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French Wine Scholar > Rhone Valley > Flashcards

Rhone Valley Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary grape of the Rasteau appellation?

A

Grenache

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2
Q

Define the term “Septentrionales”

A

The Northern Côtes du Rhône

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3
Q

What is the Mistral?

A

A north wind that blows through the Rhône Valley

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4
Q

What are the main soil types found in the Northern Rhône?

A

Granite and schist

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5
Q

What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?

A

Continental

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6
Q

What is the northernmost cru in the Northern Rhône?

A

Côte-Rôtie

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7
Q

What is the principal grape of Tavel rosé?

A

Grenache

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8
Q

What is the southernmost appellation in the Southern Rhône?

A

Costières de Nimes

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9
Q

The Dentelles de Montmirail is:

A

A mountain range to the east of the southern Rhône

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10
Q

What are galets?

A

Rounded river stones or pebbles

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11
Q

What three Northern Rhône crus permit Viogner?

A

Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet

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12
Q

Define the term “foudres”

A

arge wooden barrels

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13
Q

What Northern Rhône appellation is known for sparkling wine?

A

Saint-Péray

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14
Q

The term “échelas” refers to:

A

Tipi-like trellasing structures that provide support and wind protection for vines

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15
Q

What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?

A

Mediterranean

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16
Q

What are the three white grapes of the Northern Rhône?

A

Viogner, Marsanne and Roussanne

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17
Q

Rhone vineyards are situated between _____th & _____th parallels north.

A

44th and 45th

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18
Q

What Northern Rhône cru occupies a single hill inside another AOC?

A

Hermitage

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19
Q

What is the only red grape variety grown in the northern Rhône?

A

Syrah

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20
Q

What is the most common style of wine in the Diois?

A

Sparkling white

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21
Q

Define the term “Méridionales”

A

The Southern Côtes du Rhône

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22
Q

Which Rhône cru is devoted entirely to the making of rosé wine?

A

Tavel

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23
Q

What is the primary method for making rosé wine in the Rhône Valley?

A

“Saignée” or bleeding method

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24
Q

Are Côtes du Rhône Villages wines strictly single varietals, or blends or can they be both?

A

Côtes du Rhône Villages must be a blend composed of at least 50% Grenache

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25
Q

What is the most common vine training system in the Southern Rhône?

A

Gobelet

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26
Q

Can the entire Rhône Valley produce wine under the Côtes du Rhône AOC designation?

A

No. The Côtes du Rhône AOC is a delineated area within the greater Rhone Valley

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27
Q

What Rhône appellation was the first to have its zone of production delineated?

A

Châteauneuf-du-pape

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28
Q

What is the primary grape variety of Clairette de Die?

A

This wine must include a minimum 75% Muscat

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29
Q

What is the main difference between a wine labeled “Clairette de Die” and a wine labeled “Coteaux de Die”?

A

Clairette is sparkling and Coteaux is still

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30
Q

Where is most Côtes du Rhône produced, in the north or the south?

A

The south. The north makes just a tiny fraction of overall production.

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31
Q

What are the two Northern Rhône crus located on the left (east) bank of the river?

A

Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage

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32
Q

“Rhône Rangers” are:

A

California winemakers making Rhône style blends

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33
Q

“Oeil de perdrix” refers to:

A

The deep salmon color of Rhône rosés made from Grenache and Cinsault (oeil de perdrix = partridge eye)

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34
Q

What is the difference between the Beaumes-de-Venise AOC and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC?

A

The first is a dry red, while the second is sweet, white VDN

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35
Q

What two Rhône AOCs make Vin Doux Naturel?

A

Rasteau, Beaumes-de-Venise

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36
Q

Is Côtes du Rhône Villages made in the Northern Rhône, in the Southern Rhône, or in both?

A

All 95 CDR Villages come from the south

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37
Q

Where was the hub of Catholic church in Southern Rhone?

A

Avignon, 1309- 1376, 7 French popes helped to govern the Catholic Church.

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38
Q

What is the grape that the Southern Rhone is known for?

A

Grenache

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39
Q

What is the grape that is grown in the Northern Rhone, that was saved in the 20th Century?

