Rhone Valley Flashcards
1
Q
What is the primary grape of the Rasteau appellation?
A
Grenache
2
Q
Define the term “Septentrionales”
A
The Northern Côtes du Rhône
3
Q
What is the Mistral?
A
A north wind that blows through the Rhône Valley
4
Q
What are the main soil types found in the Northern Rhône?
A
Granite and schist
5
Q
What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?
A
Continental
6
Q
What is the northernmost cru in the Northern Rhône?
A
Côte-Rôtie
7
Q
What is the principal grape of Tavel rosé?
A
Grenache
8
Q
What is the southernmost appellation in the Southern Rhône?
A
Costières de Nimes
9
Q
The Dentelles de Montmirail is:
A
A mountain range to the east of the southern Rhône
10
Q
What are galets?
A
Rounded river stones or pebbles
11
Q
What three Northern Rhône crus permit Viogner?
A
Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet
12
Q
Define the term “foudres”
A
arge wooden barrels
13
Q
What Northern Rhône appellation is known for sparkling wine?
A
Saint-Péray
14
Q
The term “échelas” refers to:
A
Tipi-like trellasing structures that provide support and wind protection for vines
15
Q
What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?
A
Mediterranean
16
Q
What are the three white grapes of the Northern Rhône?
A
Viogner, Marsanne and Roussanne
17
Q
Rhone vineyards are situated between _____th & _____th parallels north.
A
44th and 45th
18
Q
What Northern Rhône cru occupies a single hill inside another AOC?
A
Hermitage
19
Q
What is the only red grape variety grown in the northern Rhône?
A
Syrah
20
Q
What is the most common style of wine in the Diois?
A
Sparkling white
21
Q
Define the term “Méridionales”
A
The Southern Côtes du Rhône
22
Q
Which Rhône cru is devoted entirely to the making of rosé wine?
A
Tavel
23
Q
What is the primary method for making rosé wine in the Rhône Valley?
A
“Saignée” or bleeding method
24
Q
Are Côtes du Rhône Villages wines strictly single varietals, or blends or can they be both?
A
Côtes du Rhône Villages must be a blend composed of at least 50% Grenache
25
What is the most common vine training system in the Southern Rhône?
Gobelet
26
Can the entire Rhône Valley produce wine under the Côtes du Rhône AOC designation?
No. The Côtes du Rhône AOC is a delineated area within the greater Rhone Valley
27
What Rhône appellation was the first to have its zone of production delineated?
Châteauneuf-du-pape
28
What is the primary grape variety of Clairette de Die?
This wine must include a minimum 75% Muscat
29
What is the main difference between a wine labeled "Clairette de Die" and a wine labeled "Coteaux de Die"?
Clairette is sparkling and Coteaux is still
30
Where is most Côtes du Rhône produced, in the north or the south?
The south. The north makes just a tiny fraction of overall production.
31
What are the two Northern Rhône crus located on the left (east) bank of the river?
Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage
32
"Rhône Rangers" are:
California winemakers making Rhône style blends
33
"Oeil de perdrix" refers to:
The deep salmon color of Rhône rosés made from Grenache and Cinsault (oeil de perdrix = partridge eye)
34
What is the difference between the Beaumes-de-Venise AOC and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC?
The first is a dry red, while the second is sweet, white VDN
35
What two Rhône AOCs make Vin Doux Naturel?
Rasteau, Beaumes-de-Venise
36
Is Côtes du Rhône Villages made in the Northern Rhône, in the Southern Rhône, or in both?
All 95 CDR Villages come from the south
37
Where was the hub of Catholic church in Southern Rhone?
Avignon, 1309- 1376, 7 French popes helped to govern the Catholic Church.
38
What is the grape that the Southern Rhone is known for?
Grenache
39
What is the grape that is grown in the Northern Rhone, that was saved in the 20th Century?
