Rhone Breakdown Flashcards
Rhone Overview
northern Rhône being moderate continental in climate and predominantly planted with Syrah, while the southern Rhône has a warm Mediterranean climate and is planted with several significant varieties, especially Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. These make mainly red and, in a few places, rosé wines. Some white wines are also made, with Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne in the north and blends usually based around Grenache Blanc in the south.
In general, the northern appellations are close to the river, with vines planted on slopes above the river itself. In the southern Rhône the area under vine is vastly greater than the north (66,000 ha in the south, less than 4,000 ha in the north) with many of the vineyards at considerable distances from the river.
The north is mainly made up of several clearly defined AOCs (known as cru) while the south has both individual AOCs, for example, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, while also providing large volumes of basic Côtes du Rhône AOC and IGP wine.
The appellations Côtes du Rhône AOC and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC together produce around 60 per cent of all wine produced in the Rhône as a whole. In total in 2018, 74 per cent of the AOC wine produced in the Rhône Valley was red, 16 per cent rosé and 10 per cent white
Grape Varieties
Syrah (tied to protect from Mistral). It is the only black grape variety used in the northern Rhône crus.
Grenache noir - This high yielding variety needs a warm climate to ripen. Its upright growth makes it very suitable to be trained as
a bush vine, pruned short to contain its vigour, and it does well on dry, low fertility soils
Mourvedre - This is a late budding and late ripening variety that only thrives in warm to hot climates. It needs high temperatures at the end of the season to ripen fully and therefore can be under ripe if the late summer is not hot. It is not drought resistant but requires small but regular amounts of water, for example from deep calcareous soils that stores water. It is best pruned short and can be grown either with a cordon system or on bush vines. It only produces low yields. deep ruby color.
Cinsault - this is a late-budding and high-yielding variety with good drought and heat resistance. To produce the highest quality wine, yields must be restricted. typically made in a way that preserves its fruit flavours
Carignan - is a grape
Viognier - early budding. Yields tend to be low and unpredictable, due to poor flowering and fruit set (coulure) reducing returns. Picking must be judged very accurately as the fruit needs to be fully ripe to have its typical pronounced aromas. Can gain sugar and lose acid and flavor if left on vine too long. Up to 20 per cent of Viognier is allowed in some northern Rhône red wines that are otherwise made with Syrah.
Marsanne - late budding, vigorous and productive.
Roussanne - late budding. poor resistance to wind and therefore sites must be chosen carefully. It is variable in the amount of fruit it produces (due to coulure). more difficult to grow than Marsanne.
Grenache blanc - early budding, good wind resistance. In the Rhône it is grown almost exclusively in the southern part, where it is mainly used to produce dry white blends and also a little Vins Doux Naturels
Clairette - This vigorous white variety grows well in low fertility, dry soils and is therefore well suited to the southern Rhône and its low rainfall. relatively wind resistant. Oxidizes easily in cellar.
Bourboulenc - late ripening variety has loose bunches and thick skins, giving it the resistance to botrytis bunch rot, giving it the disease resistance necessary for late ripening
Winemaking
Preference for concrete vats for fermentation (though stainless steel and large wooden vessels are also in use) and for small and large wooden vessels for maturation.
Grenache prone to oxidation, syrah prone to reduction.
Cru level reds - hand harvested, macerated 20-30 days, aged in barriques or large casks for 12-24 months.
Inexpensive reds - machine harvested or carbonic maceration. Fermentation may occur at mid-range temperatures to retain fruit flavours and avoid the extraction of high levels of tannin. For the same reason, maceration times may be kept short. The wines may be stored in stainless steel for a few months before bottling.
