Rhône Valley Study Guide Flashcards
The Rhône River stretches from what country to what sea?
From Switzerland to the Mediterranean Sea
What are the French names for the Northern and Southern Rhône respectively?
Rhône septentrionale (north)
Rhône méridionale (south)
Between what cities is the Northern Rhône located?
Vienne in the north to Valence to the south
What is vinum picatum?
Wine that was shipped in amphorae and clay lined with resin during the Roman occupation of the lands of Gaul
Who moved his court from Rome to Avignon in 1309 effectively making the Southern Rhône the center of Christian Europe? Who was responsible for the vines planted surrounding the papal palace?
Pope Clement V
Pope John XXII planted the vines
Through what famous French wine region were Rhone wines exported to England during the 18th century?
The Loire Valley
When did Phylloxera appear in the Southern Rhône making it the first major wine region to be affected by the louse?
1863
What led the growers and producers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to prepare and impose a set of rules for production following the phylloxera outbreak in the late 1800s? What did this set of rules lay the foundation for?
Widespread fraud
These rules and guidelines regarding production played the foundation and framework for what would one day become the Appellation Contrôlée system
When did Châteauneuf become an AOC affectively making it the first major wine region to receive acknowledgement as such?
1936
What are the climates of the Northern and Southern Rhône respectively?
Northern is continental
Southern is mediterranean
How does the climate of the Northern Rhône compare to the climate of the Southern Rhône?
The Northern Rhône experiences greater seasonal temperature shifts, more rainfall, and fewer annual hours of sunshine than the southern appellations.
What is the name of the major cold, dry wind that blows down from the Massif Central and affects the Northern Rhône in winter and spring?
Le Mistral
What major benefit to the vines does Le Mistral provide despite its strength which has many vines in the Northern Rhone growing bent southwards?
Dries the vineyards, preventing mold and mildew from taking hold.
What is the defining soil type of the bedrock in the Northern Rhône particularly in the vineyards of Côte-Rotie, Condrieu, and Hermitage?
granitic and schistous soils
What is the main topsoil type of Condrieu?
Arzelle, which is powdery decomposed mica
What type of soils are present in the southern sectors of St.-Jospeh, Crozes-Hermitage, and Saint-Péray?
heavier clays
How is classic Northern Rhône syrah described?
full-bodied, firm, and savory, manifesting a host of signature secondary aromas including smoke, grilled meat, olive, lavender, and peppercorn
darkly savage and dramatic, gamy, meaty, animal, exotic smoky incense, forest, leather, black plums, blackberries, and blue berries
What is the traditional fermentation vessel for Northern Rhône Syrah?
Traditionally fermented and aged in large oak foudres, although some producers are experimenting with new barriques
What are the five appellations in the Northern Rhône for Syrah?
Côte-Rôtie Hermitage Crozes-Hermitage Cornas Saint-Joseph
What is the cepage for Cornas?
100% Syrah
What is the maximum amount of Viognier that can be included in the cepage of Côte-Rotie?
Max 20%
What is the maximum % of Marsanne and/or Roussanne that may be added to Syrah in the cepages for Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage?
max 15% (thus min 85% Syrah)
What is the maximum % of Marsanne and/or Roussanne that may be added to Syrah in the cepage for St.-Joseph?
max 10% (thus min 90% Syrah)
What is the benefit of cofermentation of Syrah with Viognier or Marsanne and/or Roussanne?
Fixes color in the wine and moderates tannin extraction while softening the tannic structure and adding exotic aroma