South France Flashcards
How many ha of vine is planted in Northern Rhône?
Less than 4,000 ha
How many ha of vine is planted in Southern Rhône?
66,000 ha
Rhône méridionale in French is known in English as?
northern Rhône
Rhône septentrionale in French is known in English as?
southern Rhône
What is the climate in Northern Rhône?
Moderate continental climate with cold winters, warm summers and adequate rainfall falling mainly in the autumn and the winter
What effect has cold Mistral wind on the vineyards in Northern Rhône?
It reduces the incidence of fungal disease. It is also decreases vine vigour and leads to lower yields and higher concentration in the wines, but lower production.
What is the climate in Southern Rhône?
Warm, Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very warm, dry summers. Drought can be problem, irrigation is permitted.
Describe Northern Rhône Syrah?
Deep ruby in colour, medium to pronounced intensity aromas and flavours of violet, plum (red plum in cooler years and sites, black plum in warmer years and sites), blackberry with black pepper and herbal notes. Acidity and tannins range from medium to high.
What Syrah adds to Southern Rhône blends?
Syrah adds structure, fruit and colour to Southern Rhône blends
What Grenache Noir adds to Southern Rhône blends?
It contributes pale ruby colour, ripe red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry), spicy and herbal notes, high alcohol, low to medium tannins and low acidity.
What Mourvèdre adds to Southern Rhône blends?
Mourvèdre contributes deep ruby colour, intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries and violets, high alcohol and high, firm tannins.
Why is Grenache Noir suitable for producing Vin Doux Naturel?
The grapes can accumulate high sugar levels quickly, which can be an issue in dry wines but makes it very suitable for producing Vin Doux Naturel.
What Cinsault adds to Southern Rhône blends?
Small part of the red blend, contributes light ruby colour, medium to medium (+) intense aromas of fresh red fruit (raspberry, red cherry), high alcohol and low to medium tannins. Highly suitable for early drinking reds and rosés.
Describe wines produced from Viognier?
Medium lemon in colour with pronounced aromas and flavours of honeysuckle, apricot and peach, with medium to high alcohol and low acidity.
Describe wines produced from Marsanne?
Medium lemon in colour, sometimes gold, with light intensity honeysuckle, lemon and apricot fruit, an oily texture, medium acidity, full bodied and medium to high alcohol.In the Northern Rhône, it is either made as a varietal wine or blended with Roussanne. In the southern Rhône, it is usually part of a blend.
Describe wines produced from Roussanne?
Medium lemon in colour, sometimes gold, medium to medium (+) intensity aromatics of pear with herbal notes, medium to medium (+) acidity and medium to high alcohol. It is similar in colour and structure to Marsanne but the wines tend to age quicker.
What Roussanne adds to a blend with Marsanne?
Roussanne add finesse, fruit and crisp acidity. It is considered higher quality grape but gives lower yields and is susceptible to rot and resist wind poorly.
How many ha of vine is planted in Côte Rôtie?
250 ha
What grape varieties are allowed in Côte Rôtie?
Only production of red wines made from Syrah, with up to 20 per cent of Viognier permitted in blends, though in practice this is often zero. When both grape varieties are used, they must be co-fermented.
What is the style of Côte Rôtie wines comparing with neighbouring appellations?
Stylistically the wines are known for their pronounced aromas and are typically softer and less full-bodied than the wines of the other top appellations
Name two slopes of Cote-Rotie?
The Cote Blonde and the Cote Brune
Name two Guigal`s single-vineyards bottlings in Cote Brune (Cote-Rotie)?
La Landonne and La Turque
Name the only one Guigal`s single-vineyard bottlings in Cote Blonde (Cote-Rotie)?
La Mouline
How many ha of vine is planted in Hermitage AOC?
137 ha
What varieties are used for Hermitage AOC white wines?
Typically a blend of a majority of Marsanne with some Roussanne or pure Marsanne.
Chapoutiers Chante Alouette Hermitage is produced from which grape?
Marsanne
What are the most important producers in Hermitage AOC?
Négociant houses of Chapoutier and Jaboulet, with significant holdings owned by the cooperative Cave de Tain and by Jean-Louis Chave
What is the largest of the northern Rhone appellations?
Crozes-Hermitage, nearly 1,700 ha
What is the climate in Cornas AOC?
Unlike other parts of Northern Rhone, climate here is warm Mediterranean because it is the most southerly appellation in N. Rhone.
What reputation have wines from Cornas AOC?
Reputation for tannic intensity. While some producers use small barrels to soften tannins, the current trend is back towards robust and long-lived wines.
What North Rhone appellation doesn’t allow blending white varieties in their red wines?
Cornas AOP. Only Syrah, no white varieties allowed.
What kind of wine is produced in Saint-Péray AOC?
Only white, Marsanne accounts for the vast majority of plantings, with some Roussanne. In addition to still wine, traditional method sparkling wine is made from the same varieties, though it is increasingly rare.
What kind of wine is produced in Collines Rhodaniennes IGP?
Red, white and rosé wines made from grapes grown outside of the AOCs in the northern Rhône. It can be made from other grape varieties than those allowed by the AOC rules.
Name Northern Rhône appellations that can produce red wines and white wines?
Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St.-Joseph
Name Northern Rhône appellations that can produce only red wines?
Côte Rôtie and Cornas
Name Northern Rhône appellations that can produce only white wines?
Condrieu, Chateau Grillet, Saint-Péray
Name the only producer of Chateau Grillet?
Neyret-Gachet
What is the largest appellation in Northern Rhône?
Crozes-Hermitage
Name appellation that typically produce the boldest and most tannic of all the Northern Rhône Syrah wines?
Cornas
Name the best known merchants in Northern Rhône?
Jaboulet, Chapoutier, Delas, and Guigal.
At what age is Condrieu best drunk?
It is best drunk young, at between two and four years in general.
Good alternative to red Châteauneuf-du-Pape is found in what appellation?
Gigondas
What is the typical southern Rhône red wine blend?
Grenache-dominant blends with Mourvèdre and Syrah, along with other permitted varieties, for example Carignan and Cinsaut. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is exception.
What is the second largest appellation by hectares planted in France, after Bordeaux AOC?
Côtes du Rhône AOC
What is the reason that huge majority of Côtes du Rhône AOC wines are coming from Southern Rhône?
Producers in the north can usually sell their wines under more valuable appellations.
What are the principal varieties for red and rose Côtes du Rhône wines?
Grenache Noir (min. 30 per cent), Mourvèdre and Syrah (combination min 20 per cent), all three together min 60 per cent of the blend. Many local minor varieties are permitted including Carignan and Cinsaut.
What are the principal varieties for white Côtes du Rhône wines?
Principal varieties for white wines are: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier together must make up 80 per cent of the final blend. Many local minor varieties are permitted including Piquepoul Blanc.
Describe typical red Côtes du Rhône AOC wines?
Medium intensity ruby, medium intensity red plum and blackberry fruit, no oak flavours, medium acidity, medium tannin (or low tannin if made by carbonic maceration), medium alcohol. The wines are typically good quality and inexpensive in price.