Rhone Valley and Southern France Flashcards
where and when was the first AOP (now AOC) in France?
1936 in Chateauneuf du Pape
What type of climate is Northern Rhone?
Continental
Describe the effects of Mistral Winds
cold and dry, a defining climatic element of S. Rhone and Provence, blows down from the Massif Central affects N. Rhone in winter adn spring. This drying wind dries the vineyard preventing mold and mildew
What soil type defines the North? Why is it important?
granitic and schistous soils retain heat extremely well.
What are the 5 Syrah AOP for syrah in N. Rhone?
Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Cote-Rotie, Saint-Joseph
What N. Rhone AOP bottles 100% syrah?
Cornas
Describe Cote Rotie and the two slopes
Rotie is the northernmost AOP and home to the steepest vineyards. “Roasted Slope”
Cote Brune are stronger and more assertive while Cote Blonde yields softer, alluring wines.
What are the 4 major producers who dominate Hermitage?
Jean-Louis Chave, Delas, M. Chapoutier, Jaboulet.
Where are the warmest vineyards in N. Rhone?
Cornas - naked granite soil and lack of the mistral wind
Who are the most influential producers in Cornas?
Auguste Clape, Thierry Allemand, Noel Verset, Robert Michel, Raymond Trollat, Gentaz-Dervieux
What AOP’s only produces white wine in N. Rhone?
Saint-Peray (Marsanne and Roussanne) - can be made in methode traditionelle mousseux
Condrieu - Viognier (very rare) - Ch. Grillet
What is the most planted grape in S. Rhone? next most prevalent?
Grenache - offering richness of body, sweet fruit, and warmth.
Mourvedre & Syrah: add structure and depth of color
Cinsault: finesse and freshness
Carignan
Describe the S. Rhone Climate
Mediterranean - Mistral wind blows fiercely across the flat valley.
Garrigue scrubland
hot summers with cold nights and heavy autumn rain.
What soil depicts Chateauneuf du Pape
deposited pudding stones called “galets” made of quartzite and smoothed by river, they store heat and slowly release it over night
CDP two opposite major producers?
Rayas is almost always 100% Grenache while Beaucastel is dominated by Mourvedre
Who released the first CDP and when?
Ch. La Nerthe in 1785
What is traditional CDP style?
use of old oak foudres for extended aging, each producer is indicative of their style.
Describe Gigondas AOP
southern rhone, red alluvial clay soil, Reds and rose wines. Most often are 50% grenache with some syrah and mourvedre.
Describe Vin Doux Naturel
a sweet fortified wine, Pure grape spirit is added to arrest fermentation in a proportion of 5-10%.
What old practice is used in N. Rhone winemaking - how does it affect the wine?
Including stems - imbuing its aroma nd flavor with notes of sandalwood, spice, and a briary character. - increases tannin and grip.
What is the story behind Cote Brune and Cote Blonde?
named after the daughters of, one blonde and one brunette, of a feudal lord.
Top Vineyards in Cote Rotie?
La Landonne, La Chatillone, La Garde, La Chaveliere, La Turque
What two AOP allow for white cofermenting/blending in red wines?
Cote Rotie and Hermitage
What Varietal and style is Ch. Grillet
Viognier
Varietals of Cote Rotie?
Red - syrah
white - viognier
varietals of Condrieu
white - viognier
Muscat De Beaumes - De- Venise varietal/style?
VDN - three colors of Grenache
Top Producers of St. Joseph
M. Chapoutier, J.L Chave, Yves Cuilleron, Alain Graillot, Andre Perret
Most influential hermit story of Hermitage?
a medieval crusader, Gaspard de Sterimberg, who after being wounded in war, was grandted, by Queen blanche de Castille, the right to establish a sanctuary on top of the hill. La Chapelle, the top wine of Jaboulet Aine is named after this.
Top Producers of Hermitage?
E. Guigal, J.L. Chave, Marc Sorrel, M. Chapoutier, Paul Jaboulet Aine
Top Producers in Croze-hermitage
Graillot, Albert Belle, M. Chapoutier, Dom. Combier
Gigondas Varietals and styles
Red and Rose
grenache, syrah, mourvedre, cinsault - no white
Vacqueyras varietals
red: grenache, syrah, mourvedre, cinsault
white: grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc
rose
Rasteau varietals
red: grenache, syrah, mourvedre
Tavel varietals
Rose: grenache, syrah, mourvedre, cinsault, clairette, bourboulenc
What vinification practice is rarely ever used in S. Rhone?
there is an absence of oak. Grenache is known for easily oxidized so mostly fermented in stainless steel tanks.
Top CDP white producers
Ch. Beaucastel Vielles Vignes
Telegraphe blanc
Top CDP Red producers
Ch. de Beaucastel, Ch. La Nerthe, Dom. Vieux Telegraphe
top wines of Vacqueyras
Dom. Le Sang des Caillou
Top wines of Gigondas
Ch. St Cosme, Dom. Les pallieres
Producer of Tavel
Prieure de montezargues
Cotes de Provence AOP rules?
roses must be blended from at least 2 varietals, still rose must be 100% red grap varietals
What are the red grapes of Bandol?
minimum 50% Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsault and sometimes carignan.
Indigenous grapes to Corsica?
Nielluccio, Sciacarello, and Vermintino
France’s oldest purposefully made sparkling?
Mauzac w/ Blanquette de Limoux
what is Rivesaltes AOP known for?
vin doux natural - the birthplace
Banyuls Grand Cru rules?
75% Grenache Noir and age in barrel for 30 months - richest, most full bodied VDN
Syrah wines in Cote Rotie may be cofermented with what grape?
Viognier
CDP AOP is east or west of the Rhone river?
East
E. Guigal produces 3 La La wines –>
La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque
What year was CDP granted AOC
1936
Southernmost AOP of N.Rhone
St-Peray
what is Rasteau Hors d’Age
90% Grenache-Noir, Gris, or Blanc, aged 5 years after harvest
