France - South Rhône Appellations

Question 1

What area does Côtes du Rhône AOC cover?

Answer 1

All vineyard land suitable for grape growing in the southern Rhône (except ‘other’ appellations) and, in principle, from the North too. However, in practice, the vast majority of wine comes from the south as producers in the North could usually sell their wines for higher prices under more valuable appellations.
It is the second largest appellation by hectares in France, after Bordeaux AOC.

Question 2

What are the legal parameters for red and rosé wine production of Côtes du Rhône AOC?

Answer 2

Max yield is 51hL/ha
Principal varieties are GSM, which must make up a minimum of 60% of the blend. If the grapes come from South Rhône (usually they do), Grenache must be minimum 30% and the combination of Syrah and Mourvedre must be a minimum of 20%.
Other permitted varieties include many local varieties eg Carignan and Cinsault.

Question 3

What are the legal parameters for white wine production of Côtes du Rhône AOC?

Answer 3

Max yield is 51hL/ha.
Principal varieties are Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier, which must make up 80% of the blend.
Other permitted varieties are many local minor ones, including Piquepoul Blanc.

Question 4

How do legal parameters change between Côtes du Rhône AOC and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC?

Answer 4

The latter has similar rules, but requires a minimum of 66% of at least two of the principal varieties and must include Grenache Noir.

Question 5

What the max yields of the AOC hierarchy, in hL/ha?

Answer 5

Côtes du Rhône: 51
Côtes du Rhône Villages: 44
Côtes du Rhône Villages + named village: 41
Other cru villages: 36-38
CnDP: 35

Question 6

What is the typical profile, quality and price of Côtes du Rhône wines?

Answer 6

Medium intensity ruby, medium intensity red plum and blackberry, no oak, medium acidity, medium tannins (or low if carbonic), medium alcohol.
Good and inexpensive.

Question 7

When was Gigondas AOC created, what is the max vineyard altitude, what are two key climatic influences, and what is the minimum requirements of the final blend?

Answer 7

1971, now well established.
600m.
In part shaded by the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, reducing the temperature in the mornings and extending the period of maturation while increasing the flavour intensity of the wines.
The cooling effect of the Mistral also plays a part, and these two together have become increasingly valuable as Grenache Noir in the warmer temperatures of recent decades has resulted in high alcohol wines.
At least 50% Grenache Noir and at least one of Syrah and Mourvedre.

Question 8

When was Vacqueyras AOC created, what is the max vineyard altitude, how does this influence ripeness, which wine styles are made and what are the minimum requirements of the final blend?

Answer 8

1990. Not as high as Gigondas at 440m, offering diurnal variation but not threatening ripeness in cooler years.
      White and rose is also produced in small quantities.
      The final blend is based on Grenache Noir (at least 50%) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvedre.

Question 9

What is the general quality and price of Gigondas and Vacqueyras?

Answer 9

Good to very good, mid to premium priced.

Question 10

What is the history of Vinsobres, what are the main plantings and requirements of the final blend?

Answer 10

Most northerly of the southern crus, promoted to being a separate AOC in 2006 (like most other crus it had previously been a named village within CdRV AOC.
Dominated by plantings of Grenache, though in recent decades more syrah has been planted and grown, contributing flavour intensity, structure and colour. Wines are exclusively red.
Grenache Noir (50%) and at least one of Syrah and Mourvedre.

Question 11

What is the general topography of Vinsobres, how does this influence climate and which specific plots are highly valued?

Answer 11

Vineyards are located on south and east facing slopes of 200-500m, offering good sunlight interception, good drainage and some protection from the Mistral.
The higher slopes are cooler, lengthening the ripening period and increasing flavour intensity.
Common for the region, there’s some older plots of Carignan and Cinsault becoming increasingly valued for high-quality fruit.

Question 12

What is the general quality and price of Vinsobres (and other newly promoted crus)?

Answer 12

Good to very good, mid to premium (though much more mid than premium).

Question 13

When was Rasteau AOC created, what is the max vineyard altitude and how does this influence viticulture and wine style, what styles of wine are produced, and what are the minimum requirements of the final blend?

Answer 13

Promoted in 2010 for red wine, though produces a small amount of VDN.
Grenache Noir (50%) and at least one other Syrah or Mourvedre.
Vines are planted on low 100m slopes in a warm enclave, sheltered from the Mistral, resulting in ripe, full bodied wines and enabling irrigation in dry periods, within the limits set.

