Rhone Valley & Southern France Flashcards
Where was the technique of micro-oxygenation developed, by who, and why?
In the Madiran, by Patrick Ducournau, to soften the tannins of Tannat
What AOP is Chateau Simone located in?
Palette AOP, in Provence
What white grape(s) may be added to Cote Rotie and in what percentages?
Up to 20% Viognier
What are the residual sugar requirements for Coteaux de Die? Cremant de Die?
Coteaux: max. 6 g/L RS (TA must be within 2 g/L)
Cremant: max. 15 g/L RS
Where is Fronton AOP and what is the primary grape?
Southwestern France (Haute-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne departments); Negrette must account for 40% of rouge and rosé(no white is made). Dry.
Where does the Cote Brune take its name from?
The black mica has faded to dark brown, which in turn has given it the Côte Brune name.
Where does Leon Barral make wine?
Faugeres
What are the mutage requirements for Floc de Gascogne?
Must be fortified with an Armagnac of at least 52% ABV that has been aged until at least April 1 of the year after it was distilled.
Domaine Gramenon, based in Montbrison-sur-Lez makes many wines, including one called “Le Sagesse” and one called “Sierra de Sud.” From what grapes are each of these wines made?
Sierra de Sud is made from 100% Syrah and La Sagesse is made from 100% Grenache, as are most of their other wines. Both are bottles as Cotes du Rhone.
What are the worst vintages of the 2000s for Northern Rhône Syrah?
2002, 2008
What is a “Râpé”?
It is the grapes discarded or used for table wine in CdP – at least 2% is required by the appellation.
What colors of wine can be made under the Côtes du Rhône Villages AOP?
White, red, and pink.
What are the three “La La” wines produced by E. Guigal?
La Mouline, La Landonne, La Turque
What is the principal variety of Fronton AOP?
Negrette
Where are the AOPs of Cassis and Bellet located? What grapes are most promising in each? What styles of wine are made?
Provence; Cassis: Clairette & Marsanne, Bellet: Rolle (aka Vermentino). Both can produce dry red, white, and pink, but are best known for white.
What are the first vintages on the LaLas?
La Mouline — 1966
La Landonne — 1978
La Turque — 1985
Which appellations in the Southern Rhone require hand harvesting?
Beaume-de-Venise, CdP, and Gigondas (as of 2014)
Who makes Renaissance? What is it?
Clape’s YOUNG VINE Cornas. The straight Cornas bottling is the top one.
What are the maximum yields for Chateau Grillet?
37 hl/ha
What is the minimum alcohol for Condrieu?
11.5% (13% acquired alcohol required for wines with at least 45 g/l of residual sugar)
Define the terms ambre, tuile, blanc, and grenat with respect to the Rasteau AOP.
Blanc – unoxidative white VdN.
Grenat – unoxidative red VdN.
Ambre – oxidative white VdN, with at least 3 years of age (may not be released until 3/1 of the third year after harvest)
Tuile – oxidative red VdN, with at least 3 years of age (may not be released until 3/1 of the third year after harvest)
What was Costières de Nîmes originally called when it became an AOP, and when did it change?
Costières de Gard (1986) and was changed to Costières de Nîmes in 1989.
Why is there a different rendement de base and maximum yield requirement in Chateauneuf du Pape?
The rendement de base is 35 hl/ha – the maximum yield includes the Râpé, which is 42 hl/ha
What grape of Corsica is a variant of Sangiovese?
Nielluccio
What is Galopine?
Galopine is an old, local word for Viognier in Condrieu. It is also a Condrieu bottling made by Delas.
What producer vinifies 40% of all Côte Rôtie produced?
E. Guigal
What is the sub AOP of Corbieres and what style of wine can be produced there?
Corbieres-Boutenac, reds made from a min. 70% of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Carignan. Syrah can flush out. No varietal can exceed 80%.
What are the communes of production for Cote Rotie from north to south?
Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, Ampuis, Tupin-Semons
What two appellations are defined by the Dentelles de Montmirail foothills?
