The Southern Rhone Flashcards
Is the production larger or smaller than in the Northern Rhone?
Larger. A wide variety of styles is produced here, from mass production to premium. Focused primarily on red, but there are whites and rose to.
What sort of terrain are vineyards planted on in the Southern Rhone?
Much flatter land in comparison to the slopes of the Northern Rhone, with stony soils absorbing the sun. Vineyards are found in the Rhone valley, that opens South of Valence.
What is the climate in the Southern Rhone?
Mediterranean with mild winters, and warm dry summers. Drought can be a problem here.
Why are Grenache vines trained low, and Syrah vines supported by trellis systems in the Southern Rhone?
Because of the Mistral picks up serious speed as it reaches South where hillsides become reduced, causing damage to vines.
Typically, how many grape varieties are wines made up of in a single blend?
In some circumstances wines are made up of a dozen varieties, unlike the North, these wines are complex blends.
What is the most widely planted red variety in the Southern Rhone?
Grenache.
Which red grape variety is at its most northern limit for viticulture in the Southern Rhone?
Mouvedre. It needs heat, and provides deeply coloured, tannic wines.
Give a description the Mouvedre grape variety.
It is deeply coloured, tannic, meaty gamey, dense black fruit flavours. Prized by many producers, notably in Chateauneuf-du-pape.
Where might a producer use the grape variety Cinsault?
To add red fruit to red wine blends, or with grenache to produce fruit driven rose.
What style of red wine is made in the Southern Rhone?
Anything from fresh and fruity to bold, tannic earthy meaty wines. Plenty of variation and techniques.
In the Northern and Southern Rhone, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are planted. What 3 additional whites are grown in the Southern Rhone?
Clairette, Bourboulenc and Grenache Blanc.
How could a producer qualify to have Cotes Du Rhone Village, instead of the generic Cotes du Rhone on its label?
Higher minimum ABV limit, stricter yields per hectare, greater percentage of the blend must be Syrah, Grenache and Mouvedre.
If the label on a wine stated Cotes du Rhone Village Cairenne, what does it mean?
Cairenne is the village, in order to have this on the label 100% of the wine must come from that village. These are the best wines outside of the Cru level wines in the Southern Rhone.
Which appellation is the largest Cru classification level?
Chateauneuf-Du-Pape.
How many grape varieties can be used in Chateaneuf-du-pape?
13.
