The Southern Rhone Flashcards
What is the climate of the southern Rhône?
Mediterranean
What is the name of the deposited “pudding stones” in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Galets
Which grape is Château de Beaucastel Rouge dominated by?
Mourvèdre
Which 100% varietal does Château Rayas often release their Châteauneuf du Pape as?
Grenache
What percentage is the required minimum potential alcohol strength in the Southern Rhône?
12.5%
What year did Château La Nerthe release their first estate bottled Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
1785
Approximately how many hectares exist in Châteauneuf du Pape?
Over 3,000
What other soils exists beyond the iconic galets?
Alluvial sediment for gravel, calcareous clay, and sand
What are the 13 grapes of Châteauneuf du Pape?
Grenache (Noir/Blanc/Gris) Mourvedre Syrah Cinsault Counoise Picpoul (Noir/Blanc/Gris) Terret Noir Bourboulenc Clairette/Clairette Rose Roussanne Vaccarese Picardan Muscardin
What is the Southern Rhône’s largest appellation?
Côtes du Rhône AOP
What is the principal grape in Côtes du Rhône Southern Rhône?
Grenache
What year was Gigondas AOP created?
1971
What soil is Gigondas AOP known for?
Red clay alluvial soils
What grape in Gigondas must contain a minimum of 50% to the wine?
Grenache
What is the maximum percentage of other Rhône grape varieties (excluding Carignan) that are permitted to be present in Gigondas?
10%
What year did Vacqueyras AOP achieve full appellation status?
1990
A minimum of 50% of which grape varietal is required for Vacqueyras red wine?
Grenache
A minimum of 50% which grape varietal is required in Beaumes-de-Venise AOP and Vinsobres AOP?
Grenache
What years did Beaumes-de-Venise AOP and Vinsobres join AOP status?
2005 & 2006
What year did Cairanne achieve AOP status?
2016 (minimum 50% Grenache required)
Which two grape varietals are prevalent in Lirac AOP?
Grenache Noir and Blanc
What two white varietals may see a significant portion in Lirac AOP?
Clairette and Bourboulenc
The commune of Lirac in 1863 may have served as France’s doorway to what?
Phylloxera
What communal appellation in France is exclusively dedicated to rose wines?
Tavel AOP
What is the grape and style of Tavel AOP wines?
Grenache and made in a dry style
What two appellations exist for Vin doux naturel wine in the Southern Rhône?
Rasteau AOP
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP
Rasteau vin doux naturel wines may be white, rose, or red, and they are based on what three colors of Grenache?
Grenache Blanc
Grenache Gris
Grenache Noir
What three communes are eligible for the Rasteau AOP?
Rasteau
Cairanne
Sablet
What is the style of Rasteau vin doux naturel?
More tawny flavors. More oxidative character
Fresher versions of white and red Rasteau vin doux naturel wines are now labeled what?
White: blanc
Red: grenat
Producers may affix what term to wines that have matured for at least five years prior to release in Rasteau vin doux naturel?
Hors d’age
Vignerons in Rasteau adopted what labeling term established by the Riversaltes in Roussillon?
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.
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.
rancio
What is the wine style of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP?
Vin doux naturel wines that are typically fresh and aromatic
What is the Southern Rhône’s northernmost appellation?
Grignan-les-Adhémar AOP (Drôme Department)
What year did the producers of Côtes du Tricastin successfully rebrand their appellation as Grignan-les-Adhémar?
2010
Formerly considered an appellation of Languedoc, INAO authorities transferred oversight of which AOP to officials in the Rhône Valley in 2004?
Costieres de Nîmes AOP
Name three other Southern Rhône AOP’s that have a large complement of Rhône varieties.
Luberon AOP
Ventoux AOP
Côtes du Vivarais AOP
What is the single commune appellation within Costieres de Nîmes that producers white wines from the Clairette grape?
Clairette de Bellegarde AOP(Gard Department)
