Rhone Valley Flashcards
Which quality region in France was first struck by phylloxera?
Southern Rhone in 1863.
When did Chateauneuf-du-Pape become AOC?
1936
Name the appellations of Northern Rhone from North to South.
- Cote-Rotie
- Condrieu
- Chateau Grillet
- St-Joseph
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Hermitage
- Cornas
- St-Peray
- Clairette de Die
- Chatillon-en-Diois
- Coteaux de Die
- Cremant de Die
What are the soils of Northern Rhone?
Granitic and schistous with fine sand and loess topsoil in the North. Moving South it becomes heavier with clay in Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Peray.
What is the topsoil in Condrieu called like?
“arzelle” - decomposed mica
What is the benefit of the Mistral wind?
Dries the vineyards preventing mold and mildew.
Which AOP is allowed to add 20% Viognier in the reds along with Syrah in Northern Rhone?
Cote-Rotie.
How much of Marsanne/Roussanne is alowed in Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage reds?
max 15% combined
How much of Marsanne/Roussanne is alowed in Saint-Joseph red?
max 10% combined
Name 5 climats of Hermitage.
L'Ermite Le Meal Les Bessards Greffieux Beaume Peleat
What is the size of a demi-muid?
600 liters
Which appellation is sheltered from the Mistral in Northern Rhone?
Cornas
How are the naked granite soils of Cornas called?
“Gore”
Name 4 lieu-dits in Cornas
Any 4 of:
Reynard
Chaillot
La Côte
Les Mazards
Thézier
Le Pigeonnier
La Ge(y)nale
Cayret
Sauman
Champelrose
Les Saveaux-Nord/Sud
Les Côtes
Patou
Where is Saint-Peray AOP? Which wines does it produce?
white - Marsanne and Roussanne
sparkling traditional method - Marsanne and Roussanne.
Where is Coteaux de Die AOP? What style of wine does it produce?
Northern Rhone. White from 100% Clairette.
What are the grapes in Cremant de Die AOP?
min 55% Clairette + min 10% Aligote + 5-10% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
What is the grape in Clairette de Die AOP?
- 100% Clairette if traditional method; max 15gr/liter RS
- min 75% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grain if Dioise ancestral method + Clairette; min 35gr/liter RS
Where is Chatillon-en-Diois? Grapes and styles?
Northern Rhone
white - Chardonnay + Aligote
rose - Gamay + Pinot Noir +Syrah
red - Gamay + Pinot Noir + Syrah
How much of the total Rhone Valley wine production does the Southern Rhone account for?
95%
What is the most planted grape in Southern Rhone?
Grenache
What is the climate of Southern Rhone?
Mediterranean with the Mistral blowing fiercely across the flat southern valley. Summers are hot with mild winters and heavy autumnal rains.
What is the soil of Southern Rhone?
Alluvial sand, gravel and clay with limestone subsoil
How are the pudding stones of Southern Rhone called? What is their impact on the grape growing?
Gallets. Made of quartzite, they store the heat during the day and release it at night warming the vines.
What does the term “le rape” refer to in Southern Rhone?
Discarding of at least 2% of the harvested grapes in order to safeguard against under ripeness.
Which producer was the first one to release the first estate-bottled wine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Chateau La Nerthe in 1785.
Name all the grapes of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Grenache (Noir/Blanc/Gris) Mourvedre Syrah Cinsault Cuounoise Picpoul (Noir/Blanc/Gris) Terret Noir Bourboulenc Clairette/Clairette Rose Roussanne Vaccarese Picardan Muscardin
How many communes can append their names to Cotes du Rhone-Villages AOP? Name 5.
22
Red and Rose only
1. Chusclan
Red Only
- Gadagne
- Massif d’Uchaux
- Nyons
- Plan de Dieu
- Puymeras
- Saint-Andéol
- Sainte-Cecile
- Signargues
- Suze-la-Rousse
- Vaison-la-Romaine
Red, Rose and White
- Laudun
- Roaix
- Rochegude
- Rousset-les-Vignes
- Sablet
- Saint-Gervais
- Saint-Maurice
- Saint-Pantaleon-les-Vignes
- Seguret
- Valreas
- Visan
Which 3 new villages can append their names to Cotes du Rhone Villages AOP with the 2016 harvest onwards?
Sainte-Cecile
Suze-la-Rousse
Vaison la Romaine
Which village from Cotes du Rhone Villages was promoted to AOP in 2016?
Cairanne.
When did Gigondas become an AOP? Which styles of wine does it produce?
- Similar with CDP in style offering great value.
Red and rose with min 50% Grenache + min 15% Syrah and Mourvedre.