Southern Rhône Valley

Question 1

How Many Côte du Rhône communes can put the name on the appellation?

Answer 1

22

Question 2

Beaumes-de-Venise Grapes

Answer 2

a AOP in southern Rhone for Red Only

Rouge: Combined Min. 80% Grenache and Syrah (min. 50% Grenache, 25-50% Syrah), max. 10% combined Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Gris, Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc and Viognier; max. 20% combined Mourvèdre, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir and Terret Noir

Syrah and Mourvèdre may account for a combined min. 20% until the 2015 harvest

Assemblage: Grenache Noir and Syrah must constitute the majority of the blend.

Question 3

What is the significant about Château la Nerthe?

Answer 3

They were the first to release an estate bottles Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1785

Question 4

What is Garrique?

Answer 4

A bush in the Southern Rhône valley

Question 5

Grenache Synonyms

Question 6

Gigondas

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Principle soil Type

Answer 6

An red only appelation in the southern Rhône Valley

Grapes: Min. 50% Grenache

Must be Min. 90% GSM

Must include 15% Syrah and Mourvèdre

Principal Soil Type: stony red clay alluvium, Limestone

Question 7

Tavel Grapes and local Soil type

Answer 7

One of the view Rosé only AOPs in France

required 30 to 60% combined Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, and Grenache Noir

up to 60% Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Gris, Piquepoul Noir, and Syrah

up to 10% each Calitor and Carignan (blanc and noir)

Soil Type:

Principle Soil: “Lauses” (white calcareous stone) and galets

Question 8

Vacqueyras Blanc

Answer 8

An appellation in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For white wines:

Blanc: Bourbelenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier (no single variety may account for more than 80%)

Question 9

Vacqueyras Rosé Grapes

Answer 9

Appellation in southern Rhône Valley for white, red and rosé

For Rosé

Rosé:

Principal Varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (no single variety may account for more than 80%)

Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% other varietals allowed for rouge wines

Question 10

Vacqueyras Rouge Grapes

Answer 10

appelation in souther Rhône Valley for white red and rosé

For reds:

Rouge:

Principal Variety: Grenache (min. 50%)

Complementary Varieties: Syrah and Mourvèdre (min. 20% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre), principal and complementary varieties must account for at least 90% of the total

Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% combined Brun Argenté, Carignan, Clairette Rosé, Counoise, Muscardin, Piquepoul Noir, and Terret Noir; max. 5% combined Bourboulenc, Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Clairette and Marsanne

Question 11

Vinsobre Grapes

Answer 11

an appellation in the southern Rhone for Red wines only.

Rouge:

Principal Variety: Min. 50% Grenache

Complementary Varieties: Mourvèdre and Syrah (min. 25% combined Mourvèdre and Syrah; min. 80% combined Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah)

Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% combined Bourboulenc, Brun Argenté, Carignan, Cinsault, Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Counoise, Marsanne, Muscardin, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Noir, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Ugni Blanc and Viognier (max. 5% white varieties)

Assemblage: Min. 50% Grenache, and at least one complementary variety must be present in the blend.

Question 12

Lirac Blanc Grapes

Answer 12

Appelation in southern Rhône Valley for white, red and Rose

Blanc:

Principal Varieties: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Clairette (no single variety may account for more than 60%)

Accessory Varieties: Max. 30% combined Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier (no single variety may account for more than 25%)

Question 13

Lirac Rosé Grapes

Answer 13

appelation in southern Rhône Valley for white, red and rose

For Rosé

Rosé:

Principal Varieties: Min. 80% combined Grenache (min. 40%), Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre (min. 25% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre)

Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% Carignan, plus a max. 20% combined white varieties

Question 14

Lirac Red Grapes

Answer 14

appellation in southern Rhône for white, red, rosé

for Red:

Rouge:

Principal Varieties: Min. 90% combined Grenache (min. 40%), Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre (min. 25% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre)

Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% Carignan, plus a max. 5% combined white varieties (Roussanne, Marsanne, Piquepoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier)

Question 15

Cairanne White Grapes

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When was it elevated?

