Rhone Valley Flashcards
The Rhone Valley is effectively two separate regions. What are they, what are their primary grapes, and what are their climates?
The Northern Rhone, continental climate planted to Syrah, and the Southern Rhone, Mediterranean climate planted to Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvedre
What are the primary white grapes of the Rhone Valley?
Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne in the North, and Grenache Blanc (with blending partners) in the South
How does planting along the Rhone River differ between North and South?
Plantings in the North hug the river and are planted at different aspects as the river bends, while plantings in the South are further back
How many hectares are under vine in the Northern Rhone? In the Southern Rhone?
Less than 4,000 ha in the North, 66,000 in the South
What percentage of the wine grown in the Rhone is basic Cotes du Rhone AOC or Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC?
60%
What is the percentage breakdown of red, white, and rosé production in the Rhone?
74% red, 16% rosé, 10% white
What is the name of the wind that blows through the Rhone?
The Mistral
Describe Syrah viticulture in the Northern Rhone and its disease susceptibilities
Careful training and tying is necessary due to steep slopes and Mistral wind. Trellising is not possible so vines are tied to one or two poles, adding to cost. Syrah is vulnerable to mites, botrytis, and “Syrah decline”, in which the leaves turn red, the graft point breaks, and the vine dies
Describe a typical Northern Rhone Syrah
Deep ruby color, medium to pronounced aromas and flavors of violet, plum, blackberry, black pepper, herbal notes. Acidity and tannin range from medium to high
What are the roles of the component grapes in a red Cotes du Rhone?
Grenache Noir is a base of red fruit, low acid and tannin, high alcohol. Syrah adds acid, tannin, fruit, and color. Mourvedre adds dark fruit and tannin.
Describe Grenache viticulture and disease threats
Late-ripening and requires a warm climate. Vigorous upright growth lends well to short-pruned bush vines, best on dry, infertile soils. Vulnerable to coulure, fungal diseases (downy mildew, phomopsis, botrytis), bacterial necrosis. High sugar at harvest.
Describe typical Grenache Noir from the Southern Rhone
Pale ruby color, ripe red fruit, strawberry, plum, red cherry, spicy and herbal notes, high alcohol, low to medium tannin, low acid
Describe Mourvedre viticulture and disease threats
Late budding, late ripening variety that only does well in warm to hot climates. Requires high temperatures at the end of summer to ripen. Requires small, regular amounts of water. Cordon or bush vine training. Prone to mites, leafhoppers, and sour rot. Also prone to reduction and requires oxygen in the winery
Describe typical Mourvedre from the Southern Rhone
Deep ruby, intense blackberry, blueberry, violet aromas, high alcohol and tannin
Describe Cinsault viticulture and disease threats
Late budding, high yielding variety with drought and heat resistance. Requires yield restriction for quality. Prone to esca and eutypa, mites, grape moths, and chlorosis when planted to soils with excessive lime
Describe typical Cinsault from the Southern Rhone
Light ruby color, medium to medium+ aromas of raspberry, red cherry, high alcohol, low to med tannin. Produced to preserve fruit flavors and useful in early-drinking reds and rosés
Describe Viognier viticulture and disease threats
Early-budding white variety, prone to spring frost. Grown on trellis or poles to prevent wind damage. Low yields, prone to coulure. Harvest must be exacting to ensure ripe aromas without loss of acidity or excessive sugar
Describe a typical Viognier
Medium lemon color, pronounced aromas of honeysuckle, apricot, and peach, med to high alcohol, low acidity
Describe Marsanne viticulture and disease threats
Late budding, vigorous, productive. Yields must be kept low to ensure quality. Best on stony, low fertility soils. Prone to powdery mildew, mites, and botrytis
Describe a typical Marsanne
Medium lemon, sometimes gold, low intensity honeysuckle, lemon, and apricot, distinctive oily texture, med acidity, full body, med to high alcohol
Describe Roussanne viticulture and disease threats
Late budding variety grows best on low fertility, well-drained soils. Poor wind resistance. Susceptible to coulure, powdery mildew, botrytis, and mites. Expensive to grow compared to Marsanne
Describe a typical Roussanne
Med lemon, sometimes gold (or ‘rusty’), med to med+ pear and herbal notes, med to med+ acidity, med to high alcohol
Describe Grenache Blanc viticulture and disease threats
Early budding, wind resistant, otherwise similar to Grenache Noir
Describe a typical Grenache Blanc
Low intensity ripe green fruit, some florals, high alcohol (or sgar), low acidity