Rhone Valley Flashcards
1
Q
What is the path of the Rhône River?
A
headwaters in Switzerland to its mouth on the French Mediterranean coast
2
Q
What is the Rhône septentrionale?
A
The Northern Rhône, a narrow band of vineyards hugging the river just south of Beaujolais, from Vienne to Valence
3
Q
What is the Rhône méridionale?
A
The Southern Rhône, funneling outward south of Montélimar toward Avignon, near the river’s Mediterranean basin
4
Q
When did the Southern Rhône suddenly became the center of Christian Europe?
A
In 1309, as Pope Clement V moved his court from Rome to Avignon
5
Q
Pope Clement V’s successor, Pope John XXII, began construction of-
A
the now-ruined summer papal palace—Châteauneuf-du-Pape—and planted the surrounding vineyards
6
Q
The Roman Catholic Popes presided in Avignon until-
A
1378, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape remained property of the papacy until 1791
7
Q
The wine sourced from the papal vineyards—vin d’Avignon—was not bottled as Châteauneuf-du-Pape until-
A
the 19th century
8
Q
The rules set up in the south to prevent fraud became the prototype for-
A
the Appellation Contrôlée system
9
Q
In__ Châteauneuf-du-Pape became the first AOC (now AOP) in France
A
1936
10
Q
While the Southern Rhône’s climate is firmly Mediterranean, the Northern Rhône is more ___
A
continental
11
Q
Some 75 miles north of Avignon, the Northern Rhône benefits from what climatically?
A
its southerly position but experiences greater seasonal temperature shifts, more rainfall, and fewer annual hours of sunshine than the southern appellations
12
Q
What is a defining climatic element of the Southern Rhône and Provence?
A
The cold, dry Mistral wind, which blows down from the Massif Central and affects the Northern Rhône in winter and spring
13
Q
Although the wind is strong enough to strip the vines, it has what benefits?
A
it dries the vineyards, preventing mold and mildew from taking hold
14
Q
What soils define much of the North?
A
Heat-retaining granitic and schistous soils
15
Q
What, throughout the Northern Rhône, is prone to erosion?
A
Fine sand and loess topsoil, a threat partially mitigated by terrace construction
16
Q
Near the commune of Condrieu, the thin topsoil is rich with what?
A
powdery, decomposed mica, known locally as arzelle
17
Q
The soils become heavier with__ in the southern section of St-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and St-Péray
A
clay
18
Q
The Northern Rhône wines are typically fermented and aged in what?
A
large oak foudres, although some producers are now experimenting with new barriques
19
Q
What are the 5 Northern Rhône AOPs for Syrah?
A
- Hermitage
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Cornas
- Côte-Rôtie
- St-Joseph
20
Q
In Cornas, Syrah is bottled as a ___ wine.
A
100% varietal
21
Q
Aside from Cornas, the other Northern Rhône AOPs for Syrah allow-
A
a small percentage of white grapes to be blended (and often fermented together) with Syrah
22
Q
In Côte-Rôtie, up to __% Viognier may be added
A
20
23
Q
In Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage, producers have the option of adding what to Syrah?
A
a combined total of 15% Marsanne and Roussanne
24
Q
St-Joseph producers may add what to Syrah?
A
up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne
25
What does Co-fermentation offer?
the almost counterintuitive advantage of stabilizing red wine color and moderating tannin extraction
26
Communes of Production for Hermitage/L'Ermitage?
Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Larnage
27
Hermitage/L'Ermitage blanc and Vin de Paille (Blanc) wines must be what?
Marsanne and/or Roussanne
28
Min Potential Alcohol for Vin de Paille in Hermitage/L'Ermitage?
19.5% (12.5% acquired)
29
Describe process for Vin de Paille in Hermitage/L'Ermitage
grapes must be subject to drying for a min 45 days, after which they must have a min must weight of 350 g/l
30
Principal Soils of Hermitage/L'Ermitage?
granite with topsoils of mica, schist and gneiss
31
What are the Major Lieux-dits of Hermitage?
```
Les Grandes Vignes
L'Hermite
Varogne
Les Vercandières
Les Bessards
Les Diognières
Les Beaumes
Le Méal
Les Murets
La Croix
Péleat
Les Rocoules
La Pierelle
Les Greffieux
Maison Blanche
L'Homme
Torras et las Garennes
```
32
Crozes-Hermitage blanc?
Marsanne and/or Roussanne
33
Principal Soil Type of Crozes-Hermitage?
North: Granitic slopes, similar to Hermitage
South: Alluvial soils of glacial origin
34
Principal Soil Type of Cornas?
granite
35
Communes of Production for Côte-Rôtie?
Ampuis, Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, Tupin-Semons
36
Principal Soil Type of Côte-Rôtie?
Côte Blonde (south): gneiss
| Côte Brune (north): mica-schistous rock
37
__ communes are allowed to produce Saint-Joseph AOP, in both the Ardèche and Loire department
26
38
Primary Soil Type of Saint-Joseph?
schist and gneiss on granite bedrock
39
Côte-Rôtie, home to some of France’s steepest vineyards, parts of the slope, the gradient is a precipitous __° or more
55
40
Côte-Rôtie, the “roasted slope,” rises up a __ aspect
southeasterly
41
Behind the riverside town of Ampuis, Côte-Rôtie is home to ___, the largest producer in the appellation
E. Guigal
42
While Côte-Rôtie has grown to include other communes, the 2 slopes nearest Ampuis—the ___ and ___—are considered the heart of the AOP’s terroir
Côte Brune, Côte Blonde
43
Côte Blonde yields-
softer, alluring wines
44
Côte Brune wines are-
stronger and more assertive
45
__, a cru bottled as a vineyard designate by Guigal, René Rostaing and others, fetches prices that can equal those commanded by the first growths of Bordeaux
La Landonne
46
Rising up from the village of ___, the south-facing hill of Hermitage produces equally compelling Syrah.