Viognier
40
Rhone- Ancient History
- Syrah:
Believed to originated in Persia (modern day Iran) near the town of Shiraz. In Reality it is a combination of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche (both Rhone Valley grapes
- Viognier:
Believed to have originated on the island of Vis off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. In reality related to Mondeuse Blanche (a Rhone Grape)
41
Rhone (Ancient History)- Formal Viticulture
- Celtic Tribes in the Rhone Valley when the Phocaeans settled into Marseille around 600 BC
- The Greeks bought vines: Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc
42
Rhone (Ancient History)- Development of the Vineyards:
- Romans: arrived in 121 BC; took viticulture into the upper Rhone Valley
- Transformed many of the steep slopes into walled terraces
- Began their excavation work with Cote Rotie and Saint Joseph on the right bank then annexed the left bank
43
Rhone Valley- The Papal Legency
- 14th Century: Papal palace moved from Rome to Avignon
- 1309- 1376; 7 French popes governed the Catholic Church
- The wines of Burgundy graced table of the Popes of this time due to the monastic order
44
Rhone Valley- The New Castle of the Pope
- Pope John XXII decided to build a summer house in Avignon, 'the new house of the Pope' which was also called Chateaunerf de Pape (this later became the name of the village)
- Wines: first called vins du Pape but later referenced Chateaunerf du Pape
45
What was Vins de Medecine?
Chateaunerf du Pape wines that were sold to Burgundy winemakers to add tannin, pigment and richer fruit
46
La Cotes du Rhone
- 1600s: La Cotes du Rhone an administrative district in the Vicariate of Uzes
- Lies within the Southern Rhone department of the Gard, right bank of the Rhone River
- Growers: called their wines Cote du Rhone (after the administrative district)
47
Rhone Valley- Louis XV
- 1737: issued a decree that all Cotes du Rhone barrels have 'CDR' labelled on it
- 1800s: the singular La Cote du Rhone became the plural Les Cotes du Rhone; becoming a singular moniker
- Les Cotes Du Rhone stretched from Vienne to Avignon on to all banks of the river
48
What are the wines of the Northern Rhone known as?
Cotes du Rhone Septentrionales
49
What are the wines of the Southern Rhone known as?
Cote du Rhone Meridionales
50
The Cotes du Rhone AOCs
Cote du Rhone is the regional AOC of the Les Cotes Du Rhone region. It is 50% of production of the whole Rhone Valley
It contains the following AOCs:
- Cote Du Rhone AOC: 60% 0f the Les Cotes Du Rhone Region
- Cote Du Rhone Villages: 5%
- Cote Du Rhone Villages- Named Village: 9%
- 17 Cru AOCs: (including 2 Vin Doux Naturel AOCs): 17% and 1% respectively
51
Eligiblity for CDR status?
- Any of the appellations within the region can be classified or declassified as the regional Cote Du Rhone AOC
- All appellations outside the region are not eligible for CDR AOC status
- 171 of the Rhone Valley's 300 wine producing villages produce CDR wines
- 92% red, 4% rose and 4% white
52
What devastated the vineyards of the Rhone in the 1870's?
Phylloxera. Vines were replanted on American rootstocks.
53
What was a hard grapevine to graft onto in the Rhone after phylloxera?
Mouvedre. Prior to phylloxera 1/3 of the Southern Rhone was Mouvedre, now it is only 3%
54
What vines were easy to graft and are now predominate in the Rhone for this reason?
Grenache (65%) and Syrah (18%)
55
Baron Pierre Le Roy De Boiseaumarie?
- 1924: Viegrowers led by the Baron start to impose production standards and appellation characters
- 1935: First AOC awarded for wine
- The Baron confounded the INAO
56
Winter Freeze of 1956- Rhone
- Temps got down to 5 degrees f (-15 Celsius) for three weeks
- Cold mistral winds blew through the valley at 60 mph/ 96 kmh
- Majority of the regions olives and fruit trees perished, vines remained
Farmers turned to viticulture for this reason and this changed the valley from that point on
57
What happened to the Rhone in the 1990's?
More attention following rhone rangers of America and also Aussie rhone style wines
58
Rhone Valley today?
- Second largest producer of wine behind Bordeaux
- #1 Business activity in the area is winemaking, sells approximately 35 million cases of wine per year
- 6,000 individuals grow the wine that goes into those bottles
59
Rhone River
- Begins as glacial melt waters in sthwestern corner of Switzerland
- Pours into Lake Geneva near Montreux, exits again, traveling through the Jura Mountains en route to the city of Lyon
- At Lyon Saone pivots Southward
- Then passes through the narrow gorges of the Northern Rhone the sweeps out of the plains into the Southern Rhone
- Empties into the Mediterranean sea
- Links the rivers Seine and Rhine through a network of canals and tributaries
- Connect the Mediterranean with the rest of Northern Europe
60
What two climates meet up in the Rhone?
