Rhône Valley

Question 1

What are galets?

Answer 1

“Pudding stones”

• Made of quartzite and smoothed over by the river
• These stones store heat and release it at night to warm the vines

Question 2

The ______ is the regular, strong winds from the northwest (Rhône Valley).

Answer 2

Mistral

Question 3

Where would you find Mont Ventoux?

Answer 3

Rhône

Question 4

This famous producers is known for often releasing a 100% Grenche Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 4

Château Rayas

Question 5

This producer is famously known for producing a Châteauneuf-du-Pape of a blend of every authorized variety.

Answer 5

Château Beaucastel

Question 6

This château produced the first estate-bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1785.

Answer 6

Château La Nerthe

Question 7

True / False: Chaptalization is legal in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

Which appellation(s) of the Southern Rhône permit(s) Rolle (Vermentino)?

Answer 8

Luberon, Ventoux, Costières de Nîmes, Duché d’Uzès

Question 9

What is gress?

Answer 9

A local name for the alluvial rounded pebbles mixed with sand in Costières de Nîmes.

Question 10

Vacqueyras produces white wines from what grapes?

Answer 10

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

• No grape may exceed 80%
• New oak is rarely used

Question 11

Vacqueyras rouge wines are based on what grapes?

Answer 11

Grenache (min 50%)

min 20% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre

Question 12

Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel Blanc is based on what grapes?

Answer 12

Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris

Question 13

River Ouvèze flows through (on the west side) which appellation of Southern Rhône?

Answer 13

Gigondas

Question 14

Wines of Vacqueyras or Gigondas tend to be hardier and more rustic?

Answer 14

Vacqueyras

Question 15

Châteauneuf-du-Pape:
A minimum ______% of the harvested grapes must be used for table wine or discarded, serving as a safeguard against under ripeness.

Answer 15

2%

Question 16

Grapes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Answer 16

Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarèse, Muscardin, Picpoul Noir, Terret Noir, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Picardin, Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Gris, Picpoul Blanc

Question 17

What Château often releases their Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a 100% varietal Grenache?

Answer 17

Château Rayas

Question 18

In 1785, what Château released the first estate-bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 18

Château la Nerthe

Question 19

Place these villages north to south:

Orange, Avignon, Arles, Montélimar, Carpentras, Nîmes

Answer 19

Montélimar, Orange, Carpentras, Avignon, Nîmes, Arles

Question 20

How does the elevation of Ventoux affect its climate and wines?

Answer 20

• The higher elevations and much cooler nights extend the growing season
• The west-facing slopes of the amphitheatre has a cool night air that sweeps down from the mountain
• Serious, long-lived wines of all three colors

Question 21

Château Rayas:

What is special about the vineyards?

Answer 21

The vineyards hardly have any galets, instead they have a high proportion of sand in the best plot, and clay with chipped stones elsewhere

*Situated on the plateau behind Château de Vaudieu

Question 22

La Chapelle and Chante Alouette are located within this Hermitage Lieu-Dit.

Answer 22

l’Hermite

• La Chapelle: Syrah and mostly granitic soils
• Chante Alouette: Marsanne and loess soil with a layer of clay and limestone