Gigondas and Vacqueyras
What appellations of the Dordogne must be harvested in tries?
Saussignac and Monbazillac
Name three vineyards of Condrieu.
Côte Bonnette, Vernon, Chéry
Name the vintages that Cuvée de Capo has been made in.
1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2015
What is Saussignac AOP?
An appellation for Botrytis Semillon in SW France.
Where does Domaine les Mille Vignes make wine?
Fitou
What AOP is in four non-contiguous sectors, two of which cling to the southern edge of Madiran/Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, and one of which abets the NW corner of Jurancon?
Bearn
What Rhone varietal is NOT permitted in Gigondas?
Carignan
What are the major red and white grapes of Limoux AOP Blanc and Rouge?
red: Merlot (40-75%)
white: Chardonnay, Mauzac, and Chenin Blanc
Where is Cabardès AOP? What styles of wine can be produced there, and what are the prominent grapes?
Languedoc; red and rosé only; Min. 40% combined Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot; min. 40% combined Grenache and Syrah
Who makes Barberine and La Sereine Noir? What appellation?
Yves et Mathilde Gangloff; Côte Rôtie
What are the four subzone designations that the Côtes de Provence AOP may be bottled under? Which was the most recently added? Which allows for the production of white wine?
Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, Pierrefeu (added in 2012); La Londe allows for the production of white wine, the others are rosé and rouge only
What is the main grape of Cahors? Supporting grapes?
Min. 70% Malbec; with Tannat & Merlot
What styles of wine are made in the Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise AOP?
VdN Blanc, Rose, and Rouge from Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains and Muscat Rouge a Petits Grains
What is the min. potential alcohol of Chateauneuf du Pape?
12.5%
What is the primary grape of Tavel? What style of wine is made?
Grenache (Gris, Blanc, and Noir). Grenache Noir must be present. Dry rosé.
What are the two principal grapes of Cassis blanc?
Clairette and Marsanne (min. 60% together)
Name the five grapes of Rivesaltes
Grenache (Noir, Blanc, Gris), Macabeo, Tourbat, Muscat de Alexandria, Muscat a Petits Grains (when a wine is a blend of the last two, it may be labeled Muscat de Rivesaltes AOP)
What is the major soil type of Cornas?
granite
Cotes du Rhone rouge is a minimum of 40% Grenache encepagement, except for vineyards north of this town?
Montélimar
What are the appellations on the following wines:
- Pignan
- Fonsalette
- Pialade
- Chateau des Tours
- Domaine des Tours
- Pignan: CDP
- Fonsalette: Côtes-du-Rhône
- Pialade: Côtes-du-Rhône
- Chateau des Tours: Vacqueyras
- Domaine des Tours: Vin de Pays de Vaucluse
What are the four main red grapes of the Languedoc AOP?
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Llandoner Pelut
What is considered the best vintage in CdP 1991-1999?
Not including 1990 - 1998 was the best of the decade- “growing conditions were close to ideal, with a baking hot summer being followed by welcome rains at the beginning of September. Sugar levels were very high, come harvest time, with all major grape varieties ripening well. The wines are rich in fruit, possess super-ripe tannins and are wonderfully harmonious and well balanced”
What larger region is Fitou located in and what are the main grapes? What styles of wine can be made?
Corbieres; Carignan and Grenache (min. 50% together) based reds
What is the minimum RS for Banyuls AOP?
45 g/L
What grapes may be used and styles of wine made in Condrieu?
White, still wine from Viognier
What are the communes of production for Chateauneuf du Pape?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Orange, Bédarrides, Courthézon, Sorgues
What is the southern most appellation in continental France?
Banyuls AOP
What are the minimum potential alcohols/must weights/RS’s of Monbazillac SGN and Blanc
Blanc: 14%/221 g/L/45 g/L
SGN: 17%/255 g/L/85 g/L
What does the papal crest signify on bottles of Chateauneuf du Pape?
That it is estate bottled.