Mediterranean and Continental. It is also where France's culinary world's unite. The butter of the north and the olive oil of the south. Lyon has more michelin stared restaurants than any other town other than Paris.
61
In the Rhone East meets West soils?
Granite and Schist of the Massif Central (West) collide with the sedimentary soils of the Alps and its foothills (east)
62
What is the location of the Rhone Valley?
It is a 120 mile/ 192km expanse from Vienne to Nimes. Between the northern and the southern regions there is a 30 mile/ 48 km stretch where much of France's produce is grown.
63
On what parallel is the Rhone Valley located on?
The 44th and 45th. Paul Jabollet produces a wine called Parallel 45 to celebrate this.
64
The wine production of the Rhone Valley?
Is large with 300 villages. The overwhelming majority is red (86%) 9% rose and 5% white
65
Although the Northern and Southern Rhone has two distinct climatic differences there are two things that are common to both?
The Rhone River and the Mistral
66
What is the river effect for the Northern and the Southern Rhone?
In the North it has a direct effect because vineyards sit on the river itself. Whilst in the Southern it has no effect because vineyards sit a fair way away from the river
67
What are the effect of the Mistral in the Rhone valley?
Benefits:
- Clears aways dust and clouds and brings clear skys
- Brings dry weather
- Prevents frost
- Chases humidity... reducing disease pressure
- Drops the temp
Risks
- Breaks shoots
- Rips off leaves and berries
- Uproots vines
- Damages crops
- Desiccates the grape
68
White Wine Production in the Rhone?
- Trad fermentation in concrete tanks or large, inert barrels- foudre
- Temp controlled stainless steel is becoming more popular.
- MLF is not encouraged
- Most whites are to be drunk young (2-4 years); some are ageworthy (especially the crus)
- A small percentage of whites (usually crus) are aged in oak
69
Sweet, Fortified Wine Production- Rhone Valley
- Temp controlled stainless steel is used to control or slow fermentation down
- MLF is often blocked by using CO2, in order to preserve acidity
70
Red Wine Production- Rhone Valley
- Cold soak is becoming more and more popular
- Some vignerons co- ferment; some harvest and vinify each grape variety separately
- Often parcels of young vines are fermented separately from the fruit of older vines
- Fermentation (and simultaneous Maceration): runs an average of 7- 15 days but can last up to 20
- MLF is standard
- Traditionally, Wines are aged in concrete, stainless steel or large wooden barrels
71
Rose Wine Production- Rhone Valley
Rose wines are only made in the Southern Rhone; they are main,y made from Grenache and Cinsault
Primary Method Of Production is “saignee” if bleeding method:
- After desteming and crushing, the slurry Of skins, pulp, seeds and juice is tanked
- Maceration avg 8- 24 hrs, then the liquid is pulled off of the solids (bleeding)
- Pink juice is fermented as if it were a white wine (no skin contact)
- MLF is avoided
72
What equates to inconsistent weather and vintage variability of the Northern Rhone?
It’s continental climate. This being said it is more consistent than its northern neighbours of Beaujolais and Burgundy
73
What helps with consistency of weather from year to year in the Southern Rhone?
The Mediterranean climate
74
Northern Rhone
- Begins 20 miles/ 32 km south of Lyon
- Stretches for 45 miles/ 72 kms between Vienne and Valence
- 8,100 acres/ 3,240 ha of vineyards
- 5% of the total production within Les Cotes Du Rhone
- 4% of the total production within the Rhone Valley
- Continental Climate: significant variation between diurnal ranges
75
Spring in Northern Rhone?
- Variable
- Wet with fog and frost can be sunny and dry
- Because of the frost ideal vineyards are south facing
76
Summer in the Northern Rhone?
- Hot and sunny
- 2,100 hours of sunshine per year (versus 2,709 hours in the Sthern Rhone)
- 27-35 inches/ 690- 890 mm of rainfall
77
Autumn in the Northern Rhone?
