Winemaking

Question 1

Which black grape must be included in all Côtes du Rhône red wines?

Answer 1

Grenache

Question 2

How many different grapes must be used to make Côtes du Rhône red wines?

Answer 2

At least 2, 1 of which must be Grenache, unless it is produced north of Montélimar

Question 3

For Rhône valley red wines produced north of Montélimar, which grapes must be used?

Answer 3

At least one of the following: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Carignan, Counoise

Question 4

How much of a Côtes du Rhône red wine must be made of a blend of the main grape varieties?

Answer 4

60% or more

Question 5

How many grape varieties can be used for Côtes du Rhône wine?

Answer 5

23

Question 6

How many of the 23 authorized Côtes du Rhône grape varieties are white?

Answer 6

8

Question 7

How much of a Côtes du Rhône white wine must be comprised of the 6 principal varieties?

Answer 7

50%

Question 8

What is the effect of having red wine blends dominated by GSM?

Answer 8

Ensures that wines have high quality of structure and the expected flavors of the region. Supplementary varieties help add a bit of complexity or needed structural component

Question 9

What is the effect of macerating and fermenting red wines in cement, open wooden vats, or stainless-steel tanks at mid-range temperatures?

Answer 9

Retain fruit flavors and avoid the extraction of too much tannin

Question 10

What is the effect of carbonic maceration on red wines?

Answer 10

Produce wines with low tannins suitable for early consumption

Question 11

What is the effect of settling red wine for a few months in stainless steel before bottling?

Answer 11

Produce a bright, delightful, fruit-driven wine to enjoy young

Question 12

What is the effect of having white wines dominated by the 6 principal varieties?

Answer 12

Ensures that wines have high quality of structure and the expected flavors of the region. Supplementary varieties help add a bit of complexity or needed structural component

Question 13

What is the effect of fermenting white wines in neutral vessels at cool temperatures, avoiding malolactic fermentation and oak aging, and bottling young?

Answer 13

Keeps the wines fruity, fresh, lively, and aromatic

Question 14

Côtes du Rhône rosés must come from a blend of how many of the main grape varieties?

Answer 14

At least 2, of which Grenache must be used, except for wines produced north of Montélimar, which must be made from at least 1 of the main grape varieties

Question 15

For Côtes du Rhône rosés, what proportion of the wine must be made up of the main grape varieties?

Answer 15

60% or more

Question 16

What is the effect of having rosés dominated by GSM?

Answer 16

Ensures that wines have high quality of structure and the expected flavors of the region. Supplementary varieties help add a bit of complexity or needed structural component

Question 17

What is the effect on rosés of short maceration on the skins (4-12 hours) before pressing, or by bleeding (saignée) off a portion of the juice intended for making a red wine?

Answer 17

Obtain pink color & not extract tannins

Question 18

What is the effect of fermenting at cool temperature

Bottled early without any oak influence