Tain-l’Hermitage
47
What 4 producers dominate the terraced hill of Hermitage?
```
1. the singular Jean-Louis Chave
Négociants:
2. Delas
3. M. Chapoutier
4. Jaboulet
```
48
“__,” Jaboulet’s premier wine, is named for a small hillside chapel that stands in commemoration of Gaspard de Stérimberg, the legendary Crusader-turned-hermit who lived a life of asceticism atop the hill.
La Chapelle
49
The chapel of Jaboulet fame, is located within the climat of __
L’Hermite
50
Aside from L'Hermite, name other important climats of Hermitage
le Méal, les Bessards, Gréffieux, Beaume and Péléat
51
Behind the hill of Hermitage are the vineyards of-
Crozes-Hermitage
52
The red wines of Crozes-Hermitage are generally-
lighter and less ageworthy, although the better wines can approach Hermitage in quality
53
The vineyards of Cornas are amongst the__ in the Northern Rhône.
warmest
54
The sun’s warmth is magnified by what in Cornas?
the naked granite soil (gore) in the vineyards, and the appellation is shielded from le mistral
55
Cornas is divided among what 4 quarters, or lieux-dits?
1. Les Reynards
2. La Côte
3. Les Chaillot
4. Les Mazards
56
At just over 100 ha of planted land, Cornas is -
physically the smallest red wine appellation of the Northern Rhône, although Hermitage is not far behind
57
Who has long been considered the standard-bearer for the traditional wines of Cornas?
Auguste Clape, abstaining from destemming for whole cluster fermentation and new oak barriques for the old demi-muids of the region
58
North of Cornas, __ produces variable wines.
St-Joseph
59
St-Joseph ’s borders have been greatly enlarged from-
the original delimited area near the commune of Tournon-sur-Rhône, opposite the hill of Hermitage
60
Today St-Joseph extends through__ in the north to __ in the south
Condrieu, St-Péray
61
Cornas and Côte-Rôtie may produce-
only red wine
62
Near Valence, the cool St-Péray AOP exclusively produces-
Marsanne and Roussanne wines, which may be made in méthode traditionelle mousseux style
63
Often but not always blended, the more delicate Roussanne adds what?
acidity and waxy minerality to Marsanne’s broader, oily texture and marzipan character
64
In Hermitage, producers have the traditional option of drying either Marsanne/Roussanne for what?
the rare dessert wine vin de paille
65
Who revived the vin de paille style?
Gérard Chave in the 1970s and more recently by Chapoutier
66
Condrieu AOP is a white wine appellation just south of __for the Viognier grape
Côte-Rôtie
67
Condrieu holds less than__ delimited hectares
200
68
When did Condrieu approach extinction?
in the 1960s, only a handful of hectares are still planted to Viognier
69
Condrieu today has experienced a small resurgence in the hands of what producers?
Georges Vernay, Yves Cuilleron, and André Perret
70
Describe the wines of Condrieu
tends toward honeyed lushness, intriguing floral aromas and rich texture; however, important stylistic decisions, such as the use of oak and the desirability of malolactic fermentation, vary widely by producer
71
Primary Soil Type of Condrieu?
decomposed granite
72
The Viognier wines of __ AOP, a monopole within Condrieu, enjoy historical acclaim but are perhaps more notable today for their rarity than intrinsic value.
Château Grillet
73
Château Grillet is often incorrectly cited as the smallest appellation in France; this distinction belongs to-
La Romanée in Burgundy
74
Who is the sole producer of Château Grillet?
Neyret-Gachet (sold to François Pinault in 2011)
75
Southeast of Valence, what 4 minor AOPs of the Northern Rhône lie on the Drôme River?
1. Coteaux de Die AOP
2. Crémant de Die AOP
3. Clairette de Die AOP
4. Châtillon-en-Diois AOP
76
What is the Drôme River?
a tributary of the Rhône
77
What is the Encépagement for Coteaux de Die AOP
100% Clairette
78
Crémant de Die AOP Encépagement?
Min. 55% Clairette, min. 10% Aligoté, 5-10% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
79
Sparkling wine requirements for Crémant de Die AOP?
- Traditional Method Secondary Fermentation
- must spend a min. 9 months on the lees prior to dégorgement, and may not be released for a min. 12 months after the date of tirage
- Min. 3.5 atmospheres of pressure
- Max. 15 g/l of residual sugar
80
Clairette de Die AOP provides what 2 styles of sparkling wine?
méthode traditionnelle and méthode Dioise ancestrale
81
While Clairette is the sole grape in the traditional method wines, the méthode Dioise ancestrale requires-
confusingly—a min 75% Muscat à Petit Grains
82
Describe the méthode Dioise ancestrale
old technique, bottled w/o dosage before fermentation has concluded, disgorged into pressurized tanks and rebottled w/o liqueur d’expédition
83
For méthode Dioise ancestrale, how much RS remains?
A min 35 g/l RS remains, implying demi-sec sweetness
84
Méthode traditionnelle wines of Clairette de Die AOP are what in style?
brut, with a max 15 g/l of RS after dosage
85
Near Die, Châtillon-en-Diois AOP is an anomaly for what?