- Dry and windy with danger of hail
78
Spring in the Northern Rhone?
- Cold with light snow falls
79
Topography- Northern Rhone
- Vineyards flank the Rhone River
- The slopes of the Northern Rhone are steep: some possess gradients of 60 degrees
- The Romans excavated the slopes and built terraces in order to stop slope wash in order to make the vineyards a little easier to work
80
Soils- Northern Rhone
- Mostly Granite Sub- Soils with a topsoil Of decomposed crystalline mica- Schist and granitic soils
- There are pockets of calcareous soils mixed with galets and patches of shingle- clay
- Some vineyards are pure sand or pure clay
81
Northern Rhone Grapes and Wine Styles
- Primarily Dry reds made from Syrah (possible addition of white Viognier, Marsanne and/ or Rousanne
- White Wines Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne; most of the wine is still and dry
- Some late- harvest (sometimes botrytised) dessert wine is made from Viognier
- Some Sweet Vin Paille is made from Marsanne and Rousanne
82
Syrah- Northern Rhone
- Early ripening
- Densely pigmented
- Tannic
- Moderate in alcohol
- Moderate in acidity
The Wines can express leather, gang notes due to Syrah’s reductive nature. The only red grape in the Northern Rhone
83
Viognier- Northern Rhone
- Vigourous and hardy
- Thrives in poor, dry, stony soils
- Early- ripener
- Aromatic
- High in alcohol
- Moderate in acidity
Look for aromas of peach, apricot, honey, musk, violets and white flowers
84
Marsanne- Rhone Valley
- Vigourous and hardy
- Generous producer
- Early- ripener
- Prefers warm, stony, infertile sites
- High in alcohol
- High in extract
- Moderately low in acidity
Look for aromas of Melon and flowers that transition into hazelnut
85
Rousanne- Northern Rhone
- Moderately vigourous; mid- ripener
- Prefers warm, stony, well drained soils, arid hillsides, silt- Limestone soils
- High alcohol; moderately high acidity
Look for aromas of honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia and white peach
86
What are the 8 Crus of the Northern Rhone?
```
Cote Rotie
Condrieu
Chateau- Grillet
Saint- Joseph
Crozes- Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas
Saint- Percy
```
Min. Alc for whites: 10- 11%
Min. alc for reds: 10-10.5%
87
Cote Rotie
- Right bank, on steep slopes, southeast facing
- 100% Red with up to 20% Viognier
- No white wine is produced
88
Condrieu
- Right back, 100% white, Viognier
| - 90- 95% is dry, but sweet Condrieu is also allowed
89
Chateau- Grillet: Northern Rhone
- Right bank; steep terraces constructed by the Romans
| - 100% white, Viognier only
90
Saint- Joseph: Northern Rhone
- Right bank of the Rhone
- Reds: Syrah with up to 10% Marsanne and/ Rousanne
- Whites: Marsanne and Rousanne
- Majority Of Production is red: some white
91
Crozes- Hermitage: Northern Rhone
- The Largest Of The Northern Cru
- Left bank with varied soils
- Reds: up to 15% Marsanne and/ or Rousanne
- Whites, Marsanne/ Rousanne blends
- Majority Of Production is red; some white
92
Hermitage or Ermitage
- Left bank of the river; steep south- facing granite slope
- Reds; up to 15% Marsanne and/ or Rousanne. long lived
- Whites; Marsanne/ Rousanne blends. along lived
- Majority Red; some white
93
Cornas
- Right bank of the Rhone
- Steep, south-facing terraced slope of granite
- 100% Red, 100% Syrah
94
Saint- Peray: Northern Rhone
- Right bank; on the east- and southeast flanks of a deep valley
- Still and Sparkling Rousanne and Marsanne, 100% white
- Sparkling : produced here since 1825
95
Viticulture in Northern Rhone?
