Southern Rhône Valley copied to WSET D3 - Quiz Flashcards by Jenni Beard

List the key appellations of Southern Rhone

Cotes du Rhone / Cotes du Rhone Villages

Chateauneuf du Pape

Gigondas / Vacqueras

Tavel / Lirac

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What is the climate of Southern Rhone?

What are summers/winters like?

What are 2 risks of the climate?

What is the terrain like?

Mediterranean

Hot, dry summers tempered by wide diurnal swings.

Mild winters with heavy autumnal rains.

Risks - drought and vine damage from Mistral winds.

Terrain: Rugged garrigue scrubland that turns into a valley.

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How is Grenache usually trained and why?

Bush trained (Gobelet)

Gives protection from Mistral and increases warmth from stony soils

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What are the best soils in Southern Rhone?

Sand, gravel and clay, along with large stones called Galets

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What are the 5 key black grapes of the Southern Rhone?

Mostly Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre plus some Cinsault and Carignan

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What are the main differences in style between Northern and Southern Rhone wines?

Southern Rhone wines are typically richer, riper and higher in alcohol.

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What does Syrah bring to Southern Rhone blends?

Extra colour and tannin but struggles in hotter sites

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What does Mourvèdre bring to Southern Rhone blends?

Very high tannin, dense black fruit and meaty aromas Thrives in the heat

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What does Cinsault bring to Southern Rhone blends and what is it often used for?

Low tannin, red fruit flavours Often blended with Grenache to make fruity Rosé

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What 4 key factors are responsible for the broad differences in style of CNdP wines?

Soil Types: Vastly varied over the appellation’s 3000 acres.
Use of oak: Some age for a long time in old oak foudres, others in new barrique.
Assemblage: Producers vary greatly in style when selecting from the 13 varieties allowed.
Use of Carbonic Maceraton / New vinification techniques.

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How can Southern Rhone reds style vary?

From light / medium body, low tannin fresh fruity wines to high tannin, full body, spicy, meaty, earthy

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What white grapes are used in Southern Rhone?

White is minority production but Bourboulenc, Clairette and Grenache Blanc plus Northern Rhone trio; Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne

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Whilst a minority interest what is the style of the best Southern Rhone white wines?

Rich texture, full body,

high alcohol, low acidity

subtle fruit, usually no oak

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How does Cotes du Rhone Villages differ from simple Cotes du Rhone?

Higher minimum alc

Lower Max yield limits

Higher % GSM

Generally more body, structure and spiced fruit

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Other than the wine what is Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s claim to fame?

The first region in France to be granted Appellation Controlee

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Which is the largest Cru in the Rhone?

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

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What is the terrain of Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Very flat with a wide range of soils and aspects.

Many areas have Galets (big stones) on the surface.

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What does Tavel produce and what is it made from? What is its style?

Rosé only from mostly Grenache with some Cinsault Dry, Full body with intense flavour

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What is produced in Lirac?

Rosé from Grenache and Cinsault, similar to Tavel

Full bodied red and white in a similar style to Cotes du Rhone Villages wines.

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What is produced in Gigondas and Vacqueras?

What style are these wines similar to?

What is significant about these appellations?

Grenache led, full body, spicy reds

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

They were the first 2 Cotes-du-Rhone Villages to be promoted to AOC status.

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What are the 2 appellations for sweet, fortified wines in the Southern Rhone?

What are they classified as?

Muscat de-Beaumes-de-Venise and Rasteau.

“Vin Doux Naturel”

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How many grapes can be used to make Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

13 (or 18, depending on how you count them.)

Why is Grenache well-suited for the Southern Rhone?

Able to tolerate droughts and strong winds.

Needs lots of heat to ripen fully, N. Rhone is too cool.

Which Pope was responsible for moving the Papal court from Rome to Avignon?

Which Pope was responsible for planting the vineyards around Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Pope Clement V

Pope John XXII

Before it was referred to as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, what was wine from this area called?