Question 14

What is the typical winemaking, quality and price of Rasteau?

Answer 14

Fermentation in large vats, especially concrete, and matured in large oak vessels.
Some higher quality Syrah is aged in small barrels, at additional cost.
Good to very good, mid to premium.

Question 15

When was Cairanne AOC created, what is its general topography, which wine styles are produced, and what are the minimum requirements of the final blend?

Answer 15

2015, not as steep as Gigondas or as warm as neighbouring Rasteau.
It mainly produces reds in a fruity and approachable style and a small amount of whites with a reputation for high quality. The final blend is based on Grenache Noir (40%) and at least one of Syrah or Mourvedre.

Question 16

What style of wine is produced within Beaumes-de-Venise, what natural factors affect climate, and what must make up the final blend?

Answer 16

Known for VDN but has included unfortified still reds from 2005.
Most vineyards are on slopes, some shaded by the Dentelles de Montmirail.
The final red blend is based on Principal variety Grenache, which, together with Syrah, must make up 50%.

Question 17

What is key about Chateauneuf-du-Pape history?

Answer 17

The historic village and appellation get their original fame to being the summer residence of the Pope in the fourteenth century when the papacy had been relocated to the nearby city of Avignon.
In 1923 Baron du Roy of Château Fortia drew up a set of rules, the prototype for the first AOC in France, to protect the name from being used outside of the region.

Question 18

What were the set of rules drawn up by the Baron du Roy of Château Fortia?

Answer 18

Delimited the area in which the grapes could be grown.
Allowed the use of only 13 varieties (18 if you count the colour variants of the same variety).
Minimum alcohol level of 12.5% without chaptalisation (at the time was challenging).
Allows for red and white production (although 90% is red)

Question 19

What are the principal varieties within Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 19

Red: GSM
White: Grenache Blanc, Clairette Bourboulenc and Roussanne (GCBR).
Note that Marsanne and Viognier are not permitted.

Question 20

What is the current trend for varieties grown within Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 20

Mourvedre is gaining increased interest for its intense black fruit, however it can only succeed when there is sufficient moisture in the soil.
Because there is no stipulation of principal varieties and minimum percentages producers are able to produce single varietal wines, eg Beaucastel Roussanne VV.

Question 21

What soil types can you find within Chateauneuf-du-Pape? How do these influence viticulture and crop levels?

Answer 21

As it covers such a large area, you find a variance of limestone, clay, sandstone and sandy soils. The clay content is especially helpful for its water retaining properties in a region with dry summers.
The low fertility and generally fast draining nature of these soils are highly suitable for growing vines and reducing vegetative growth, leading to smaller crops of ripe grapes.

Question 22

What have average yields been for Chateauneuf-du-Pape in recent years?

Answer 22

In the decade up until 2018, just under 30hL/ha.

Question 23

What adds to the warming effect in Chateauneuf-du-Pape? Is this a positive thing?

Answer 23

Large pebbles (galets roulés) radiate heat at night, adding to the warming effect. In the past, this was valued. Now, as temperatures rise and sugar levels are increasing, it is becoming less so.

Question 24

Is blending often carried out in Chateauneuf-du-Pape? Why?

Answer 24

Yes, many producers blend across lieux-dits and soil types for complexity and to create volumes that are commercially viable.
Growers generally believe that wines that come from sandy soils are finer and lighter in style than the more structured wines from grapes grown on the soil with galets roulés.

Question 25

How is harvest carried out in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 25

Has to be by hand.

Question 26

What is the general profile, quality and price of red Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 26

Medium ruby, medium + to pronounced intensity of ripe red plum and black fruit with spice and sometimes new oak. Medium acidity, high alcohol and tannins that vary from Medium- to high, depending on varietals used, winemaking and vintage.
Because of the size of the appellation and number of producers there is a range, but generally good to outstanding and mid to super premium.

Question 27

What is the general profile of white Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 27

Generally include Grenache, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne and other local varieties.
Some high quality wines may be fermented in oak for additional complexity, while others preserve freshness and primary fruit.
Either matured in tanks or oak barrels, sometimes with a proportion of new.
The recent trend has been to make wines lighter, more floral and fresher in style.

Question 28

Where does Lirac lie, and what styles of wine may be produced?

Answer 28

Across the river to CnDP.
Makes mainly reds but some roses and whites may be also made.
For reds the principal varieties are GSM and Cinsaut, which together must make up 90% of the blend.

