Southern Rhone - General Flashcards

1
Q

Size of Southern Rhone?

A

Much greater than size of Northern Rhone

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2
Q

What is the climate in Southern Rhone?

A

Warm, mediterranean climate = dry summers and mild winters

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3
Q

Describe the topography vs North

A

Rhone valley opens out south of Valence and vineyards are planted on much flatter terrain vs Northern Rhone

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4
Q

What is an increasing problem for vineyards?

A

Drought, irrigation is permitted if it is severe within strict rules

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5
Q

Other climatic influences? result in the vineyard?

A

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

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6
Q

How are other grapes trellised in Southern Rhone?

A

Syrah is usually grown tied to wires on trellises to give protection from wind.

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7
Q

List the hierarchy of the appellations in Southern Rhone (4)

A
  1. Côtes du Rhône AOC
  2. Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC
  3. Côtes du Rhône AOC + named village (22 villages, ie, Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret
  4. Individual Appellations known as Crus - Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Gigondas AOC
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8
Q

Which grape is dominant in Southern Rhone blends?

A

Grenache Noir (+Syrah +Mouvedre)

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9
Q

Blend of wines in south vs north?

A

North is usually 1-2 single varieties, Southern Rhone are often complex blends

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10
Q

What are the regulations for red, white and rosé wines? principal grape

A
  1. Distinguish between principal, complementary and other varieties
    State total minimum proportion of principal which must be used.
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11
Q

Describe Grenache

A

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

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12
Q

Describe Syrah

A

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

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13
Q

Describe Mouvedre

A

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

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14
Q

Describe Cinsaut
tasting note

A

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

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15
Q

Describe Cotes du Rhone AOC

A

Vast appellation
covers all land suitable for grape growing in southern rhone (except other rhone appellations

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16
Q

Size of S Rhone vs Bdx?

A

2nd largest appellation after Bdx

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17
Q

What are the max yields for red/rosé wines in cote du rhone AOC?

A

51 hL/ha

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18
Q

What is the blend % for cotes du rhone?

A

Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre together must make up 60% of final blend

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19
Q

what % does Grenache need to be if grapes are from S. Rhone (vs Syrah/Mouvedre?

A

Grenache Noire must be 30% of blend
plus combo of Syrah & Mourvèdre must be 20%

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20
Q

Describe a Cote du Rhone tasting note

A

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

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21
Q

What other varieties are allowed in cote du rhone AOC

A

Carignan and Cinsault

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22
Q

What is Max yield for white wines in cote du rhone AOC

A

51 hL/ha

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23
Q

List the white grapes for White Cote du Rhone AOC
What % of the blend must they make up?

A

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier
Together they must make up 80% of final blend

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24
Q

What are the rules of Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC?
Yields?

A

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

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25
Q

What are the yields for Cotes due Rhone Village AOC + named village?

A

41 hLha

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26
Q

What is max yield for Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

A

35 hL/ha

27
Q

Describe Gigondas AOC
height?
shade?
Key grape? % of blend?

A

Well established, 1971
Vineyard height 600,
Shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail Mountains
Grenache Noir (at least 50%) + Syrah or Mourvèdre

28
Q

What has cooling effect on Gigondas?

A

Montmirail mountains reduce temperature in the mornings
lower temp of cooling effect of Mistral
+ slower rising, more flavour, lower temp reduces alcohol in Grenache

29
Q

List the 9 Southern Rhone Crus

A

1) Gigondas AOC 1971
2) Vacqueyras AOC 1990
3) Vinsobres AOC
4) Raseau AOC
5) Cairanne AOC (newest) 2016
6) Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
7) Chateuaneuf-du-Pape AOC
8) Lirac AOC
9) Tavel AOC

30
Q

What is the style of wine from Gigondas AOC and Vacqueras AOC?

A

Similar FB, spicy style to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and many of the wines are as good as those from more famous appellation
Likely to always be in shadow of C-d-P

31
Q

Describe Vaqueras AOC

A

Granted 1990
not as high as Gigondas
400m = hi diurnal
Final blend based on Grenache Noir (at least 50%) and at least + Syrah or Mourvèdre

32
Q

Describe Vinsobres AOC

A

Most northerly of southern Rhone Crus
Previously Cote du Rhone Villages Vinsobres
Now AOC since 2006
50% Grenache Noir
more Syrah planted and grown, more flavour intensity, structure and colour
Final blend 50% Grenache + Syrah or Mourvèdre

33
Q

Describe vineyards of Vinsobres

A

South, south/east facing
200-500m = good sunlight interception
Good drainage
some protection from Mistral
higher slopes cooler = slower ripening, intensity of flavours
Older plots of Carignan and Cinsaut valued for high quality fruit
Good to V Good
mid-priced to premium price

34
Q

Describe Rasteau AOC

A

AOC since 2010 for red wine
Also produces small amount of Vin Doux Natural
Based on 50% Grenache blend + Syrah or Mourvèdre

35
Q

Where are vines planted in Rasteau
irrigation?

A

Planted on low, south-facing slopes (100,)
sheltered from Mistral
= ripe, FB wine
irrigation allowed within limits

36
Q

How is wine fermented in Rasteau?
Oak?
Quality?