Vin d'Avignon

The Southern Rhone Valley accounts for \_\_% of all wine production in the Rhone Valley.

95%

What is the name of the "pudding stones" found in Chateauneuf-du-Pape? What are they made from? Why are they useful for viticulture?

"Galets" Quartzite. They store heat and release it to the vines at night.

What are the 13 permitted varietals for Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

1. Grenache (noir/gris/blanc). 2. Syrah. 3. Mouvedre. 4. Terret Noir. 5. Cinsault. 6. Counoise. 7. Picpoul (noir/gris/blanc). 8. Bourboulenc. 9. Clairette/Clairette Rosé. 10. Roussanne. 11. Vacarese. 12. Picardin. 13. Muscardin.

How many villages may append their name to Cotes-du-Rhone Villages wines?

What is "Le Râpé" in Chateauneuf-du-Pape law? What is its purpose?

An AOC mandate that producers must discard/declassify at least 2% of harvested grapes. Its purpose is to safeguard against underripness.

Grenache was imported to France from what country?

Spain

Where does the Chateau de Beaucastel estate primarily produce wine? What is noteworthy about their wine?

Chateauneuf-du-Pape ## Footnote The red is based on Mouvedre and includes every permitted varietal in CNdP.

Where does the Chateau Rayas estate primarily produce wine? What is noteworthy about their wine?

Chateauneuf-du-Pape ## Footnote Their CNdP red is 100% Grenache.

What is the minimum abv allowed for Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOP?

12.5%

In which region is the Cote du Vivarais AOP located?

Southern Rhone

Most Cotes du Rhone AOP red wines must have 30% Grenache. When is an exception allowed?

The rule does not apply to vineyards north of Montélimar.

Put these Southern Rhone appellations in order from North to South: Gigondas Luberon Tavel Vacqueyras Grignan-les-Adhémar Lirac

1. Grignan-les-Adhémar. 2. Gigondas. 3. Vacqueyras. 4. Lirac 5. Tavel 6. Luberon

Chateau Rayas owns 2 other properties. What are they and where are they located?

Chateau des Tours: Vacqueyras Chateau de Fonsalette: Cotes-du-Rhone

What is the minimum % of Grenache required for Vacqueyras AOP wine?

50%

Is Chateauneuf-du-Pape East or West of the Rhone?

East

Describe the Body Acidity Alcohol of Chateauneuf-du-Pape red wine.

Full body. Medium Acidity. High alcohol.

What types of wines are produced in St.-Peray? From which grapes?

Still white and traditional method sparkling (mousseux) from Marsanne and Roussanne.

What is "Vin de Paille"? Where is it commonly found?

"Straw wine", sweet wine made from grapes that have been dried on straw mats. Made in Hermitage

What grape is used for Chateau de Beaucastel Vieilles Vigne Blanc?

Roussanne

What AOP unknowingly served as the entry for phylloxera into France in the 1860s?

Lirac

Vieux Telegraphe is associated with which wine/vineyard area?

Rhone South/Chateauneuf de Pape

Where is the producer Chateau la Nerthe located? What is the name of their prestige cuvée?

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Cadettes

What is the prestige cuvée of Chateau de Beaucastel?

Hommage a Jacques Perrin

Domaine du Pegau is a producer located in: Their winemaking style is considered: Their top cuvée made from old-vine selections is:

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone Valley Very traditional style, wines made for long-term aging, no de-stemming or filtration, aging in old foudres for 18 months. "Cuvée da Capo"

What kind of wine is produced in Beaumes-de-Venise and from which grape?

Red wine from at least 50% Grenache.

What is the minimum amount of residual sugar permitted for Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel?

45g/l

Clairette de Bellegarde is a single commune appellation within which larger appellation?

Costiere de Nimes

Which appellation accounts for over two-thrids of production in the Southern Rhone?

Cotes-du-Rhone