Rhone Valley Pt 8 - S.Rhone Cru AOCs Flashcards

1
Q

How many Crus in S.Rhone? What acreage?

A

Nine encompassing 27.000 ac/11,000 ha.

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2
Q

What is production % in styles of wines of S.Rhone Crus?

A

In 2019, it was circa 85% red, 10% rose, 5% white.

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3
Q

What is the core red blend of S.Rhone Crus?

A

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Other red varieties of S.Rhone can be added and white in some AOCs

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4
Q

What is the core white blend of S.Rhone Crus?

A

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Rousanne. Proportions vary by AOC.

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5
Q

What is the core Rose blend of S.Rhone Crus?

A

Grenache with Cinsaut and Syrah as typical partners.

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6
Q

What grapes are used for VDN?

A

Grenache or Muscats a Petits Grains depending on AOC.

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7
Q

What are the production % for Southern Rhone AOCs?

A

Chateauneuf - 27%;
Vacqueyras - 14%;
Gigondas - 11%;
Rasteau - 10%;
Tavel and Cairanne - 9% each;
Beaumes de Venise, Lirac, Vinsobres - 6% each;
Muscat de BV - 2%

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8
Q

Which 3 hilltop towns in S.Rhone focus on production of dry wines? Where are they located?

A

Vinsobres, Rasteau and Cairanne.
They are in the NE, all above the plain which mitigates the summer heat.

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9
Q

When was Vinsobres AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

A

Awarded 2006 for red only.Only Primary grape is red Grenache. (S) Syrah and Mourvedre.

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10
Q

What is the location and soils of Vinsobres vineyards?

A

They are terraced and lie between 650 - 1500 feet on sand and clay with pockets of gravel and limestone.

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11
Q

What % of Vinsobres vineyards are organic?

A

Over 30%.

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12
Q

What are the blends of Vinsobres?

A

Grenache based and must contain Syrah or Mourvedre.

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13
Q

What is the climate of Rasteau?

A

The mesoclimate is unique. The vineyards face south and form a large amphitheatre that traps sunlight and blocks the Mistral.

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14
Q

What is the elevation of Rasteau vineyards?

A

They lie at an average of 750ft/230 mtr on red clay, sand and some pockets of gravel.

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15
Q

What are the main blends of Rasteau?

A

Mainly GSM blends.

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16
Q

When was Cairanne AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

A

Awarded 2018 for dry red and white.
White: (P) Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne;
Red: (P) Grenache

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17
Q

What is the primary RED blend of Cairanne?

A

Reds are grenache based with syrah or mourvedre as partners.

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18
Q

What is the primary WHITE blend of Cairanne?

A

Whites are typically Clairette with Grenache Blanc and/or Roussanne.

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19
Q

What are the soils of Cairanne?

A

Stony pebbles.

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20
Q

What is the production ratio of Cairanne?

A

Mostly red and half exported internationally.

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21
Q

What are the grapes in the red and Rose blends of Cairanne?

A

Grenache with Syrah and Mourvedre as partners.

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22
Q

What is the character of Cairanne wines?

A

Wines are freshand nuanced, They are brisk yet firmly structured.

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23
Q

What are the soils of GIGONDAS? What elevation? Aspect?

A

Marls, limestone and sand at altitude up to 1330 ft. Most face NW and west facing.

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24
Q

Which three AOCs are nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

A

Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise.

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25
Q

What does the Dentelles provide for the vineyards?

A

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.

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26
Q

When was Gigondas awarded? Styles? Grapes?

A

Awarded in 1971 for Rose and Red.
Red: (P) Grenache.

27
Q

When was Vacqueyras awarded? Styles? Grapes?

A

Awarded 1990 for Dry white, rose and red.
White: (P) Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier:
Red: (P) Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut.

28
Q

What are the soils of Vacqueyras?

A

A complex mix of sand, silt atop limestone, sandstone and marl.

29
Q

What are the blends of red in Vacqueyras?

A

GSM blends.

30
Q

What are the blends of rose in Vacqueyras?

A

Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsaut.