Gamay-based reds and rosés and whites based on Aligoté and Chardonnay
86
The Southern Rhône accounts for about __% of all wine produced in the Rhône Valley and it is overwhelmingly devoted to__ wine
95, red
87
Grenache—a Spanish import—is the most-planted red grape in the south, offering what?
richness of body, sweet fruit, and warmth
88
In the south, Mourvèdre and Syrah constitute a significant percentage of plantings, adding what?
structure and depth of color to the blend
89
Cinsault provides what in southern blends?
finesse and freshness, and is often utilized for rosé wines as well
90
__is the last major red grape of the Southern Rhône, but acreage is on the decline
Carignan
91
Climate of Southern Rhone?
Hot summers are tempered by significant diurnal swings, and mild winters follow usually heavy autumnal rains
92
Soil of Southern Rhône in the river's course?
A wealth of alluvial soils deposited over limestone subsoil
93
Soil of Southern Rhône in the river's wake?
Sand, gravel, clay and larger stones have been dumped in the valley’s mounds by post-ice age glacial melt
94
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, these deposited “pudding stones” are called-
galets
95
What are galets made of?
quartzite and smoothed by the river, they serve to store heat, releasing it to warm the vines at night
96
What are the Permitted Grape Varieties for Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
1. Grenache (Noir, Gris and Blanc)
2. Mourvèdre
3. Syrah
4. Cinsault
5. Counoise
6. Bourboulenc
7. Roussanne
8. Brun Argenté (Vaccarèse)
9. Clairette (& Clairette Rosé)
10. Muscardin
11. Picardan
12. Piquepoul (Noir, Gris and Blanc)
13. Terret Noir
97
For red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, all varieties are permitted, but what must occur?
white and red musts need to be blended prior to vinification
98
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, A min. 2% of the harvested grapes must be used for what?
table wine or discarded (râpé)
99
Maximum Yield including Râpé for Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
42 hl/ha
100
Château de Beaucastel Rouge is dominated by what?
Mourvèdre and is famously produced from a blend of every authorized variety
101
Château Rayas often releases their Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge as-
a 100% varietal Grenache
102
At __%, the required min potential alcoholic strength for Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the highest in France for dry AOP wines
12.5
103
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape some producers' top-end cuvées reach what?
surprisingly high-alcohol wines, 15% or more
104
What does declassifying or discarding 2% of harvested grapes (le rapé) serve?
as a safeguard against under-ripeness
105
Who released the first estate-bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1785?
Château La Nerthe
106
Today, what marks all estate-bottled wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
a papal crest embossed on the shoulder of the bottle
107
In comparison to Cornas’ 100 hectares, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has over ___.
3000
108
Châteauneuf-du-Pape's soils-
pockets of alluvial sediment exist for gravel, calcareous clay, and sand
109
Traditional producers tend to use what for extended aging in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
old oak foudres
110
What do some producers chose to do in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that creates great variation in individual bottlings of the same wine?
bottle a vintage from cask as it is sold
111
__ is the Southern Rhône’s largest appellation & the base designation for wines from the entire Rhône Valley
Côtes du Rhône AOP
112
While the Northern Rhône may release its generic Syrah–based blended wines as Côtes du Rhône, the wines issue overwhelmingly from -
the south, where Grenache is the principal component
113
Over 2/3s of the Rhône Valley’s wines are released as -
Côtes du Rhône AOP
114
Principle white varieties for Côtes du Rhône AOP blanc?
80% combined Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier
115
Accessory Varieties for Côtes du Rhône AOP blanc?
Max 20% combined Piquepoul Blanc and Ugni Blanc
116
Principal Variety for Côtes du Rhône AOP Rouge?
Min. 40% Grenache, except for vineyards north of Montélimar
117
Complementary Varieties for Côtes du Rhône AOP Rouge?
Min. 15% combined Mourvèdre, and Syrah (min. 70% combined principle and complementary varieties)
118
Accessory Varieties for Côtes du Rhône AOP Rouge?
Brun Argenté (Vaccarèse/Camarèse), Carignan, Cinsault, Clairette Rosé, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, Terret Noir; max. 10% Marselan; max. 5% combined white varieties
119
What are the white varieties allowed for Côtes du Rhône AOP Rouge?
Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Clairette, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier
120
Encépagement for Côtes du Rhône AOP Rosé?
Same as Rouge wines, with addition of up to 20% combined white varieties
121
Producers farming less than 1.5 hectares are not required to include what?
the min. 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre
122
Côtes du Rhône AOP Rouge min. 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre applies after what harvest?
2019
123
__ AOP is a superior designation for red, white and rosé wine from a delimited area within the Southern Rhône
Côtes du Rhône-Villages
124
What was uprgraded to AOP status in 2010 out of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages?
Rasteau's dry reds
125
What was promoted to status as a geographic designation in 2012 out of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages?
Gadagne's
126
What current 18 communes may append their names to Côtes du Rhône-Villages?
1. Cairanne
2. Chusclan
3. Gadagne
4. Laudun
5. Massif d'Uchaux
6. Plan de Dieu
7. Puymeras
8. Roaix
9. Rochegude
10. Rousset-les-Vignes
11. Sablet
12. Saint-Gervais
13. Saint-Maurice
14. Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes
15. Séguret
16. Signargues
17. Valréas
18. Visan
127
What are the principal red grapes for Côtes du Rhône-Villages?
Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah
128
What village of the Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP only produces rouge and rosé wines?
Chusclan
129
What villages in the Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP only produce rouge wines?
Massif d'Uchaux, Signargues, Plan de Dieu and Puyméras
130
What former Côtes du Rhône-Villages commune was awarded its own AOP in 1971?
Gigondas for red and rosé wines
131
Soil of Gigondas
red clay alluvial soils
132
Gigondas Encépagement for reds
Min. 90% combined Grenache (min. 50%), Syrah, and Mourvèdre (min. 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre); plus etc Rhone grapes
133
Other Rhône grapes—excluding Carignan—are permitted to be present as a max__% of plantings in Gigondas
10
134
In Gigondas, what is mandatory from 2014 harvest forward?
Min. 50% Grenache, Min. 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre
135
In 1990,__ AOP joined Gigondas as the 2nd former Côtes du Rhône village to be promoted to full AOP status
Vacqueyras
136
The rustic Vacqueyras wines are usually-
Red, although a small amount of white and rosé wine is produced
137
Encépagement for Vacqueyras rouge
Grenache (min. 50%), Syrah and Mourvèdre (min. 20% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre), plus etc rhone grapes (max 5% whites)
138
__ AOP and __ AOP joined Vacqueyras/Gigondas AOPs in 2005 and 2006, respectively
Beaumes-de-Venise, Vinsobres
139
Beaumes-de-Venise and Vinsobres produce red wines based on-
a minimum 50% Grenache
140
All 4 former Côtes du Rhône village communes share CNDP’s-
12.5% min potential alcohol for reds
141
On the western shore of the Rhône, opposite CNDP, is ___ AOP
Lirac
142
Spread over 4 communes, Lirac wines can be very similar to-
the Côtes du Rhône-Villages wines, and are made in red, white, and rosé versions
143
What grapes are prevalent in Lirac?
Grenache Noir and Blanc, although the white wines may see a significant proportion of Clairette and Bourboulenc added
144
Despite its sandier soils, the commune of Lirac in 1863 unwittingly served as France’s doorway to what?
the phylloxera incursion
145
Just south of Lirac, the __ AOP is one of the only communal appellations in France exclusively dedicated to rosé wines.
Tavel
146
Tavel rosé wines are in what style?
based on Grenache and dry
147
Vin doux naturel, a sweet fortified wine, is found in greater quantities in Languedoc-Roussillon, but what 2 AOPs exist in the Southern Rhône?
Rasteau AOP and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
148
90% of the wine labeled as Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP is produced by-
the local co-op, the Vignerons de Beaumes-de-Venise
149
Vignerons de Beaumes-de-Venise co-op sources their grapes from-
throughout the communes of Beaumes-de-Venis and Aubignan
150
The white, red, and rosé VDN's retain natural grape sugar through what?
mutage
151
What is mutage?
pure grape spirit is added to arrest fermentation in a proportion of 5-10%
152
Rasteau VDN wines may be what?
white, rosé, or red
153
Rasteau VDN wines are based on what?
3 colors of Grenache: Blanc, Gris, and Noir
154
What communes are eligible for the Rasteau AOP?
Rasteau, Cairanne, and Sablet
155
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines vs. Rasteau?
MBDV are typically fresher and more aromatic, whereas Rasteau show more tawny flavors
156
In 2011, vignerons in Rasteau adopted what labeling terminology est by producers of Rivesaltes in Roussillon?
ambré and tuilé
157
What are ambré wines?
white VDN wines displaying a more oxidative character and subject to at least 3yrs of aging
158
What are tuilé wines?
red VDN wines displaying a more oxidative character and subject to at least 3yrs of aging
159
Fresher versions of white and red Rasteau VDN wines are now labeled-
blanc and grenat
160
Rasteau producers may affix the term __ to wines that have matured for at least 5yrs prior to release
Hors d'age
161
Rasteau AOP wines may also be made in what deliberately oxidative and maderized style?
rancio, in which the wine is left in open barrels, exposed to the ravages of sunlight and temperature
162
As of 2010, dry, unfortified__ may be produced as Rasteau AOP-
reds, but only from fruit grown in the commune of Rasteau itself
163
The Southern Rhône Valley's northernmost appellation is-
Grignan-les-Adhémar AOP, located directly south of Montélimar
164
Hoping to rebound sales and avoid an unsavory association with the troubled Tricastin nuclear plant, the producers of Côtes du Tricastin successfully rebranded their appellation as-
Grignan-les-Adhémar in 2010
165
Grignan-les-Adhémar rouge/rose Encépagement?
Min. 70% combined Grenache (20-70%) and Syrah (30-80%)
166
Grignan-les-Adhémar blanc Encépagement?
Min. 30% Viognier, plus Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne (no single variety may exceed 80% of the encépagement)
167
Other AOPs of the Southern Rhône include-
Luberon AOP, Ventoux AOP and Côtes du Vivarais AOP
168
Luberon, Ventoux and Côtes du Vivarais produce-
red, white, and rosé wines from a large complement of Rhône varietals
169
To the west, ___ AOP adjoins the regions of the Southern Rhône Valley, Provence, and Languedoc
Costières de Nimes
170
Formerly considered an appellation of Languedoc, INAO authorities transferred oversight of the Costières de Nimes AOP to officials in the Rhône Valley in __
2004
171
Costières de Nimes produces-
red, white and roses
172
Clairette de Bellegarde AOP, a single-commune appellation within Costières de Nimes, produces-
white wines from Clairette
173
How does J.L Chave maintain his enviable track record of great Hermitage?
his ability to blend across multiple climats to create the best possible wine in any given year, he doesn't produce single parcel “reserve” wines, believing that the blended wine is the best expression of the terroir of Hermitage
174
In top vintages J.L Chave produces 200 cases of a red, barrel-selection “___” that is as expensive as it is rare
Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin
175
What is J.L Chave's Hermitage Blanc a blend of?