A

Viognier

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40
Q

Rhone- Ancient History

A
  • Syrah:
    Believed to originated in Persia (modern day Iran) near the town of Shiraz. In Reality it is a combination of Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche (both Rhone Valley grapes
  • Viognier:
    Believed to have originated on the island of Vis off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. In reality related to Mondeuse Blanche (a Rhone Grape)
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41
Q

Rhone (Ancient History)- Formal Viticulture

A
  • Celtic Tribes in the Rhone Valley when the Phocaeans settled into Marseille around 600 BC
  • The Greeks bought vines: Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc
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42
Q

Rhone (Ancient History)- Development of the Vineyards:

A
  • Romans: arrived in 121 BC; took viticulture into the upper Rhone Valley
  • Transformed many of the steep slopes into walled terraces
  • Began their excavation work with Cote Rotie and Saint Joseph on the right bank then annexed the left bank
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43
Q

Rhone Valley- The Papal Legency

A
  • 14th Century: Papal palace moved from Rome to Avignon
  • 1309- 1376; 7 French popes governed the Catholic Church
  • The wines of Burgundy graced table of the Popes of this time due to the monastic order
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44
Q

Rhone Valley- The New Castle of the Pope

A
  • Pope John XXII decided to build a summer house in Avignon, ‘the new house of the Pope’ which was also called Chateaunerf de Pape (this later became the name of the village)
  • Wines: first called vins du Pape but later referenced Chateaunerf du Pape
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45
Q

What was Vins de Medecine?

A

Chateaunerf du Pape wines that were sold to Burgundy winemakers to add tannin, pigment and richer fruit

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46
Q

La Cotes du Rhone

A
  • 1600s: La Cotes du Rhone an administrative district in the Vicariate of Uzes
  • Lies within the Southern Rhone department of the Gard, right bank of the Rhone River
  • Growers: called their wines Cote du Rhone (after the administrative district)
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47
Q

Rhone Valley- Louis XV

A
  • 1737: issued a decree that all Cotes du Rhone barrels have ‘CDR’ labelled on it
  • 1800s: the singular La Cote du Rhone became the plural Les Cotes du Rhone; becoming a singular moniker
  • Les Cotes Du Rhone stretched from Vienne to Avignon on to all banks of the river
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48
Q

What are the wines of the Northern Rhone known as?

A

Cotes du Rhone Septentrionales

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49
Q

What are the wines of the Southern Rhone known as?

A

Cote du Rhone Meridionales

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50
Q

The Cotes du Rhone AOCs

A

Cote du Rhone is the regional AOC of the Les Cotes Du Rhone region. It is 50% of production of the whole Rhone Valley

It contains the following AOCs:

  • Cote Du Rhone AOC: 60% 0f the Les Cotes Du Rhone Region
  • Cote Du Rhone Villages: 5%
  • Cote Du Rhone Villages- Named Village: 9%
  • 17 Cru AOCs: (including 2 Vin Doux Naturel AOCs): 17% and 1% respectively
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51
Q

Eligiblity for CDR status?

A
  • Any of the appellations within the region can be classified or declassified as the regional Cote Du Rhone AOC
  • All appellations outside the region are not eligible for CDR AOC status
  • 171 of the Rhone Valley’s 300 wine producing villages produce CDR wines
  • 92% red, 4% rose and 4% white
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52
Q

What devastated the vineyards of the Rhone in the 1870’s?

A

Phylloxera. Vines were replanted on American rootstocks.

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53
Q

What was a hard grapevine to graft onto in the Rhone after phylloxera?

A

Mouvedre. Prior to phylloxera 1/3 of the Southern Rhone was Mouvedre, now it is only 3%

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54
Q

What vines were easy to graft and are now predominate in the Rhone for this reason?

A

Grenache (65%) and Syrah (18%)

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55
Q

Baron Pierre Le Roy De Boiseaumarie?

A
  • 1924: Viegrowers led by the Baron start to impose production standards and appellation characters
  • 1935: First AOC awarded for wine
  • The Baron confounded the INAO
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56
Q

Winter Freeze of 1956- Rhone

A
  • Temps got down to 5 degrees f (-15 Celsius) for three weeks
  • Cold mistral winds blew through the valley at 60 mph/ 96 kmh
  • Majority of the regions olives and fruit trees perished, vines remained

Farmers turned to viticulture for this reason and this changed the valley from that point on

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57
Q

What happened to the Rhone in the 1990’s?

A

More attention following rhone rangers of America and also Aussie rhone style wines

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58
Q

Rhone Valley today?

A
  • Second largest producer of wine behind Bordeaux
  • # 1 Business activity in the area is winemaking, sells approximately 35 million cases of wine per year
  • 6,000 individuals grow the wine that goes into those bottles
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59
Q

Rhone River

A
  • Begins as glacial melt waters in sthwestern corner of Switzerland
  • Pours into Lake Geneva near Montreux, exits again, traveling through the Jura Mountains en route to the city of Lyon
  • At Lyon Saone pivots Southward
  • Then passes through the narrow gorges of the Northern Rhone the sweeps out of the plains into the Southern Rhone
  • Empties into the Mediterranean sea
  • Links the rivers Seine and Rhine through a network of canals and tributaries
  • Connect the Mediterranean with the rest of Northern Europe
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60
Q

What two climates meet up in the Rhone?

