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The Rhône Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the climate of Northern Rhône?

A

Moderate continental with cold winters and warm summers.

Adequate rainfall mainly in Autumn and Winter.

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2
Q

What are the natural factors impacting viticulture in Northern Rhone?

A

Cold Mistral wind from the north, reducing risk of fungal diseases and also reduces vine vigour (lower yields & better concentration).

Better vineyards on steep slopes over the river.

Over 40 miles between the north and south of Northern Rhone so better ripening towards the south.

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3
Q

How much of the total Rhone production is covered by Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages?

A

60%

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4
Q

In the Rhone Valley, what is the proportion of the total AOC production is red wines?

A

74%

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5
Q

In Southern Rhone, what is the main grape behind white blends?

A

Grenache Blanc

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6
Q

What are the main characteristics of the Syrah grape?

A

Vigorous.

Prone to botrytis bunch rot, mites and disease called Syrah decline or disorder.

Can be reductive.

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7
Q

In Northern Rhone, what is the general style of Syrah?

A

Deep ruby, medium to high acidity, medium to high tannins, medium to pronounced intensity, violet, plum, blackberry, black pepper, herbal notes.

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8
Q

What is the training method for Syrah in Northern Rhone?

A

Careful training and trellising due to Mistral wine.

Vines tied to one or two poles as trellising not possible on steep slopes of northern part of Nothern Rhone.

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9
Q

What does Syrah adds to Southern Rhone wines?

A

Structure.
Fruit.
Colour.

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10
Q

What are the key characteristics if Grenache Noir?

A

Late ripening.

High yielding.

Needs warm climate to ripen.

Does well on dry low fertile soils.

Prone to oxidation.

Drought resistant.

Prone to coulure (reducing yields) downy mildew, phomopsis, botrytis bunch rot, necrosis and bacterial blight.

Accumulates sugar quickly.

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11
Q

What is the training method for Grenache Noir in Rhone?

A

Bush vine and pruned short with its upright growth and to contain vigour.

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12
Q

What does Grenache Noir adds in Southern Rhone blends?

A 
Pale ruby colour.
Ripe red fruits like strawberry, cherry and plum.
Spicy and herbal notes.
High alcohol.
Low to medium tannins.
Low acidity.
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13
Q

What are the main characters of Mouvédre?

A

Late budding and late ripening.

Thrives in warm to hot climates.

Needs high temps at end of season to ripen fully.

Not drough resistant and needs small but regular amount of water.

Low yields.

Prone to mites, leafhoppers and sour rot.

Prone to reduction in winery.

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14
Q

What does Mourvedre adds to Rhone blends?

A

Deep colour.
High alcohol.
High tannins.
Intense blackberry, blueberry and violets.

Typically aged in old oak.

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15
Q

How is Mourvedre trained in Rhone?

A

Cordon or bush vine.

Pruned short.

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16
Q

What are the main characteristics of Cinsault?

A

Late budding.

High yielding.

Drought and heat resistant.

Can suffer from chlorosis.

Prone to esca, eutypa, mites and graoe moths.

Lifted aromas most prominent in the first year.

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17
Q

What does Cinsault adds to Rhone blends?

A 
Light ruby colour.
High alcohol.
Low to medium tannins.
Medium to medium (+) intensity.
Red cherry and raspberry.

Primary fruits so stainless steel ageing and mid range fermentation temps.

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18
Q

What are the main characteristics of Viognier?

A

Early budding.

Low and unpredictable yields.

Picking timing key as needs to be fully ripe for typcial pronounced aromas but can lose flavour and acidity while rapidly gain sugar to left too long.

Prone to coulure.

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19
Q

What is the typical style of viognier from Rhone?

A

Medium lemon colour, low acidity, medium to high alcohol, pronounced intensity, honeysuckle, apricot, peach.

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20
Q

How is Viognier trained in Rhone?

