Rhône Valley

Question 1

Northern Rhone appellations

Can
Conny 
See
Clearly
Her
Cankles?

Answer 1

Côte Rôtie - Syrah, maximum 20% viognier

Condrieu - 100% viognier

Saint-Joseph - Syrah with <10% rousanne and Marsanne, white wines rousanne and marsanne

Crozes-Hermitage - same as Saint Joseph but 15%

Hermitage - same as saint Joseph, but 15%

Cornas - 100% Syrah

Question 2

4 Southern Rhone
Single-Village AOP’s

Great
Views
Cause
Tears

Answer 2

Gigondas - Grenache-based

Vacqueyras - local whites, grenache-based reds

Châteauneuf-de-Pape - local whites, 14 grapes for the reds

Tavel - Grenache-based Rosés

Question 3

North/South Rhone Comparison

Soil
grapes
viticulture
vinification

Answer 3

Soil
N - Granite and Schist
S- Alluvial clays and Galets (river stones) 
Grapes
N-Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne
S- Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Rousanne
viticulture
N - stakes on steep slopes
S- vine-training on valley floor
vinification
N - single-variety or dominant varietals
S - blends

Question 4

Southern Rhone: Vin Doux Naturel + Vin Doux Liquor

Answer 4

vin doux naturel/ a sweet fortified wine/ found in: Rasteau AOP (grenache blanc, gris, noir)/Muscat: muscat Beaumes de Venise AOP/ Muscat tends to be fresher/RASTEAU- may be oxidized in character : Rancio/ Wines Retain Sugar through Mutage: neutral grain spirit is added to arrest fermentation// VDL-wine is fortified pior to fermentation