A

Mediterranean and Continental. It is also where France’s culinary world’s unite. The butter of the north and the olive oil of the south. Lyon has more michelin stared restaurants than any other town other than Paris.

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61
Q

In the Rhone East meets West soils?

A

Granite and Schist of the Massif Central (West) collide with the sedimentary soils of the Alps and its foothills (east)

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62
Q

What is the location of the Rhone Valley?

A

It is a 120 mile/ 192km expanse from Vienne to Nimes. Between the northern and the southern regions there is a 30 mile/ 48 km stretch where much of France’s produce is grown.

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63
Q

On what parallel is the Rhone Valley located on?

A

The 44th and 45th. Paul Jabollet produces a wine called Parallel 45 to celebrate this.

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64
Q

The wine production of the Rhone Valley?

A

Is large with 300 villages. The overwhelming majority is red (86%) 9% rose and 5% white

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65
Q

Although the Northern and Southern Rhone has two distinct climatic differences there are two things that are common to both?

A

The Rhone River and the Mistral

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66
Q

What is the river effect for the Northern and the Southern Rhone?

A

In the North it has a direct effect because vineyards sit on the river itself. Whilst in the Southern it has no effect because vineyards sit a fair way away from the river

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67
Q

What are the effect of the Mistral in the Rhone valley?

A

Benefits:

  • Clears aways dust and clouds and brings clear skys
  • Brings dry weather
  • Prevents frost
  • Chases humidity… reducing disease pressure
  • Drops the temp

Risks

  • Breaks shoots
  • Rips off leaves and berries
  • Uproots vines
  • Damages crops
  • Desiccates the grape
68
Q

White Wine Production in the Rhone?

A
  • Trad fermentation in concrete tanks or large, inert barrels- foudre
  • Temp controlled stainless steel is becoming more popular.
  • MLF is not encouraged
  • Most whites are to be drunk young (2-4 years); some are ageworthy (especially the crus)
  • A small percentage of whites (usually crus) are aged in oak
69
Q

Sweet, Fortified Wine Production- Rhone Valley

A
  • Temp controlled stainless steel is used to control or slow fermentation down
  • MLF is often blocked by using CO2, in order to preserve acidity
70
Q

Red Wine Production- Rhone Valley

A
  • Cold soak is becoming more and more popular
  • Some vignerons co- ferment; some harvest and vinify each grape variety separately
  • Often parcels of young vines are fermented separately from the fruit of older vines
  • Fermentation (and simultaneous Maceration): runs an average of 7- 15 days but can last up to 20
  • MLF is standard
  • Traditionally, Wines are aged in concrete, stainless steel or large wooden barrels
71
Q

Rose Wine Production- Rhone Valley

A

Rose wines are only made in the Southern Rhone; they are main,y made from Grenache and Cinsault

Primary Method Of Production is “saignee” if bleeding method:

  • After desteming and crushing, the slurry Of skins, pulp, seeds and juice is tanked
  • Maceration avg 8- 24 hrs, then the liquid is pulled off of the solids (bleeding)
  • Pink juice is fermented as if it were a white wine (no skin contact)
  • MLF is avoided
72
Q

What equates to inconsistent weather and vintage variability of the Northern Rhone?

A

It’s continental climate. This being said it is more consistent than its northern neighbours of Beaujolais and Burgundy

73
Q

What helps with consistency of weather from year to year in the Southern Rhone?

A

The Mediterranean climate

74
Q

Northern Rhone

A
  • Begins 20 miles/ 32 km south of Lyon
  • Stretches for 45 miles/ 72 kms between Vienne and Valence
  • 8,100 acres/ 3,240 ha of vineyards
  • 5% of the total production within Les Cotes Du Rhone
  • 4% of the total production within the Rhone Valley
  • Continental Climate: significant variation between diurnal ranges
75
Q

Spring in Northern Rhone?

A
  • Variable
  • Wet with fog and frost can be sunny and dry
  • Because of the frost ideal vineyards are south facing
76
Q

Summer in the Northern Rhone?

A
  • Hot and sunny
  • 2,100 hours of sunshine per year (versus 2,709 hours in the Sthern Rhone)
  • 27-35 inches/ 690- 890 mm of rainfall
77
Q

Autumn in the Northern Rhone?

