Southern Rhône

Question 1

What is the French name for the Southern Rhône?

Answer 1

Rhône méridionale

Question 2

Name the city that lies at the northern limit of the Southern Rhône Valley.

Answer 2

Montélimar

Question 3

Which Pope move the papacy from Rome to Avignon?

Answer 3

Clement V

Question 4

Which Pope moved the papacy from Avignon back to Rome?

Answer 4

Gregory XI

Question 5

In what year did phylloxera arrive in Southern France?

Answer 5

1863

Question 6

What modern appellation likely served as phylloxera’s entry point in France?

Answer 6

Lirac

Question 7

What was the first AOC awarded in France? In what year?

Answer 7

Châteauneuf-du-Pape; 1936

Question 8

In what country did Grenache originate?

Answer 8

Spain

Question 9

What climate type characterizes the Southern Rhône?

Answer 9

Mediterranean

Question 10

Describe the primary soils of Gigondas.

Answer 10

Alluvial red clay

Question 11

Give the varietals authorized for Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 11

Grenache (Blanc/Gris/Noir), Syrah, Mouvèdre, Counoise, Cinsault, Bourboulenc, Picardin, Muscardin, Terret Noir, Clairette (Blanc/Rosé), Picpoul (Blanc/Gris/Noir), Roussanne, Vaccarèse (Brun Argenté)

Question 12

Where are Lirac and Tavel is relation to Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 12

West, south

Question 13

About what percentage of Rhône Valley wines are produced in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 13

95%

Question 14

Name the prominent wind that blows through the Southern Rhône.

Answer 14

Mistral

Question 15

Who was the first producer to release an estate bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape? In what year?

Answer 15

Château La Nerthe; 1785

Question 16

What is le râpé? In what appellation is it mandated?

Answer 16

Producers must discard 2% of their harvest, a precaution against under-ripeness; Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Question 17

What is the largest AOP of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 17

Côtes du Rhône AOP

Question 18

How many geographic designation may be used with Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP?

Answer 18

20

Question 19

Which geographic designation of Côtes du Rhône-Villages is only authorized for rosé and red wines?

Answer 19

Chusclan

Question 20

Name the vin doux naturel appellations of the Southern Rhône.

Answer 20

Rasteau

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Question 21

What communes are authorized to produced Muscat de Beaumes de Venise?

Answer 21

Beaumes-de-Venise, Aubignan

Question 22

Name the communes of Rasteau AOP.

Answer 22

Rasteau, Cairanne, Sablet

Question 23

Which commune(s) of Rasteau are authorized to produce dry red table wine?

Answer 23

Rasteau

Question 24

Name the leading producer by volume of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.

Answer 24

Vignerons de Beaumes de Venise

Question 25

The aging designations in Rasteau were borrowed from what appellation?

Answer 25

Rivesaltes

Question 26

What is the minimum aging required for Rasteay Abmré and Tuile wines?

Answer 26

3 years

Question 27

For how long is Rasteau "Hors d'Age" aged?

Answer 27

Minimum 5 years

Question 28

Explain the mutage requirement for Rasteau AOP.

Answer 28

96degree spirit, 5-10% ration/proportion

Question 29

Grignan-lès-Adhemar was formerly known by what name? When did the change happen?

Answer 29

Coteaux du Tricastin; 2010

Question 30

In what appellation would you find "Lauses" soil?

Answer 30

Tavel

Question 31

What is the most prevalent vine training method encountered in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 31

Gobelet

Question 32

Vinsobres, Cairanne, and Beaumes de Venise all require what minimum percentage of Grenache in red wines?

Answer 32

50%

Question 33

What is the parentage of Marselan?

Answer 33

Cabernet Sauvignon x Grenache

Question 34

Name the second important red varietal of Beaumes de Venise AOP.

Answer 34

Syrah

Question 35

What is the minimum vine age for wines to quality for Cairanne AOP?

Answer 35

5 years

Question 36

Name the red-wine-only geographic designations of Côtes du Rhône-Villages.

Answer 36

Massif d'Uchaux, Gadagne, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Saint-Cécile, Signargues, Suze-la-Rousse, Vaison de Romaine

Question 37

Give the authorized varietals for Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise.

Answer 37

Muscat Blanc/Rouge à Petits Grains

Question 38

What is the traditional aging vessel used in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 38

Foudre (550-600L)

Question 39

Which pope began construction on Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 39

John XXII

Question 40

Name the commune(s) authorized for Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 40

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Orange, Sorgues, Bedarrides, Courthézon

Question 41

The Dentelles de Montmirail are a defining geographic feature of what appellation?

Answer 41

Gigondas

Question 42

Who produces "Reservé de Celestins?"

Answer 42

Henri Bonneau

Question 43

Château Rayas' young-vine Grenache is released as what bottling?

Answer 43

Pignan

Question 44

Who is the producer of "Hommage à Jacques Perrin?"

Answer 44

Château de Beaucastel

Question 45

In what vintages has Domaine de Pegau produced Cuvée da Capo?

Answer 45

1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2015

Question 46

Bédarrides, Courthézon, and Sorgues are all communes within which appellation?

Answer 46

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Question 47

What is the primary white varietal stipulate for Duché d'Uzès AOP?

Answer 47

Viognier

Question 48

What is the minimum residual sugar required for Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?

Answer 48

100 g/L (110 g/L prior to 2011)

Question 49

What is the required minimum alcohol for Muscat de Beaumes de Venise?

Answer 49

15%

Question 50

What is the minimum residual sugar required for Rasteau AOP vin doux naturel wines?

Answer 50

45 g/L

Question 51

What communes are authorized for Tavel AOP?

Answer 51

Tavel, Roquemaure

Question 52

Give an appellation outside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has galets as a noted soil type.

Answer 52

Tavel

Question 53

Describe the "Lauses" soils of Tavel.

Answer 53

White, calcareous (calcium-rich) stone

Question 54

Brun Argenté is a synonym for what grape?

Answer 54

Vaccarèse