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Intro Sommelier 2020 > Rhone Valley (France) > Flashcards

Rhone Valley (France) Flashcards

1
Q

What moderates the climate in the Southern Rhone?

A

The Mistral winds cool the region.

The Rhone River moderates and cools temperatures in vineyards.

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2
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Vacqueyras?

A

Blend of local varietals (whites)

Grenache based blends (reds and rose)

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3
Q

Where is the Northern Rhone located?

A

Along a narrow band on both sides of the Rhone river

It begins 15 miles south of Lyon and extends 50 miles.

Starts near the town of Vienne (north) and ends near Valence (south)

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4
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Tavel?

A

Grenache based blends (rose only)

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5
Q

What are the Southern Rhone appellations?

A

Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Gigondas
Vacqueyras
Tavel

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6
Q

What are the viticulture practices in the Southern Rhone?

A

Bush (gobelet) vine training – vineyards planted on valley floor.

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7
Q

What styles of wine dominate the Southern Rhone?

A

Blends – almost all wines are blends.

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8
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Condrieu?

A

Viognier (100%)

White wines only.

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9
Q

What is the topography of the Northern Rhone?

A

Steep hillside vineyards overlooking rivers.

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10
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Saint-Joseph?

A

Syrah (+max. 15% Roussanne/Marsanne)

Rousanne and Marsanne

Red and White wines.

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11
Q

What moderates the Northern Rhone’s climate?

A

The Rhone River warms the adjacent slopes and reflects sunlight onto the vineyards.

Mistral winds slightly warms and dries the area and prevents mold.

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12
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Gigondas?

A

Grenache based blends (reds)

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13
Q

What style of wines dominates the Northern Rhone?

A

Single variety wines.

Fewer blends than the rest of France.

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14
Q

What are the primary grape varietals of the Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre (red)

Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc (white)

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15
Q

What process is not allowed in Southern Rhone?

A

Chaptalization.

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16
Q

What are the viticulture practices of the Northern Rhone?

A

Vineyards planted on steep slopes.

Vines are staked to the ground due to Mistral winds and erosion.

Roman terraces are maintained due to perilous vineyard locations.

17
Q

What types of soils are found in Northern Rhone?

A

Granite and schist.

18
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Cote-Rotie?

A

Syrah (+20% max. Viognier)

Red wines only.

19
Q

What is used for aging of Southern Rhone wines?

A

Oak use in general is dependent on the producer/region.

Often large oak casks instead of barriques.

20
Q

What are the main grape varietals of the Northern Rhone.

A

Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne (white)

Syrah (red)

21
Q

What is the impact of the Mistral on the Rhone Valley?

A

It warms and dries the area and helps prevent mold and mildew.

22
Q

What is the Northern Rhone’s climate?

A

Continental

23
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Crozes-Hermitage?

A

Syrah (+15% max. Roussanne/Marsanne)

Rousanne and Marsanne

Red and White wines.

24
Q

What is the Southern Rhone AOC system?

A

(in descending order)

Single Village AOC’s
Cotes du Rhone-Villages
Cotes du Rhone

25
Q

What are the Mistral?

A

A prominent airflow originating in Switzerland that picks up speed moving south towards France.

26
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

A

Blend of local varietals (whites)

Grenache based blend - 14 varietals authorized (reds)

27
Q

What are the Northern Rhone appellations?

A 
Cote-Rotie
Condrieu
Saint-Joseph
Crozes-Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas
28
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Cornas?

A

Syrah (100%)

Red wines only

29
Q

What are both red/white wines typically

fermented/aged in the Northern Rhone?

A

Often large oak foudres. (over 1000-liters)

Some producers typically ferment in stainless steel
and aged in a combination of old/new oak.

30
Q

What type of fermentation is unique to Northern Rhone?

A

Co-fermentation: small percentages of white wines are blended with Syrah.

Doing this increases complexity and lessens tannin in wine.

31
Q

What is the Southern Rhone’s climate?

A

Mediterranean

Hot summers w/ significant diurnal temperature swings

32
Q

What soils are found in the Southern Rhone?

A

Alluvial clay and alluvial deposits of river rocks called ‘galets’.

33
Q

What styles of wine/grapes are made in Hermitage?

A

Syrah (+ max. 15% Roussanne/Marsanne)

Rousanne and Marsanne

Red and White wines.

34
Q

Where is the Southern Rhone located?

A

On the other side of a 30 mile gap from Northern Rhone.

35
Q

What type of wine makes up 90% of production in Southern Rhone?

A

Red wines.

Intro Sommelier 2020 (27 decks)

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