The Southern Rhône

Question 1

List the key appellations of Southern Rhone

Answer 1

Cotes du Rhone / Cotes du Rhone Villages
Chateauneuf du Pape
Gigondas / Vacqueras
Tavel / Lirac

Question 2

What is the climate of Southern Rhone and what are the risks of the climate?

Answer 2

Mediterranean - Mild winters, warm dry Summers

Risks - drought and vine damage from Mistral winds

Question 3

How is Grenache usually trained?

Answer 3

Bush trained to protect from Mistral and to get warmth from stony soils

Question 4

The Mistral can easily damage Syrah so what do vine growers do?

Answer 4

Give support by trellising

Question 5

What are the best soils in Southern Rhone?

Answer 5

Stony soils to absorb heat, some with large stones called Galets

Question 6

What are the 4 key black grapes of the Southern Rhone?

Answer 6

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre plus some Cinsault

Question 7

What is the style of Southern Rhone Grenache

At its best / worst

Answer 7

At best concentrated spiced red fruit

BUT in very hot years can become baked and jammy

Question 8

What does Syrah bring to Southern Rhone blends?

Answer 8

Deep colour and tannin but struggles in hotter sites

Question 9

What does Mourvèdre bring to Southern Rhone blends?

Answer 9

Very high tannin, dense black fruit and gamey/meaty aromas

Thrives in the heat

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Low tannin, red fruit flavours

Often blended with Grenache to make fruity Rosé

Question 11

How do fermentation styles vary in Southern Rhone?

Answer 11

From cold pre-fermentation maceration and storage in stainless steel to warm extractive fermentation in open top fermenters with maturation in oak vessels

Question 12

How can Southern Rhone reds style vary?

Answer 12

From light / medium body, med tannin fresh fruity wines

to high tannin, full body, spicy, meaty, earthy

Question 13

What white grapes are used in Southern Rhone?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Best have rich texture, full body, high alcohol, low acidity and subtle fruit, usually no oak

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Higher minimum ABV
Max yield limits
Higher % GSM
Generally more body, structure and spiced fruit

Question 16

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

Answer 16

The first region in France to be granted Appellation Controlee

Question 17

Which is the largest Cru in the Rhone?

Answer 17

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Question 18

What is the terrain of Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 18

Very flat with a wide range of soils and aspects = varying styles of wines. Many areas have Galets (big stones) on the surface.

Question 19

What is the style of the best red Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines?

Answer 19

Full body, rich texture, concentrated spiced red fruit with high alc

Question 20

What does Tavel produce and what is it’s style?

Answer 20

Rosé mainly from Grenache and Cinsault (but nine varieties allowed)
Full body with intense flavor

Bonus: Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah plus Mourvèdre, Carignan, and the nearly extinct, Calitor. Three white grapes: Clairette, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc

Question 21

What is produced in Lirac?

Answer 21

Rosé from Grenache and Cinsault, similar to Tavel

Full bodied red and white in a similar style to Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Question 22

What is produced in Gigondas and Vacqueras?

Answer 22

Grenache led, full body, spicy reds

Question 23

There’s a sweet fortified wine produced in the Southern Rhone, what is it?

Answer 23

Muscat de-Beaumes-de-Venice

Question 24

List the 4 Human factors of wine

Answer 24

Grape Growing
Wine Making
Maturation
Market Forces