80-85% Marsanne, 15-20% Roussanne
176
What is J.L Chave's Hermitage Rouge a blend of?
Les Bessards forming the core of this blend of 7 climats
177
What years was “Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin” (rouge) produced by J.L Chave?
1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009 and 2010
178
Auguste Clape's Cornas is an assemblage of what?
12 parcels (average vine age 30-60 years)
179
Auguste Clape's Cornas “Renaissance” is an assemblage of what?
12 parcels (average vine age 12-20 years), started in 1998
180
Outside of Cornas, what does Clape produce?
Côtes du Rhône: 100% Syrah from outside Cornas
| Le Vin des Amis: VdF, declassified CDR; young vines from Cornas plus occasional Cornas press wine
181
What is Jamet's limited cuvee?
Côte-Rôtie “Côte Brune”: a limited cuvée from this 0.48-ha parcel, produced every year
182
Jamet partially de-stems according to vintage, example?
warm 2009 vintage -> whole clusters, as was the much cooler 2011, but unique aspects of each led to corresponding decisions
183
How long does Jamet age their wines?
8-22 months (maximum 20% new oak for the Côte-Rôtie; 33% new oak for “Côte Brune”)
184
Thierry Allemand eliminated what from winemaking, believing that it contributed to the perception of Cornas as a rustic, aggressive wine?
racking and reduced the use of sulfur
185
Describe Thierry Allemand's Cornas “Reynard”
blend of parcels, avg vine age OVER 40yrs; usually includes old vines in Chaillots, Reynards, Le Tezier and La Geynale
186
Describe Thierry Allemand's Cornas “Chaillot”
blend of parcels with avge vine age UNDER 40 yrs; includes parcels in Chaillots, Le Tezier and Le Bois
187
Describe Thierry Allemand's Cornas “Sans Souffre”
bottling w/ no added sulfur; usually from old vines in Reynards; bears a different label than the other wines and is labeled only “Cornas”
188
Inaugural vintages for Thierry Allemand's Cornas “Chaillot” and “Reynard”?
in 1991 (in 1990, 2002 and 2003 the parcels were blended together and 1 bottling was made)
189
Inaugural vintages for Thierry Allemand's Cornas “Sans Souffre”?
1998
190
Describe viniculture at Thierry Allemand
not de-stemmed, all pigeage done twice daily by foot, aged in either old 228L barriques, 600L demi-muids, or larger 9-hl foudres; not racked and bottled after 18-24 mos in woo
191
Describe viticulture at Thierry Allemand
yields historically low, organic viticulture
192
Who did René Rostaing marry into?
His wife’s father was Albert Dervieux; her uncle was Marius Gentaz, he inherited their vineyards and now have an impressive array of 20 plots across 14 lieux-dits, including old vines in some of the greatest terroirs
193
Describe Rostaing's Côte-Rôtie “Classique”
(now called “Cuvée Ampodium” in US): 100% Syrah from all of the lieux-dits except for La Landonne and Côte Blonde
194
Describe Rostaing's Côte-Rôtie “La Landonne”
100% Syrah from the old vines on La Landonne
195
Describe Rostaing's Côte-Rôtie “Côte Blonde”
95% Syrah, 5% Viognier from Côte Blonde
196
Describe Rostaing's Condrieu “La Bonnette”
from Cote Bonnette and Sainte-Agathe
197
Who rescued Condrieu by internationally promoting the wines when only 8ha remained in cultivation in 1965?
Georges Vernay
198
Describe Georges Vernay's Condrieu “Terrasses de l’Empire”
produced mostly from St. Agathe; vines average 40 years
199
Describe Georges Vernay's Condrieu “Chaillées de l’Enfer”
from La Caille; the small terraces, or chaillées in the local dialect, were frequently referred to as “à l’enfer” or “in hell” by local vignerons
200
Describe Georges Vernay's Condrieu “Coteau du Vernon”
flagship bottling from the Vernon cru directly above the winery; now includes the 1960s era plantings with the estate’s oldest vines from 1936, which were planted by Georges’ father Francis
201
Describe Georges Vernay's Côte-Rôtie “Maison Rouge”
100% Syrah from the plot of the same name
202
Describe the Vernon cru, producing Vernay's Condrieu “Coteau du Vernon”
interestingly, this flagship vineyard that’s so closely identified with the estate was only purchased by the Vernays in 2000; it had been leased for the previous 3 generations
203
Describe Georges Vernay's Côte-Rôtie “Blonde du Seigneur”
92% Syrah, 8% Viognier
204
Describe Georges Vernay red vinification
completely de-stemmed across the range, and see about 30% new oak
205
Describe Georges Vernay white vinification
whole-cluster pressed, Condrieu wines fermented entirely in wood. “Terrasses de l’Empire” is fermented/aged in large, old foudres; the “Chaillées de l’Enfer” and “Coteau du Vernon” are fermented in barriques (about 25% new each year)
206
Describe Graillot's Crozes-Hermitage “La Guiraude”
a barrel selection, bottled only in top years, inaugural vintage in 1988
207
Describe Graillot red vinifcation-
whole cluster fermentation, max of 10% new oak (most barrels are 228L barriques purchased used from friends in Burgundy)
208
Describe Yves Cuilleron's Condrieu “Chaillets”
an old vine blend from Izéras and the old vines on La Côte
| Condrieu “Vertige”: from Vernon, this Condrieu sees longer aging in barrel (18 months)
209
Describe Yves Cuilleron's Condrieu “Ayguets”
sweet Condrieu from La Côte and Eyguets, from both overripe and botrytised grapes, depending on vintage conditions
210
Yves Cuilleron also makes top wines where else?