A

On trellis or poles to prevent wind damage.

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21
Q

What are the main characters of Marsanne?

A

Late budding.

Vigorous.

Best on stony and low fertile soils (e.g. Northern Rhone).

Prone to powdery mildew, mites and botrytis bunch rot.

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22
Q

How is Marsanne usually used in Rhone?

A

Part of a blend in Souther Rhone.

Single varietal or blended with Roussanne in Northen Rhone.

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23
Q

What is the typical style of Marsanne from Rhône?

A

Medium lemon/gold, Medium acidity, full body, medium to high alcohol, oily texture, low intensity, honeysuckle, lemon, apricot.

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24
Q

What are the main characteristics of Roussanne?

A

Late budding.

More difficult to grow than Marsanne so less common in Rhone.

Prone to coulure, powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and mites.

Poor resistance to wind.

Best on low fertile, well drained soils.

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25
Q

What is the typical style of Roussanne from Rhone?

A

Medium lemon/gold, medium to medium (+) acidity, medium to high alcohol, medium to medium (+) acidity, pear, herbal notes.

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26
Q

What is the main difference between Marsanne and Roussanne?

A

Roussanne tend to age quicker.

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27
Q

What are the key characteristics of Grenache Blanc?

A

Early budding.

Good wind resistance.

Tendency to reach high potential alcohol.

Contributes low intensity ripe green fruits, floral notes, high alcohol and low acidity.

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28
Q

What are the main characters of Clairette?

A

Late ripening.

Vigorous, so pruned short and remove excessive buds.

Best in low fertile, dry soils (Southern Rhone).

Grows upright so ok wind resistance without staking.

Oxidises easily.

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29
Q

How is Clairette used in Rhone?

A

Blends in Southern Rhone.

Adds freshness, white flower, fennel, apple, grapefruit, high alcohol, low to medium (-) acidity.

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30
Q

How is Bourboulenc used in Rhone?

A

In white blends in Southern Rhone.

Adds lemon, medium (+) acidity and medium alcohol.

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31
Q

In the Rhone Valley, traditionally what vessels are used for fermentation and maturation of red wines?

A

For fermentation, Concrete, but stainless steel and large wooden casts also used.

For maturation, small or large oak casts.

32
Q

In the Rhone Valley, with Grenache Noir prone to oxidation and premature loss of colour, what winemaking techniques are used to counter that?

A

Use of concrete or stainless steel vesels for fermentation and maturation.

33
Q

With Syrah being prone to reduction, what do Rhone producers do in the winery?

A

Pumping over more frequently and often aged in oak for gentle oxidation.

34
Q

Which part of Rhone do some high quality producers use a proportion of new French barriques, let it be less prevalent than in the past?

A

Nothern Rhone

35
Q

For higher quality red wines of Rhone, what winemaking techniques might be deployed?

A

Hand harvest and transported in small crates.

Destemmed, partially destemmed or whole bunch

Chilled and cold soaked for a few days to extract colour.

Cultered or ambient yeasts.

Stainless steel, concrete or wooden fermenters.

Warm fermentation temperatures.

Skin maceration for 20-30 days.

Punching down, pump over or rack and return.

12-24 months maturation before bottling, Large oak for Grenache Noir, Small barrels for Syrah and Mourvedre (20-30% new).

36
Q

What are some of the unususal winemaking techniques for inexpensive high volume red wines of Rhone?

A

Carbonic maceration.

Flash détente.

Thermovinification.

37
Q

What is the typical rose winemaking method in Rhone?

A

Short maceration (sometimes called saignee) but intended for rose production and not by-product of concentrating red wines.

All types of vessels are used with some top wines aged in old small barrels for texture.

38
Q

What are some of the main winemaking techniques for white wines of Rhone?

A

Mid range fermentation temperatures to retain fruits.

MLC sometimes avoided.

Most Aged in large old oak or stainless steel vessels.