Answer 15

an AOP in southern Rhône for white and red it was elevated from a Côte du Rhône Village in 2016

For White:

Blanc:

Principal Varieties: Clairette Blanc (min. 30%), Grenache Blanc (min. 20%), Marsanne, Roussanne (min 20%), Viogner, Bourboulenc,

Accessory Varieties: Picpoul Blanc, Ugni Blanc

Question 16

Cairanne Red Grapes

Answer 16

An AOP in southern Rhône Valley for white and red

For Red:

Rouge:

Principal Variety: Grenache (minimum 50%)

Complementary Varieties: Syrah and Mourvèdre (minimum 20%)

Accessory Varieties: No more than 30% (white varieties limited to 5%); Bourboulenc, Brun Argenté Noir (Vaccarèse), Carignan (max 20%), Cinsault, Clairette Blanc, Clairette Rose, Counoise Noir, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Muscardin, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Noir, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Ugni Blanc, Viognier.

Question 17

Costières de Nîmes White Grapes

Answer 17

An AOP in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For White:

Blanc:

Principal Varieties: Min. 50% combined Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, and Roussane (no single variety may exceed 80% of the vineyard, and at least two principal varieties must be planted)

Accessory Varieties: Bourboulenc, Macabeu, Vermentino, Clairette, and a max. 20% Viognier

Question 18

Costières de Nîmes Rosé Grapes

Answer 18

A AOP in Southern Rhône for white, red and Rosé

For Rosé

Principal Varieties: Min. 60% combined Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah (min. 20% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre)

Accessory Varieties: Carignan, Cinsault, and a max. 10% Marselan

Rosé: As for Rouge wines, with a max. 20% white varieties

Question 19

Costières de Nîmes Red Grapes

Answer 19

An AOP in southern Rhône Valley for white, red and rosé

For Red:

Rouge:

Principal Varieties: Min. 60% combined Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah (min. 20% combined Syrah and Mourvèdre)

Accessory Varieties: Carignan, Cinsault, and a max. 10% Marselan

Question 20

Côtes du Vivarais White grapes

Answer 20

An AOP in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For white

Blanc: Min. 50% Grenache Blanc, min. 30% combined Marsanne and Clairette; max. 10% combined Viognier and Roussanne

Question 21

Côtes du Vivarais Rosé Grapes

Answer 21

An AOP in Southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For Rosé:

Rosé: 60-80% Grenache, min. 10% Syrah, max. 10% combined Marselan and Cinsault

Question 22

Côtes du Vivarais Red Grapes

Answer 22

An AOP in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For Red:

Rouge: Min. 40% Syrah, min. 30% Grenache, max. 10% combined Marselan and Cinsault

Question 23

What is Clairette de Bellegarde

Answer 23

An AOP in southern Rhône Valley for only white wines. It is a single commune inside of Costières de Nîmes

Styles and Encépagement:

Blanc: 100% Clairette

Question 24

Grignan-les-Adhémar White Grapes

Answer 24

The northern most southern Rhône Valley AOP for white, red and rosé

For White:

Blanc: Min. 30% Viognier, plus Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne (no single variety may exceed 80% of the encépagement)

Blanc: Bourboulenc and Clairette may not exceed a combined 50% of the blend.

Question 25

Grignan-les-Adhémar Rosé Grapes

Answer 25

The northern most southern Rhône Valley AOP for white, red and rosé

For Rosé:

Rosé:

Principal Varieties: Min. 70% combined Grenache (20-70%) and Syrah (30-80%)

Accessory Varieties: Bourboulenc, Carignan, Cinsault, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Viognier, and max. 10% Marselan

Rosé: Principal Varieties form the majority of the blend, and white varieties may not exceed 20%

Question 26

Grignan-les-Adhémar

Answer 26

The northern most southern Rhône Valley AOP for white, red and rosé

For Red:

Red:

Principal Varieties: Min. 70% combined Grenache (20-70%) and Syrah (30-80%)

Accessory Varieties: Bourboulenc, Carignan, Cinsault, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Mourvèdre, Roussanne, Viognier, and max. 10% Marselan

Rouge: Principal Varieties form the majority of the blend, and white varieties may not exceed 10%.

