Southern Rhône Flashcards
Describe the climate in Southern Rhône
Warm Mediterranean: mild winters, warm, dry summers
Describe rainfall in the Southern Rhône and what can result from this
Usually adequate
Drought can be an issue some summers: irrigation is permitted if severe but under strict conditions
Is land in the Southern Rhône flatter or steeper than in the Northern Rhône? How does this affect growing conditions here?
Flatter
Less protection from the Mistral
What training systems are typical for vines grown in the Southern Rhône?
Low bush trained vines
Syrah is often grown tied to wires on trellises for wind protection
Give the four levels of appellations found in Southern Rhône-
- 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
Give a typical tasting note for Grenache Noir
Pale ruby Ripe red fruit, red cherry, red plum, spicy and herbal notes Low acidity Low to medium tannin High alcohol
Is Grenache late or early ripening?
Late ripening - autumn rains can cause issue
What diseases can Grenache vines face when growing?
Prone to powdery mildew, phomopsis, botrytis and bacterial blight
Is Grenache a high or low yielding vine?
How is it trained to combat this?
What sites is it consequently best suited to?
High yielding
Bush trained, pruned short to contain vigour. Also helps with wind protection
Does well on dry, low fertility soils
Is Grenache prone to oxidation or reduction? How might it be handled in the winery as a result?
Oxidation
Can lose colour if exposed to too much oxidation
Typically fermented in stainless steel or concrete to avoid too much oxygen
Is Mourvedre prone to oxidation or reduction? How might it be handled in the winery as a result?
Reduction
Pump overs might be more frequent
Oak ageing can add gentle oxidation (but adds to cost)
Mourvedre is a ___ budding and ____ ripening variety.
What climates does it perform best in?
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
What diseases / pests can Mourvedre vines face when growing?
Mites
Leaf hoppers
Sour rot
Give a typical tasting note for Mourvedre
Deep ruby colour Pronounced intensity Blackberry, blueberry, violet High tannin High alcohol
Give a typical tasting note for Cinsault
Light ruby colour Medium to medium (+) intensity Raspberry, red cherry Low to medium tannin High alcohol
Cinsault is ___ budding and ____ yielding
What does it have good resistance to?
Late budding and high yielding
Good drought and heat resistance
Carignan is ____ budding and ____ ripening
Late budding and late ripening
Why is Carignan not suitable for mechanical harvesting?
Bunched are firmly attached to the vine
Give a typical tasting note for Carignan from younger vines
How will top examples differ?
Medium ruby Simple black fruit High acidity High tannin Usually unoaked
Top examples have intense black fruit and spicy/ earthy notes
What winemaking techniques can be employed to soften Carignan’s high acidity and tannin?
Carbonic maceration
Blending
Grenache Blanc is ____ ripening, _____ yielding and ____ resistant.
It is prone to ____, ____ mildew, _____ and ____ ____ ___
Early ripening, high yielding and drought resistant
Prone to coulure, powdery mildew, phomopsis and botrytis bunch rot
Give a typical tasting note for Grenache Blanc
Low intensity
Ripe, green fruit, floral notes
Low acidity
High alcohol
Give a typical tasting note for Clairette
White flower, fennel, apple, grapefruit
Low to medium acidity
High alcohol
Give a typical tasting note for Bourboulenc
Lemon
Medium + acidity
Medium alcohol
What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Rhône AOC red and rosé wines?
What are the principle varieties and minimum % of final blend?
51hl/ha
Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah must be 60%
Grenache must be 30%
What is the maximum yield for Côtes du Rhône AOC white wines?
What are the principle varieties and minimum % of final blend?
51hl/ha
Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier together must make up 80% of the blend
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?
45hl/ ha
42hl/ha
Give a typical tasting note for Côtes du Rhône red
Medium ruby Medium intensity flavour Red plum, blackberry, no oak Medium acidity Medium tannin (low if carbonic maceration) Medium alcohol Good quality Inexpensive
At what altitude are Gigondas vines planted at?
Up to 600m above sea level
Describe which factors contribute to slightly cooler temperatures in Gigondas
- Shading from Dentelles de Montmirail mountains reduce morning temperatures
- Mistral wind
- Up to 600m above sea level - diurnal range
At what altitude are Vacqueyras vines planted at?