- Unterraced vineyards: each year the vigneron carts topsoil back up the slope to the top again
- Echalas (wooden sticks): two sticks, two vines, in teepee- like growing structure
- Manual harvesting due to steep slopes
96
Dois- Location
- 25 miles/ 40 kms southeast of Cornas; the southwestern edge of the pre alpine region known as Massif Du Vercors
- Considered a part of the Northern Rhone but NOT included in Les Cotes Du Rhone
97
Dois- Climate
- Continental Climate with alpine influences
| - High elevation translates into cooler temperatures
98
Dois- Typography
- One Of France’s Highest Wine regions
| - Vineyards at altitudes of up to 2,700 ft/ 810 m
99
Dois- Soils
- Mainly Limestone and Clay
100
Dois- The Grapes
- Clairette
- Muscat a Petit Grains
- Chardonnay
- Aligote
- Gamay
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
101
Dois- Wine Styles
- Majority Of The Wines produced in the Dois are white sparkling wines made in the ancestral or traditional method
- Some still Whites, roses and reds
102
Southern Rhone Location
- As you enter the Southern Rhone: orchards and stretches of rich farmland
- Then the land flattens: lavender, sunflowers, olive groves, cypress and parched earth
- Extends from Montelimar to Nimes
- The vineyards of the Côte Du Rhone stop at Avignon, meaning there are vineyards inside the Côte Du Rhone and outside in the Southern Rhone
103
Southern Rhone- Climate
Mediterranean- Arid, sunny climate few things grow well; the soil is so rocky and infertile. But the vine thrives
- Spring: Mostly Dry partly cloudy skies. Little instance of frost
- Summer: Very Hot, sunny and arid cool nights. 2,700 hours of sunshine a year
- Autumn: Warm, sunny, dry and windy
- Winter: Cool and rainy; snow only in the mountains. Precipitation (27 inches/ 70 cm) falls during this season. Deep freezes are rare
104
Southern Rhone- Typography
- Rolling Hills, rocky plains and jagged mountain peaks
- Ice Age: massive glacier passed through Sthrn Rhone carving a broad river basin, fracturing rocks. Flowing glacial melt- water eroded and smoothed the rocks and reduced their size to the still formidably large galets
- Mountain Ranges help to cool the vineyards- Mount Ventoux, Mount Liberian and the Dentelles flank the eastern horizon. The Alpilles, near Avignon, flank the Southern Horizon
105
How many primary soil types are in the Southern Rhone?
5
106
Galets or Rounded River stones- Southern Rhone
Give rise to dense, layered, powerful wines
107
Shingle Clay- Southern Rhone
Delivers powerful, tannic, age- worthy Wines
108
Stony Clay Limestone- Southern Rhone
Crafts long- lived Wines with good acidity and sleek, polished tannins
109
Loess and Molasse- Southern Rhone
Craft bright whites, roses and simple reds that are fruit- forward
110
Red Sandstone- Southern Rhone
Gives rise to Wines that are full of black fruit, spice and leather
111
Southern Rhone Wine Styles- Introduction
- Blended products
- 27 grape varieties; 31 planted in the entire Rhone Valley
- In the Les Cote Du Rhone Region, 24 Grape are permitted
- But only 21 of the 24 are permitted to be incorporated in regional Cotes Du Rhone AOC Wines
112
Southern Rhone- White Wine Styles
- Dry white
| - Sweet Fortified Whites Known as Vin Doux Naturels in French
113
Southern Rhone- Red Wine Styles
- Dry Red
| - Sweet Fortified Reds (Vin Doux Naturel)
114
What style of wine are the Wines of the Southern Rhone?
