10 Intro to Rhone Flashcards
1
Q
Northern Rhône stats
A
- Location: 15 mi south of Lyon, and extends 50 miles; on both sides of the Rhône
- Climate: Continental, Rhône river acts as a moderator (warms & reflects light)
–> Mistral winds critical - warms and dries - Soil: Granite, Schist
- Viticulture: vineyards on steep slopes, vines staked to the ground
2
Q
Northern Rhône Vinification
A
- Single-variety wines dominate
- Red & white in oak
- Some ferment in stainless steel & age in new / used oak
- Co-fermenetation: some reds are made by blending a small percentage of white grapes to increase aromatic complexity & lessen prominence of tannin
3
Q
Northern Rhône grapes
A
White grapes:
- Viognier - Floral, tropical
- Marsanne - broad, full-bodied
- Roussanne
Red grapes:
- Syrah
4
Q
Northern Rhône AOCs
A
(North to south)
- Côte Rôtie
- Condrieu
- Saint-Joseph
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Hermitage
- Cornas
5
Q
Côte Rôtie Wines
A
- Red wines only
- Syrah
- Max 20% Viognier
6
Q
Condrieu wines
A
- White wine only
- 100% Viognier
- Expressive, intense, can age, but less aeromatic
7
Q
Saint-Joseph Wines
A
- Red: Syrah with max 10% Roussanne & Marsanne
- White: Roussanne & Marsanne
8
Q
Crozes-Hermitage Wines
A
- Red: Syrah, max 15% Roussanne & Marsanne
- White: Roussanne & Marsanne
9
Q
Hermitage Wines
A
- Red: Syrah, max 15% Roussanne & Marsanne
- White: Roussanne & Marsanne
- Sits on south facing slope
- Gets new oak & can age a lot
10
Q
Cornas wines
A
- Red only
- 100% Syrah
11
Q
Southern Rhône stats
A
- Location: 30 mile gap b/t north & south
- Climate: mediterranean
–> Mistral winds cool the area, as does the Rhône
–> Hot summers moderated by signfiicant diurnal shift - Topography: flat plains, scrublands, descend towards mediterranean
- Soil: Alluvial clays & deposits of large river rocks
- Viticulture: Goblet training
- Vinification: Blends predominate, if oak used, only in large casks
12
Q
Grapes of Southern Rhône
A
White
- Roussanne
- Clairette
- Grenache Blanc
Red (90% of production)
- Grenache –> most
- Syrah
- Mourvedre
13
Q
Southern Rhône Appelation system
A
- Top: Single village AOCs
- Middle: Côtes du Rhône-Villages (geographic designation)
- Bottom: Côtes du Rhône
14
Q
Southern Rhône Single Village Appelations
A
(not ordered)
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Gigondas
- Vacqueyras
- Tavel
15
Q
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wines
A
- White: blend of local
- Red: Grenache-based blend, 14 grape varieties allowed
