WSET Southern Rhône Flashcards
what are the production dominated by?
Red wine
how are the terrain?
flatter terrain then in Northen Rhône
what are special about the soil?
stony, stones called galets
what does the galets do?
it absorbs heat from the sun and warm the vineyard
how is the climate?
Mediterranean with mild winters and warm dry summers
what can cause damage in the vineyards
the mistral wind that gains speed
how can you protect the plants from the wind?
by planting windbreaks
what training system are used and why?
Bushtrained to keep the plants closer to the ground to offer protection from the wind and benefit from the heat from the stones
what is the difference between Northen and Southern Rhône when it comes to blending?
In Northen you make wine from just one or two varieties, in southern there are often complex blends
what red variety dominates?
Grenache
why does Grenache fit into Southern Rhône?
bc of the warm summers that makes Grenache ripen fully
what two other varieties plays a supporting role to Grenache?
Syrah and Mourvédre
what does Syrah and Mourvèdre give to the blend?
tannins and colour
name one more red variety and its character
Cinsault, gives red fruit flavours, perfect for the blends of rosés
how will producers often make up their blends?
from wines that have been fermented using different techniques
what white varieties are there?
Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussane
how are usually the character of the whites here?
rich, full body, high in alcohol, low to medium acidity
how are the production divided?
regional, village, crus
what accounts for more than half of the production of appellation wines?
Côte du Rhône
what is needed for a wine to be qualified as a Côte du Rhône Village?
-minimum alcohol
-maximum yields
-a greater percent of the blend must be from Grenache, Syrah or morvédre
to add their name of the village on the bottle the grapes must come from?
100% must come from the village
what are the largest cru that is suited on the east bank of the Rhône?
Châteauneuf-du-pape
why does Châteauneuf-du-Pape have a particular place in French history?
It was the first area to have a appellation contrôlée status
why are there a huge diversity among the red wines in Châteauneuf -du-Pape?
-wide range of soil types and aspects
-large numer of grape varieties (13)