A
  • Dry and windy with danger of hail
78
Q

Spring in the Northern Rhone?

A
  • Cold with light snow falls
79
Q

Topography- Northern Rhone

A
  • Vineyards flank the Rhone River
  • The slopes of the Northern Rhone are steep: some possess gradients of 60 degrees
  • The Romans excavated the slopes and built terraces in order to stop slope wash in order to make the vineyards a little easier to work
80
Q

Soils- Northern Rhone

A
  • Mostly Granite Sub- Soils with a topsoil Of decomposed crystalline mica- Schist and granitic soils
  • There are pockets of calcareous soils mixed with galets and patches of shingle- clay
  • Some vineyards are pure sand or pure clay
81
Q

Northern Rhone Grapes and Wine Styles

A
  • Primarily Dry reds made from Syrah (possible addition of white Viognier, Marsanne and/ or Rousanne
  • White Wines Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne; most of the wine is still and dry
  • Some late- harvest (sometimes botrytised) dessert wine is made from Viognier
  • Some Sweet Vin Paille is made from Marsanne and Rousanne
82
Q

Syrah- Northern Rhone

A
  • Early ripening
  • Densely pigmented
  • Tannic
  • Moderate in alcohol
  • Moderate in acidity

The Wines can express leather, gang notes due to Syrah’s reductive nature. The only red grape in the Northern Rhone

83
Q

Viognier- Northern Rhone

A
  • Vigourous and hardy
  • Thrives in poor, dry, stony soils
  • Early- ripener
  • Aromatic
  • High in alcohol
  • Moderate in acidity

Look for aromas of peach, apricot, honey, musk, violets and white flowers

84
Q

Marsanne- Rhone Valley

A
  • Vigourous and hardy
  • Generous producer
  • Early- ripener
  • Prefers warm, stony, infertile sites
  • High in alcohol
  • High in extract
  • Moderately low in acidity

Look for aromas of Melon and flowers that transition into hazelnut

85
Q

Rousanne- Northern Rhone

A
  • Moderately vigourous; mid- ripener
  • Prefers warm, stony, well drained soils, arid hillsides, silt- Limestone soils
  • High alcohol; moderately high acidity

Look for aromas of honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia and white peach

86
Q

What are the 8 Crus of the Northern Rhone?

A 
Cote Rotie
Condrieu
Chateau- Grillet
Saint- Joseph
Crozes- Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas
Saint- Percy

Min. Alc for whites: 10- 11%
Min. alc for reds: 10-10.5%

87
Q

Cote Rotie

A
  • Right bank, on steep slopes, southeast facing
  • 100% Red with up to 20% Viognier
  • No white wine is produced
88
Q

Condrieu

A
  • Right back, 100% white, Viognier

- 90- 95% is dry, but sweet Condrieu is also allowed

89
Q

Chateau- Grillet: Northern Rhone

A
  • Right bank; steep terraces constructed by the Romans

- 100% white, Viognier only

90
Q

Saint- Joseph: Northern Rhone

A
  • Right bank of the Rhone
  • Reds: Syrah with up to 10% Marsanne and/ Rousanne
  • Whites: Marsanne and Rousanne
  • Majority Of Production is red: some white
91
Q

Crozes- Hermitage: Northern Rhone

A
  • The Largest Of The Northern Cru
  • Left bank with varied soils
  • Reds: up to 15% Marsanne and/ or Rousanne
  • Whites, Marsanne/ Rousanne blends
  • Majority Of Production is red; some white
92
Q

Hermitage or Ermitage

A
  • Left bank of the river; steep south- facing granite slope
  • Reds; up to 15% Marsanne and/ or Rousanne. long lived
  • Whites; Marsanne/ Rousanne blends. along lived
  • Majority Red; some white
93
Q

Cornas

A
  • Right bank of the Rhone
  • Steep, south-facing terraced slope of granite
  • 100% Red, 100% Syrah
94
Q

Saint- Peray: Northern Rhone

A
  • Right bank; on the east- and southeast flanks of a deep valley
  • Still and Sparkling Rousanne and Marsanne, 100% white
  • Sparkling : produced here since 1825
95
Q

Viticulture in Northern Rhone?

