Rhône Valley Flashcards

1
Q

Name the white and red grape varietals of the Northern Rhone

A

White - Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane
Red- Syrah

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2
Q

What moderating feature helps cool the Southern Rhone

A

Le Mistral

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3
Q

What is Le Mistral

A

A powerful wind that blows from Switzerland Alps into the Rhone Valley, cooling the hot southern Rhône during the summer months

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4
Q

What are the approved grape varietals allowed in the southern Rhône

A

White - Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussane, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Picardin
Red - Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, Terret Noir, Muscardine, Vaccarése

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5
Q

What are the smooth rocks found in the top vineyards of the Southern Rhône

A

Galets

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6
Q

What is significant about the Galets of the Southern Rhône

A

They absorb energy from the sun during the day and slowly release the heat during the night

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7
Q

What does Côte Rôtie translate to in English

A

Roasted Slope

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8
Q

Côte Rôtie AOC
-Allowed Grape Varieties
-Unique vinification technique
-Famous single vineyard producer

A

-Syrah & Viognier
-Co-fermentation is legal, with up to 20% of the blend comprising of Viognier
-E. Guigal

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9
Q

Name the three single vineyard productions of E. Guigal

A

La Landonne
La Mouline
La Turque

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10
Q

What two slopes make up the heard of Côte Rôtie

A

Côte Brune
Côte Blonde

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11
Q

What are the common flavor characteristics of the Côte Brune

A

Strong and assertive

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12
Q

What are the common flavor characteristics of the Côte Blonde

A

Soft and Alluring

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13
Q

What grape varietals are allowed in Condrieu AOC

A

Viognier

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14
Q

What are the common flavor characteristics of Condrieu Viognier

A

Lush, floral, rich, with aromas of tropical fruit

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15
Q

What is the grape variety allowed in Château Grillet AOC

A

Viognier

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16
Q

What is unique about the Château Grillet AOC?

A

It is a monopole and one of the smallest AOCs in France

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17
Q

What is the smallest AOC in the Northern Rhône

A

Château Grillet

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18
Q

What grape varieties are allowed in Saint-Joseph AOC?

A

White - Marssane, Roussane
Red - Syrah

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19
Q

Is co-fermentation legal in Saint-Joseph?

A

Yes, up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussane in the blend

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20
Q

What white wines are produced in Saint-Joseph

A

Marssane/Roussane blends

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21
Q

What is the largest AOC in the Northern Rhône

A

Saint-Joseph

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22
Q

What is the significance behind the name of ‘Hermitage’ AOC?

A

Named after Gaspard de Sterimberg, a former knight who lived upon the hill in Solitude

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23
Q

What grape varieties are allowed in Hermitage AOC

A

White - Marssane, Roussane
Red - Syrah

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24
Q

Is co-fermentation legal in Hermitage

A

Yes, up to 15% Marsanne and/or Roussane in the blend

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25
Q

What regions in the Northern Rhône make both Red and White Wine

A

Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
Saint-Joseph

26
Q

Where is Crozes-Hermitage located

A

The land surrounding the hill of Hermitage

27
Q

Is co-fermentation legal in Crozes-Hermitage

A

Yes, up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussane in the blend

28
Q

What grape varieties are allowed in Cornas

A

100% Syrah only

29
Q

What is the warmest AOC in the Northern Rhône

A

Cornas

30
Q

Name the famous producer of Cornas

A

Auguste Clape

31
Q

What wines are produced in the Saint-Peray AOC

A

Marsanne/Roussane white blends
Ancestral method sparkling wines from Marssane and Roussane

32
Q

What wines are produced in Crémant de Die AOC

A

Sparkling wine from the Clairette grape

33
Q

What are the laws in Clairette de Die Tradition AOC

A

-Minimum 75% Muscat a Petit Grains
-Remainder can include Clairette
-Sparkling wines made in the ancestral method

34
Q

What are the grapes and wines produced in Châtillon-en-Diois AOC

A

Whites from Chardonnay and Aligoté
Rosé of Gamay
Reds from Gamay

35
Q

What is the largest appellation in the Rhône Valley

A

Côtes-du-Rhône

36
Q

What is the AOC subregion of Côte-du-Rhône

A

Côte-du-Rhône-Villages
-Stricter standards and higher quality

37
Q

What is the major city near Chateauneuf du Pape

A

Avignon

38
Q

Whare the grape varieties used
in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC

A

Any of the 13 approved grape varieties, but based upon Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre

39
Q

Name two estates that are exceptions to the common GSM blend in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

A

Chateau Beaucastel - Mouvedre-based blend

Chateau Rayas - 100% Grenache

40
Q

What are the dominant white grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites

A

Grenache Blanc and Clairette

41
Q

What role do Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre play in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape GSM blend

A

Grenache - Sweep, ripe fruit, jammyness

Syrah - Deepens the color, spice flavor

Mouvedre - Structure

42
Q

Name the blending laws of Gigondas AOC

A

Maximum 80% Grenache
Minimum 15% Syrah and Mouvedre
Rosé and Red wine only

43
Q

Name the blending laws of Vacqueras AOC

A

Minimum 50% Grenache
Rosé and Red wine only

44
Q

Côtes du Ventoux AOC
-Geographic location
-Styles of wine produced

A

-Large area SE of Gigondas and Vacqueras
-Whites, Rosé, and Reds

45
Q

What is special about Tavel AOC

A

The AOC is entirely dedicated to Rosé

46
Q

What are the blending laws in Tavel AOC

A

No grape can exceed 60% of the blend

47
Q

What is the distinct color of Tavel Rosé

A

Onion Skin (Pelure d’Oignon)

48
Q

What are the laws of Red wine in Lirac AOC

A

Minimum 40% Grenache, 25% must comprise of Syrah and Mouvedre

49
Q

What wines can be produced in Lirac AOC

A

Whites, Rosé, and Reds

50
Q

What are the blending laws in Côtes de Luberon AOC

A

Minimum 60% Grenache and Syrah

51
Q

What kind of wine is produced in Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise

A

Vin Doux Naturel (Fortified sweet wines)

52
Q

What are the blending laws of Vinsobres AOC

A

Minimum 255 Syrah and Mouvedre

53
Q

What are the blending laws of Côtes du Vivarais

A

Minimum 90% Grenache and Syrah

54
Q

What wines are produced in Clairette de Bellegarde

A

White wines from 100% Clairette

55
Q

This AOC was formerly governed by Langeudoc-Roussillon but is now considered part of the Southern Rhône

A

Costieres de Nîmes

56
Q

What town is located just under the hill of Hermitage

A

Tain

57
Q

Where does the Rhône River originate

A

Switzerland

58
Q

What are the primary soils of the Northern Rhône

A

Granite
Schist

59
Q

What is the climate of the Southern Rhône

A

Mediterranean

60
Q

How are vines typically trained in the Southern Rhône

A

Goblet (Bush Trained)

61
Q

Name 5 principal producers in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

A

Chateau Rayas
Chateau de Beaucastel
Domaine du Pegau
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphé
Clos de Papes