Côte-Rôtie: “Bassenon”, “Madinière” & “Terres Sombres”
Saint-Joseph Blanc: “Le Lombard”, “Saint-Pierre”
Saint-Joseph Rouge: “Les Serines”
211
Describe Yves Cuilleron red vinification
partially de-stemmed, vinified in stainless steel with frequent remontage and pigeage, and aged 18-20 months in barriques, 100% new oak for Côte-Rôtie
212
Describe Yves Cuilleron white vinification
very ripe, waits for a small amount of botrytis to develop if the vintage allows, whole-cluster pressed, barrel-fermented in one-quarter new oak, and aged nine months in contact with the lees with frequent bâtonnage
213
Domaine Pierre Gonon produces reference-point Saint-Josephs from vineyards in communes that make up the traditional heart of the AOP:
Mauves, Tournon and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols
214
Describe Pierre Gonon viticulture
brother team- vines propagated by selection massale; organic viticulture (certification process underway); only 1 cuvée is generally made—no special selection wines are produced
215
Describe the wines produced by Pierre Gonon
Saint-Joseph Blanc “Les Oliviers”: 80% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne, Saint-Joseph Rouge
216
Describe Pierre Gonon's Saint-Joseph Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
very rare bottling from the 1940s Trollat plantings, made in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 to date
217
The wines brought into the United States are custom bottlings for Domaine Faury’s US importer, therefore-
they differ in label, name and blend from the domaine’s wines sold elsewhere
218
Describe the wines of Faury
aromatically pure wines that rarely show oak, although new oak is used in moderation
219
Describe white vinification at Faury
whole-cluster pressed, vinified and aged in 60-70% stainless steel and 30-40% oak (less than 10% new)
220
Describe red vinification at Faury
partially de-stemmed, all pigeage is done 2x daily by foot, aged in a mixture of barrel sizes with the new oak percentage around 10% (barrels rotated annually to keep the wood impact minimal)
221
Describe the Faury Côte-Rôtie
shows its % of Viognier very clearly, is a good example of how this white variety has an effect on the red blend.
222
List wines of Domaine Faury
Saint-Joseph (white), Condrieu, Saint-Joseph (red), Saint-Joseph VV (red), Côte-Rôtie
223
Describe Stéphane Ogier's “L’Âme Sœur”
North of Ampuis, across the river at Seyssuel, from their vines at Le Vieux Château, a VDP but tastes like a "baby cote rotie"
224
How has Stéphane Ogier changed his father's estate?
expanded estate holdings, started a négociant business, modernized estate’s wines by using more new oak and less whole clusters in vinification
225
Describe Ogier's Côte-Rôtie
the “basic” estate Côte-Rôtie is from owned parcels (about half in northern and half in southern part of appellation)
226
Aside from Côte-Rôtie, where does Ogier own parcels?
have purchased and leased vines in Condrieu since 2007
227
Describe Ogier's Côte-Rôtie “La Belle Hélène”
from Côte Rozier
228
Describe Ogier's Côte-Rôtie “Lancement”
from their oldest vines at the top of Lancement
229
Describe vinification at Ogier
modern, clean, significant new oak, reds min. 80% de-stemmed, vinified in stainless steel tanks with 3-4wk maceration using pigeage & remontage, aged in barriques (10-20% new for VDP; up to 100% new for “La Belle Hélène” and “Lancement”)
230
Describe Patrick Jasmin's Côte-Rôtie
95% Syrah, 5% Viognier, fairly traditional
231
Describe Patrick Jasmin's Côte-Rôtie vinification
100% de-stemmed, vinified in concrete vats for 3wks with a submerged cap & pigeage. After pressing, the wines are aged in a mixture of barriques, demi-muids and larger barrels, (20% new), 18-22 months in oak, not filtered
232
Describe Bernard Levet's Côte-Rôtie
100% Syrah in traditional Côte Blonde and Côte Brune
233
The Bernard Levet family have always been big believers in what?
the old “Petite Sérine” strain of Syrah, having never used any nursery clones in their vineyards
234
What wine does Bernard Levet produce?
