-2001 (drink hermitages from then now) 2003-2006 2009 2010 2012
Name the regions of the Northern Rhone from north to south.
Cote Rotie Condrieu Chateau grillet St Joseph Crozes Hermitage Hermitage Cornas St Peray
What are the subregions of the Côte Rotie?
cote blonde
cote brune
Which region in the northern Rhone is a single vineyard?
Chateau Grillet
Which regions in the northern Rhone are white wine areas? Which grape?
Condrieu and Chateau Grillet.
Viognier.
(St Peray is also known for methods traditionally sparkling wines from Marsanne and roussanne grapes.)
Which regions within the northern Rhone are red wine areas? Which grape?
Cote Rotie and Cornas.
Syrah.
Cote Rotie is at least 80% and Cornas is 100% Syrah.
Which northern Rhone subregion is known for age worthy reds?
Hermitage (best after 15 years)
What is the minimum percentage of Syrah allowed in St Joseph wines?
90%
What is the minimum percentage of Syrah allowed in Cornas wines?
100%
What is the minimum Syrah allowed in Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage wines?
85%
What is the minimum Syrah allowed in Cote Rotie wines?
80%
20% maximum Viognier
Within how long should you drink a Crozes hermitages?
5 years
What is the minimum ABV for Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
12.5%
What is the main red grape of the southern Rhone?
Grenache
What are galets and what is their function?
Smooth river rocks thrown around the vineyard to absorb the sun during the day and release it gently at night for further ripening.
What is the climate of the southern Rhone?
Warm, arid, Mediterranean
What is a common blend of the southern Rhone?
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre.
What are the regions of the southern Rhone?
Cotes du Rhone Cotes du Rhone Villages Chateauneuf-du-Pape Gigondas Vacqueyras Tavel Lilac Beaumes de Venise Vinsobres Rasteau
Within how many years should you drink Cote du Rhone wines?
3 years
From which city to which city does the Rhone span?
Vienna to Avignon
How many cote du Rhone villages are there?
18
What is the name of sparkling wine from the cote du Rhone?
Clairette de Die
What is the symbol of chateauneuf du pape?
Crossed keys
What pairs well with chateauneuf du pape?
Venison or boar
When can you drink chateauneuf du pape?
Drink after 3-5 years but best after 10
What is the minimum of Grenache in gigondas?
50%
What kind of blends are found in Vacqueyras?
Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Describe the wines of Gigondas.
High tannin, high alcohol
What is Tavel famous for?
Grenache-based roses
What is the minimum Grenache percentage in Vinsobres?
50%
Which two regions of the southern Rhone are known for vin doux naturel?
Beaume de Venise (Muscat) and Rasteau (Grenache)
What wine of the southern Rhone famously pairs with foie gras?
Beaume de Venise
What do northern Rhone reds pair well with?
Steak
What are Guigal’s 3 main cote Rotie vineyards?
La landonne
La moline
La turque
What are the 4 lieuxdits of Cornas?
Les Reynards
La Cote
Les Chaillot
Les Mazards
What is Beaucastel known for?
Using all 13 Chateauneuf du pape grapes