Up to 440m above sea level (lower than Gigondas, but still gives diurnal range)
What is the maximum yields for Vacqueyras and Gigondas?
36hl/ha - low
Describe the quality and price of red wines from Vacqueryas and Gigondas AOC
Good to very good
Mid to premium priced
What is the most northerly of the Southern Rhône crus?
Vinsobres AOC
Vinsobres vineyards are on ___ and ___-___ facing slopes at ___ to ___m above sea level
How do these conditions affect the vines here?
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
Describe the growing conditions in Rasteau AOC and the resulting style of wines grown here
- vines are planted on low, south facing slopes
- planted in a warm enclave, sheltered from the Mistal
- ripe, full bodied wines
What is the final blend of Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Rasteau and Vinsobres AOC reds?
What is the final blend of Cairanne AOC reds?
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
What is the final blend of Cairanne AOC reds?
At least 40% Grenache, with at least one of either Syrah or Mourvedre (Lower min. Grenache % than Gigondas, Vaqueyras, Rasteau)
What is the general style of red wine produced in Cairanne AOC?
Mostly reds made in a fruity, approachable style
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?
Grenache and Syrah must make up 50% of the blend
Grignan-les-Adhémar
What is the maximum yield for Beaumes de Venise AOC reds?
38hl/ha
How many grape varieties are permitted in CNDP?
13 (18 if counting colour variants of 5 of them)
What is the minimum alcohol level permitted in CNDP without chaptalisation?
12.5%
Red CNDP wines are principally made using which varieties?
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvedre
White CNDP wines are principally made using which varieties?
Bourboulenc
Grenache Blanc
Clairette
Roussanne
Marsanne and Viognier are not permitted here
Is mechanised harvest permitted in CNDP?
No - grapes must be hand picked
What soils can you find in CNDP?
How do these generally affect ripening?
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
How do CNDP wines from sandy soils differ from those from soils with large pebbles?
Sandy soil wines are finer and lighter
Pebble wines are more structured - radiate heat back on to vines adding to ripeness
What effect does the Mistral have on vines in CNDP?
- Dehydrates and concentrates fruit
- Reduces disease pressure
Give a typical tasting note for a red CNDP wine
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
What is the final blend of Lirac AOC reds?
GSM + Cinsault min 90%
What climatic conditions help ripen grapes in Lirac AOC?
Long sunshine hours
Well-drained infertile soils
What type of wines are produced in Tavel AOC?
Rosé wines only
What is the final blend of Tavel AOC rosés?
The final blend must include Grenache Noir
No one grape may contribute more than 60%
What is the maximum yield for Tavel AOC rosés?
46hl/ha
Give a typical tasting note for Tavel AOC rosé
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
How has rosé production in Tavel changed?
Used to be highly regarded as a gastronomy wine
Some producers now make paler roses to compete with Provence
Name the four largest satellite Southern Rhône appellations
Costières de Nîmes
Grignan les Adhémar
Ventoux
Luberon
What is the final blend of Ventoux AOC reds?
A minimum of two of GSM, Carignan and Cinsault must make up minimum 50%
What is the maximum yield for Ventoux AOC reds?
60hl/ha
What two climatic features of Ventoux provide some cooling influence?
- Vines are up to 450m
- Vines are on slopes of Mt. Ventoux - cool air descends
What is the final blend of Costières de Nîmes and Luberon AOC reds?
50% GSM
What is the maximum yield for Costières de Nîmes AOC reds?
60hl/ha
What is the final blend of Grignan les Adhémar AOC reds?
Which Southern Rhône AOC requires the same minimum blend?
Minimum 50% Grenache and Syrah
Beaumes de Venise
What is the final blend of Luberon AOC reds?
50% min GSM
What is the maximum yield for Luberon AOC reds?
55hl/ha
Name 3 large negociant houses based in the Northern Rhône who also operate across the south
Chapoutier
Guigal
Jaboulet
What percentage of all Rhône wine is exported?
Where are the main markets?
35%
UK, Belgium and USA
How are growers changing how they make and sell wines in the Rhône?
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