A
  • Unterraced vineyards: each year the vigneron carts topsoil back up the slope to the top again
  • Echalas (wooden sticks): two sticks, two vines, in teepee- like growing structure
  • Manual harvesting due to steep slopes
96
Q

Dois- Location

A
  • 25 miles/ 40 kms southeast of Cornas; the southwestern edge of the pre alpine region known as Massif Du Vercors
  • Considered a part of the Northern Rhone but NOT included in Les Cotes Du Rhone
97
Q

Dois- Climate

A
  • Continental Climate with alpine influences

- High elevation translates into cooler temperatures

98
Q

Dois- Typography

A
  • One Of France’s Highest Wine regions

- Vineyards at altitudes of up to 2,700 ft/ 810 m

99
Q

Dois- Soils

A
  • Mainly Limestone and Clay
100
Q

Dois- The Grapes

A
  • Clairette
  • Muscat a Petit Grains
  • Chardonnay
  • Aligote
  • Gamay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Syrah
101
Q

Dois- Wine Styles

A
  • Majority Of The Wines produced in the Dois are white sparkling wines made in the ancestral or traditional method
  • Some still Whites, roses and reds
102
Q

Southern Rhone Location

A
  • As you enter the Southern Rhone: orchards and stretches of rich farmland
  • Then the land flattens: lavender, sunflowers, olive groves, cypress and parched earth
  • Extends from Montelimar to Nimes
  • The vineyards of the Côte Du Rhone stop at Avignon, meaning there are vineyards inside the Côte Du Rhone and outside in the Southern Rhone
103
Q

Southern Rhone- Climate

A

Mediterranean- Arid, sunny climate few things grow well; the soil is so rocky and infertile. But the vine thrives

  • Spring: Mostly Dry partly cloudy skies. Little instance of frost
  • Summer: Very Hot, sunny and arid cool nights. 2,700 hours of sunshine a year
  • Autumn: Warm, sunny, dry and windy
  • Winter: Cool and rainy; snow only in the mountains. Precipitation (27 inches/ 70 cm) falls during this season. Deep freezes are rare
104
Q

Southern Rhone- Typography

A
  • Rolling Hills, rocky plains and jagged mountain peaks
  • Ice Age: massive glacier passed through Sthrn Rhone carving a broad river basin, fracturing rocks. Flowing glacial melt- water eroded and smoothed the rocks and reduced their size to the still formidably large galets
  • Mountain Ranges help to cool the vineyards- Mount Ventoux, Mount Liberian and the Dentelles flank the eastern horizon. The Alpilles, near Avignon, flank the Southern Horizon
105
Q

How many primary soil types are in the Southern Rhone?

106
Q

Galets or Rounded River stones- Southern Rhone

A

Give rise to dense, layered, powerful wines

107
Q

Shingle Clay- Southern Rhone

A

Delivers powerful, tannic, age- worthy Wines

108
Q

Stony Clay Limestone- Southern Rhone

A

Crafts long- lived Wines with good acidity and sleek, polished tannins

109
Q

Loess and Molasse- Southern Rhone

A

Craft bright whites, roses and simple reds that are fruit- forward

110
Q

Red Sandstone- Southern Rhone

A

Gives rise to Wines that are full of black fruit, spice and leather

111
Q

Southern Rhone Wine Styles- Introduction

A
  • Blended products
  • 27 grape varieties; 31 planted in the entire Rhone Valley
  • In the Les Cote Du Rhone Region, 24 Grape are permitted
  • But only 21 of the 24 are permitted to be incorporated in regional Cotes Du Rhone AOC Wines
112
Q

Southern Rhone- White Wine Styles

A
  • Dry white

- Sweet Fortified Whites Known as Vin Doux Naturels in French

113
Q

Southern Rhone- Red Wine Styles

A
  • Dry Red

- Sweet Fortified Reds (Vin Doux Naturel)

114
Q

What style of wine are the Wines of the Southern Rhone?

A

Mainly blended wines, where each variety has a part to play

115
Q

Grenache Blanc- Southern Rhone

A
  • Vigourous Variety with average ripening Times
  • Prodcues fairly full- bodied white Wines with low acidity and good extract
  • Displays green apple and pear flavours and white flower aromatics
116
Q

Clairette- Southern Rhone

A
  • Extremely vigorous, late- ripening
  • Prefers warm, rocky, dry sites
  • High in alcohol, low in acidity
  • Hints Of apricot, apple, peach, fennel and lime
117
Q

Viognier- Southern Rhone

A
  • Vigourous and hardy vine, ripens early
  • Can thrive in poor, dry, stony soils
  • Produces aromatic Wines that are high in alcohol and moderate in acidity
  • Peach, apricot, honey, musk and white flowers
118
Q

Bourboulenc- Southern Rhone

A
  • Vigourous, late- ripening Variety
  • Requires high temperatures to ripen its clusters
  • Produces Wines of moderate alcohol and high acidity
  • Aromas Of citrus and smoke
119
Q

