Southern Rhône Flashcards
Which appellation accounts for more than half of all production in the Southern Rhône?
Côtes du Rhône
Describe the wine style of Côtes du Rhône.
3 points
- Fruity
- Simple
- Medium body
True or false:
Only red wine can be produced in Côtes du Rhône
False:
White and rosé can also be made
What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?
Warm Mediterranean
What is the main climatic hazard?
Drought
Name 4 possible red winemaking techniques used in the Southern Rhône.
1) Cold pre-fermentation maceration
2) Storage in stainless steel
3) Warm, extractive fermentation in traditional open fermenters
4) Maturation in large old oak vessels
What are the 4 main black varieties of the Southern Rhône?
1) Grenache
2) Syrah
3) Mourvèdre
4) Cinsault
What is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard terrain like?
Notably flat, with some small but impactful variations in aspect
Why is it almost impossible to describe a ‘typical’ Southern Rhône red?
(2 points)
1) Range of varieties and blends
2) Range of winemaking techniques
- What can cause damage to vines in the Southern Rhône?
- What are 3 ways of combatting it?
- The Mistral gathers speed in this region
- 1) Planting windbreaks
2) Bush-training vines low to the ground
3) Supportive trellising systems
What does Mourvèdre add to a Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend?
Game and meat
What does Syrah add to a Southern Rhône blend?
2 points
- Colour
- Tannin
What 3 requirements must be met to achieve Côtes-du-Rhône Villages status?
1) Stringent minimum alcohol levels
2) Maximum yields observed
3) Greater % of the blend must be from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre
From what are Tavel and Lirac’s rosés made?
Grenache and Cinsault
Are Southern Rhône wines usually varietal or blends?
Complex blends; often over 12 grape varieties
How many grape varieties are permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
13
Which Southern Rhône variety can add red fruit to a blend, but is best used as a partner to Grenache in fresh, fruity rosé?
Cinsault
Where in the Southern Rhône are youthful fortified Muscats produced?
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AC
What are the stones in Châteauneuf-du-Pape which cover almost all vineyard surface?
Galets
What other type of wine is produced in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
A small quantity of white
What is the most planted Southern Rhône variety?
Grenache
Why does Grenache do so well in the Southern Rhône?
The warm summers allow it to ripen fully
What is:
1) The largest cru in the Southern Rhône
2) The first ever French area to have appellation contrôlée status
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
What must Southern Rhône winemakers manage levels of in order to achieve balanced reds?
1) High alcohol
2) High tannin
Other than Châteauneuf-du-Pape, what are the Southern Rhône’s 2 most long-standing crus?
1) Gigondas
2) Vacqueyras
What is the downside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s interesting diversity?
There is also a lot of mediocre, unbalanced wine produced there, and it is hard to determine the level of quality from the label
What happens to Grenache in hot years?
It becomes overly baked and jammy
What are the 3 hierarchy levels in the Southern Rhône?
1) Cru
2) Côtes du Rhône Villages
3) Generic Côtes du Rhône
What sort of wines are made in Gigondas and Vacqueyras?
Grenache-led, full-bodied, spicy red blends of high quality
How does the terrain of the Southern Rhône compare with that of the Northern Rhône?
It is much flatter
What are the best soils in the Southern Rhône?
Very stony, with stones which absorb the sun’s heat and aid ripening
Which 2 Southern Rhône crus are the only ones on the west bank?
Tavel and Lirac
For what are Tavel and Lirac famous?
Rosé
What can be produced in:
1) Tavel
2) Lirac
1) Rosé only
2) Rosé and quality Châteauneuf-du-Pape style reds and whites
When can a village add its name to Côtes du Rhône Villages?
If 100% of the wine comes from that village
What do all named villages have the option to apply for?
Cru status
What is considered a minority concern in the Southern Rhône?
Cultivation of white grapes
Which Southern Rhône wine:
- Full body
- Intense red fruit flavour
- Capable of complex bottle age
Rosé from Tavel and Lirac
In the Southern Rhône, which variety is bush-trained low to the ground, and what are 2 benefits of this?
- Grenache
1) Protection from the Mistral
2) Gets warmth from the soil
What dominates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Grenache
Which Southern Rhône variety:
- Deep colour
- Very high tannin
- Dense black fruit
- Gamey, meaty aromas
Mourvèdre
What are the 6 most important crus of the Southern Rhône?
- Gigondas
- Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
- Vacqueyras
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Tavel
- Lirac
Which 6 white varieties are grown in Southern Rhône?
- Clairette
- Grenache Blanc
- Bourboulenc
- Viognier
- Marsanne
- Roussanne
