Rhone Valley Pt 8 - S.Rhone Cru AOCs Flashcards
How many Crus in S.Rhone? What acreage?
Nine encompassing 27.000 ac/11,000 ha.
What is production % in styles of wines of S.Rhone Crus?
In 2019, it was circa 85% red, 10% rose, 5% white.
What is the core red blend of S.Rhone Crus?
Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Other red varieties of S.Rhone can be added and white in some AOCs
What is the core white blend of S.Rhone Crus?
Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Rousanne. Proportions vary by AOC.
What is the core Rose blend of S.Rhone Crus?
Grenache with Cinsaut and Syrah as typical partners.
What grapes are used for VDN?
Grenache or Muscats a Petits Grains depending on AOC.
What are the production % for Southern Rhone AOCs?
Chateauneuf - 27%;
Vacqueyras - 14%;
Gigondas - 11%;
Rasteau - 10%;
Tavel and Cairanne - 9% each;
Beaumes de Venise, Lirac, Vinsobres - 6% each;
Muscat de BV - 2%
Which 3 hilltop towns in S.Rhone focus on production of dry wines? Where are they located?
Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
They are in the NE, all above the plain which mitigates the summer heat.
When was Vinsobres AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 2006 for red only.Only Primary grape is red Grenache. (S) Syrah and Mourvedre.
What is the location and soils of Vinsobres vineyards?
They are terraced and lie between 650 - 1500 feet on sand and clay with pockets of gravel and limestone.
What % of Vinsobres vineyards are organic?
Over 30%.
What are the blends of Vinsobres?
Grenache based and must contain Syrah or Mourvedre.
What is the climate of Rasteau?
The mesoclimate is unique. The vineyards face south and form a large amphitheatre that traps sunlight and blocks the Mistral.
What is the elevation of Rasteau vineyards?
They lie at an average of 750ft/230 mtr on red clay, sand and some pockets of gravel.
What are the main blends of Rasteau?
Mainly GSM blends.
When was Cairanne AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 2018 for dry red and white.
White: (P) Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne;
Red: (P) Grenache
What is the primary RED blend of Cairanne?
Reds are grenache based with syrah or mourvedre as partners.
What is the primary WHITE blend of Cairanne?
Whites are typically Clairette with Grenache Blanc and/or Roussanne.
What are the soils of Cairanne?
Stony pebbles.
What is the production ratio of Cairanne?
Mostly red and half exported internationally.
What are the grapes in the red and Rose blends of Cairanne?
Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre as partners.
What is the character of Cairanne wines?
Wines are freshand nuanced, They are brisk yet firmly structured.
What are the soils of GIGONDAS? What elevation? Aspect?
Marls, limestone and sand at altitude up to 1330 ft. Most face NW and west facing.
Which three AOCs are nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise.
What does the Dentelles provide for the vineyards?
They serve as a suntrap and/or wind block depending on location. The vineyards benefit from cool air masses from the peaks at night. This preserves the acidity in the grapes.
When was Gigondas awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded in 1971 for Rose and Red.
Red: (P) Grenache.
When was Vacqueyras awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 1990 for Dry white, rose and red.
White: (P) Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier:
Red: (P) Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut.
What are the soils of Vacqueyras?
A complex mix of sand, silt atop limestone, sandstone and marl.
What are the blends of red in Vacqueyras?
GSM blends.
What are the blends of rose in Vacqueyras?
Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsaut.
What are the blends of white in Vacqueyras?
Any of the authorised white grapes.
What is the character of Vacqueyras red wines?
Vacqueyras is slightly warmer than Gigondas so its reds are fleshier and meatier.
When was Beaumes de Venise AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 2005 for RED only.
Red: (P) Grenache
Where are the vineyards of Beaume located? Soils?
They are located at 1000 ft in the foothills of the Dentelles. Soils are a complex array of marls, limestones and clays.
What do the Dentelles offer the vineyards of Beaumes?
They serve as a windbreak and shelter the vines from the Mistral. As a result temperatures rise.
What is the blend of Beaumes red wines?
Grenache is mandatory in the wines and at least 60% must be GSM.
Which three AOCs lie in the plains of the S.Rhone?
Chateauneuf de Pape - left bank- , Tavel and Lirac - right bank.
They are exposed to the full brunt of the Mistral.
When was Chateauneuf-du-Pape awarded? styles?
Awarded in 1936 for dry white and red. There are 18 grape varieties.
What are the primary white grapes of Chateauneuf?
Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Picardan, Piquepoul Blanc.
What are the primary red grapes of Chateauneuf?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Brun Argente, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, Terret Noir.
What are the primary rose grapes of Chateauneuf?
Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul Gris.
Where does Chateauneuf rank in production in the S.Rhone Crus?
It is the largest. Half of production is exported?
What are the principal soils of Chateauneuf?
Limestone, sandstone, clay and galets.
What are the blend rules of Chateauneuf?
This is the least restrictive AOC of all. The wines can be made from any, all or a combination of the approved varieties.
What is the character of the red wines of Chateauneuf?
They are powerful, full-bodied, fleshy and generous with ripe tannins and “sweet” often jammy fruit. Some may display aromas of Kirsch and garrique.
What is the character of the white wines of Chateauneuf?
Whites are full-bodied, often with a hint of garrique.
When was Lirac awarded? styles?
Awarded 1947 for dry white, red and rose.
What are the primary white grapes of Lirac?
Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne
What are the primary rose grapes of Lirac?
Clairette Gris, Grenache Gris
What are the primary red grapes of Lirac?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut
What is the climate of Lirac? Soils?
It is a hot, dry sunny location. Poor soils retard vine vigour resulting in low yields of top quality fruit.
What is the character of Lirac white wines?
Medium-bodied, soft wines mainly from Clairette.
What is the blend of Lirac Rose wines?
They are mostly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsaut. They are dark in colour and generous on the palate.
What method is used in rose production in Lirac?
Direct press or saignee.
What is the blend of Lirac red wines?
GSM and cinsaut
When was Tavel AOC awarded?Styles? Grapes?
Awarded 1936 for Rose only/
What are the primary white grapes of Tavel?
Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Picquepoul Blanc.
What are the primary Rose grapes of Tavel?
Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul Gris.
What are the primary red grapes of Tavel?
GSM, Cinsaut, Piquepoul Noir
What are the soils of Tavel?
Sand, limestone and galets.
How many grapes are sanctioned in Tavel?
9 (15 counting colour varieties)
What is the the blend rules in Tavel?
Must contain Grenache. No variety can be over 60% of the blend.
What vinification process is used for Rose in Tavel?
It must be maceration by law. This is the same process as saignee except that no red wine is made - all juice is used for rose.
What is the character of Tavel rose?
They are vinified dry. They stand out among roses for their colour. concentration and structure.
