Southern Rhône Valley Flashcards
Which AOC has the highest min abv for France?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, along with Vacqueyrs, Vinsobres, Cairanne, Rasteau, Beaumes-de-Venise & Gigondas at 12.5%, min alcohol are the highest in France.
What is rapé?
In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a min of 2% of harvest must be discarded, which is referred to as rapé. This can be used for table wine or distillation.
What does a papal crest on a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape indicate?
The papal crest indicates estate bottling in CDP.
What styles of wine are permitted for Gigondas?
Only Red & Rosé are permitted in Gigondas.
What styles of wine are permitted in Vacqueyras?
Blanc, Rosé, & Rouge are all permitted in Vacqueyras.
What styles of wine are permitted in Beaumes-de-Venise?
Dry red is the only permitted style in Beaumes-de-Venise (hint, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is a different AOP).
What styles of wine are permitted for Tavel?
Rosé is the only style permitted in Tavel.
Name a few of the villages that can append their name t Côtes du Rhône.
Red-Only (5): Massif d’Uchaux, Signargues, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Gadagne
Red & Rosé (1): Chusclan
W/R/Rosé (14): Laudun, Roaix, Rochegude, Rousset-les-Vignes, Sablet, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Maurice, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Sainte-Cécile, Séguret, Suze-la-Rousse, Vaison-la-Romaine, Valréas, Visan
What was Grignan les Adhémar previously called?
Coteaux du Tricastin AOC was established in 1973 and later changed to Grignan les Adhémar.
What larger region was Costières de Nimes previously part of?
Costières de Nimes was originally part of the Languedoc, then transferred to Rhône Valley in 2004.
Where is Clairette de Bellegarde and what does it produce?
Clairette de Bellegarde is a single commune AOP within Costières de Nimes and produces white wine only from the Clairette grape.
What styles are permitted for Rasteau AOP?
Rouge, along with Vin Doux Naturel (blanc, ambré, grenat, tuilé) and VDN rancio are permitted for Rasteau AOP.
Grapes can come from the communes of Rasteau, Sablet, or Cairanne for VDN, but only from Rasteau if unfortified, dry red.
Name 2 sub AOPs of Costières de Nimes.
Duché d’Uzes & Clairette de Bellegarde are sub AOPs of Costières de Nimes.
What are the communes permitted for CDP production?
CDP, Oranges, Sorgues, Bedarrides, Courthezon
Describe the 2002 vintage in the Southern Rhone from 1-5.
1 because of massive flooding
Which estate produced the first ‘special cuvee’ for CDP?
Chateau La Nerth ‘Cuvee des Cadettes’ in the 1800s!
Name at least 2 special cuvees in CDP.
Ch La Nerthe Cuvee des Cadettes (1800s)
Bonneau Cuvee Celestins (1927)
Beaucastel Hommage a Perrin (1989)
*Clos de Papes & Rayas do not produce a special cuvee.
Who promoted CDP early helping it gain appellation status (first AOP in France!)?
Baron Puerre Le Roy - he owned Fortia, La Nerthe, & Vaudieu.
They drew the boundaries to CDP in 1919, applied for appellation status in 1924, and became the first AOC in France in 1936.
Name all 18 varieties permitted for Chateauneuf du Pape.
Grenache (Blanc, Gris, Noir), Picquepoul (Blanc, Gris, Noir), Clairette (and Clairette Rose), Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Cinsault, Terret Noir, Vaccarese (= Brun Argente), Roussanne, Bourbolenc, Picardan, Muscardin
What berry color is Muscardin? Picardan?
black & white respectively
Name the worst vintage in CDP between 2000 and 2010. Why?
- There was massive flooding.
Which Pope moved to Avignon and when?
Pope Clement V in 1309. The papacy stayed there until 1378.
He also had Chateau Pape Clement in Graves named after him!
What is the minimum planting density for CDP vines?
En Ligne - 3,000 vines per hectare
Au Carre - 2,500 vines per hectare
Is Chaptalization allowed in CDP?
Not for reds. Whites can be enriched, but not past 14.5% abv.