A

in large vats, esp concrete, matured in large oak
some hi quality Syrah aged in small barrels (adding cost)
Good to v good
mid-premium priced

37
Q

Describe Cairanne AOC

A

new AOC 2015
Not as steep as Gigondas
not as warm as Rasteau
Final blend 40% Grenache + Syrah + Mourvèdre
Some hi quality white made here

38
Q

Describe Baumes de Venise AOC

A

Best known for Vin Doux Natural
Also has unfortified red since 2005
Vineyards on slopes, shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail
Final blend based on Grenache + Syrah must make up 50%

39
Q

Describe history Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
AOC rules
Red/white %?

A

Situated on East bank of Rhone
Largest of all the Crus in Rhone Valley
owed original fame to Pope in 14th Century staying in historic village
First area to have Appellation Controlée status
Rules delimited region where grapes could be grown
Use of 13 grape varieties
min alcohol of 12.5%
Allows red and whites to be made
90% wine produced is red

40
Q

What 2 major white varieties are not allowed in AOC wines?

A

Viognier and Marsanne.

41
Q

Red wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape are made from?

A

Grenache Noire + Mourvèdre and Syrah

42
Q

What is Mourvèdre providing to the blend?

A

Increased interest for intense black fruit, provided enough moisture in soil

43
Q

What can have a marked impact on the flavours?

A

Vineyard area notably flat, small variations in aspect can have an impact on how Syrah and Mourvèdre perform.

44
Q

Describe the soils in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

A

includes limestone, clay, sandstone and sandy soils, clay helps with water-holding capacity during dry summers.

45
Q

One distinct soil in Chateauneuf-du-pape?

A

Large Peoples (Galets roulés) was valued for it’s heat radiating qualities at night time contributing to ripening. However now it’s less revered as sugar levels are becoming too high (= hi alcohol)

46
Q

What are the average yields in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

A

30 hL/ha

47
Q

is blending across lieux-dits common?

A

yes, for added complexity and creating volumes that are commercially viable.

48
Q

Describe Chateauneuf-du-Pape red

A

med ruby
med_ to pronounced intensity of
ripe red plum, blackberry fruit
spice notes from oak
med acidity
hi alcohol
med-high tannins
good to outstnaind
mid-priced to super-premium

49
Q

Describe white wines in Southern Rhone

A

Best wines are usually richly textured, FB, hi alcohol, low-med acidity,

50
Q

What grapes are used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape white?

A

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne,

51
Q

describe the style of white wine?

A

Some hi quality wines fermented in oak barrels for additional complexity,
or
other preserve freshness and primary fruit character
wines matured in either tank or oak barrels, sometimes with new oak
Recent trend for lighter, more floral, fresher style.

52
Q

Describe Lirac AOC

A

on West Bank of the Rhone
makes mainly red wines and some Rosés
and white wines
Red wines: Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre Syrah and Cinsaut must = 90% of blend
high sunlight hours, well-drained infertile soils = good grape conditions

53
Q

Describe Tavel AOC

A

on West Bank of Rhone (along with Lirac)
Dedicated solely to Rosé wines
AOC lists 12 grape varieties (black & white)
Final blend must include Grenache Noir
Max yield = 46 hL/ha

54
Q

Describe Tavel wines

A

Med Int pink-orange
darker than most other rosés
med+ intensity of strawberry and raspberry fruit
med-FB
med alcohol (at top of 13.5%)
v good quality
mid-priced to premium

55
Q

Reputation of Tavel Rosé?
challenge?
result?

A

For centuries Tavel Rosé has had v high reputation for best rosé esp for gastronomy
Reputation now challenged by paler Provence rosé success
Some Tavel producers now produce paler wines, but still make deeper coloured traditional wines.

56
Q

List the other ‘Satellite’ Southern Rhone Appellations (4)

A
  1. Ventoux AOC
  2. Costieres de Nimes AOC
  3. Luberon AOC
  4. Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC
57
Q

Describe Ventoux AOC
where
slopes?
cooling influence?
Red production %?
Rosé production %?
White?

A

Large and increasingly planted appellation
south-east of southern Rhone
on southern and western slopes of Mount Ventoux
altitude plus cool air from mountain = cooling influence
Vines planted at up to 450m
2/3 of production is red wine
1/3 Rosé
very small amount of white wine made

58
Q

What are principal black grapes in Ventoux AOC
Must make up what % of final blend?
yields?
Export?
Quality?

A

Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsaut
50% of final blend
60 hL/ha = low concentration
25% of production exported
good - v good in quality,
Inexpensive to mid-priced, some premium

59
Q

Describe Costieres de Nimes AOC
where?
plantings? sun?
% of red/white/rose?
grape varieties?
% of blend?
yields?
Co-ops? estates?
Quality?

A

lies between Rhone and eastern Languedoc at south-west limit of Rhone region
grown on south-west facing slopes, good sunlight interception
2/3 red, 1/3 rosé plus v small white production
Grenache Noir, Mourvedre and Syrah
together or singly make up 50% of blend
movement from co-op dominated to smaller, privately owned estates
good to v good
inexpensive to mid-priced, some premium

60
Q

Describe Luberon AOC

A

South-East of Rhone valley
borders Provence
Vines on gentle slopes/flat land
Final blend 50% of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

61
Q

Describe Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC

A

at northern end of southern Rhone
Mainly red blends
50% Grenache, Syrah
lighter style vs other s. rhone wines
inexpensive, good quality

62
Q

Key part of Wine law/regulations?

A

Grape varieties and max yields
National prohibition of Irrigation for AOC wines amended so AOCs may apply in extreme conditions, proof of water stress, no irrigation after verasion and still not exceed max yield.

63
Q

Winemaking in Southern Rhone

A