The Southern Rhone

Question 1

What is the climate of the southern Rhône?

Answer 1

Mediterranean

Question 2

What is the name of the deposited “pudding stones” in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 2

Galets

Question 3

Which grape is Château de Beaucastel Rouge dominated by?

Answer 3

Mourvèdre

Question 4

Which 100% varietal does Château Rayas often release their Châteauneuf du Pape as?

Answer 4

Grenache

Question 5

What percentage is the required minimum potential alcohol strength in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 5

12.5%

Question 6

What year did Château La Nerthe release their first estate bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 6

1785

Question 7

Approximately how many hectares exist in Châteauneuf du Pape?

Answer 7

Over 3,000

Question 8

What other soils exists beyond the iconic galets?

Answer 8

Alluvial sediment for gravel, calcareous clay, and sand

Question 9

What are the 13 grapes of Châteauneuf du Pape?

Answer 9

Grenache (Noir/Blanc/Gris)
Mourvedre 
Syrah 
Cinsault
Counoise 
Picpoul (Noir/Blanc/Gris)
Terret Noir
Bourboulenc 
Clairette/Clairette Rose
Roussanne 
Vaccarese 
Picardan
Muscardin

Question 10

What is the Southern Rhône’s largest appellation?

Answer 10

Côtes du Rhône AOP

Question 11

What is the principal grape in Côtes du Rhône Southern Rhône?

Answer 11

Grenache

Question 12

What year was Gigondas AOP created?

Answer 12

1971

Question 13

What soil is Gigondas AOP known for?

Answer 13

Red clay alluvial soils

Question 14

What grape in Gigondas must contain a minimum of 50% to the wine?

Answer 14

Grenache

Question 15

What is the maximum percentage of other Rhône grape varieties (excluding Carignan) that are permitted to be present in Gigondas?

Answer 15

10%

Question 16

What year did Vacqueyras AOP achieve full appellation status?

Answer 16

1990

Question 17

A minimum of 50% of which grape varietal is required for Vacqueyras red wine?

Answer 17

Grenache

Question 18

A minimum of 50% which grape varietal is required in Beaumes-de-Venise AOP and Vinsobres AOP?

Answer 18

Grenache

Question 19

What years did Beaumes-de-Venise AOP and Vinsobres join AOP status?

Answer 19

2005 & 2006

Question 20

What year did Cairanne achieve AOP status?

Answer 20

2016 (minimum 50% Grenache required)

Question 21

Which two grape varietals are prevalent in Lirac AOP?

Answer 21

Grenache Noir and Blanc

Question 22

What two white varietals may see a significant portion in Lirac AOP?

Answer 22

Clairette and Bourboulenc

Question 23

The commune of Lirac in 1863 may have served as France’s doorway to what?

Answer 23

Phylloxera

Question 24

What communal appellation in France is exclusively dedicated to rose wines?

Answer 24

Tavel AOP

Question 25

What is the grape and style of Tavel AOP wines?

Answer 25

Grenache and made in a dry style

Question 26

What two appellations exist for Vin doux naturel wine in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 26

Rasteau AOP Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP

Question 27

Rasteau vin doux naturel wines may be white, rose, or red, and they are based on what three colors of Grenache?

Answer 27

Grenache Blanc Grenache Gris Grenache Noir

Question 28

What three communes are eligible for the Rasteau AOP?

Answer 28

Rasteau Cairanne Sablet

Question 29

What is the style of Rasteau vin doux naturel?

Answer 29

More tawny flavors. More oxidative character

Question 30

Fresher versions of white and red Rasteau vin doux naturel wines are now labeled what?

Answer 30

White: blanc Red: grenat

Question 31

Producers may affix what term to wines that have matured for at least five years prior to release in Rasteau vin doux naturel?

Answer 31

Hors d’age

Question 32

Vignerons in Rasteau adopted what labeling term established by the Riversaltes in Roussillon?

Answer 32

ambre and tuile White and red vin doux naturel wines displaying a more oxidative character and subject to at least three years of aging prior to release.

Question 33

Rasteau AOP wines may also be what? A deliberately oxidative and maderized style in which the wine is left in open barrels, exposed to the ravages of sunlight and temperature.

Answer 33

rancio

Question 34

What is the wine style of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP?

Answer 34

Vin doux naturel wines that are typically fresh and aromatic

Question 35

What is the Southern Rhône’s northernmost appellation?

Answer 35

Grignan-les-Adhémar AOP (Drôme Department)

Question 36

What year did the producers of Côtes du Tricastin successfully rebrand their appellation as Grignan-les-Adhémar?

Answer 36

2010

Question 37

Formerly considered an appellation of Languedoc, INAO authorities transferred oversight of which AOP to officials in the Rhône Valley in 2004?

Answer 37

Costieres de Nîmes AOP

Question 38

Name three other Southern Rhône AOP’s that have a large complement of Rhône varieties.

Answer 38

Luberon AOP Ventoux AOP Côtes du Vivarais AOP

Question 39

What is the single commune appellation within Costieres de Nîmes that producers white wines from the Clairette grape?

Answer 39

Clairette de Bellegarde AOP(Gard Department)