Rhone Valley and Southern France Flashcards
Where does the Rhone River start and end?
Switzerland to the French Mediterranean Coast
When was Avignon the home of the Pope?
1309-1378
What region used to blend Hermitage wines with their own in the 18th and 19th century?
Bordeaux
What region was first struck by Phylloxera and when?
Southern Rhone, possibly Lirac in 1863
What is the climate of Northern Rhone?
continental
How far away is Northern Rhone from Avignon?
75 miles
What is the name of the wind that affects the Rhone Valley?
Le Mistral
When does Le Mistral affect Northern Rhone?
winter and spring
What are the effects of Le Mistral in Northern Rhone?
dries the vineyards and prevents mold and mildew from taking hold
What are the soils define Northern Rhone?
Granite
Schist
What is the soil of Condrieu?
Arzelle (powdery, decomposed mica)
What are the 5 Syrah appellations of Northern Rhone?
Cote-Rotie Saint-Joseph Crozes-Hermitage Hermitage Cornas
Which northern rhone appellation only allows 100% Syrah?
Cornas
What grape may be co-fermented with Syrah in Cote-Rotie?
max 20% Viognier
How much Marsanne/Roussanne may be co-fermented with Syrah in Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage?
max 15%
How much Marsanne/Roussanne may be co-fermented with Syrah in Saint-Joseph?
max 10%
What are the 2 main effects of co-fermenting white grapes with red grapes?
stabilizes the color
moderates tannin extraction
How steep are Cote-Rotie’s vineyards?
upwards of 55 degrees
What town is located in Cote-Rotie?
Ampuis
Who is the largest producer in Northern Rhone?
E. Guigal
What are the 2 slopes of Cote-Rotie?
Cote Brune
Cote Blonde
What are the 3 “La La” wines of E. Guigal?
La Mouline (Blond) La Turque (Brune) La Landonne (Brune)
Which Guigal “La La” wine is not a single vineyard?
La Mouline (1 ha on Cote Blond)
Who are the 4 main producers of Hermitage?
Jean-Louis Chave
Delas
M. Chapoutier
Jaboulet
Name 6 climats of Hermitage
La Chapelle
le Méal
les Bessards
Gréffieux
Beaume
Péléat
What is the soil assoiciated with Cornas?
Gore (granite)
What makes Cornas the warmest in Northern Rhone?
granite soils reflecting sunlight
shielded from le Mistral from the hills
What is the smallest red wine appellation in Northern Rhone?
Cornas (100 ha)
Name the 4 lieux-dits of Cornas
Les Reynards
La Côte
Les Chaillot
Les Mazards
Who is considered the standard-bearer of Cornas?
Auguste Clape
What is the traditional barrel in Cornas?
demi-muids 600L
What is the original delimited area of Saint-Joseph?
Tournon-sur-Rhone
What are the 2 red only appellations in Northern Rhone?
Cote-Rotie
Cornas
What are wines from Saint-Péray?
Marsanne/Roussanne wines
still and methode traditionelle
Name 3 producers from Condrieu
Georges Vernay
Yves Cuilleron
Andre Perret
What is the Viognier monopole in Condrieu?
Chateau Grillet (AOP)