Rhone Valley Flashcards
Where is the Northern Rhone located?
A narrow band of vineyards along the Rhone River, just south of Beaujolais, from Vienne to Valence.
Where is the Southern Rhone located?
The vineyards funnel south along the Rhone River to Avignon, near the Mediterranean basin.
Which Pope built the summer papal palace and surrounding vineyards in Avignon and what was it called?
Pope John XXII
Chateauneuf-du-Pape
The wines produced in the papal vineyards was called __________ until the 19th century when it was bottled as ____________.
Originally known as vin d’Avignon until the name was changed to Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
What was the first AOC/AOP in France and what caused the system to created in the first place?
In 1936 Chateauneuf-du-Pape became the first AOC.
The Southern Rhone was the first quality area in France to be hit with phylloxera and in the years of rebuilding CdP growers created rules for growing and production that resulted in the AOC laws.
What is the climate of the Northern Rhone?
Continental
- greater temperature shifts
- more rain
- less sunshine annually
What is the soil type of the Northern Rhone?
Granitic and schistous soils are prominent and they retain heat to keep the vines warm.
What affect does the Mistral wind have on the Northern Rhone?
The wind dries the vineyards, preventing mold and mildew.
What grapes are found in the Northern Rhone?
Syrah
Marsanne
Roussanne
Viognier
What are the 5 appellations for Syrah in the Northern Rhone from north to south and what other grapes are allowed within each?
Cote-Rotie AOP–up to 20% viognier
St-Joseph AOP–up to 10% marsanne and roussanne
Hermitage AOP–up to 15% (combined) marsanne/roussanne
Crozes-Hermitage AOP–up to 15% (combined) marsanne/roussanne
Cornas AOP–100% syrah
When white grapes are blended into Northern Rhone syrah, how is it usually done?
Co-fermentation
What is the geography like in the Cote-Rotie?
Severely steep slopes–some of the steepest in France at 55 degrees +
It gives the region its name “Roasted Slope”
Who is the largest producer in the Cote-Rotie and what two hills are named after his daughters?
E. Guigal
Cote Brune and Cote Blonde
Who are the 4 major producers in Hermitage?
Jean-Louis Chave
Delas
M. Charpoutier
Jaboulet
Where is Crozes-Hermitage?
Lies behind the hill of Hermitage.
What Northern Rhone appellation is the warmest and why?
Cornas–the naked granite soils (gore) magnifies the sun’s heat and the region is shielded from the le mistral.
What are the 4 lieu dits of Cornas?
Les Reynards
La Cote
Les Chaillot
Les Mazards
What is the smallest appellation in the Northern Rhone?
Cornas (100 hectares), followed closely by Hermitage
Who is considered a benchmark producer of Cornas and why?
Auguste Clape–known for traditional wines made from whole cluster fermentation and old oak barrels.
What Northern Rhone AOP exclusively produces wines from marsanne and roussanne?
St-Peray
Of the 5 Northern Rhone syrah appellations, which ones can also make white wines?
Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and St. Joseph
Where is vin de paille produced in the Northern Rhone and what grapes are used?
Hermitage–marsanne and roussanne
What Northern Rhone appellation makes viognier and where is it located?
Condrieu–just south of Cote-Rotie, it’s only 200 hectares and a great rarity
Within the Rhone Valley, which region (northern or southern rhone) produces the most wine and in what style(s)?
Southern Rhone–about 95% of all wine produced in the Rhone Valley, almost all of it being red.
What is the distinct winemaking difference between the Northern and Southern Rhone?
While Syrah dominates the north, blends are most common in the south.
What are the major red grapes in the Southern Rhone and what do they do for the wine?
Grenache–most planted, richness, fruit, and warmth
Mourvedre–significant plantings, structure and color
Syrah–same as mourvedre
Cinsault–finesse and freshness, used for rose as well
Carignan–plantings are declining
What is the climate of the Southern Rhone?
Mediterranean
- Fierce Mistral winds
- Hot summers with significant diurnal swings
- Heavy autumn rains
- Mild winters
What soils dominate the Southern Rhone?
Alluvial soils over limestone subsoil
The river leaves behind sand, gravel, and clay
What are “pudding stones” called in CdP and what do they do?
Known as galets, these are large stones deposited by the post ice-age glacial melt. They’re made of quartzite and they store heat to keep the vines warm at night.
What is the premier appellation in the Southern Rhone?
Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOP
What 13 grapes are allowed in CdP?
- Grenache
- Mourvedre
- Syrah
- Cinsault
- Counoise
- Picpoul
- Terret noir
- Bourboulenc
- Clairette
- Roussanne
- Vaccarese
- Picardan
- Muscardin
What grape is usually the principal variety in red CdP and what producer famously uses a different grape instead?
Grenache is the principal grape
Chateau de Beaucastel (rouge) is dominated by Mourvedre instead
What producer often releases their CdP rouge as 100% grenache, breaking the blending tradition in the region?
Chateau Rayas
What is the minimum required alcohol level for CdP?
12.5%–the highest in France for dry AOP wines.
What does the papal crest signify on bottles of CdP?
Estate bottled CdP
What is the largest appellation of the Southern Rhone?
Cotes du Rhone AOP–over 2/3 of the wines of the Rhone Valley are labeled this.
It’s also the base designation for all of the Rhone Valley. N.Rhone can release generic syrah blends as such, but the majority of Cotes du Rhone wines are from the S.Rhone.
What AOP is a superior designation for red, white, and rose wines produced in the Southern Rhone and how many communes can amend their name to the appellation?
Cotes du Rhone Village AOP
18 communes
Gigondas AOP
- Red and rose wines
- 50% grenache minimum
- Other Rhone varietals are permitted except for Carignan, at a maximum of 10% of the plantings
Vacqueyras AOP
- Rustic reds, but also white and rose
- 50% grenache minimum
Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
- Red wine
- 50% grenache minimum
Vinsobres AOP
- Red wine
- 50% grenache minimum
What 4 Cotes du Rhone-Villages communes have been elevated to their own AOP status and what do they all have in common?
- Gigondas
- Vacqueyras
- Beaumes-de-Venise
- Vinsobres
All require a 50% grenache minimum and they all have CdP’s minimum 12.5% alcohol
What S.Rhone AOP was the first in France to be infected with phylloxera?
Lirac AOP
What is the only AOP in France exclusively dedicated to rose wines?
Tavel AOP (S.Rhone)
Based on grenache in a dry style
What appellations in the S.Rhone exist for vin doux naturel?
Rasteau AOP
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
