Rhone Valley

Question 1

Where are the vineyards of the N Rhone planted

Answer 1

On steep south facing slopes

Question 2

What protects the vineyards of the N Rhone from the harsh north winds. What are these winds called. How are the vines supported

Answer 2

The steep valleys. Mistrals

By a single stake or tee pee like arrangement

Question 3

What is the climate of N Rhone

Answer 3

Moderate continental and cooler than S Rhone

Question 4

What are the principle grapes of N Rhone

Answer 4

Syrah and Viognier

Question 5

What is the profile of typical N Rhone red

Answer 5

Powerful deeply colored with med to high tannin, black fruit, black pepper and sometimes floral aromas

Question 6

Comment on the use of oak in N Rhone

Answer 6

Depends on winemaker. Some use high proportion of new oak others prefer large format old oak

Question 7

What does the addition of white grapes do for N Rhone reds

Answer 7

stabliizes the color and adds an aromatic intensity

Question 8

What kind of wines does Viognier make

Answer 8

Full bodied whites, with aromas of flowers, apricots and stone fruit. Low acid and high alcohol

Question 9

What other white grapes are allowed in N Rhone. What are their characteristics and what flavors develop when a blend of them is aged

Answer 9

Marsanne has richness and weight
Roussanne has acidity and perfumed fruit.
When blended and aged they develop hazelnut aromas

Question 10

Theoretically a wine not produced by any of the crus of N Rhone could be bottled. What would it be labelled as

Answer 10

Cote de Rhone

Question 11

What is the main town of Cote Rotie and where is it in the valley

Answer 11

Ampuis a the northern end

Question 12

In theory how much Viognier can be added to Cote Rotie

Answer 12

20%

Question 13

Describe Cote Rotie and what distinguishes it from Hermitage

Answer 13

deeply colored, full bodied, spicy with an aromatic floral freshness and elegance that distinguish them from Hermitage

Question 14

Where does the best Viognier come from in N Rhone. What is the name of the single property appellation there

Answer 14

Condrieu from old vines planted on steep slopes with terraced vineyards.
Chateau Grillet ( within Condrieu )

Question 15

Where is St Joseph

Answer 15

West bank of the Rhone from Condrieu to Tournon in the south

Question 16

Where do the best wines of St Joseph come from

Answer 16

The terraced vineyards near Tournon ( south of Condrieu also good )

Question 17

Where are higher volume lesser quality wines made in St Joseph. What aspect of syrah do these wines exhibit

Answer 17

on the flatter more fertile valley floor and on the plateau above the slopes. Pepper perfumed aspects

Question 18

What is the main town of Hermitage

Answer 18

Tain l’Hermitage

Question 19

What is Hermitage subdivided into …are these part of the appellation system

Answer 19

Lieux-Dits. No

Question 20

How much of which wines can be blended with Hermitage

Answer 20

15 % of Marsanne and Roussanne

Question 21

How does Hermitage compare in profile to the other crus of the N Rhone

Answer 21

It is the most full bodied

Question 22

Describe the region of Crozes Hermitage and the wines made there

Answer 22

Wines from the hilly region to the North of Hermitage are more complex, tannic and concentrated. Those from the flatter plains to the south are lighter

Question 23

Where is Cornas and what kind of wine does it make

Answer 23

Furthest south, hottest, full sun south facing slopes. Wines must be 100% syrah. Deeply colored, full bodied and in a style similar to Hermitage

Question 24

What is the climate of S Rhone. What problems do growers face

Answer 24

Mediterranean. Mild winters and warm dry summers. Summer drought and the N winds known as Mistrals can be problems

Question 25

Why are Mistrals more of an issue in S Rhone than the North

Answer 25

The South is less hilly so there is less to protect the vineyards from the winds

Question 26

Describe the soils of S Rhone

Answer 26

Stony soil covered with large stones called Galets.

