Southern Rhone Flashcards
What are the 4 main black grapes in the Southern Rhone?
Grenache
Mouvedre
Syrah
Cinsault
How is Grenache generally trained in the Southern Rhone?
Why?
Bush vines
Protection from mistral winds
Make the most of stony soils
What are the stony soils that many of the best sites depend on called?
Galets
What must be planted in much of the Southern Rhone to protect from the mistral? What happens to the mistral as it reaches the Southern Rhone?
Windbreaks
Gains speed
Which grape dominates the Southern Rhone both in planting and blend-makeup?
Grenache
What flavours are typical of best Grenache?
Spiced red fruit
What flavours might develop in Grenache during a hot year?
Overly jammy, baked fruit aromas
What climatic issues are typical of the Southern Rhone?
Drought
Wind
The Southern Rhone is the northern limit of which grape that thrives here?
Mourvedre
What characters compliment the black fruit aromas of Mourvedre when fully developed?
Meat and Game
Mourvedre is …. coloured and …. in tannin
Deeply
High
What aromas of Mourvedre are highly prized in Chateaneuf du Pape?
Meat and Game
While it does not contribute much in the way of colour or tannin, what does Cinsault bring to a blend?
Red fruit characters
What is Cinsault mainly used for in the Southern Rhone?
Blending with Grenache to make rose
Where might Syrah struggle in the Southern Rhone?
Hotter sites
Why must Syrah be trellised in the Southern Rhone?
Easily wind-damaged, needs support
What is the general climate of the Southern Rhone?
Warm, Mediterranean
What are the 7 relevant appellations of the Southern Rhone?
Cotes du Rhone Cotes du Rhone Villages Chateaneuf-du-Pape Tavel and Lirac Vacqueyras and Gigondas
Which two crus are known for rose production, which one is rose only?
Tavel and Lirac
Tavel is rose only
Which cru was awarded the first ever AC status in France?
Chateaneuf-du-Pape
What differentiates Cotes du Rhone from Cotes du Rhone Villages? (3)
Maximum yields are observed
Higher percentage of village wines must be Grenache, Mourvedre or Syrah
Higher minimum alcohol
How many varieties are allowed in the production of Chateaneuf-du-Pape?
13
Can white wine be produced in Chateaneuf-du-Pape?
Yes
What is it about the size of Chateaneuf-du-Pape that offers interest but also contributes to the inclusion of mediocre wines?
A wide variety of soil types and aspects in the region
What grape dominates in Chateaneuf-du-Pape?
Grenache
In which 3 crus might you find red wine made in a similar style to Chateaneuf-du-Pape?
Lirac
Gigondas
Vaqueyras
Intensely flavoured, more full bodied and age-worthy descrived rose from where?
Tavel and Lirac
What are the main grapes of Tavel and Lirac?
Grenache and Cinsault
Why would wines from Gigondas and Vacqueyras be cheaper than Chateaneuf-du-Pape, despite being just as good?
Reputation
What grapes are found here that would also be found in the Northern Rhone?
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
What white grapes, aside from Northern Rhone varietals, can be found in the Southern Rhone? (3)
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
Bourboulenc
