Rhône Valley Flashcards
Name the white and red grape varietals of the Northern Rhone
White - Viognier, Marsanne, Roussane
Red- Syrah
What moderating feature helps cool the Southern Rhone
Le Mistral
What is Le Mistral
A powerful wind that blows from Switzerland Alps into the Rhone Valley, cooling the hot southern Rhône during the summer months
What are the approved grape varietals allowed in the southern Rhône
White - Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussane, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Picardin
Red - Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, Terret Noir, Muscardine, Vaccarése
What are the smooth rocks found in the top vineyards of the Southern Rhône
Galets
What is significant about the Galets of the Southern Rhône
They absorb energy from the sun during the day and slowly release the heat during the night
What does Côte Rôtie translate to in English
Roasted Slope
Côte Rôtie AOC
-Allowed Grape Varieties
-Unique vinification technique
-Famous single vineyard producer
-Syrah & Viognier
-Co-fermentation is legal, with up to 20% of the blend comprising of Viognier
-E. Guigal
Name the three single vineyard productions of E. Guigal
La Landonne
La Mouline
La Turque
What two slopes make up the heard of Côte Rôtie
Côte Brune
Côte Blonde
What are the common flavor characteristics of the Côte Brune
Strong and assertive
What are the common flavor characteristics of the Côte Blonde
Soft and Alluring
What grape varietals are allowed in Condrieu AOC
Viognier
What are the common flavor characteristics of Condrieu Viognier
Lush, floral, rich, with aromas of tropical fruit
What is the grape variety allowed in Château Grillet AOC
Viognier
What is unique about the Château Grillet AOC?
It is a monopole and one of the smallest AOCs in France
What is the smallest AOC in the Northern Rhône
Château Grillet
What grape varieties are allowed in Saint-Joseph AOC?
White - Marssane, Roussane
Red - Syrah
Is co-fermentation legal in Saint-Joseph?
Yes, up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussane in the blend
What white wines are produced in Saint-Joseph
Marssane/Roussane blends
What is the largest AOC in the Northern Rhône
Saint-Joseph
What is the significance behind the name of ‘Hermitage’ AOC?
Named after Gaspard de Sterimberg, a former knight who lived upon the hill in Solitude
What grape varieties are allowed in Hermitage AOC
White - Marssane, Roussane
Red - Syrah
Is co-fermentation legal in Hermitage
Yes, up to 15% Marsanne and/or Roussane in the blend
What regions in the Northern Rhône make both Red and White Wine
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
Saint-Joseph
Where is Crozes-Hermitage located
The land surrounding the hill of Hermitage
Is co-fermentation legal in Crozes-Hermitage
Yes, up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussane in the blend
What grape varieties are allowed in Cornas
100% Syrah only
What is the warmest AOC in the Northern Rhône
Cornas
Name the famous producer of Cornas
Auguste Clape
What wines are produced in the Saint-Peray AOC
Marsanne/Roussane white blends
Ancestral method sparkling wines from Marssane and Roussane
What wines are produced in Crémant de Die AOC
Sparkling wine from the Clairette grape
What are the laws in Clairette de Die Tradition AOC
-Minimum 75% Muscat a Petit Grains
-Remainder can include Clairette
-Sparkling wines made in the ancestral method
What are the grapes and wines produced in Châtillon-en-Diois AOC
Whites from Chardonnay and Aligoté
Rosé of Gamay
Reds from Gamay
What is the largest appellation in the Rhône Valley
Côtes-du-Rhône
What is the AOC subregion of Côte-du-Rhône
Côte-du-Rhône-Villages
-Stricter standards and higher quality
What is the major city near Chateauneuf du Pape
Avignon
Whare the grape varieties used
in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Any of the 13 approved grape varieties, but based upon Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre
Name two estates that are exceptions to the common GSM blend in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau Beaucastel - Mouvedre-based blend
Chateau Rayas - 100% Grenache
What are the dominant white grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape whites
Grenache Blanc and Clairette
What role do Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre play in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape GSM blend
Grenache - Sweep, ripe fruit, jammyness
Syrah - Deepens the color, spice flavor
Mouvedre - Structure
Name the blending laws of Gigondas AOC
Maximum 80% Grenache
Minimum 15% Syrah and Mouvedre
Rosé and Red wine only
Name the blending laws of Vacqueras AOC
Minimum 50% Grenache
Rosé and Red wine only
Côtes du Ventoux AOC
-Geographic location
-Styles of wine produced
-Large area SE of Gigondas and Vacqueras
-Whites, Rosé, and Reds
What is special about Tavel AOC
The AOC is entirely dedicated to Rosé
What are the blending laws in Tavel AOC
No grape can exceed 60% of the blend
What is the distinct color of Tavel Rosé
Onion Skin (Pelure d’Oignon)
What are the laws of Red wine in Lirac AOC
Minimum 40% Grenache, 25% must comprise of Syrah and Mouvedre
What wines can be produced in Lirac AOC
Whites, Rosé, and Reds
What are the blending laws in Côtes de Luberon AOC
Minimum 60% Grenache and Syrah
What kind of wine is produced in Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise
Vin Doux Naturel (Fortified sweet wines)
What are the blending laws of Vinsobres AOC
Minimum 255 Syrah and Mouvedre
What are the blending laws of Côtes du Vivarais
Minimum 90% Grenache and Syrah
What wines are produced in Clairette de Bellegarde
White wines from 100% Clairette
This AOC was formerly governed by Langeudoc-Roussillon but is now considered part of the Southern Rhône
Costieres de Nîmes
What town is located just under the hill of Hermitage
Tain
Where does the Rhône River originate
Switzerland
What are the primary soils of the Northern Rhône
Granite
Schist
What is the climate of the Southern Rhône
Mediterranean
How are vines typically trained in the Southern Rhône
Goblet (Bush Trained)
Name 5 principal producers in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau Rayas
Chateau de Beaucastel
Domaine du Pegau
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphé
Clos de Papes