Rose winemaking - made through short maceration, where the grapes are pressed after cold maceration on the skins for 12–48 hours. Fermentation is then completed as for a white wine. This is a saignée method but in this case the idea is to make only rosé wine from the grapes and all of the juice extracted from them
White winemaking - fermented at mid-range temperatures to retain fruit. Malolactic conversion is sometimes avoided to retain natural acidity. Most wines are aged in large old oak or stainless-steel vessels. The natural full body of the white Rhône varieties means that lees stirring is sometimes avoided
The Northern Rhône
cold mistral wind blows from the north, it reduces the incidence of fungal disease. It is also decreases vine vigour and leads to lower yields and higher concentration in the wines, but lower production.
northern rhone appellations
Cote Rotie AOC - 250 ha planted. only reds. 100% Syrah, with up to 20 per cent of Viognier permitted in blends. 10,000 vines/ha and 40hl/ha max yield. maturation in barriques or larger demi-munds. Planted on steep slopes, often terraced, that mostly face east and south-east, making for high sunlight interception and are sheltered from the winds from the north. Guyot trained or tied to one or two poles (known locally as échalas). Stylistically the wines are known for their pronounced aromas and are typically softer and less full-bodied than the wines of the other top appellations, Hermitage and, latterly, Cornas. The appellation was revived by Etienne Guigal and his son Marcel, and their single-vineyard Côte-Rôties.
Condrieu AOC - must be 100 per cent Viognier and the maximum yield is restricted to 41 hL/ha. The river turns southwest at this point, meaning vineyards are often south facing. Grown on steep, low fertility, rocky slopes, often in terraced vineyards, with constant challenges from soil erosion and wind. 197 ha planted. Wines are typically aged on the lees for 10–12 months often with lees stirring. They are the model for high quality Viognier around the world.
Saint Joseph AOC - 30-mile long appellation that runs from Condrieu to Cornas. The appellation was extended in 1994, which included some sites not on hillsides that normally produce lower quality wines. 90% red, 40hl/ha max yield. Marsanne and Roussanne are allowed in small proportions in the red wine, in practice it is rare to include white grapes. ageing normally in larger oak casks.
Hermitage AOC - 137ha planted. he hot, dry vineyards with thin, stony soils result in wines of pronounced flavour intensity, high tannins in red wines and longevity. Erosion an issue. 40hl/ha max for red, 45hl/ha white. traditional red winemaking, some stem inclusion, lengthy oak ageing (typically 12–18 months). White wines are typically a blend of a majority of Marsanne with some Roussanne or
pure Marsanne and aged on the lees for 10–12 months. significant holdings owned by the co-operative Cave de Tain (they own 15%). The reds in particular are a model of the world’s most structured and long- lived Syrah wines.
Crozes-Hermitage AOC - largest northern appellation. northern section is continental. In general, the soils are deeper and more fertile than in neighbouring Hermitage and the resulting wines have lower concentration, though the maximum yield is restricted
to 45 hL/ha. Generally, wines are made for early drinking with medium tannins. The whites make up 9 per cent of the production. They are made from Marsanne and Roussanne, with more of the former planted.
Cornas AOC - only red wine allowed. A warm Mediterranean climate, good protection from cold winds and the excellent aspect mean that this is often the first Syrah to be picked in the northern Rhône. wine made within the AOC and must be from 100 per cent Syrah. Maximum yield is restricted to 40 hL/ha. It is a small appellation of 145 ha
Saint-Peray AOC - devoted to white wines grown on limestone and granitic soils, ensuring good water-holding capacity and drainage. Marsanne accounts for the vast majority of plantings, with some Roussanne. The maximum permitted yield is 45 hL/ha. The wines are fermented in stainless steel or in oak barrels and aged in the same or in large old oak vessels. Higher quality wines are typically aged on the lees for 10–12 months.
Collines Rhodaniennes IGP - category (‘hills of the Rhône’) is used for red, white and rosé wines made from grapes grown outside of the AOCs in the northern Rhône. Higher yields are allowed (maximum 80 hL/ ha). It allows producers to make wines from other grape varieties than those allowed by the AOC rules and for top producers in the northern Rhône cru to offer less expensive wines than their AOC wines, typically mid to premium priced.
The Southern Rhône Overview
drought is an increasing problem in some summers. Irrigation is permitted if drought is severe within strict rules. The land is flatter here than in the northern Rhône and therefore there is little protection from the Mistral wind. As a result, low bush- trained vines are common for suitable varieties, especially for the Grenache Noir, the most planted variety in the south. Syrah is usually grown tied to wires on trellises to give it protection from the wind.