Côte-Rôtie “La Chavaroche”
| Côte-Rôtie “Les Journaries”
235
Describe Bernard Levet's Côte-Rôtie “La Chavaroche”
cuvee started in 1983 vintage from "Chavaroche" vineyard aged for 30-36mos, ferocious and traditional
236
Describe Bernard Levet's Côte-Rôtie “Les Journaries”
Since 2004, cuvée drawn from old vines in “La Landonne” lieu-dit, more subtle, more elegant and “quieter” if you will than the “Chavaroche”
237
Describe Alain Voge's cuvées
typically based on vine age and oak treatment, modern expressions of Cornas terroir
238
Describe Alain Voge's Cornas “Chailles”
primarily from 1985 plantings on Chaillot and Reynards, aged in older barriques 12mos, entry level
239
Describe Alain Voge's Cornas Vieilles Vignes
from vines in the 25-80 year range, aged in older barriques,
240
Describe Alain Voge's Cornas “Les Vieilles Fontaines”
from 1925 plantings on La Fontaine and Les Côtes, 25% aged in new barrique for 24mos
241
Describe Alain Voge's Saint-Péray “Harmonie”
92% Marsanne, 8% Roussanne from the low section of Hongrie, tank-fermented
242
Describe Alain Voge's Saint-Péray “Terres Boisées”
100% Marsanne from 1975 planting on Hongrie, barrel-fermented in 1/3 new oak
243
Describe Alain Voge's Saint-Péray “Fleur de Crussol”
100% Marsanne from 1930s plantings on La Côte and Hongrie, barrel-fermented in 1/3 new oak
244
What is Guigal credited as a pioneer in?
bringing modern winemaking techniques to the Northern Rhône
245
What does the Guigal style favor?
lush, ripe fruit supported by long aging in new barriques
246
Describe Guigal's "La La" bottlings and "Ex Voto"
(La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque) and “Ex Voto”, all aged for 42 months in 100% new oak
247
Describe Guigal's Côte-Rôtie “Château d’Ampuis”
93% Syrah, 7% Viognier; from 3 lieux-dits in Côte Blonde (source of all of the Viognier) and 4 lieux-dits in Côte Brune; average vine age 40-50 years
248
Describe Guigal's Côte-Rôtie “La Mouline”
89% Syrah, 11% Viognier; sourced from a plot of the same name on the Côte Blonde, average vine age is 60 yrs
249
Describe Guigal's Côte-Rôtie “La Landonne”
100% Syrah; average vine age is 20 years
250
Describe Guigal's Côte-Rôtie “La Turque”
93% Syrah, 7% Viognier; sourced from an extremely steep plot on Côte Brune, planted in 1980
251
Describe Guigal's Ermitage Blanc “Ex-Voto”
93% Marsanne, 7% Roussanne; 90% from Murets, 10% from l’Hermite
252
Describe Guigal's Ermitage Rouge “Ex-Voto”
30% each Bessards and Greffieux; 20% each l’Hermite and Murets
253
Describe the wines of Yves Gangloff
clean and modern, built his domaine from scratch in 80s, now owns parcels in Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie & St.Joseph
254
Describe Yves Gangloff's Condrieu
a blend from both Coteau de Chéry and Côte Bonnette, vinified/aged in 20-33% new oak
255
Describe Yves Gangloff's Côte-Rôtie “La Barbarine”
90% Syrah, 10% Viognier from Coteaux de Tupin, plus younger vines at Combard-Mollard, 100% de-stemmed, used barriques
256
Describe Yves Gangloff's Côte-Rôtie “la Sereine Noire”
100% Syrah from old vines at Combard-Mollard and Côte Rozier, partially de-stemmed, 30-65% new oak barriques
257
List M.Chapoutier's Côte-Rôtie's
Côte Blonde
| Côte Brune
258
Name the Ermitage Blanc's that M.Chapoutier produces
- “De l’Orée”: Marsanne from oldest vines on Murets
- “L’Hermite”: Marsanne from named vineyard; vines over 100 years old
- “Le Méal”: Marsanne from named vineyard’s 1910 and 1940s vines
259
Name the Ermitage Rouge's that M.Chapoutier produces
- “L’Hermite”: Syrah, older vines on named vineyard
- “Le Méal”: Syrah from named vineyard’s 1910/1940s vines
- “Les Greffieux”: Syrah from named 1940s vineyard’s
- “Le Pavillon”: Syrah from 1910s plantings on Bessards
260
Newcomer to the Rhone, they young Vincent Paris produces what?
full and robust examples of Cornas
261
Describe Vincent Paris' Cornas “Granit 30”
from younger vine parcels in multiple lieux-dits, 100% de-stemmed
262
Describe Vincent Paris' Cornas “Granit 60”
from the older vines on Patou and Mazards, 30-50% whole clusters
263
Describe Vincent Paris' Cornas “La Geynale”
from the parcel of the same name, including the vines planted in 1910, above 85% whole clusters
264
Describe the approach at Franck Balthazar
traditional Cornas- No yeasts are added, no de-steming for older cuvees, aged exclusively in old (at least 10 years) demi-muids that the domaine purchases used
265
Describe the Cornas of Franck Balthazar
exclusively from the old vines on Chaillot and Mazards
266
Describe the Cornas “Cuvée Casmir” of Franck Balthazar
75% young-vine fruit, 25% from Mazards
267
Describe the Côtes du Rhône of Franck Balthazar
100% young-vine Cornas
268
Describe the ownership changes of Delas
1977, the Delas family sold the house to Champagne house Deutz, who then sold to Champagne’s Louis Roederer in 1993
269
What brought Delas back into the conversation of the top Northern Rhône producers?
the arrival of winemaker Jacques Grange in 1997
270
How did Jacques Grange change Delas?
revamped the winery: eliminated large, old cooperage in favor of barriques; installed smaller concrete fermenters to vinify parcels individually; quit using cultured yeasts, began replanting vineyards w/ selections massales to better express local terroir
271
Name the Hermitage's produced from Delas
“Domaine des Tourettes”, “Les Bessards”, Blanc “Marquise de la Tourette"
272
Name the Côte-Rôtie's of Delas
“La Landonne”, “Seigneur de Maugiron”
273
Aside from Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, what does Delas produce?