Name 5 Hermitage rouge bottlings of M. Chapoutier.
- Monier de la Sizeranne
- Le Pavillon
- Le Méal
- L’Ermite
- Les Greffieux
- Mure de Larnage
What is the primary soil type of Condrieu?
Decomposed granite
When was Pic-Saint-Loup established as an AOP? What styles are made and what is the primary grape?
2017 (formerly a subzone of Languedoc AOP), Rosé and rouge from primarily Syrah (min 30% for rosé/50% rouge), with Grenache and Mourvedre
What river separates Rasteau from Gigondas and Vacqueyras?
Ouveze
What grape must be present in Faugeres blanc?
Roussanne
What styles of wine are allowed in the St. Chinian and Faugeres AOPs?
red, white, and rosé
Who makes Luminescence? What appellation?
Sweet Condrieu made by Phillipe Guigal in 1999 and 2003
What type of wood was Cornas traditionally aged in?
Chestnut
What styles of wine are produced in Gigondas and what are the cepage requirments?
Red and pink, min. 50% Grenache, generally supplemented by Syrah & Mourvedre
Who makes Chateau d’Ampuis? When was it first introduced?
Guigal; 1995
What is the minimum amount of Grenache Noir required for:
- Rasteau grenat/tuilé
- Maury grenat/tuilé
- Rivesaltes grenat
- Rivesaltes tuilé
- Banyuls Rimmage
- Banyuls Traditionnel
- Banyuls Grand Cru
- Rasteau grenat/tuilé - 75%
- Maury grenat/tuilé - 75%
- Rivesaltes grenat - 100%
- Rivesaltes tuilé - Must be present
- Banyuls Rimmage - 90%
- Banyuls Traditionnel - 50%
- Banyuls Grand Cru - 75%
Name the five sweet white wine appellations of Bergerac.
Monbazillac, Saussignac, Rosette, Haut-Montravel, Cotes de Montravel
What AOP has Nice for its commune of production?
Bellet
Who makes Ampodium?
Rene Rostaing
What white grapes can be added to Hermitage & Crozes-Hermitage and in what percentages?
A combined total of no more than 15% Marsanne/Roussanne
What is gore?
Gore is the “naked” granite soil found in Cornas. It absorbs the sun’s heat exceptionally well and has excellent drainage, leading to grapes with high intensity of flavor and strong tannins that require plenty of bottle age to open up.
Name 5 CdR Villages?
Chusclan, Gadagne, Laudun, Massif d’Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puymeras, Roaix, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Sablet, Séguret, Signargues, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Valréas, Visan
What are the maximum yield requirements for Hermitage?
Blanc: 45 hl/ha
Rouge: 40 hl/ha
Vin de Paille: 15 hl/ha
What sweet white wine appellations of the Dordogne prohibit chaptalization and cryo-extraction?
Saussignac and Monbazillac SGN
Who is most famous for their Maison Rouge bottling of Côte Rôtie?
Georges Vernay
What is the primary soil type of St-Joseph?
schist and gneiss on granite bedrock
East to west: Palette, Bandol, Cassis, Bellet, Baux-de-Provence
Bellet, Bandol, Cassis, Palette, Baux-de-Provence
What are the stones that characterize the soil of Chateauneuf-du-Pape called?
Galets
What are the principal and supporting grapes for Cotes du Rhone blanc?
Principal: Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier
Supporting: Picpoul and Ugni Blanc
True or False, Rasteau AOP can be red, white, or pink. What grapes are used?
True; Grenache Blanc, Gris, and Noir.
Starting in the northeast, name the communes of Chateauneuf du Pape in clockwise order.
Courthézon, Bédarrides, Sorgues, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Orange
When were blanc wines first allowed to be produced in Le Baux de Provence?
2011; AOP established in 1995
What are the lees requirements for Cremant de Die?
9 months on lees before disgorgement, 12 months total aging
What styles of wine are made in the Luberon AOP?
Dry white, red, and rose.
Who makes Brune et Blonde?
