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Wine Diploma > Southern Rhône > Flashcards

Southern Rhône Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the climate in Southern Rhône

A

Warm Mediterranean: mild winters, warm, dry summers

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2
Q

Describe rainfall in the Southern Rhône and what can result from this

A

Usually adequate

Drought can be an issue some summers: irrigation is permitted if severe but under strict conditions

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3
Q

Is land in the Southern Rhône flatter or steeper than in the Northern Rhône? How does this affect growing conditions here?

A

Flatter

Less protection from the Mistral

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4
Q

What training systems are typical for vines grown in the Southern Rhône?

A

Low bush trained vines

Syrah is often grown tied to wires on trellises for wind protection

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5
Q

Give the four levels of appellations found in Southern Rhône-

A
  • Côtes du Rhône AOC
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
  • Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + named village
  • Individual appellations for top villages known as cru e.g. CNDP, Gigondas, Cairanne
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6
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Grenache Noir

A 
Pale ruby
Ripe red fruit, red cherry, red plum, spicy and herbal notes
Low acidity
Low to medium tannin
High alcohol
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7
Q

Is Grenache late or early ripening?

A

Late ripening - autumn rains can cause issue

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8
Q

What diseases can Grenache vines face when growing?

A

Prone to powdery mildew, phomopsis, botrytis and bacterial blight

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9
Q

Is Grenache a high or low yielding vine?

How is it trained to combat this?

What sites is it consequently best suited to?

A

High yielding

Bush trained, pruned short to contain vigour. Also helps with wind protection

Does well on dry, low fertility soils

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10
Q

Is Grenache prone to oxidation or reduction? How might it be handled in the winery as a result?

A

Oxidation

Can lose colour if exposed to too much oxidation
Typically fermented in stainless steel or concrete to avoid too much oxygen

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11
Q

Is Mourvedre prone to oxidation or reduction? How might it be handled in the winery as a result?

A

Reduction

Pump overs might be more frequent
Oak ageing can add gentle oxidation (but adds to cost)

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12
Q

Mourvedre is a ___ budding and ____ ripening variety.

What climates does it perform best in?

A

Late budding and late ripening

Only likes hot climates - needs high temperatures to fully ripen and can be under ripe if late summers are not hot

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13
Q

What diseases / pests can Mourvedre vines face when growing?

A

Mites
Leaf hoppers
Sour rot

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14
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Mourvedre

A 
Deep ruby colour
Pronounced intensity
Blackberry, blueberry, violet
High tannin
High alcohol
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15
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Cinsault

A 
Light ruby colour
Medium to medium (+) intensity
Raspberry, red cherry
Low to medium tannin
High alcohol
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16
Q

Cinsault is ___ budding and ____ yielding

What does it have good resistance to?

A

Late budding and high yielding

Good drought and heat resistance

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17
Q

Carignan is ____ budding and ____ ripening

A

Late budding and late ripening

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18
Q

Why is Carignan not suitable for mechanical harvesting?

A

Bunched are firmly attached to the vine

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19
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Carignan from younger vines

How will top examples differ?

A 
Medium ruby
Simple black fruit
High acidity
High tannin
Usually unoaked

Top examples have intense black fruit and spicy/ earthy notes

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20
Q

What winemaking techniques can be employed to soften Carignan’s high acidity and tannin?

A

Carbonic maceration

Blending

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21
Q

Grenache Blanc is ____ ripening, _____ yielding and ____ resistant.

It is prone to ____, ____ mildew, _____ and ____ ____ ___

A

Early ripening, high yielding and drought resistant

Prone to coulure, powdery mildew, phomopsis and botrytis bunch rot

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22
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Grenache Blanc

A

Low intensity
Ripe, green fruit, floral notes
Low acidity
High alcohol

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23
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Clairette

A

White flower, fennel, apple, grapefruit
Low to medium acidity
High alcohol

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24
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Bourboulenc

A

Lemon
Medium + acidity
Medium alcohol

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25
Q

What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Rhône AOC red and rosé wines?

What are the principle varieties and minimum % of final blend?

A

51hl/ha

Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah must be 60%

Grenache must be 30%

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26
Q

What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Rhône AOC white wines?

What are the principle varieties and minimum % of final blend?

A

51hl/ha

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier together must make up 80% of the blend

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27
Q

What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC red?

What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + village red?

A

45hl/ ha

42hl/ha

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28
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Côtes du Rhône red

A 
Medium ruby
Medium intensity flavour
Red plum, blackberry, no oak
Medium acidity
Medium tannin (low if carbonic maceration)
Medium alcohol
Good quality
Inexpensive
29
Q

At what altitude are Gigondas vines planted at?

A

Up to 600m above sea level

30
Q

Describe which factors contribute to slightly cooler temperatures in Gigondas

A
  • Shading from Dentelles de Montmirail mountains reduce morning temperatures
  • Mistral wind
  • Up to 600m above sea level - diurnal range
31
Q

At what altitude are Vacqueyras vines planted at?

A

Up to 440m above sea level (lower than Gigondas, but still gives diurnal range)

32
Q

What is the maximum yields for Vacqueyras and Gigondas?

A

36hl/ha - low

33
Q

Describe the quality and price of red wines from Vacqueryas and Gigondas AOC

A

Good to very good

Mid to premium priced

34
Q

What is the most northerly of the Southern Rhône crus?