Mainly blended wines, where each variety has a part to play
115
Grenache Blanc- Southern Rhone
- Vigourous Variety with average ripening Times
- Prodcues fairly full- bodied white Wines with low acidity and good extract
- Displays green apple and pear flavours and white flower aromatics
116
Clairette- Southern Rhone
- Extremely vigorous, late- ripening
- Prefers warm, rocky, dry sites
- High in alcohol, low in acidity
- Hints Of apricot, apple, peach, fennel and lime
117
Viognier- Southern Rhone
- Vigourous and hardy vine, ripens early
- Can thrive in poor, dry, stony soils
- Produces aromatic Wines that are high in alcohol and moderate in acidity
- Peach, apricot, honey, musk and white flowers
118
Bourboulenc- Southern Rhone
- Vigourous, late- ripening Variety
- Requires high temperatures to ripen its clusters
- Produces Wines of moderate alcohol and high acidity
- Aromas Of citrus and smoke
119
Rousanne- Southern Rhone
- Moderate in vigour: mid ripening
- Prefers warm stony, well drained soils and hillsides (and/ or silt- Limestone soils)
- Elegant and complex Wines with floral notes, high alcohol and moderately high acidity
- Aromas Of honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia, and white peach
120
Marsanne- Southern Rhone
- Extremely vigourous and hardy vine
- Generous producer and an early ripener
- Produces powerful Wines with high alcohol, highextract and moderately low acidity
- Taste Of Melon and flowers: transitions to hazelnut
121
Piquepoul Blanc- Southern Rhone
- Shy producer and vulnerable to fungus disease
- Name means= lip stinger
- Produces a Wines of high acidity
- Flavours Of green apple and citrus
122
Ugni Blanc- Southern Rhone
- Known as Trebbiano in Italy
- Late- budding, late maturing; vigorous and high yielding
- Posses good acidity
- Crafts delicate whites with hints of citrus and almond
123
Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc- Southern Rhone
- Pungnently aromatic grape
| - Ripens with high sugar levels, high extract level and good acidity
124
Picardin- Southern Rhone
- Fairly neutral white grape with a musty aroma
| - Moderate alcohol; moderate acidity
125
Rolle- Southern Rhone
- Also Known as Vermentino
- Nervy Whites with floral, spice and citrus, or fat whites ripe apple, pear and apricot with a touch of sweet grass
- Prefers coastal location
126
Maccabeu- Southern Rhone
- The vine is a generous producer, but prone to rot
| - Produces moderately acidic wines with notes of wildflower and bitter almond
127
Pascal- Southern Rhone
- Vigourous Provençal Variety
| - Produces a low alcohol, neutral white
128
Carignan- Southern Rhone
- Produces an abundant crop
- Late buffing, late ripener, drought and wind resistant
- Prefers low vigour sites such as warm, dry hillsides
- Produces well- Structured, tannic Wines with good acidity and colour
129
Cinsault- Southern Rhone
- Abundant crop
- Drought- and- wind resistant; requires high temperatures to ripen its fruit
- Moderate pigment , low acidity, supple tannins and red fruit aromas
- Rose Wines
130
Clairette Rose and Grenache Gris- Southern Rhone
Used in rose production
131
Grenache Noir- Southern Rhone
- Vigourous and productive; wind and drought- resistant
- High alcohol, moderate in acid, pigment and tannin
- Bright strawberry, wild cherry and prune fruit with a dash of licorice and spice
- Prone to oxidation
132
Mourvèdre- Southern Rhone
- Late ripening requiring warmth and light
- Thrives best near coast
- Densely pigmented with high levels of alcohol, tannin and acidity
- Complexes and intensifies with age
133
Muscardin- Southern Rhone
- Primarily used in red blends
| - Contributes acidity and lift in the form of floral aromatics
134
Picpoul Noir- Southern Rhone
- Also spelled Picpoul
| - Ancient grape; produces lightly pigmented, aromatic Wines with good alcohol levels
135
Syrah- Southern Rhone
- Densely pigmented, tannic wine with moderate alcohol and acidity
- Raspberry, black currant, cherry and plum fruits with notes of pepper, sun dried tomatoes, herb and cocoa
- Sometimes.....leathery, gamey, barnyard notes
136
Terret Noir- Southern Rhone
- Vigorous and productive
- Buds late and produces high- acid fruit
- Crafts tart Wines with bold aromatics
137
Vaccarses- Southern Rhone
- Also know as Camarese
| - Crafts a wine similar to Syrah in its pepper and tannin components
138
Southern Rhone Red Grapes (Not allowed in CDR)
Calitor
- Only found in Tavel
- Produces red wines of low alcohol and low pigment and is incorpated into rose blends
Muscat a Petit Grains Rouge
- Occurs as a natural mutation of Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc in the Beaune De Venice area
- Red- skinned with a musky aroma
139
Viticulture in Southern Rhone
- Most vines are trained in goblet fashion due to the mistral
- New vines are trellised: better sun exposure, ease of pruning, elimination of humidity build up within the canopy, structural support against the mistral
- Machine harvested or hand picked