St.Joseph and Crozes-hermitage
274
What is Aîné a reference to in Paul Jaboulet?
Paul Jaboulet Aîné (aîné means “older brother,” a reference to Paul)
275
Paul Jaboulet Aîné stayed in the family through multiple generations until being sold when?
2006 to Swiss financier Jean-Jacques Frey (owner of Château La Lagune, shareholder in Billecart-Salmon, Ayala)
276
Though Jaboulet owns no vines in the l'Ermite climat, they own-
the chapel itself since 1929
277
Name the Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage's produced
“La Chapelle”, Blanc “La Chapelle”, Blanc “Chevalier de Stérimberg”
278
Name the Crozes-Hermitage's produced by Paul Jaboulet Aîné
“Domaine Thalabert”, “Domaine de Roure”, Blanc “Domaine de Roure”
279
Since Caroline Frey, the new winemaker, took over at Paul Jaboulet Aîné, what is the main change?
stricter selection for top wines, only 2,000 cases bottled of 2009 Hermitage Rouge “La Chapelle”—roughly 1/4 the volume of the avg-quality 2000
280
Gilles Robin, only started bottling his own wines, when?
1996
281
List the Crozes-Hermitage's produced by Syrah-fanatic Gilles Robin
“Papillon”, “Albéric Bouvet”, “1920”
282
What Saint-Joseph does Gilles Robin produce?
“André Péalat”
283
Describe Gilles Robin wines
modern, clean, fruity expressions of Syrah grown on the Crozes plain
284
How did Clusel-Roch get its name?
Founded in 1969 by René Clusel, who retired in 1989. At that time, his son Gilbert took over with wife Brigitte—her surname, Roch, was appended to the domaine name
285
Clusel-Roch has been certified organic in the vineyard since-
2002
286
At Clusel-Roch, they are big proponents of what?
older selections of local Syrah known as Sérine
287
What did Clusel-Roch begin in 1991?
their own personal nursery, selecting cuttings from their older vines with the goal of better expressing the terroir of Côte-Rôtie
288
Where are Clusel-Roch’s vineyards located?
primarily in the northern sector, their wines display power/grip, needing significant bottle aging to show best
289
Describe Clusel-Roch’s Côte-Rôtie
96% Syrah, 4% Viognier
290
Describe Clusel-Roch’s Côte-Rôtie Les Grandes Places
100% Syrah, exclusively from old vines in named vineyard
291
Describe Clusel-Roch’s Côte Rôtie La Viallière
95% Syrah, 5% Viognier, mostly from the oldest vines in named vineyard
292
Describe Clusel-Roch’s vinification
partial whole clusters, no yeast additions, fined w/ egg whites, not filtered. top wines aged in barriques for 24mos, and % of new oak used today is btwn 10-30% (decreased since mid-2000s)
293
Describe Clusel-Roch’s Condrieu
Chéry vineyard, 0.5 ha, planted in 1984/1985, vinified 1/3 in tank and 2/3 in oak
294
When did the Neyret-Gachet family begin domaine-bottling?
Château-Grillet in 1830
295
When did Neyret-Gachet sell Château-Grillet?
2011, to François Pinault (owner of Château Latour and Domaine d’Eugénie in Vosne-Romanée)
296
How large are the holdings of Château-Grillet?
3.5 ha Viognier, avge vine age 40 yrs
297
Soil of Château-Grillet?
decomposed granite sand with black mica
298
Name the wines produced by Château-Grillet
Château-Grillet & “Pontcin”
299
Describe “Pontcin” by Château-Grillet
100% Viognier declassified to Côtes du Rhône AOP; named for a lieu dit of Château-Grillet, 1st vintage in 2011 by new ownership group
300
Describe vinifcation at Château-Grillet
harvested and whole-cluster pressed parcel by parcel, primary fermentation takes place in combo of tank and barrel, aged in barrel for 18mos, 20% new oak
301
Jean-Michel Stephan of Côte-Rôtie is an advocate of what?
the methods of natural wine pioneer Jules Chauvet, his “Coteaux de Tupin” is made with no added SO2
302
Jean-Michel Stephan viticulture practices?
admirer of old massale selections of Syrah in his turn-of-the-century vines, he has been replanting the clones in his vineyards w/ selections of Sérine from his oldest vines
303
Describe Jean-Michel Stephan's Côte-Rôtie
90% Syrah, 10% Viognier, blended from all parcels
304
Describe Jean-Michel Stephan's Côte-Rôtie “Coteaux de Bassenon”
90% Syrah, 10% Viognier from Coteaux de Semons
305
Describe Jean-Michel Stephan's Côte-Rôtie “Coteaux de Tupin”
100% Syrah from the old Sérine vines on Coteaux de Tupin
306
Describe Jean-Michel Stephan's Côte-Rôtie “Vieille Vigne en Coteaux”
90% Syrah, 10% Viognier; fro 1896 and 1902 plantings exclusively and only produced in best vintages
307
Describe the unusual vinification of Jean-Michel Stephan's Côte-Rôtie “Coteaux de Tupin”
made following the carbonic maceration method of Jules Chauvet: grapes chilled, then kept in closed tank filled with CO2 where they undergo a slow warming and intracellular fermentation. The last few days of primary fermentation see a few pigeages to finish
308
Overall, describe the wines of Jean-Michel Stephan
can show some of the variability of many “natural” wines, the quality of the terroir usually shines through the “funkier” characters of natural winemaking