Lees stirring sometimes avoided due to naturally fuller grape varieties.

Some ferment and aged in small oak casts.

39
Q

Comment on Cote Rôtie AOC?

A

Only red wines.

Pronounced aromas, softer and less full-bodied then like of Hermitage and Cornas.

Steep and often terraced slopes.

Shelter from Mistral due to East and South East aspects.

Poor stony soils.

Single or double Guyot tied to one or two poles.

Syrah and up to 20% Viognier (normally 0-8%), co-fermented.

Mass selelection propagation.

10k vines density.

Low max yields.

Aromatics key driver for winemaking choices.

Destem and cold soak (some use partial stem).

Warm fermentation temperatures.

Ambient yeasts.

Maturation in barriques or larger wood vessels (500-600L demi-muids)

40
Q

Comment on Condrieu AOC?

A

100% Viognier.

Low max yields.

South Facing slopes.

Steep often terraced slopes with poor rocky soils.

Constant Soil erosion risks as per Cote Rotie.

Most ferment in stainless steel or large wooden vessels but some small barrels used.

MLC normally carried out.

Aged around a year often with lees stirring.

Very good to outstanding.

Premium to super premium.

41
Q

Comment on Saint-Joseph AOC.

A

Long stretch of Northern Rhone on left side of the river.

90% red wines.

Low max yields.

Some white grapes can be blended to red wines but rarely done.

Mainly fermented in large wooden or stainless steel vessels.

Normally aged in larger wooden vessels, sometimes barriques.

Good to outstanding.

Mid priced to super premium.

42
Q

Comment on Hermitage AOC

A

1/3 of plantings for white wines.

South facing slopes.

Pronounced intensity and high tannins with longevity.

Low max yields with many lower.

Stems included, warm ferment, proportion of new oak common, medium to large wooden vessels.

White wines from pure Marsanne or Marsanne and Roussanne.

Negociant houses dominate holdings, with co-op Cave de Tain significant.

Wines very good to outstanding.

Mostly super premium in price.

43
Q

Comment on Croze-Hermitage AOC

A

Northern area more alpine, Mistral winds, lomg growing season, high dirunal range. Retains acidity with moderate sugar accumulation.

Southern sector more temperate, but heavy tainfall in late autumn through to winter.

Steep slopes in north flatter in south.

Soils more fertile and deeper than Hermitage.

Low max yields.

Carbonic and semi carbonic can be used, but now rare.

Wines generally for early drinking.

Good to very good, mid-priced.

44
Q

Comment on Cornas AOC

A

Red wines from Syrah.

Low max yields.

Warm Mediterranean climate.

Amphitheatre with steep slopes.

Very good to outstanding.

Premium to super premium.

45
Q

What is the declassified category of Northern Rhone?

A

Collines Rhodaniennes IGP.

Reds, white and rose wines.

High max yields.

Mid to premium priced.

46
Q

Which Northern Rhone AOC with limestone and granitic soils produces only white wines?

A

Saint-Peray AOC

47
Q

What is the climate of Southern Rhone?

A

Warm Mediterranean, mild winters and very warm dry summers.

Adequate rainfall but drought can be a problem in some summers.

48
Q

What are the natural factors impacting the vineyards of Southern Rhone?

A

Mistral winds as flatter lands.

Drought in some summers but irrigation is permitted with strict rules.

49
Q

How are vines trained in Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache Noir bush vine trained as variety suitable.

Syrah towd to trellises for protection from Mistral wine.

50
Q

What is the max yields for Côtes du Rhône?

A

Low moderate, for red, white and rose wines

51
Q

What is the max yields for Cotes du Rhone Villages and Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC + named village?

A

Low

52
Q

What is yhe typical style of Cotes du Rhone reds??

A

Medium ruby, medium intensity, medium acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, red plum, blackberry.

Good and inexpensive.

53
Q

What is the general max yields for Southern Rhone crus?