Rousanne- Southern Rhone

A
  • Moderate in vigour: mid ripening
  • Prefers warm stony, well drained soils and hillsides (and/ or silt- Limestone soils)
  • Elegant and complex Wines with floral notes, high alcohol and moderately high acidity
  • Aromas Of honeysuckle, quince, apricot, acacia, and white peach
120
Q

Marsanne- Southern Rhone

A
  • Extremely vigourous and hardy vine
  • Generous producer and an early ripener
  • Produces powerful Wines with high alcohol, highextract and moderately low acidity
  • Taste Of Melon and flowers: transitions to hazelnut
121
Q

Piquepoul Blanc- Southern Rhone

A
  • Shy producer and vulnerable to fungus disease
  • Name means= lip stinger
  • Produces a Wines of high acidity
  • Flavours Of green apple and citrus
122
Q

Ugni Blanc- Southern Rhone

A
  • Known as Trebbiano in Italy
  • Late- budding, late maturing; vigorous and high yielding
  • Posses good acidity
  • Crafts delicate whites with hints of citrus and almond
123
Q

Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc- Southern Rhone

A
  • Pungnently aromatic grape

- Ripens with high sugar levels, high extract level and good acidity

124
Q

Picardin- Southern Rhone

A
  • Fairly neutral white grape with a musty aroma

- Moderate alcohol; moderate acidity

125
Q

Rolle- Southern Rhone

A
  • Also Known as Vermentino
  • Nervy Whites with floral, spice and citrus, or fat whites ripe apple, pear and apricot with a touch of sweet grass
  • Prefers coastal location
126
Q

Maccabeu- Southern Rhone

A
  • The vine is a generous producer, but prone to rot

- Produces moderately acidic wines with notes of wildflower and bitter almond

127
Q

Pascal- Southern Rhone

A
  • Vigourous Provençal Variety

- Produces a low alcohol, neutral white

128
Q

Carignan- Southern Rhone

A
  • Produces an abundant crop
  • Late buffing, late ripener, drought and wind resistant
  • Prefers low vigour sites such as warm, dry hillsides
  • Produces well- Structured, tannic Wines with good acidity and colour
129
Q

Cinsault- Southern Rhone

A
  • Abundant crop
  • Drought- and- wind resistant; requires high temperatures to ripen its fruit
  • Moderate pigment , low acidity, supple tannins and red fruit aromas
  • Rose Wines
130
Q

Clairette Rose and Grenache Gris- Southern Rhone

A

Used in rose production

131
Q

Grenache Noir- Southern Rhone

A
  • Vigourous and productive; wind and drought- resistant
  • High alcohol, moderate in acid, pigment and tannin
  • Bright strawberry, wild cherry and prune fruit with a dash of licorice and spice
  • Prone to oxidation
132
Q

Mourvèdre- Southern Rhone

A
  • Late ripening requiring warmth and light
  • Thrives best near coast
  • Densely pigmented with high levels of alcohol, tannin and acidity
  • Complexes and intensifies with age
133
Q

Muscardin- Southern Rhone

A
  • Primarily used in red blends

- Contributes acidity and lift in the form of floral aromatics

134
Q

Picpoul Noir- Southern Rhone

A
  • Also spelled Picpoul

- Ancient grape; produces lightly pigmented, aromatic Wines with good alcohol levels

135
Q

Syrah- Southern Rhone

A
  • Densely pigmented, tannic wine with moderate alcohol and acidity
  • Raspberry, black currant, cherry and plum fruits with notes of pepper, sun dried tomatoes, herb and cocoa
  • Sometimes…..leathery, gamey, barnyard notes
136
Q

Terret Noir- Southern Rhone

A
  • Vigorous and productive
  • Buds late and produces high- acid fruit
  • Crafts tart Wines with bold aromatics
137
Q

Vaccarses- Southern Rhone

A
  • Also know as Camarese

- Crafts a wine similar to Syrah in its pepper and tannin components

138
Q

Southern Rhone Red Grapes (Not allowed in CDR)

A

Calitor

  • Only found in Tavel
  • Produces red wines of low alcohol and low pigment and is incorpated into rose blends

Muscat a Petit Grains Rouge

  • Occurs as a natural mutation of Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc in the Beaune De Venice area
  • Red- skinned with a musky aroma
139
Q

Viticulture in Southern Rhone

A
  • Most vines are trained in goblet fashion due to the mistral
  • New vines are trellised: better sun exposure, ease of pruning, elimination of humidity build up within the canopy, structural support against the mistral
  • Machine harvested or hand picked
  • Vines are spaced wider due to depleted soil and lack of water. Irrigation is not illegal if producers receive permission
140
Q

