The Southern Rhône Flashcards
What are the latitude & climate of the Southern Rhône?
44.0°N to 44.3°N - The climate is Mediterranean (Mild winters and long dry summers when drought can be a problem)
What is distinctive with MANY (but not all) of the soils of Southern Rhône?
Stony soils and “Galets Roulés” absorbing heat and helping with ripening.
What is the name of the local WIND?
How do growers prevent damage it can inflict to vines?
Le Mistral.
-Protection from slopes is rare in the south, so wind break are planted.
-Bush-training low to the grown for Grenache
-Trellising systems to support Syrah
What is the contribution of each grape in the GSM blend?
Grenache: spicy red fruit, sweetness and alcohol potential
Syrah: color & tannin
Mourvèdre: color, tannin, black fruit, gamey & meaty flavors
What other red grape is used in the reds of the Southern Rhône, and even more in the rosé for its red fruit flavors more than tannin?
CINSAULT complement Grenache in fresh fruity rosés
It is impossible to describe a typical southern Rhône winemaking style. Due to the climate, what 2 elements require specific attention?
Most techniques associated with the management of
Potential high alcohol in Grenache
Potential high tannins in Syrah & Mourvèdre
… and balance of the blend.
In addition to the 3 key white grapes of the Northern Rhône, what are 3 notable additional grapes grown in Southern Rhône.
Clairette - Grenache Blanc - Bourboulenc
Describe the style of southern Rhône white wines
The white blends are richly textured, full-bodied, high in alcohol with low to medium acidity and subtle fruity aromas, rarely oaked.
What generic AOC (producing red, rosé and white) accounts for over 50 percent of the production in the Southern Rhône?
Côtes du Rhône AOC.
The wines are medium bodied, fruity and simple.
How is the AOC “Côtes du Rhône Villages” different from the generic AOC Côtes du Rhône?
Higher minimum alcohol, lower maximum yields, higher percentage of GSM, some villages can add their names if the grapes come from that village only.
What are some factors accounting for the diversity of the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape (CNDP)?
-Its (large) size
-The diversity of soil types and aspects
-The large number of grapes allowed (13)
What would you expect a premium Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CNDP) to taste like?
Full-bodied red with rich texture and concentrated spiced red fruits that balance the characteristic high alcohol.
What are the 2 crus of the southern Rhône located on the LEFT bank?
Tavel: Grenache and Cinsault-based ROSE ONLY
Lirac: Rosé, Red and White in the CNDP style.
What are 2 other Grenache-based Cru similar CNDP?
Gigondas
Vacqueras
What does Beaume-de-Venise AOC produce?
Fortified Muscat