Appellation hierarchy -
- *1. Cotes du Rhone AOC**
- *2. Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC**
- *3. Cotes du Rhone Villages + named Village AOC (**there are 20)
- *3. Top village (cru)**
AOC regulations require typically that the red wines are Grenache Noir-dominant blends with Mourvèdre and Syrah, along with other permitted varieties, for example Carignan and Cinsaut.
Blending rules -
must distinguish between principal, complementary, and other permitted varieties.
must give minimum proportion of principal grapes allowed in blend
Cotes du Rhone AOC blending rules specifically -
Red: principal varieties must be G,S,M and makeup min 60% of blend. if grapes come from S. Rhone, blend must include min. 30% Grenache and min. 20% combination of Syrah/Mourvedre. Other permitted varieties include carignan and cinsault. max yield is 51 hl/ha.
White: principal varieties of Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Bourboulenc, and Clairette must be 80% of final blend. Other permitted varieties include piquepoul de pinet. Max yield 51hl/ha.
Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC rules (principal red grapes must be 66% of final blend, max yields lower 44hl/ha.)
Southern Rhones crus have max yields around 35-38hl/ha.
Southern Rhone Cru Appellations
Gigondas AOC - up to 600m. in part shaded by the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, reducing the temperature in the mornings. This extends the period of maturation and increases the flavour in the resulting wines. Slightly cooler temperatures. principal variety Blending rules - Grenache Noir (at least 50 per cent) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre. more premium priced wines made here than in other crus
Vacqueyras AOC - up to 440m in elevation. blend here is based on principal variety Grenache Noir (at least 50 per cent) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre. some white and rose production too. more premium priced wines made here than in other crus
Vinsobres AOC - most northerly cru. red only. blend here is based on principal variety Grenache Noir (at least 50 per cent) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre. 200-500m in elevation.
- *Rasteau AOC** - blend here is based on principal variety Grenache
- *Noir (at least 50 per cent) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre**. low slopes to 100m to protect from Mistral. warmer sites.
Cairanne AOC - produces mainly red wines in a fruity and approachable style. The final blend here is based on principal variety Grenache Noir (at least 40 per cent) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre. some white made.
Beaumes de Venise AOC - Most of the vineyards are on slopes, some slightly shaded by the Dentelles de Montmirail. The final red blend here is based on principal variety Grenache Noir which with Syrah must together must make up 50 per cent of the blend.
Chateauneuf de pape AOC - 1st AOC in France established in 1936. The appellation allows red and white wines to be made. More than 90 per cent of the wine produced is red and the rest white. Today the red wine is principally made from Grenache Noir with Mourvèdre and Syrah, and the white wine from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne. Note that Marsanne and Viognier, two major white varieties of the Northern Rhône, are not permitted for AOC wines. no stipulation of principal varieties and minimum percentages to be used, it is possible to make single varietal wine. includes limestone, clay, sandstone and sandy soils, the clay content being particularly helpful in its water-holding capacity. Average yield 30hl/ha. Large pebbles (called galets roulés) radiate heat at night, adding to the warming effect.
Lirac AOC - mainly red, some white and rose. principal varieties are Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsaut which together must make up a minimum of 90 per cent of the final blend.
Tavel AOC - only rose wines. 12 principal grape varieties (black and white), but the final blend must include Grenache Noir. None of the principal varieties may contribute more than 60 per cent, with the rest being made up from the allowed 12 varieties. The maximum yield is 46 hL/ha. reputation as France’s best rosé and a wine well suited to gastronomy.
Other satellite appellations - Ventoux AOC, Costieres de Nimes AOC, Luberon AOC, Grignan-les-Adhemar AOC
IGP wines - may be made from Rhône varieties or international varieties.
Wine Law and Regulations
The general prohibition of irrigation for AOC wines in France has been amended so that AOCs may apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions. Proof of water stress to vines is required, no irrigation is permitted after véraison, and in no circumstances can irrigation be used to exceed the maximum yield allowed by individual AOCs
Wine Business
many major companies and the largest négociants are based in the north but operate across the region as a whole
Sales of Rhône wines by volume are divided between France – supermarkets (32 per cent), specialist wine retail and hospitality (29 per cent) and discounters (6 per cent) – and export (33 per cent). Exports are growing with the top three markets by volume being the the USA, UK and Belgium
