Southern Rhône Flashcards
What is the French name for the Southern Rhône?
Rhône méridionale
Name the city that lies at the northern limit of the Southern Rhône Valley.
Montélimar
Which Pope move the papacy from Rome to Avignon?
Clement V
Which Pope moved the papacy from Avignon back to Rome?
Gregory XI
In what year did phylloxera arrive in Southern France?
1863
What modern appellation likely served as phylloxera’s entry point in France?
Lirac
What was the first AOC awarded in France? In what year?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape; 1936
In what country did Grenache originate?
Spain
What climate type characterizes the Southern Rhône?
Mediterranean
Describe the primary soils of Gigondas.
Alluvial red clay
Give the varietals authorized for Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Grenache (Blanc/Gris/Noir), Syrah, Mouvèdre, Counoise, Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Picardin, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Clairette (Blanc/Rosé), Picpoul (Blanc/Gris/Noir), Roussanne, Vaccarèse (Brun Argenté)
Where are Lirac and Tavel is relation to Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
West, south
About what percentage of Rhône Valley wines are produced in the Southern Rhône?
95%
Name the prominent wind that blows through the Southern Rhône.
Mistral
Who was the first producer to release an estate bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape? In what year?
Château La Nerthe; 1785
What is le râpé? In what appellation is it mandated?
Producers must discard 2% of their harvest, a precaution against under-ripeness; Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What is the largest AOP of the Southern Rhône?
Côtes du Rhône AOP
How many geographic designation may be used with Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP?
20
Which geographic designation of Côtes du Rhône-Villages is only authorized for rosé and red wines?
Chusclan
Name the vin doux naturel appellations of the Southern Rhône.
Rasteau
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
What communes are authorized to produced Muscat de Beaumes de Venise?
Beaumes-de-Venise, Aubignan
Name the communes of Rasteau AOP.
Rasteau, Cairanne, Sablet
Which commune(s) of Rasteau are authorized to produce dry red table wine?
Rasteau
Name the leading producer by volume of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
Vignerons de Beaumes de Venise
The aging designations in Rasteau were borrowed from what appellation?
Rivesaltes
What is the minimum aging required for Rasteay Abmré and Tuile wines?
3 years
For how long is Rasteau “Hors d’Age” aged?
Minimum 5 years
Explain the mutage requirement for Rasteau AOP.
96degree spirit, 5-10% ration/proportion
Grignan-lès-Adhemar was formerly known by what name? When did the change happen?
Coteaux du Tricastin; 2010
In what appellation would you find “Lauses” soil?
Tavel
What is the most prevalent vine training method encountered in the Southern Rhône?
Gobelet
Vinsobres, Cairanne, and Beaumes de Venise all require what minimum percentage of Grenache in red wines?
50%
What is the parentage of Marselan?
Cabernet Sauvignon x Grenache
Name the second important red varietal of Beaumes de Venise AOP.
Syrah
What is the minimum vine age for wines to quality for Cairanne AOP?
5 years
Name the red-wine-only geographic designations of Côtes du Rhône-Villages.
Massif d’Uchaux, Gadagne, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Saint-Cécile, Signargues, Suze-la-Rousse, Vaison de Romaine
Give the authorized varietals for Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise.
Muscat Blanc/Rouge à Petits Grains
What is the traditional aging vessel used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Foudre (550-600L)
Which pope began construction on Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
John XXII
Name the commune(s) authorized for Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Orange, Sorgues, Bedarrides, Courthézon
The Dentelles de Montmirail are a defining geographic feature of what appellation?
Gigondas
Who produces “Reservé de Celestins?”
Henri Bonneau
Château Rayas’ young-vine Grenache is released as what bottling?
Pignan
Who is the producer of “Hommage à Jacques Perrin?”
Château de Beaucastel
In what vintages has Domaine de Pegau produced Cuvée da Capo?
1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2015
Bédarrides, Courthézon, and Sorgues are all communes within which appellation?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What is the primary white varietal stipulate for Duché d’Uzès AOP?
Viognier
What is the minimum residual sugar required for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
100 g/L (110 g/L prior to 2011)
What is the required minimum alcohol for Muscat de Beaumes de Venise?
15%
What is the minimum residual sugar required for Rasteau AOP vin doux naturel wines?
45 g/L
What communes are authorized for Tavel AOP?
Tavel, Roquemaure
Give an appellation outside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has galets as a noted soil type.
Tavel
Describe the “Lauses” soils of Tavel.
White, calcareous (calcium-rich) stone
Brun Argenté is a synonym for what grape?
Vaccarèse
