Rhone Valley Flashcards

1
Q

Condrieu - wine styles and grape varieties?

A
  • White only (dry)

- 100% Viognier

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2
Q

Southern Rhone summers are __________ and moderated by significant __________ temperature swings.

A

Hot; diurnal

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3
Q

In contrast to the Northern Rhone, where are many vineyards planted in the Southern Rhone?

A

Flat Valley Floor

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4
Q

Where is the Southern Rhone Valley located?

A

30 miles south of the Northern Rhone Valley

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5
Q

Vacqueyras - wine styles and grape varieties?

A

WHITE
- Blend of local varieties
RED
- Grenach-based blends

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6
Q

Where does the Rhone River originate?

A

Switzerland

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7
Q

Where is the Rhone Valley located?

A

Southeastern France

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8
Q

List the appellations of the Northern Rhone.

A
  1. Cote-Rotie
  2. Condrieu
  3. Saint-Joseph
  4. Crozes-Hermitage
  5. Hermitage
  6. Cornas
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9
Q

What is unique about the fermentation in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A

Co-fermentation or blending of small percentages of white grapes with Syrah

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10
Q

Which river moderates the climate in the Northern Rhone and what is its impact?

A
  • Rhone River

- Warms the slopes and reflects sunlight up to the vines

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11
Q

Hermitage - wine styles and grape varieties?

A
  • Red and White (dry)
  • Red: Syrah with max 15% Roussanne and Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne and Marsanne
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12
Q

List the Southern Rhone appellations. (4)

A
  1. Tavel
  2. Chateauneuf-du-Pape
  3. Gigondas
  4. Vacuqueyras
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13
Q

Souther Rhone Valley - important wind and what does it do?

A

Mistral; cools the area

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14
Q

Where does the Rhone Valley start and end?

A

Starts in Vienne; ends in the Mediterranean

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15
Q

Saint-Joseph - wine styles and grape varieties

A
  • Red and White (dry)
  • Red: Syrah with max 10% Roussanne and Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne and Marsanne
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16
Q

Southern Rhone Valley - viticulture - what type of vine training?

A

Bush (Gobelet)

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17
Q

Crozes-Hermitage - wine styles and grape varieties?

A
  • Red and White (dry)
  • Red: Syrah with max 15% Roussanne and Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne and Marsanne
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18
Q

Northern Rhone - climate?

A

Continental

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19
Q

Southern Rhone Valley - what is associated with the topography?

A
  • Flatter plains
  • Scrubland
  • Broader Lowlands
  • Descending toward Mediterranean Sea
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20
Q

<p>Where does the Northern Rhone Valley start and end?</p>

A

<p>- Begins 15mi south of Lyon </p>

<p>- Extends 50 miles </p>

<p>- Bookended by Vienne (north) and Valence (south) </p>

21
Q

Are white wines typically fermented and aged in oak in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A

Yes

22
Q

Name the winds associated with the Rhone Valley.

A

Mistral winds

23
Q

What type of vessel is used for fermentation and agining in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A

Large oak foudres

24
Q

Northern Rhone Valley - grape varieties?

A
WHITE
1. Viognier
2. Marsanne
3. Roussanne
RED
4. Syrah
25
Q

Cornas - wine styles and grape varieties?

A
  • Red only (dry)

- 100% Syrah

26
Q

Tavel - wine styles and grape varieties?

A

ROSE ONLY

- Grenache-based

27
Q

Northern Rhone Valley - topography/aspect?

A

Steep hillside vineyards

28
Q

Southern Rhone Valley - climate?

A

Mediterranean

29
Q

Does the Northern Rhone Valley produce predominantly single-variety wines or blends?

A

Single-variety; fewer blends than mosst French regions

30
Q

Northern Rhone Valley - viticultural characteristics?

A
  • Vineyards planted on steep slopes overlooking river
  • Stakes used due to steep grade and Mistral winds
  • Work is perilous; Roman terraces still used
31
Q

Where do the Mistral winds come from?

A

Switzerland at the mouth of the river

32
Q

Define the Souther Rhone AOC Sytem.

A
  1. Cotes du Rhone
  2. Cotes du Rhone-Villages (geographic designations)
  3. Single Village AOC’s
33
Q

Southern Rhone Valley - soil?

A

Alluvial clays; GALETS (alluvial deposits and river rock stones)

34
Q

Chateaneuf-du-Pape - wine styles and grape varieties?

A

WHITE
- Blend of local varieties
RED
- Grenach-based blends (14 grape varieties authorized)

35
Q

How does co-fermentation impact a wine in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A
  • Increases aromatic complexity

- Lessens prominence of tannins

36
Q

How is oak used in the Southern Rhone?

A

Usually large oak casks rather than barriques

37
Q

How does the Rhone River impact the Southern Rhone Valley?

A

Moderates and cool temps in nearby vineyards

38
Q

Do many producers also ferment in stainless steel in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A

Yes

39
Q

Cote-Rotie - wine styles and grape varieties?

A
  • Red only (dry)

- Syrah with max 20% Viognier

40
Q

Do blends or single-variety wines predominate in the Southern Rhone?

A

Blends

41
Q

Souther Rhone Valley - grap varieties?

A
WHITE
1. Roussanne
2. Clairette
3. Grenache Blanc
RED
1. Grenache
2. Syrah
3. Mourvedre
42
Q

How much of production is red wine in the Southern Rhone Valley?

A

90%

43
Q

Describe the impact of mistral winds on the Northern Rhone Valley.

A
  • Pick up speed heading south into France and the Northern Rhone Valley
  • Slightly warms the area and dries the climate - helps prevent mildew and other molds
44
Q

Are red wines typically feremented and aged in oak in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A

Yes

45
Q

Northern Rhone Valley - soil?

A
  1. Granite

2. Schist

46
Q

What is important about chaptalization in the Southern Rhone?

A

Not allowed

47
Q

Gigondas - wine styles and grape varieties?

A

RED

- Grenache-based blends

48
Q

If fermenting in stainless steel, how is the wine aged in the Northern Rhone Valley?

A

Combination of new and used oak

49
Q

Which side of the Rhone River is the Northern Rhone Valley located?

A

<p>- Narrow band on both sides of Rhone River</p>