Guigal
What region is intersected by the Têt, Agly, and Tech rivers?
Côtes du Roussillon
What grapes/styles of wine are allowed in the Clairette de Die, Coteaux de Die AOP and Cremant de Die AOP?
Coteaux de Die — blanc sec from 100% Clairette
Cremant de Die — vin moesseux blanc, max. RS 15 g/l. Min 55% Clairette with Aligote and Muscat
Clairette de Die — vin moesseux blanc, 100% Clairette, max. 15 g/l RS; Methode dioise ancestral, min. 75% Muscat, min. 35 g/l RS.
What are the principal soil types of Crozes-Hermitage?
North: Granitic slopes, similar to Hermitage
South: Alluvial soils of glacial origin
Northeast to southwest: Saint Chinian, Faugeres, Limoux, Minervois
Faugeres
Saint Chinian
Minervois
Limoux
What are the communes of production for Chateau Grillet?
Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, Vérin
What are the grapes of Monbazillac AOP and what style of wine is produced?
Min. 90% combined Muscadelle, SB, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris. Botrytised dessert wines are made here (min. 45 g/L RS)
What river runs through Bergerac AOP? What styles of wine are produced there?
Dordogne River; white, red, and rosé sec (rosé can be up to 10 g/l RS though)
What are the aging requirements for ambré and tuilé wines from Rivesaltes?
Must be aged in an oxidative environment until at least March 1st of the 3rd year following harvest.
What appellation of Roussillon requires hand harvesting in successive tries?
Banyuls
What are the principal red varieties of Bellet rouge?
Braquet and Fuella Nera
Who makes “La Chappelle”? What AOP and climat is it located in?
Jaboulet; Hermitage; “the Chapel” is in L’Hermite but the wine is sourced from Méal, Bessards, Greffieux, Rocoules, and La Croix.
Name two appellations devoted to Vin doux Naturel wines in the Southern Rhone?
Rasteau AOP and Muscat Beaumes de Venise AOP
In 2011 Francois Pinault purchased Chateau Grillet. List 3 other major wine properties he owns as well.
Araujo - Napa, California, (recently purchased)
Chateau Latour - Bordeaux, France
Domaine Eugenie (Vosne-Romanee) - Burgundy, France
What department is Chateauneuf du Pape in?
Vaucluse
True or False: Muscat Beaumes de Venise can only be white?
False, can be red, white or pink.
What is the minimum potential and acquired alcohol for Muscat Beaumes de Venise?
21.5/15.5
Where is Chante-Alouette? Who owns it?
Plot within L’Hermite in Hermitage; owned by Chapoutier and planted to Marsanne
Besides Guigal, who makes a La Landonne bottling?
Rostaing, Delas, Jean-Michel Gerin
Where is Béarn AOP and what are the primary grapes/styles?
Pyrénées-Atlantiques; Blanc (Gros + Petit Manseng, plus Raffiat de Moncade), rosé, red (min. 50% Tannat, with Cab Franc, and Cab)
What appellation of the Languedoc does Rivesaltes extend into?
Fitou/Corbieres
Name 5 lieu-dits of Cote Rotie besides Cote Brune, Cote Blonde and Landonne.
Chavaroche, Cote Rozier, Rozier, Grandes-Places, La Vialliere, Maison Rouge
Name three Grand Cru estates of Provence? How many were there originally and how many now?
Originally 23, now 18:
Château Minuty (Gassin)
Château Sainte-Roseline (Les Arcs-sur-Argens)
Château de la Source Sainte-Marguerite (La Londe-les-Maures)
Domaine de la Clapière (Hyères)
Domaine de l’Aumérade (Hyères)
Clos Cibonne (Pradet)
Domaine de Rimaurescq (Pignans)
Domaine de Castel Roubine (Lorgues)
Château du Galoupet (La Londe-les-Maures)
Château de Saint-Martin (Taradeau)
Château de Saint-Maur (Cogolin)
Clos Mireille (La Londe-les-Maures, part of Domaine Ott)
Château de Selle (Taradeau, part of Domaine Ott)
Château de Brégançon (Bormes-les-Mimosas)
Domaine de Mauvanne (Salins d’Hyères)
Domaine de la Croix (la Croix-Valmer)
Domaine du Noyer (Bormes-les-Mimosas)
Domaine du Jas d’Esclans (la Motte)
What small Cote-Rotie producer has a nursery and grafts all of their own rootstocks?
