Rhône Valley Theory Flashcards
What is the French name for the Northern Rhone? The Southern Rhone?
Rhône septentrionale (North)
Rhône méridionale (South)
The Northern Rhone extends from what city to which city?
Vienne to Valence
The Southern Rhone starts in what city and funnels outwards toward which city?
From Montélimar funneling outward towards Avignon
Who was the first to construct the terraces in the Rhone Valley?
Roman workers
When did Pope Clement V move the papal court to Avignon?
1309
Merchants of Bordeaux blended what “manly” wine with theirs during the 18th and 19th centuries?
Hermitage
Chateauneuf-du-Pape became the first AOC in France in what year?
1936
How does the climate of the Northern Rhone differ from that of the Southern Rhone in regards to temperature, rainfall, and annual sunlight hours?
The Northern Rhône is more continental with greater seasonal temperature shifts, more rainfall, and fewer annual hours of sunshine than the southern appellations.
The Southern Rhône is firmly Mediterranean in climate with less seasonal temperature variations, less rainfall, and more sunshine hours.
What is the Mistral and where does it come from? Which seasons does it impact the vineyards of the Northern Rhone the most? What benefit does it provide?
Cold, dry wind that blows down from the Massif Central impacting the Northern Rhône in winter and spring.
The benefit of the wind is that it dries the vineyards, preventing mold and mildew from taking hold.
What is the unique soil type found in Condrieu called? What is it composed of?
Arzelle
Composed of a thin topsoil layer of rich, powdery, decomposed mica
What are the best soil types that characterize the best vineyards of Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, and Hermitage?
heat-retaining granitic and schistous soils
What type of soil is found in higher proportions in St-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, and St-Péray?
Heavier soils with clay
Which white grape in the Rhone Valley is known for its oily texture and marzipan character?
Marsanne
Which white grape adds acidity and a waxy minerality to wines?
Roussanne
What are the grape requirements for Hermitage AOP red wines? White?
Rouge Syrah with max 15% Marsanne/Roussanne
Name two producers of Vin de Paille in Hermitage.
Chave
Chapoutier
Name 5 producers of Hermitage.
Jean Louis Chave Paul Jaboulet Aîné M. Chapoutier Bernard Faury Delas
What is the name of the French war hero who lived on the hill of Hermitage that ultimately gave the hill its name?
Gaspard de Stérimberg
Where is Crozes-Hermitage located in relation to Hermitage? How do they differ stylistically?
Located behind and around the hill of Hermitage.
The wines of Crozes-Hermitage are generally lighter and less ageworthy
What are the grape requirements for Crozes-Hermitage red wines?
Syrah with a maximum combined 15% Marsanne and Roussanne
Name 5 producers of Crozes-Hermitage.
Alain Graillot Domaine Entrefaux Ferraton Delas Colombier
What does Côte Rôtie mean? Who is the largest producer there?
Roasted slope
What direction do the best vineyards in Côte Rôtie face?
Southeast
What are the two slopes nearest to Ampuis that are considered the heart of the appellation? How do they differ stylistically?
Côte Brune and Côte Blonde
Blonde produces wines that are softer, earlier maturing, and alluring wines
Brune produces stronger, more assertive, and longer-lived wines
Name three La-La vineyards.
La Landonne
La Turque
La Mouline
Which appellations is physically the smallest red wine appellation in the Northern Rhone?
Cornas
What is the name of the major soil type in Cornas and what is it composed of?
Gore
naked granite
Why is Cornas among the warmest wine regions in the Northern Rhone?
The sun’s warmth is magnified by the gore (naked granite) and the appellation itself is shielded from the Mistral.
What are the 4 lieux-dits of Cornas?
Les Reynards
La Côte
Les Chaillot
Les Mazards
Name 5 producers of Cornas.
Auguste Clape Thierry Alemand Vincent Paris Juge Pierre Gaillard
What are the great requirements for St-Joesph?
Rouge requires min of 90% Syrah with up to 10% Marsanne and/or Roussane
Blanc is made from any proportion of Marsanne and/or Roussanne.
Name five producers of St-Joseph.
Chave Bernard Gripa Guigal André Perret Domaine Monier
What style of wine is St-Peray most noticeable for?
Traditional method sparkling wine made from Marsanne and Roussanne
Name a producer of St-Peray.
Aurelien Chatagnier
Name four producers of Condrieu.
Yves Cuilleron
Yves Gangloff
André Perret
George Vernay
What grape must comprise 100% of Coteaux de Die AOP?
Clairette
What are the three communes of production for Côte-Rotie from North to South? Which is known for the best wines?
Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône
Ampuis
Tupin-Semons
Ampuis is known for the best wines
What is the maximum amount of Viognier permitted in Côte-Rôtie?
20% Viognier
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Côte-Rotie?
10.5%