CDR Zone AOCs

A
  • Cotes Du Rhone AOC (171 Villages, Located North and South)
  • Cotes Du Rhone Villages AOC (95 Villages, South Only)
  • Cotes Du Rhone Villages- Named Villages (South Only, 17 Villages)
  • 17 Cru AOCs (8 in the north, 9 in the south including the 2 Vin Doux Naturels AOCs)
141
Q

Other Rhone Valley AOCs (they lie outside of the Rhone Valley AOCs)

A

Northern Rhone AOCs (The Diois):

  • 2 Sparkling; Clairette De Die and Cremant De Die
  • 2 still: Coteaux De Die and Chatillon en Dois

Southern Rhone AOCs

  • Cotes Du Vivariais
  • Crignan Les Adhemar
  • Duche d’Uzes
  • Ventoux
  • Luberon
  • Costieres De Nimes
  • Clairette De Bellegarde
142
Q

The Rhone Valley IGPs

A
  • Often use the sand grape varieities as the surrounding AOC vineyards
  • But they can incorporate other less renowned indigenous grapes or other non- local varieities
  • IGP Ardeche (deparmental IGP)
  • IGP Mediterranee (regional IGP)
  • IGP Principaute d’Orange (zonal IGP)
143
Q

Cotes Du Rhone AOC

A
  • The CDR is a regional appellation. Grapes can be sourced from anywhere in the designated Cotes Du Rhone region (171 Villages)
  • The CDR AOC spans both the Northern and Southern Sub- Regions But most of the Production is focused in the Southern Sub- Region
  • The blending formula, as mandated by law, refers to the percentage ps of grapes in the ground, not in the bottle
144
Q

Cotes Du Rhone Villages AOC

A
  • 95 villages that can produce CDRV; all of them in the Southern Rhone
  • Production standards are more stringent for CDRV than for regional CDR; yields are lower
  • And here, the blending formula refers to percentage of grapes in the bottle
  • Syrah and Grenache
  • Among the 95 Villages authorised to produce Cotes Du Rhone Villages, there are 17 Villages that they have been awarded their own AOC
  • Technically, they are allowed to put the name of the village on the label after the CDRV nomenclature
  • The mandated blends for red, white and rose CDRV- Named village are the same here as for CDRV
145
Q

Cru AOCs- Rhone Valley

A
  • Among the AOCs Of The Rhone are a select group of 17 referred to as Crus
  • There are 8 Crus Located in the Northern Rhone, 9 Crus in the Southern Rhone
  • Less than 25% of total Cru production hails from the north; the balance (just over 75% hails for the south
  • But North or South, the majority of the production is red
146
Q

Vins Doux Naturel (VDNs)

A
  • Included in the 17 Crus
  • Two Cru Villages (Rasteau, Beaune De Venise) craft Fortified sweet Wines in addition to Dry Red Wines
  • Vin Doux Naturels: at least 10% residual sugar and 15% alcohol
147
Q

What are the 9 Cru Of The Southern Rhone?

A
  • Vinsobres
  • Cairanne (most recent Cru)
  • Gigondas
  • Vacqueyras
  • Beaumes De Venise
  • Chateauneuf- Du- Pape
  • Lirac
  • Tavel
  • Rasteau
148
Q

What are the core red and white blends of the Southern Crus of The Rhone?

A

Red Blend:
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre

White blend:
Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Rousanne

149
Q

Lirac (Right Bank)- Southern Cru

A

Production: 80% Red, 8% rose, 7% white

Climate: Hot and arid, Mistral blows full forces

Whites: Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc

Roses: (saignee and direct press): Mostly Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre dark in colour

Reds: Same grapes as roses

150
Q

Tavel (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 100% rose

Grapes: Nine authorised grapes, but Wines are mostly Grenache

Soils: Sand, Limestone and galets

Vilification: Must be via saignee

151
Q

Vinsobres (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 100% Red

Elevation: Up to 1,200 feet/ 360m

Climate: Alpine influences preserve the Wines natural acidity

Reds: Min. 50% Grenache plus 25% Syrah and/ or Mourvèdre

Soils: Sands and clays with pockets of gravel and limestone

152
Q

Rasteau (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: Dry Red plus, white and rose VDN

Unique Mesoclimate: South- facing amphitheatre that traps sun and blocks the Mistral

Elevation: 1,050 ft/ 350 m

Soils: Marls, Red clay and sand with pockets of gravel

Reds: Predominately GSM blends

153
Q

Cairanne (Left bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 94% Red, 5% White (Rose is made but not given AOC status)

Soils: white clay, red clay and silt

Reds: min. 50% Grenache with 20% Syrah and/ or Mourvedre + 20% max. other approved grapes

Whites: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Rousanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier + 20% max. other approved grapes.