Domaine Clusel-Roch has their own small nursery on site and graft all of their own rootstocks from a selection of their own Syrah plantings. These plantings are less productive than traditional Ampuis vines but give more complex aromas. [Clusel-Roch is a small 3.5 hectare property. They manually harvest, farm organically, and are fermented with indigenous yeasts]
In what vineyard is there a giant Jaboulet sign?
La Méal, Hermitage
What style of wine can be made in the Gaillac Premieres Cotes AOP?
Dry whites from 11 communes (primary grapes: Mauzac, Mauzac Rosé, Len de l’El, and Muscadelle)
What styles of wine are made in Vacqueyras AOP?
Dry white, red, and rose. Red has to be at least 50% Grenache (with at least one of either Syrah and Mourvedre).
What is the principal white varieties of Bandol?
50-95% Clairette, plus Ugni Blanc and Bourbelenc and max. 20% combined Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Vermentino
What famous Cote Rotie producer has been described as the Swami of Syrah, Guru of Gradients, Angel of Ampuis? What other Cote Rotie Producer is related to this legend?
Marius Gentaz-Dervieux; Rene Rostaing is his nephew
Name three producers of Gigondas.
Domaine Les Pallieres, Famille Perrin, Domaine Raspail-Aÿ, Chat. De Saint Cosme, Paul Jaboulet Aîné
What AOP is Triennes located in?
Coteaux Varois en Provence AOP
What style of wine is made in Gigondas?
Dry red and rose, with at least 50% Grenache, and one of either Mourvedre or Syrah.
What styles of wine can be made in the Minervois AOP? What is the sub-zone of Minervois, and what styles of wine can be made there? When did it receive AOP status?
Minervois: red, white, and rosé. Minervois-La Liviniere: red only; 1999
What is the minimum alcohol for blanc/rose in Vacqueyras?
12%
What is a synonym for Tibouren?
Rossese de Dolceaqua
What style of wine is made in Clairette de Bellegarde AOP?
Dry white wine from 100% Clairette
What is the max. yields for Cornas?
40 hl/ha
What are the cepage and aging requirements for grenat Rivesaltes?
Aged reductively for 1 year and must be bottled before June 30 of the 2nd year following harvest. 100% Grenache.
What are styles of sparkling wine are produced in Gaillac? What are the requirements each must meet.
Vin Mousseux Blanc – methode traditionelle, Len de l’El, Mauzac, Mauzac Rosé, and Muscadelle, 9 months lees, max. 50 g/L RS
Vin Mousseux Blanc Doux – methode traditionelle, Len de l’El, Mauzac, Mauzac Rosé, and Muscadelle, 9 months lees, min. 50 g/L RS
Vin Mousseux Blanc methode gaillaçoise/methode ancestral – Mauzac and Mauzac Rosé, 2 months lees, single fermentation
What are the primary red grapes of Palette?
Min. 50% combined Grenache, Mourvedre, and Cinsault
Which AOP of S. Rhone was considered part of the Languedoc until 2004?
Costieres de Nimes
What may Rivesaltes VdN that is aged for at least five years be called?
Hors d’Age
What appellation is on the labels of Grange des Peres?
Vin de Pays de l’Herault (IGP Pays de l’Herault)
In what appellation does Clos Ste. Magdeleine make wine?
Cassis
What are the traditional names for the Northern Rhone and the Southern Rhone?
N – Rhone Septentrioal
S – Rhone Meridional
What are the white grapes of CdP?
Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Bourbelenc, Picpoul, Picardin, Clairette
Who makes Domaine de Thalabert? What appellation?
