Southern France Advanced Flashcards
Northern Rhône:
(Renowned for Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne wines)
Côte-Rôtie
Known for elegant, aromatic Syrah often co-fermented with Viognier for floral notes. Note Côte Brune and Côte Blonde. Guigal most famous producer. Northern Rhône.
Condrieu
Famous for 100% Viognier wines, rich in peach, apricot, and floral aromas. Northern Rhône.
Château-Grillet
A rare, single-estate AOC producing small quantities of high-quality Viognier. Northern Rhône.
Saint-Joseph
Produces structured yet approachable Syrah along with white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne. Northern Rhône.
Crozes-Hermitage
The largest Northern Rhône appellation, offering both mostly light spicy fruit-forward Syrah wines. Northern Rhône.
Hermitage
One of the most prestigious Rhône producing age-worthy, complex Syrah and white wines. Note Jaboulet and Chave. Northern Rhône.
Cornas
100% Syrah wines, known for their deep color, intensity, animality and long aging potential. Northern Rhône.
Saint-Péray
Specializes in still and sparkling white wines made from Marsanne and Roussanne. Northern Rhône.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The most famous Southern Rhône appellation, known for powerful, complex red blends of up to 13 grape varieties. Southern Rhône
Gigondas
Often considered a mini-Châteauneuf, producing rich, structured Grenache-based wines with deep spice and garrigue notes. Southern Rhône
Vacqueyras
Balanced and robust reds with a mix of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, offering freshness and spice. Southern Rhône
Tavel
A historic appellation producing bold, dry, and age-worthy rosé wines. Southern Rhône
Cairanne
Known for refined, complex reds with elegance, fruit purity, and good aging potential. Southern Rhône
Bandol
Provence. Produces powerful, long-lived Mourvèdre-based reds, plus structured rosés and some whites.
Faugères
Languedoc. Produces structured, spicy reds with schist-driven minerality.
Saint-Chinian
Languedoc. Known for full-bodied, garrigue-scented reds and some fresh whites.
Minervois
Languedoc. A large appellation with deep, age-worthy Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre blends.
Terrasses du Larzac
Languedoc. A rising star, producing elegant yet structured reds with bright acidity.
Pic Saint-Loup
Languedoc. A cooler-climate area producing refined Syrah-driven reds with floral and spice notes.
Corbières
Languedoc. Large region, making concentrated and structured reds. Note carignan.
Limoux
Roussillon. Famous for sparkling wines (Blanquette de Limoux, Crémant de Limoux) and some fresh whites.
Maury
Roussillon. Produces both powerful reds and high-quality Vin Doux Naturel (fortified sweet wines).
Banyuls Collioure.
Roussillon. A benchmark for fortified Grenache-based wines with deep, rich flavors. Dry wines are called Collioure.
