Southern Rhone Flashcards
1
Q
Galets
A
- stony soils that absorb sun’s heat > aid ripening
- Chateauneuf du Pape
2
Q
Climate
A
Mediterranean
3
Q
Mistral
A
- gains speed over flat land
- windbreaks for protection
- Grenache (bushtrained low to ground)
- Syrah (more easily damaged by wind and needs trellising systems)
4
Q
How many grape varietals?
A
13
5
Q
Grenache
A
- most widely planted
- concentrated spiced red fruit (raspberry, cherry, strawberry, white pepper, clove, cinnamon)
- too much heat > baked and jammy
- blended with Syrah and Mourvedre (also Cinsault)
- late ripening
- sweet, thin skinned
- cold soaking/maceration common > promotes brighter fruit characteristics
6
Q
Syrah
A
provides extra color and tannin to blends
7
Q
Mourvedre
A
- provides extra color and tannin to blends
- dense black fruit, gamey, meaty
8
Q
Cinsault
A
- red fruit
- blended with Grenache for fresh, fruity rose
9
Q
Red winemaking challenges and techniques
A
- potentially high tannin and high alcohol
- cold prefermentation maceration
- storage in stainless steel > warm extractive fermentations in traditional open fermenters
- maturation in old oak vessels
- new oak used but some believe it overwhelms Grenache flavors
- spice, meat, earth
10
Q
White varietals
A
- Clairette
- Grenache Blanc
- Bourboulenc
- Viognier
- Marsanne
- Roussane
- richly textured
- full body
- high alcohol
- low to medium acid
- subtle fruit
- new oak rarely used
11
Q
Cotes du Rhone
A
- more than half of production
- red wine: medium body, fruity but simple
12
Q
Cotes du Rhone Village
A
- minimum alcohol
- maximum yields
- greater percentage of blend made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre
13
Q
Chateauneuf de Pape
A
- first place with AOC status
- 13 varietals
- Grenache dominant
- full body
- high alcohol
- spiced red fruit
- rich texture
14
Q
Tavel and Lirac
A
- rose
- Grenache and Cinsault
- full body
- ageworthy
- Tavel (rose only)
15
Q
Gigondas and Vacqueyras
A
- Grenache dominant blends
- full body
- spicy style similar to CNDP