Jaboulet, on the Chassis of Crozes Hermitage (was Côtes du Rhône before the appellation was expanded)
What is Muscat de Nöel?
“Christmas wine” from the fortified Muscat appellations of France – VdN from Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, must be bottled by December 1st of harvest year
How many sub-zones of the Languedoc AOP are there? Name three.
11; Cabrières, Grés de Montpellier, La Méjanelle, Montpeyroux, Pézenas, Quatourze, Saint-Christol, Saint-Drézéry, Saint-Georges-d’Orques, Saint-Saturnin, Sommières
What are the cepage requirements for Beaumes-de-Venise AOP & Vinsobres AOP?
Rouge only: Min. 50% Grenache.
Name the principal and supporting grapes in Bandol blanc and rouge.
Red: 50-95% Mourvedre, plus Cinsault and Grenache (neither Carignan or Syrah may exceed 10%).
White: 50-95% Clairette, plus Bourboulenc and Ugni Blanc (Marsanne, SB, Vermentino, and Semillon may not individually exceed 10%)
What is the appellation for vin doux naturel in Corsica?
Muscat du Cap Corse AOP
What two appellation of SW France can label their wines VT? What are the primary grapes used in each?
Gaillac; Len de l’El and Ondenc
Jurancon: Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng
Which “Côte” of Côte Rotie can each of the “La Las” be found in?
Mouline – within Côte Blonde
Turque - within Côte Brune
Landonne – north of both, on the Côte Brune side
Where is the vineyard Ste-Épine? Name a producer.
In St. Joseph (St. Jean de Muzols); Herve Souhaut
T or F: The common practice in the N. Rhone for the addition of white grapes is to vinify separately.
False; co-fermentation is usually employed.
Which appellations in Languedoc-Roussillon have ‘rancio’ designations for their wines.
Clairette du Languedoc Banyuls Banyuls Grand Cru Grand Roussillon Maury Rivesaltes
What are the two styles of sparkling wine allowed in the Clairette de Die AOP? What are the required grapes, RS, and lees time?
Blanc Mousseux/Methode Traditionelle – 100% Clairette, max. 15 g/L RS., 9 months lees.
Methode Dioise Ancestrale - min. 75% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains (plus Clairette), min. 35 g/L RS., 4 months lees
What is the primary soil type of Hermitage?
granite with topsoils of mica, schist and gneiss
What are the cepage and aging requirements for Bandol Rouge?
50-95% Mourvedre, blended with Grenache and Cinsault primarily (Carignan and Syrah are allowed, but neither can exceed 10%). 18 months in oak, may not be released before May 1 of the 2nd year following harvest.
When was AOP Picpoul de Pinet established?
2013
What is the department of Hermitage & Crozes-Hermitage?
Drôme
Name three producers of Côtes du Roussillon Villages.
Domaine Gauby, Roc des Anges, Domaine de Bila-Haut (M. Chapoutier)
In what appellations of the Northern Rhone is manual harvesting required?
Condrieu, Chateau Grillet, Hermitage, Cote Rotie, Cremant de Die
What are the best soil types for Marsanne in the Rhône Valley?
Clay/chalk and loess with a granite base
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Rasteau VdN? Acquired?
21.5%/15%
In what year was Costieres de Nimes transferred to the Rhone department?
2004
What styles of wine can be made in the Banyuls AOP?
VdN Blanc, VdN Ambre, VdN Traditionnel (Rouge), VdN Rimage (Vintage-dated Rouge), VdN Rosé, VdN Hors d’Age
What styles of wine are made in the Clairette de Languedoc AOP? What AOPs does it touch?
Blanc: 100% Clairette Blanc
Blanc “Rancio”
Vin de Liqueur Blanc
Languedoc AOP, Languedoc AOP Montpeyroux, Languedoc AOP Saint Saturnin, Terrasses du Larzac
What is serine and what are its characteristics?
The heritage vine of Syrah in Côte Rôtie. Smaller berries; coulure, oidium and Downey mildew are all issues.