Rhone Flashcards
Annual production?
37 million cases
2nd AOC wine producing region after Bordeaux.
Geography/Climate
Begins 20 S of Lyon and ends 120 miles south at the cry of Avignon. On both sides of the Rhone river.
Clearly decided into 2 parts - North and South - with a 30 mile gap between the 2.
Northern Rhone
A narrow strip on both side of the river about 40 miles in length. Steep sided because it passes through the divide between the Massif Central and the French Alps. Climate still more continental that Mediterranean.
Southern Rhone
Broad area of lowlands that go from the mountains to the Med.
Mediterranean Climate
Lot’s of galets that have washed down from the mountains.
Cold wind from the North is the ?
Mistral
Grape Varieties of the North?
Syrah is the only red
Whit varieties - Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne
Grape Varieties of the South?
2 dozen are allowed and wines are usually a blend of at least 3 to 4.
Grenache is the most important accounting for 2/3 of red grapes 122,000 acres. Other’s are Syrah 33,000, Carrignan 16,000, Mourvedre 5,000, Cinsaut 10,000.
The dominant white grape is also Grenache Blanc 2,600. Clairette 2,600 plus small amounts of Viognier 6,600, Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Muscat and others.
Wine styles North?
Red Syrahs - deeply colored, tannic, powerful and long lived.
Conas is the only AOC with 100% Syrah
Red Wine styles South?
Grenache based with less tannin and pigment, high alcohol, lower acidity.
AOC for Rose only?
Tavel
Rose made primarily from Grenache and Cinsaut
White wine styles?
Viognier in the north
Whites are only 5% of the total production
Rose production
9%
Northern Rhone Valley Appellations?
8 Appellations
Among the reds Cote-Rotie, Hermitage and Cornas are small commune size AOCs that are highly regarded for their excellent long ageing wines.
St. Joseph, Crozes Hermitage are larger with more variability.
2 important White Wine appellation in the Northern Rhone
Cote Rotie and Condrieu
Both produce 100% Viognier
Southern Rhone Appellations?
Produce 96% of the total output.
Cotes du Rhone AOC covers the whole Rhone area and accounts for more than half of the RV output. Most are produced at cooperatives.