- Vines are spaced wider due to depleted soil and lack of water. Irrigation is not illegal if producers receive permission
140
CDR Zone AOCs
- Cotes Du Rhone AOC (171 Villages, Located North and South)
- Cotes Du Rhone Villages AOC (95 Villages, South Only)
- Cotes Du Rhone Villages- Named Villages (South Only, 17 Villages)
- 17 Cru AOCs (8 in the north, 9 in the south including the 2 Vin Doux Naturels AOCs)
141
Other Rhone Valley AOCs (they lie outside of the Rhone Valley AOCs)
Northern Rhone AOCs (The Diois):
- 2 Sparkling; Clairette De Die and Cremant De Die
- 2 still: Coteaux De Die and Chatillon en Dois
Southern Rhone AOCs
- Cotes Du Vivariais
- Crignan Les Adhemar
- Duche d’Uzes
- Ventoux
- Luberon
- Costieres De Nimes
- Clairette De Bellegarde
142
The Rhone Valley IGPs
- Often use the sand grape varieities as the surrounding AOC vineyards
- But they can incorporate other less renowned indigenous grapes or other non- local varieities
- IGP Ardeche (deparmental IGP)
- IGP Mediterranee (regional IGP)
- IGP Principaute d’Orange (zonal IGP)
143
Cotes Du Rhone AOC
- The CDR is a regional appellation. Grapes can be sourced from anywhere in the designated Cotes Du Rhone region (171 Villages)
- The CDR AOC spans both the Northern and Southern Sub- Regions But most of the Production is focused in the Southern Sub- Region
- The blending formula, as mandated by law, refers to the percentage ps of grapes in the ground, not in the bottle
144
Cotes Du Rhone Villages AOC
- 95 villages that can produce CDRV; all of them in the Southern Rhone
- Production standards are more stringent for CDRV than for regional CDR; yields are lower
- And here, the blending formula refers to percentage of grapes in the bottle
- Syrah and Grenache
- Among the 95 Villages authorised to produce Cotes Du Rhone Villages, there are 17 Villages that they have been awarded their own AOC
- Technically, they are allowed to put the name of the village on the label after the CDRV nomenclature
- The mandated blends for red, white and rose CDRV- Named village are the same here as for CDRV
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Cru AOCs- Rhone Valley
- Among the AOCs Of The Rhone are a select group of 17 referred to as Crus
- There are 8 Crus Located in the Northern Rhone, 9 Crus in the Southern Rhone
- Less than 25% of total Cru production hails from the north; the balance (just over 75% hails for the south
- But North or South, the majority of the production is red
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Vins Doux Naturel (VDNs)
- Included in the 17 Crus
- Two Cru Villages (Rasteau, Beaune De Venise) craft Fortified sweet Wines in addition to Dry Red Wines
- Vin Doux Naturels: at least 10% residual sugar and 15% alcohol
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What are the 9 Cru Of The Southern Rhone?
- Vinsobres
- Cairanne (most recent Cru)
- Gigondas
- Vacqueyras
- Beaumes De Venise
- Chateauneuf- Du- Pape
- Lirac
- Tavel
- Rasteau
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What are the core red and white blends of the Southern Crus of The Rhone?
Red Blend:
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre
White blend:
Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Rousanne
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Lirac (Right Bank)- Southern Cru
Production: 80% Red, 8% rose, 7% white
Climate: Hot and arid, Mistral blows full forces
Whites: Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc
Roses: (saignee and direct press): Mostly Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre dark in colour
Reds: Same grapes as roses
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Tavel (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 100% rose
Grapes: Nine authorised grapes, but Wines are mostly Grenache
Soils: Sand, Limestone and galets
Vilification: Must be via saignee
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Vinsobres (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 100% Red
Elevation: Up to 1,200 feet/ 360m
Climate: Alpine influences preserve the Wines natural acidity
Reds: Min. 50% Grenache plus 25% Syrah and/ or Mourvèdre
Soils: Sands and clays with pockets of gravel and limestone
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Rasteau (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: Dry Red plus, white and rose VDN
Unique Mesoclimate: South- facing amphitheatre that traps sun and blocks the Mistral
Elevation: 1,050 ft/ 350 m
Soils: Marls, Red clay and sand with pockets of gravel
Reds: Predominately GSM blends
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Cairanne (Left bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 94% Red, 5% White (Rose is made but not given AOC status)
Soils: white clay, red clay and silt
Reds: min. 50% Grenache with 20% Syrah and/ or Mourvedre + 20% max. other approved grapes
Whites: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Rousanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier + 20% max. other approved grapes.