Question 27

Luberon White grapes

Answer 27

An AOP in Southern Rhône for white, red, and rosé

For White

Blanc:

Principal Varieties: Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle (Vermentino)

Complementary Variety: Max. 50% Ugni Blanc

Accessory Variety: Max. 10% Viognier

Question 28

Luberon Rosé Grapes

Answer 28

An AOP in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For Rosé:

Rouge:

Principal Varieties: Min. 60% combined Grenache and Syrah (both grapes must be present with a min. 20% Syrah), plus Mourvèdre

Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% Cinsault, max. 20% Carignan, max. 10% Marselan, and a max. 10% combined white varieties (Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier)

Rosé: As for red wines, but with a max. 20% white varieties (including a max. 10% Viognier)

Question 29

Luberon Red Grapes

Answer 29

An AOP in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For Red:

Rouge:

Principal Varieties: Min. 60% combined Grenache and Syrah (both grapes must be present with a min. 20% Syrah), plus Mourvèdre

Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% Cinsault, max. 20% Carignan, max. 10% Marselan, and a max. 10% combined white varieties (Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier)

Question 30

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Answer 30

A Vin Doux Naturel AOP in southern Rhône Valley.

White, Red, and Rose Vin Doux Naturel can be made

The grapes are:

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Muscat Rouge à Petits Grains

Minimum Potential Alcohol: 21.5% (15% acquired)

Minimum Must Weight: 252 g/l

Minimum Residual Sugar: 100 g/l (110 g/l prior to 2011)

Mutage: Min. 96° neutral alcohol in 5-10% proportion to wine

Question 31

Rasteau Rouge

Answer 31

A red only AOP in Southern Rhône.

It was only passed in 2010 for dry reds as compared to the Vin Doux Naturel styles Rasteau is most known for.

Principal Variety: Min. 50% Grenache

Complementary Varieties: Min. 20% combined Mourvèdre and Syrah

Accessory Varieties: Max. 15% combined Bourboulenc, Brun Argenté, Carignan, Cinsaut, Clairette, Clairette Rose, Counoise, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Muscardin, Piquepoul Blanc, Piquepoul Noir, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier (max. 5% all white varieties)

Question 32

Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel Styles and aging requirement

Answer 32

Vin Doux Naturel “Rosé” Wines must be bottled by December 31 of the year following the harvest.

Vin Doux Naturel “Blanc” and “Grenat”: Wines may not be released until May 1 of the year following the harvest. They must be bottled no later than June 30 of the second year after harvest.

Vin Doux Naturel “Ambré” and “Tuilé”: Wines may not be released until March 1 of the third year following the harvest

Vin Doux Naturel “Hors d’Age”: Wines may not be released until September 1 of the fifth year following the harvest

Question 33

What is Mutage?

Answer 33

Where a grape spirit is added to arrest fermentation in a proportion of 5 to 10%

Question 34

Ventoux White Grapes

Answer 34

An AOP in southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For White:

Blanc:

Principal Varieties: Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne

Accessory Varieties: Max. 10% combined Marsanne, Vermentino, and Viognier

Question 35

How is Grenache traditionally trained in the southern Rhône Valley and why?

Answer 35

Bush vine so they are lower to the ground because of the Mystral winds.

Question 36

Ventoux Red and Rosé Grapes

Answer 36

An AOP in the southern Rhône for white, red and rosé

For red and Rosé

Rouge:

Principal Varieties: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah

Accessory Varieties: Max. 20% combined Counoise, Piquepoul Noir, Marselan (max. 10%), and white varieties (max. 10% Vermentino)

Rosé: As for rouge wines

Question 37

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Answer 37

An AOP in southern Rhone for Red and white:

Styles and Encépagement:

Blanc

Rouge

Permitted Grape Varieties: Grenache (Noir, Gris and Blanc), Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Brun Argenté (Vaccarèse), Clairette, Clairette Rosé, Muscardin, Picardan, Piquepoul (Noir, Gris and Blanc), Terret Noir

Minimum Alcohol: 12.5%

Question 38

What are the 13 (18) allowable grapes of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Answer 38

Grenache (Noir/Blanc/Gris)

Mourvèdre

Syrah

Cinsault

Counoise

Picpoul (Noir/Blanc/Gris)

Terret Noir

Bourboulenc

Clairette/Clairette Rosé

Roussanne

Vaccarèse

Picardan

Muscardin