A

Low, in the 30s

54
Q

What factors help to make red wines of Gigondas more flavoursome?

A

Higher altitudes and partial shading by the mountains reduce morning temperatures and allow for slower ripening.

55
Q

With Southern Rhone AOCs tend to make wines of good to very good in quality and mid to premium priced, which appellation(s) can be an exception?

A

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

56
Q

Comment on Vacqueyras AOC

A

Lower in altitudes than Gigondas, but still provides diurnal impact.

Produce small amounts of white and rose wines.

57
Q

Which Southern Rhone AOCs were relatively recently promoted from Cotes du Rhone Villages named village?

A

Vinsobres AOC, Just red wines.

Rasteau AOC, red wines and some VDNs.

Cairanne AOC, mainly reds in fruity and approachable style. Whites have reputation of high quality.

Beaunes-de-Venise, still red wines from 2005.

58
Q

For CNdP, what is the proportion if red wines on total production?

A

More than 90%

59
Q

For red wines of CNdP, what grapes are mainly used?

A

GRenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah

60
Q

For white wines of CNdP, in the main what grapes are used

A

Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne.

61
Q

Can grapes be machine harvested in CNdP?

A

No, all grapes must be hand harvested

62
Q

What soil types are there in CNdP?

A

Limestone
Clay
Sandstone and sandy
Clay

63
Q

What type of soils in CNdP genereally produce finer and ligter style of wines?

A

Sandy soils

64
Q

What types of wines is produced in CNdP where soils containing large pebbles?

A

More structured wines

65
Q

What is the general style if red CNdP?

A

Medium ruby, Medium acidity, high alcohol, medium (-) to high tannins, medium (+) intensity, ripe red plum, blackberry, spice notes, sometimes new oak notes.

Good to outstanding.

Mid priced to super premium.

66
Q

What are the styles of white wines from CNdP?

A

Some ferment in oak barrela for complexity and some prefer to retain freshness and primary fruits.

Maturation vessels include tanks or oak barrels.

Recent trend is towards lighter, more floral and freaher styles.

67
Q

Which AOC in Southern Rhone only produces rose wines?

A

Tavel AOC.

From 12 white and black varieties but must have Grenache Noir.

Low max yields.

Suited to gastronomy.

Medium pink-orange, medium alcohol, medium (+) to full body, medium to medium (+) intensity, strawberry, raspberry.

Good to very good.

Mid priced to premium.

68
Q

Name the other AOCs of Southern Rhone

A

Lirac AOC - mainly reds with some whites and roses.

Ventoux AOC - 2/3 reds, 1/3 roses and tiny whites. Moderate max yields. Good and inexpensive to mid priced. Exports 25%.

Costieres de Nimes AOC - 2/3 reds, 1/3 roses and tiny whites. Moderate max yields. Good to very good, inexpensive to mid priced.

Luberon AOC - moderate max yields. Good to very good. Inexpensive to mid priced.

Grignan-les-Adhemar AOC - red blends in slightly lighter style. Good to very good. Inexpensive to mid priced.

69
Q

Name a major negociant that operates across tehwhole Rhone Valley but based in Northern Rhone

A

Guigal

70
Q

Re co-operatives in the Rhone Valley, are they more important in the north or in the south?

A

South.

71
Q

Name an important co-op for Croze-Hermitage who sells 40% of production?

A

Cave de Tain

72
Q

How much of Rhone wines are exported?

A

1/3

Top markets are USA, UK and Belgium

73
Q

What are the key domestic sales channels for Rhone wines?

A

Supermarkets
Specialist wine retail
Hospitality
Discounters

74
Q

Which AOCs occupy the small en primeur and invetsment market for Rhone?

A

Cote Rotie, Hermitage and CNdP.

75
Q

Whats been the trend of negociants and growers?

A

More growers are now makinha sn bottling their own wines.

France (9 decks)

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