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Gigondas (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 99% Red, 1% Rose
Climate: Diurnal temperature swings
Soils: Marls, Limestone and sand
Vineyards: Up to 1,350 ft/ 405 m, Northwest and west facing
Red: predominately GSM blends
Roses: Mostly Grenache
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Vacqueyras (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 95% Red, 4% white, 1% rose
Climate: Significant diurnal temperature swings
Wines: Reds are fleshier and meatier than Gigondas
Reds: Predominately GSM blends
Roses: Grenache + Mourvedre and Cinsault
Whites: Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier
Soils: Sand and silt atop limestone, Sandstone and Marl
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Beaume De Venise (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Location: southeast side of the Dentelles
Production: Dry Red, Muscat VDN
Elevation: 300- 1,800 ft/ 90- 540m
Soils: Complex array of marls, limestones and clays
Climate: Mountain serves as a wind break
Grapes: Grenache/ Syrah dominant blend
Note: Beaumes-De-Venise is the red wine; Muscat De Beaumes- De- Venise is the VDN.
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Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 93% Red, 7% White
Largest and driest appellation
Soils: Limestone, Sandstone, shingle/clay and galets
Climate: Dry; exposed to the full force of the Mistral
Grapes; 13 grapes authorised
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What are the two Vin Doux Naturel Appellations Of The Rhone Valley?
Muscat De Beaumes De Venise (white, sweet)
Rasteau (red, roses, white; sweet)
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Muscat De Beaumes De Venise- Southern Rhone
Grapes: Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc only
Superior Acid- sugar balance
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Rasteau- Southern Rhone
Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc (with up to 10% other CDR varieities)
Most of the VDN production is red
White VDNs; Blanc (reductive) or Ambre (oxidative Styles)
Red VDNs; grenat (reductive) or tuile (oxidative) styles
Hors d’ Age: 5 yrs of oxidative aging
Rancio; 12 months oxidative ageing in barrel or in bonbonnes
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Cotes Du Vivarais AOC (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 53% Red, 41% Rose and 6% white
Climate: cooler and wetter than the rest of the Southern Rhone
Soils: Shallow and predominately Limestone with pockets of gravel
Reds and roses: Mostly Grenache and Syrah
Whites: Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne
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Duches d’Uzes AOC (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 62% Red, 19% Rose, 19% White
Located: Northwest Of Nimes on the Right Bank Of The Rhone
Reds and Roses: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan
Whites: Clairette, Viognier and Marsanne
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Costieres De Nimes AOC (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone
51% Red, 41% Rose, 7% White
Right Bank
Climate: Hot!!! Annual semi- drought. Cold air from Petit Camargue cools the nights; the Mistral impacts
Reds & Roses: Grenache- dominant with Syrah and Mourvèdre; Carignan, although part of the blend, is declining. Cinsault and Marselan are also allowed
Whites: Primarily Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Rousanne
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Clairette De Bellegarde (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 100% white
Soil: “Gravel Desert” (Stones washed down from the Alps)
Climate: Dry and arid; impacted by the Mistral
Grapes: Clairette
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Crignan- Les- Adhemar (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 66% Red, 23% Rose, 11% White
Significant altitude (1,200 feet/ 360 m)
Soils: Mostly Limestone or Sandstone subsoils
Reds and Roses: Mostly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvèdre
Whites: Mostly Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier
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Ventoux (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
Production: 60% Red, 36% Rose, 4% White
Vineyards experience wide diurnal temperature changes
Largest production numbers of the 6 non- CDR AOCs
Reds and Roses: Mostly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan
Whites: Mostly Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc
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Luberon (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone
53% Rose, 26% Red, 21% White
Climate: Mediterranean with strong continental influences; impacted by the Mistral and Tramontane winds
Sands, clays, Limestone scree
Reds and Roses: Mostly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault
Roses: May add up to 20% white grapes to the mix
Whites: Mostly Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc (plus Marsanne, Rousanne, Ugni Blanc)