Question 29

Which natural factors affect ripening in Lirac?

Answer 29

High sunlight hours and well-drained, infertile soils make for good conditions for growing and ripening grapes.

Question 30

Who is a significant producer in Lirac? What do they also achieve?

Answer 30

Domaine de la Mordorée, who also have vineyards in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Question 31

What is unique about Tavel, and which varieties are permitted?

Answer 31

Uniquely for the Rhône, it is dedicated entirely to rosé.
12 varieties are listed as principal (black and white), but the final blend must include Grenache Noir.
None of the principal varieties can contribute more than 60%, with the rest being made up from the allowed 12 varieties.

Question 32

What is the max yield of Tavel?

Answer 32

46hL/ha.

Question 33

What is the general style, quality and price of Tavel wines?

Answer 33

Medium intensity pink-orange in colour, much darker than most other rosés. Medium to + intensity strawberry and raspberry fruit, medium + to full body and medium alcohol, but at the top end of that at 13.5%.
Good to very good and mid to premium.

Question 34

What is the reputation of Tavel, why is this changing and how are producers adapting?

Answer 34

During the last two centuries, its had a reputation of being the best, although this is now challenged by the paler Provençal styles.
As a result, some producers now make a paler wine (as do producers globally), but the classic deeper colour remains the usual style.

Question 35

What are the other Rhône appellations?

Answer 35

Sometimes referred to as satellite appellations, surround the main Côtes du Rhône growing area in the southern Rhône. There are 7 in total.
The largest by production are Costières de Nimes, Grignan les Adhémar, Ventoux and Luberon.

Question 36

Where is Ventoux AOC located, and what are key climatic influences?

Answer 36

A large and increasingly planted AOC in the south-east of the Rhone on southern and western slopes of the Mont Ventoux, which offers an important cooling influence due to altitude (vines grown up to 450m) and cool air coming down from the mountains.

Question 37

What style of wines and permitted varieties are found within Ventoux AOC?

Answer 37

2/3rd red, 1/3rd rose and a tiny amount of white.
Principle varieties are GSMCC for reds, that together must make up 50% of the blend, and at least two varieties must be included making a range of blends a possibility.

Question 38

What are maximum permitted yields, division of exports, and main producer businesses of Ventoux?

Answer 38

60hL/ha resulting in some wines of low concentration.
Exports make up about 25%.
Co-operatives are very important in the area, but as are a new wave of winemakers, eg, Domaine de Fondrèche.

Question 39

What is the general quality and price of Ventoux wines?

Answer 39

Good to very good and inexpensive to mid, with some premium.

Question 40

Where does Costières de Nîmes lie, and what are key climatic influences?

Answer 40

Between the Rhône and Eastern Languedoc, and is in effect the south-west limit of the Rhône wine region.
Vines are grown on south-west facing slopes, making for good sunlight interception, and is ventilated by breezes from the Mediterranean.

Question 41

What styles of wine are produced in Costières de Nîmes, what are the permitted varieties and maximum yields?

Answer 41

2/3rd red, 1/3rd rosé with a tiny amount of white.
Reds are GSM, which, together or singly, must make up 50% of the final blend.
60hL/ha.

Question 42

Which type of business dominates production in Costières de Nîmes?

Answer 42

Recent decades have seen a movement away from co-operatives towards smaller, privately owned estates.

Question 43

What is the general quality and price of Costières de Nîmes?

Answer 43

Good to very good, inexpensive to mid with some premium.

Question 44

Where does Luberon lie, principal varieties and permitted blends, max yields and typical quality and price?

Answer 44

South East of the Rhône bordering Provence.
GSM, the final blend must include at least two which singly or together must make up 50% of the final blend.
55hL/ha.
Good to very good and inexpensive to mid, with some premium.

Question 45

Where does Grignan-les-Adhémar lie, and what are the permitted varieties and blend, general style, quality and price?

Answer 45

Northern end of the southern Rhône.
Produces mainly red blends (minimum 50% of principal varieties G and S) in a slightly lighter style than the areas to the south at inexpensive and mid price points, ranging from good to very good.
White and rose is also made.

Question 46

What is a key difference in IGP production?

Answer 46

May be made from Rhône or international varieties. Eg, in the Gard (home to Costières de Nîmes AOC), Merlot is the third most planted variety and Cab Sauv the 5th.