A

Vinsobres AOC

35
Q

Vinsobres vineyards are on ___ and ___-___ facing slopes at ___ to ___m above sea level

How do these conditions affect the vines here?

A

South and south east facing slopes at 200 to 500m above sea level

  • good sunlight interception
  • good drainage
  • some protection from the Mistral
  • higher slopes are cooler and lengthen the ripening period
36
Q

Describe the growing conditions in Rasteau AOC and the resulting style of wines grown here

A
  • vines are planted on low, south facing slopes
  • planted in a warm enclave, sheltered from the Mistal
  • ripe, full bodied wines
37
Q

What is the final blend of Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Vinsobres AOC reds?

What is the final blend of Cairanne AOC reds?

A

At least 50% Grenache, with at least one of either Syrah or Mourvedre

At least 40% Grenache, with at least one of either Syrah or Mourvedre

38
Q

What is the final blend of Cairanne AOC reds?

A

At least 40% Grenache, with at least one of either Syrah or Mourvedre (Lower min. Grenache % than Gigondas, Vaqueyras, Rasteau)

39
Q

What is the general style of red wine produced in Cairanne AOC?

A

Mostly reds made in a fruity, approachable style

40
Q

What two grapes are in the final blend of Beaumes de Venise AOC reds? What is the minimum percentage?

Which satellite appellation requires the same blend?

A

Grenache and Syrah must make up 50% of the blend

Grignan-les-Adhémar

41
Q

What is the maximum yield for Beaumes de Venise AOC reds?

A

38hl/ha

42
Q

How many grape varieties are permitted in CNDP?

A

13 (18 if counting colour variants of 5 of them)

43
Q

What is the minimum alcohol level permitted in CNDP without chaptalisation?

A

12.5%

44
Q

Red CNDP wines are principally made using which varieties?

A

Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre

45
Q

White CNDP wines are principally made using which varieties?

A

Bourboulenc
Grenache Blanc
Clairette
Roussanne

Marsanne and Viognier are not permitted here

46
Q

Is mechanised harvest permitted in CNDP?

A

No - grapes must be hand picked

47
Q

What soils can you find in CNDP?

How do these generally affect ripening?

A 
Limestone
Clay
Sandy
Sandstone
Galets roulé

Clay is useful for water retention
Low fertility and generally fast draining soils reduce vegetative growth and lead to small crops of riper grapes

48
Q

How do CNDP wines from sandy soils differ from those from soils with large pebbles?

A

Sandy soil wines are finer and lighter

Pebble wines are more structured - radiate heat back on to vines adding to ripeness

49
Q

What effect does the Mistral have on vines in CNDP?

A
  • Dehydrates and concentrates fruit

- Reduces disease pressure

50
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a red CNDP wine

A 
Medium ruby
Medium (+) intensity
Ripe red plum, blackberry, spice, sometimes new oak
Medium acidity
Full body
High alcohol

Tannins vary depending on varietal mix, style and vintage

51
Q

What is the final blend of Lirac AOC reds?

A

GSM + Cinsault min 90%

52
Q

What climatic conditions help ripen grapes in Lirac AOC?

A

Long sunshine hours

Well-drained infertile soils

53
Q

What type of wines are produced in Tavel AOC?

A

Rosé wines only

54
Q

What is the final blend of Tavel AOC rosés?

A

The final blend must include Grenache Noir

No one grape may contribute more than 60%

55
Q

What is the maximum yield for Tavel AOC rosés?

A

46hl/ha

56
Q

Give a typical tasting note for Tavel AOC rosé

A 
Medium intensity pink/ orange
Medium to medium (+) intensity flavour
Strawberry, raspberry
Medium (+) to full body
Medium alcohol (pushing high)
Good to very good
Mid priced to premium
57
Q

How has rosé production in Tavel changed?

A

Used to be highly regarded as a gastronomy wine

Some producers now make paler roses to compete with Provence

58
Q

Name the four largest satellite Southern Rhône appellations

A

Costières de Nîmes
Grignan les Adhémar
Ventoux
Luberon

59
Q

What is the final blend of Ventoux AOC reds?

A

A minimum of two of GSM, Carignan and Cinsault must make up minimum 50%

60
Q

What is the maximum yield for Ventoux AOC reds?

A

60hl/ha

61
Q

What two climatic features of Ventoux provide some cooling influence?

A
  • Vines are up to 450m

- Vines are on slopes of Mt. Ventoux - cool air descends

62
Q

What is the final blend of Costières de Nîmes and Luberon AOC reds?

A

50% GSM

63
Q

What is the maximum yield for Costières de Nîmes AOC reds?

A

60hl/ha

64
Q

What is the final blend of Grignan les Adhémar AOC reds?

Which Southern Rhône AOC requires the same minimum blend?

A

Minimum 50% Grenache and Syrah

Beaumes de Venise

65
Q

What is the final blend of Luberon AOC reds?

A

50% min GSM

66
Q

What is the maximum yield for Luberon AOC reds?

A

55hl/ha

67
Q

Name 3 large negociant houses based in the Northern Rhône who also operate across the south

A

Chapoutier
Guigal
Jaboulet

68
Q

What percentage of all Rhône wine is exported?

Where are the main markets?

A

35%

UK, Belgium and USA

69
Q

How are growers changing how they make and sell wines in the Rhône?

A

More growers are making and selling their own wines rather than selling on to négociants and co-ops as the value of their wines is increasing

Wine Diploma (62 decks)

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