31
Q

What are the blends of white in Vacqueyras?

A

Any of the authorised white grapes.

32
Q

What is the character of Vacqueyras red wines?

A

Vacqueyras is slightly warmer than Gigondas so its reds are fleshier and meatier.

33
Q

When was Beaumes de Venise AOC awarded? Styles? Grapes?

A

Awarded 2005 for RED only.
Red: (P) Grenache

34
Q

Where are the vineyards of Beaume located? Soils?

A

They are located at 1000 ft in the foothills of the Dentelles. Soils are a complex array of marls, limestones and clays.

35
Q

What do the Dentelles offer the vineyards of Beaumes?

A

Thye serve as a windbreak and shelter the vines from the Mistral. As a result temperatures rise.

36
Q

What is the blend of Beaumes red wines?

A

Grenache is mandatory in the wines and at least 60% must be GSM.

37
Q

Which three AOCs lie in the plains of the S.Rhone?

A

Chateauneuf de Pape - left bank- , Tavel and Lirac - right bank.
They are exposed to the full brunt of the Mistral.

38
Q

When was Chateauneuf-du-Pape awarded? styles?

A

Awarded in 1936 for dry white and red. There are 18 grape varieties.

39
Q

What are the primary white grapes of Chateauneuf?

A

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Picardan, Piquepoul Blanc.

40
Q

What are the primary red grapes of Chateauneuf?

A

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut, Brun Argente, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, Terret Noir.

41
Q

What are the primary rose grapes of Chateauneuf?

A

Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul Gris.

42
Q

Where does Chateauneuf rank in production in the S.Rhone Crus?

A

It is the largest. Half of production is exported?

43
Q

What are the principal soils of Chateauneuf?

A

Limestone, sandstone, clay and galets.

44
Q

What are the blend rules of Chateauneuf?

A

This is the least restrictive AOC of all. The wines can be made from any, all or a combination of the approved varieties.

45
Q

What is the character of the red wines of Chateauneuf?

A

They are powerful, full-bodied, fleshy and generous with ripe tannins and “sweet” often jammy fruit. Some may display aromas of Kirsch and garrique.

46
Q

What is the character of the white wines of Chateauneuf?

A

Whites are full-bodied, often with a hint of garrique.

47
Q

When was Lirac awarded? styles?

A

Awarded 1947 for dry white, red and rose.

48
Q

What are the primary white grapes of Lirac?

A

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne

49
Q

What are the primary rose grapes of Lirac?

A

Clairette Gris, Grenache Gris

50
Q

What are the primary red grapes of Lirac?

A

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsaut

51
Q

What is the climate of Lirac? Soils?

A

It is a hot, dry sunny location. Poor soils retard vine vigour resulting in low yields of top quality fruit.

52
Q

What is the character of Lirac white wines?

A

Medium-bodied, soft wines mainly from Clairette.

53
Q

What is the blend of Lirac Rose wines?

A

They are mostly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsaut. They are dark in colour and generous on the palate.

54
Q

What method is used in rose production in Lirac?

A

Direct press or saignee.

55
Q

What is the blend of Lirac red wines?

A

GSM and cinsaut

56
Q

When was Tavel AOC awarded?Styles? Grapes?

A

Awarded 1936 for Rose only/

57
Q

What are the primary white grapes of Tavel?

A

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Picquepoul Blanc.

58
Q

What are the primary Rose grapes of Tavel?

A

Clairette Rose, Grenache Gris, Piquepoul Gris.

59
Q

What are the primary red grapes of Tavel?

A

GSM, Cinsaut, Piquepoul Noir

60
Q

What are the soils of Tavel?

A

Sand, limestone and galets.

61
Q

How many grapes are sanctioned in Tavel?

A

9 (15 counting colour varieties)

62
Q

What is the the blend rules in Tavel?

A

Must contain Grenache. No variety can be over 60% of the blend.

63
Q

What vinification process is used for Rose in Tavel?

A

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.

64
Q

What is the character of Tavel rose?

A

They are vinified dry. They stand out among roses for their colour. concentration and structure.