154
Q

Gigondas (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 99% Red, 1% Rose

Climate: Diurnal temperature swings

Soils: Marls, Limestone and sand

Vineyards: Up to 1,350 ft/ 405 m, Northwest and west facing

Red: predominately GSM blends

Roses: Mostly Grenache

155
Q

Vacqueyras (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 95% Red, 4% white, 1% rose

Climate: Significant diurnal temperature swings

Wines: Reds are fleshier and meatier than Gigondas

Reds: Predominately GSM blends

Roses: Grenache + Mourvedre and Cinsault

Whites: Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier

Soils: Sand and silt atop limestone, Sandstone and Marl

156
Q

Beaume De Venise (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Location: southeast side of the Dentelles

Production: Dry Red, Muscat VDN

Elevation: 300- 1,800 ft/ 90- 540m

Soils: Complex array of marls, limestones and clays

Climate: Mountain serves as a wind break

Grapes: Grenache/ Syrah dominant blend

Note: Beaumes-De-Venise is the red wine; Muscat De Beaumes- De- Venise is the VDN.

157
Q

Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 93% Red, 7% White

Largest and driest appellation

Soils: Limestone, Sandstone, shingle/clay and galets

Climate: Dry; exposed to the full force of the Mistral

Grapes; 13 grapes authorised

158
Q

What are the two Vin Doux Naturel Appellations Of The Rhone Valley?

A

Muscat De Beaumes De Venise (white, sweet)

Rasteau (red, roses, white; sweet)

159
Q

Muscat De Beaumes De Venise- Southern Rhone

A

Grapes: Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc only

Superior Acid- sugar balance

160
Q

Rasteau- Southern Rhone

A

Grapes: Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc (with up to 10% other CDR varieities)

Most of the VDN production is red

White VDNs; Blanc (reductive) or Ambre (oxidative Styles)

Red VDNs; grenat (reductive) or tuile (oxidative) styles

Hors d’ Age: 5 yrs of oxidative aging

Rancio; 12 months oxidative ageing in barrel or in bonbonnes

161
Q

Cotes Du Vivarais AOC (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 53% Red, 41% Rose and 6% white

Climate: cooler and wetter than the rest of the Southern Rhone

Soils: Shallow and predominately Limestone with pockets of gravel

Reds and roses: Mostly Grenache and Syrah

Whites: Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Marsanne

162
Q

Duches d’Uzes AOC (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 62% Red, 19% Rose, 19% White

Located: Northwest Of Nimes on the Right Bank Of The Rhone

Reds and Roses: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan

Whites: Clairette, Viognier and Marsanne

163
Q

Costieres De Nimes AOC (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

51% Red, 41% Rose, 7% White

Right Bank

Climate: Hot!!! Annual semi- drought. Cold air from Petit Camargue cools the nights; the Mistral impacts

Reds & Roses: Grenache- dominant with Syrah and Mourvèdre; Carignan, although part of the blend, is declining. Cinsault and Marselan are also allowed

Whites: Primarily Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Rousanne

164
Q

Clairette De Bellegarde (Right Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 100% white

Soil: “Gravel Desert” (Stones washed down from the Alps)

Climate: Dry and arid; impacted by the Mistral

Grapes: Clairette

165
Q

Crignan- Les- Adhemar (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 66% Red, 23% Rose, 11% White

Significant altitude (1,200 feet/ 360 m)

Soils: Mostly Limestone or Sandstone subsoils

Reds and Roses: Mostly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvèdre

Whites: Mostly Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier

166
Q

Ventoux (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

Production: 60% Red, 36% Rose, 4% White

Vineyards experience wide diurnal temperature changes

Largest production numbers of the 6 non- CDR AOCs

Reds and Roses: Mostly Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan

Whites: Mostly Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc

167
Q

Luberon (Left Bank)- Southern Rhone

A

53% Rose, 26% Red, 21% White

Climate: Mediterranean with strong continental influences; impacted by the Mistral and Tramontane winds

Sands, clays, Limestone scree

Reds and Roses: Mostly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault

Roses: May add up to 20% white grapes to the mix

Whites: Mostly Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc (plus Marsanne, Rousanne, Ugni Blanc)

French Wine Scholar (14 decks)

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