Question 27

What are 2 major black grapes planted in S Rhone and how are they trained

Answer 27

Grenache - bush trained low to the ground to benefit from the heat radiated from the soil. Syrah - is trained on trellising systems as it is more easily damaged by the wind

Question 28

In what fundamental way do wines from the South differ from the North

Answer 28

In the North wines may be a blend of two or three grapes but more likely single varietal. In the South a wine may be a blend of a dozen or more grapes

Question 29

What are the dominant black grapes of S Rhone and what do they contribute to blends

Answer 29

Grenache - most widely planted. Spicy red fruit flavors but in hot years the fruit can become jammy Syrah - provides color and tannin but can struggle in teh hottest sites Mourvedre - thrives in hot climate. Adds color, tannin and dense black fruit. Also gamey and meaty aromas. Cinsault. Adds fresh red fruit rather than color and tannin. Most commonly seen with Grenache in Rose blends

Question 30

As well as the grape varietals what makes it difficult to describe a typical S Rhone red

Answer 30

Differing wine making styles

Question 31

What common problem do S Rhone winemakers have to overcome and what techniques do they call on

Answer 31

Tannin and high alcohol. Cold pre fermentation maceration and storage in SS - warm extractive fermentation in open top fermenters and maturation in large old oak vessels

Question 32

In terms of blending what will a S Rhone winemaker do to give himself the best chance of achieving a balanced wine

Answer 32

Blend wines fermented by different techniques

Question 33

How is the use of new oak viewed in S Rhone

Answer 33

Many believe it overwhelms grenache

Question 34

How do the reds of S Rhone vary in style

Answer 34

Fresh fruity low to med bodied with low tannin to highly tannic full bodied wines with flavors of spice meat and earth

Question 35

What are 6 white grapes grown in S Rhone

Answer 35

Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc

Question 36

What is the typical profile of S Rhone white

Answer 36

Full bodied, high alcohol, low to med acid with subtle fruity aromas. New oak is rare

Question 37

What is the appellation hierarchy in S Rhone

Answer 37

regional - village - cru

Question 38

What is the regional appellation for S Rhone and what style of wine is predominant. What % of S Rhone wine is produced under this appellation

Answer 38

Cote de Rhone. 50% of S Rhone production. Med bodied fruity but simple reds.

Question 39

What is the village level appellation called in S Rhone and what are the more stringent requirements to achieve it

Answer 39

Cote de Rhone Village. Higher min ABV, maximin yields are specified, greater proportion of GSM used in blends

Question 40

When can a village append its name to the village appellation on a label. Give an example

Answer 40

When it has met the stipulations on min ABV, Yields and blend proportions plus all the grapes must come from that village. Cote de Rhone Village Cairanne

Question 41

How are Village wines of the S Rhone different from the generic regional wines

Answer 41

More full bodied, structured and spiced red fruit flavors

Question 42

Where is CDP. Why does it have a place in French wine history

Answer 42

On the eastern bank of the Rhone. Largest of the crus. Was the first to have Appellation Controlee status

Question 43

Why are the reds from CDP so varied

Answer 43

CDP is a large appellation and though largely flat it has small differences in aspect which can affect how Syrah and Mourvedre perform. There are many soil types and up to 13 different grapes that can be used in a blend

Question 44

What grape dominates CDP reds. What is the profile of the best CDP

Answer 44

Grenache. full bodied, richly textured, concentrated spiced red fruit that balance characteristic high alcohol. If Mourvedre is used the wines may have a gamey, meaty quality.

Question 45

What are the only 2 S Rhone crus that are on the West bank of the Rhone. What wine are they known for and from what grapes

Answer 45

Tavel and Lirac are known for Rose made from Cinsault and Grenache.

Question 46

How do the Roses of Tavel and Lirac compare with Provence Rose

Answer 46

They are more full bodied, intensely flavored and capable of aging in the bottle

Question 47

What wines are permitted in Tavel and Lirac

Answer 47

Tavel may make only Rose | Lirac may make Rose, Reds and whites

Question 48

Apart from CDP, Tavel and Lirac what are 3 other crus of S Rhone. Discuss the wines made there

Answer 48

Vacqueyras annd Gigondas make grenache based reds in a similar full bodied spicy style to CDP Beaumes de Venise produces fortified Muscats. Muscat de Beaumes de Venise