Rhone Valley Flashcards
Location of the Rhone Valley
Begins 20 miles south of the city of Lyon, extends until the city of Avignon - straddles the Rhone River
Cold, strong wine that affects the Rhone Valley
Mistral
Approximate length (north to south) of the Rhone Valley
120 miles (30 mile gap between the north and south)
Grapes allowed for use (1 red, 3 white) in Northern Rhone AOCs
Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne
Terroir of the Northern Rhone
Steep sided, terraced vineyards, planted along the river as it passes between the Massif Central and the Alps, mostly continental cliamte
Red wine appellations of the Northern Rhone
Cote-Rotie Cornas Hermitage Crozes-Hermitage Saint-Joseph
Typical assemblage of Northern Rhone red wines
Based on Syrah, most allow for a small percentage of white grapes to be included
Required assemblage of Cornas AOC
100% Syrah
White wine appellations of the Northern Rhone
Condrieu
Chateau-Grillet
Saint-Peray
Grape variety of Condrieu
100% Viognier
Styles of wine produced in Saint-Peray
Still and sparkling wines using a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne
Terroir of Southern Rhone
Broad lowlands, mostly Mediterranean climate
Well known component of Southern Rhone topsoils
Galets
Most widely planted red grape of the Southern Rhone
Grenache
Typical assemblage of Southern Rhone reds
Blends, many Grenache focused, also with Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre, and Cinsault
Typical assemblage of Southern Rhone whites
Dry blends based on Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Ugni Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Muscat and others
Southern Rhone AOC that produces rose exclusively
Tavel AOC
Muscat based vin doux naturel of the Southern Rhone
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Grenache based vin doux naturel of the Southern Rhone
Rasteau
Famous wine of the Southern Rhone produced just north of Avignon
Chateauneuf du Pape
Grapes allowed for use in Chateauneuf du Pape
Grenache (Noir, Gris, and Blanc) Mourvedre Syrah Cinsault Counoise Bourboulenc Roussanne Brun Argente Clairette Clairette Rose Muscardin Picardin Piquepoul (Noir, Gris and Blanc) Terret Noir
Appellations of the Diois
Chatillon-en-Diois
Clairette de Die
Coteaux de Die
Cremant de Die
Northern most appellation of the Southern Rhone
Grignan-les-Adhemar AOC
Two appellations (known mainly for red wines) located adjacent to Beaumes-de-Venise
Gigondas
Vacqueyras
Appellation (mostly known for red wines) located adjacent to Rasteau
Cairanne AOC
6 appellations located along the edges of the Southern Rhone Valley (outside the boundaries of the Cotes du Rhone AOC)
Ventoux AOC Costieres de Nimes AOC Luberon AOC Duche d'Uzes AOC COtes de Vivarais AOC Clairette de Bellegarde AOC
Regional appellations of the Rhone Valley
Cotes du Rhone AOC
Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC