Rhône Valley

Question 1

Northern Rhône

Answer 1

Location: S France
Geography: Rhone River (N-S), Steep hillsides, vineyards primarily on W bank
Climate: Continental, four seasons
Moderator: Rhone River (warm & reflects light), Mistral winds
Soil: Granite, schist
Grapes: Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne
Viticulture: Vines staked to the ground - steep slopes and strong Mistral winds
Vinification: Single varietal wines, stainless steel, new French oak barrique or large older barrels, co-fermentation (adding white grapes with red)

Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage

Question 2

Côte-Rôtie

Answer 2

Location: N Rhone, France
Grapes: Syrah
Viniculture: Red wines only, max 20% Viognier
Style: Elegant, similar to Burgundy

Question 3

Condrieu

Answer 3

Location: N Rhone, France
Grapes: Viognier
Viniculture: White wines only, 100% Viognier
Style: Aromatic dry white wine
Tell: Floral & tropical

Question 4

Saint-Joseph

Answer 4

Location: N Rhone, France
Grapes: Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne
Viniculture: Syrah (max 10% M&R), Marsanne & Roussanne blend

Question 5

Crozes-Hermitage

Answer 5

Location: N Rhone, France
Grapes: Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne
Viniculture: Syrah (max 15% M&R), Marsanne & Roussanne blend

Question 6

Hermitage

Answer 6

Location: N Rhone, France
Grapes: Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne
Viniculture: Syrah (max 15% M&R), Marsanne & Roussanne blend

Question 7

Cornas

Answer 7

Location: N Rhone, France
Grapes: Syrah
Viniculture: Red wine only, 100% Syrah

Question 8

Southern Rhône

Answer 8

Location: S France, 30mi gap to N Rhône
Climate: Mediterranean, hot summers / diurnal
Moderators: Rhône River, Mistral winds (prevents mold)
Geography: Flatter plains, scrubland
Soil: Alluvial clay, Alluvial deposits and river rock stones (galets, reflect light)
Grapes: Red (90%) Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, White (10%) Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc
Viticulture: Bush (gobelet) vine training planted on flat valley floor
Vinification: Mainly blends, some old oak, no chaptalization allowed

Question 9

S Rhône AOP

Answer 9

Single Village
Geographic Designations - 21 villages
Côtes du Rhône

Question 10

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP

Answer 10

Grapes: Granche-based blends, white blends

Question 11

Other S Rhône AOPs

Answer 11

Gigondas AOP - red wines only, Grenache-based

Vacqueyras AOP - red & rose Grenache-based blends, white blends

Tavel AOP - rose only, Grenache-based blends

Question 12

N Rhône Syrah

Answer 12

N Rhône Syrah
Style: Powerful dry red wine
Color: Deep Ruby to lighter Ruby rim
Tell: Tart black & blue fruits, meaty-olive, black pepper, no oak
Tasting Notes: Black & blue fruits, blackberry, blueberry, plum, black cherry, fresh violets, rosemary, bacon fat, prosciutto, black pepper, olive, damp forest floor, black stone, no oak
Tannin: M+, Acid: M+, Body/Alcohol: M+, round, Complexity: M+
Pairing: Grilled meats, darker meats and exotic spices, lamb shawarma

Other: Thick-skinned, no oak, Monastrell, Petite Sirah

Question 13

S Rhône Grenache

Answer 13

S Rhône Grenache
Style: Full-body dry red wine
Color: Deep ruby to lighter pink rim
Tell: Stewed red fruits with tart finish, moderate acid, tannin but no oak
Tasting Notes: Dried red fruits, raspberry ganache, strawberry jam, black cherry, blood orange, fresh lavender, sweet sage, funky barnyard, mushroom, wet leaves, no oak
Tanin: M+, sandpaper, Acidity: M, Body/Alcohol: High, Complexity: M+
Pairing: Cassoulet

Other: Merlot, Carignan, Zinfandel