Southern Rhone - General Flashcards
Size of Southern Rhone?
Much greater than size of Northern Rhone
What is the climate in Southern Rhone?
Warm, mediterranean climate = dry summers and mild winters
Describe the topography vs North
Rhone valley opens out south of Valence and vineyards are planted on much flatter terrain vs Northern Rhone
What is an increasing problem for vineyards?
Drought, irrigation is permitted if it is severe within strict rules
Other climatic influences? result in the vineyard?
Mistral Wind, the land is flatter, less protection from wind, so low bush-trained vines are common for suitable grape varieties, ie, Grenache Noir
Also windbreaks have to be planted
How are other grapes trellised in Southern Rhone?
Syrah is usually grown tied to wires on trellises to give protection from wind.
List the hierarchy of the appellations in Southern Rhone (4)
- Côtes du Rhône AOC
- Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
- Côtes du Rhône AOC + named village (22 villages, ie, Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret
- Individual Appellations known as Crus - Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Gigondas AOC
Which grape is dominant in Southern Rhone blends?
Grenache Noir (+Syrah +Mouvedre)
Blend of wines in south vs north?
North is usually 1-2 single varieties, Southern Rhone are often complex blends
What are the regulations for red, white and rosé wines? principal grape
- Distinguish between principal, complementary and other varieties
State total minimum proportion of principal which must be used.
Describe Grenache
Black grape
high yielding
late ripener
can be trained as bush vine
vigorous
good drought resistance
prone to coulure (reduced yields) and fungal disease
dominates Southern Rhone
most widely planted variety
produces withs with concentrated spiced red fruit flavours
hot years flavours can be baked/jammy
Describe Syrah
Black grape
Vigorous
needs careful training/tying to protect from Mistral
On steep slopes in north, plants are often tied to one or two poles as trellising not possible, adds to cost
Describe Mouvedre
late budding, thrives in warm/hot climates
needs hi temp at end of season to ripen
needs small, regular amounts of water, ie from deep calcareous soils that sore water
Can be grown Cordon system or bush vine
Low yields
prone to mites, leafhoppers and sour rot
prone to reduction = extra care in winery
typically aged in old oak
Used as part of blend in Rhone
Principal variety in red/rosé wines of Bandol AOC in provence
Describe Cinsaut
tasting note
late-budding, high yielding
good drought/heat resistance
yields must be restricted for hi quality
In S. Rhone is typically used as small part of red blend
made in a way that preserves fruit flavours (mid-temp ferment in S/S)
light ruby
med-intense aromas of fresh red fruit (raspberry, red cherry)
high alcohol
low-med tannins
lifted aromas most prominent 1st year after wines is made = good for early drinking reds/rosés
Describe Cotes du Rhone AOC
Vast appellation
covers all land suitable for grape growing in southern rhone (except other rhone appellations
Size of S Rhone vs Bdx?
2nd largest appellation after Bdx
What are the max yields for red/rosé wines in cote du rhone AOC?
51 hL/ha
What is the blend % for cotes du rhone?
Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre together must make up 60% of final blend
what % does Grenache need to be if grapes are from S. Rhone (vs Syrah/Mouvedre?
Grenache Noire must be 30% of blend
plus combo of Syrah & Mourvèdre must be 20%
Describe a Cote du Rhone tasting note
med intensity ruby
med int plus and blackberry
no oak flavour
med acidity
med tannin (or low tannin if made by carbonic maceration)
med alcohol
good quality, inexpensive
What other varieties are allowed in cote du rhone AOC
Carignan and Cinsault
What is Max yield for white wines in cote du rhone AOC
51 hL/ha
List the white grapes for White Cote du Rhone AOC
What % of the blend must they make up?
Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier
Together they must make up 80% of final blend
What are the rules of Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC?
Yields?
For red wines similar % as CdR AOC, but requires final blend to have minimum o 66% of at least 2 of 3 of principal varieties, must include Grenache Noir
Yield 44 hL/ha
What are the yields for Cotes due Rhone Village AOC + named village?
41 hLha