The Rhone

Question 1

How many grapes are allowed for use in the Rhone Valley

Answer 1

23

Question 2

What does Carignan add to a blend?

Answer 2

earthy notes

Question 3

What is Cinsaut prized for?

Answer 3

cherry and cranberry notes

Question 4

Name some white grapes of S Rhone

Answer 4

Picpoul
Bourboulenc
Clairette
Grenache Blanc
Roussane
Marsanne
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains

Question 5

Main white grape of N Rhone

Answer 5

Marsanne

Question 6

Many vines in the N Rhone are least __ years old

Answer 6

40

Question 7

Many wineries in N rhone practice _____-______ fermentation

Answer 7

whole cluster

Question 8

The two famous slopes of Cote Rotie

Answer 8

Cote Brune and Cote Blonde

Question 9

Where are the slopes Cote Brune and Cote Blonde found?

Answer 9

Cote-Rotie

Question 10

What is Viognier like?

Answer 10

exotically aromatic & richly oily texture.

Question 11

This AOC is across the river from Hermitage

Answer 11

St.-Joseph

Question 12

Origin of the “Hermitage” name

Answer 12

Named after a 13th century crusade veteran / hermit who the Queen granted the right to establish a sanctuary on top of the hill

Question 13

Why are red wines in S Rhone typically blends, and not based on Syrah?

Answer 13

Syrah doesn’t deal with the heat & dryness as well in S Rhone. Loses intensity. Other grapes are available that do better in this climate – but they rarely possess enough character on their own to make great wine. Thus, blends

Question 14

two types of wine found in the south, but not the north

Answer 14

Fortified sweet wine & rose

Question 15

France’s first AOC

Answer 15

Chateauneuf-Du-Pape

Question 16

When did Chateaneuf-du-Pape gain AOC status?

Answer 16

1936

Question 17

Breakdown of GSM

Answer 17

Grenache - Syrah - Mourvedre
Grenache ripens until it tastes like homemade chery preserves
Syrah to add spice, body, color
Mourvedre to add tannins (structure)1

Question 18

t/f: grenache is typically not handled with oak

Answer 18

true

Question 19

Why does grenache not typically see oak? What vessel is used for Grenache?

Answer 19

Grenache is very prone to oxidation. usually vinified in concrete tanks

Question 20

t/f: not much new oak is used in S Rhone

Answer 20

true

Question 21

What is a “foudre”

Answer 21

generic french term for large wooden vat

Question 22

This AOC covers a series of hills right below Dentelles de Montmirail

Answer 22

Gigondas

Question 23

Does Gigondas produce a white wine?

Answer 23

no

Question 24

Difference in grape constitution of blend Gigondas vs Vacqueryas

Answer 24

Vacqueyras generally has significantly more Syrah

Question 25

t/f: it is illegal (with the exception of Champagne) to blend red and white wine together

Answer 25

true