Southern Rhône

Question 1

What is the climate of S. Rhône?

Answer 1

Mediterranean

Question 2

What are some of the climatic difficulties in S. Rhône?

Answer 2

Drought (cost of Irrigation)
Mistral Winds (Windbreaks must be planted)

Question 3

List the varietals allowed in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 3

Grenache (Noir, Blanc, Gris)
Mourvèdre
Syrah
Cinsault 
Counoise
Picpoul (Noir, Blanc, Gris)
Terret Noir
Bourboulenc
Clairette/Clairette Rosé
Roussanne
Vacarèse
Picardin
Muscardin

Question 4

Which is the most planted varietal in S. Rhône?

Answer 4

Grenache

Question 5

What are the stones famous in CDP?

Answer 5

Galets

Question 6

Which AC accounts for more than half of the production in S. Rhône?

Answer 6

Côtes-du-Rhône AC

Question 7

How does Côtes-du-Rhône Villages differ from CdR?

Answer 7

More structure, body, and spiced red fruit
Harsh MIN ABV levels
Harsh MAX yields
Higher percentage of blend must be GSM

Question 8

How many villages can add their name to the CdR Villages AC?

Answer 8

18

Question 9

List the individual crus of S. Rhône and when they were promoted.

Answer 9

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 1923
Tavel, 1936
Lirac, 1945
Gigondas, 1971
Vacqueras, 1990
Beaume-de-Venise, 2005
Vinsorbres, 2006
Cairanne, 2016

Question 10

What year was CDP awarded its AC status?

Answer 10

1923

Question 11

Who built the castle that represents the history and name of the CDP AC?

Answer 11

Pope John XXII

Question 12

Which Pope moved the papacy to Avignon?

Answer 12

Pope Clement V

Question 13

What style of wines are allowed to be produced in CDP?

Answer 13

Red and White

Question 14

Which 2 crus are the only located on the West Bank?

Answer 14

Lirac and Tavel

Question 15

What style of wine are Tavel famous for and permitted to produce?

Answer 15

Rosé (mainly Grenache and Cinsault)
Full-bodied
Intense Flavors
Bottle Age –> savory complexity

Question 16

What style of wine is permitted in Lirac?

Answer 16

Red and White, in CdP style

Question 17

What are the ACs for Vins Doux Naturels?

Answer 17

Muscat de Beaume-de-Venise and Rasteau

Question 18

List the S. Rhône Satellite ACs.

Answer 18

Grignan-les-Adhémar 
Côtes du Vivarais
Ventoux, SE
Luberon, SE
Costières de Nimes
Clairette de Bellegarde

Question 19

Where is Grignan-les-Adhémar located?

Answer 19

The most northern S. Rhône AOP, it is located directly south Montélimar

Question 20

What was the previous name for Grignan-les-Adhémar?

Answer 20

Côtes du Tricastin

Question 21

What was the reason for the change of name for Grignan-les-Adhémar?

Answer 21

An effort to distance the wines from a nuclear plant in Tricastin, which had an unfortunate history and an unsavory reputation with the name.

Question 22

What is the name of the single-commune appellation within Costières de Nimes?

Answer 22

Clairette de Bellegarde

Question 23

What style of wine is permitted in Clairette de Bellegarde?

Answer 23

White only.