Rhone Valley Pt 9 - Non-CdR AOCs

Question 1

How many non-CdR AOCs are there in Rhone Valley?

Answer 1

There are 7 - all in the S.Rhone.

Question 2

Why can the 7 non-CdR AOCs not produce regional CdR wines?

Answer 2

They flank the CdR zone but cannot produce the CdR wines because of their large size and/or atypical mesoclimates and/or grape focus.

Question 3

Where are the non-CdR AOCs located?

Answer 3

They flank the CdR zone of the S.Rhone to the East, West and South.

Question 4

What style and grape varieties are used by the non-CdR AOCs?

Answer 4

They make wines in the same style as the CdR, using the same grapes with the addition of Vermentino and Macabeau.

Question 5

What is the production of the non-CdR AOCs?

Answer 5

They produce 1/4 of the total wine of the Rhone Valley.

Question 6

Which Non-CdR AOC produces the most of these AOCs?

Answer 6

Ventoux produces the most non- CdR wines?

Question 7

Which three Non-CdR AOCs produce a large amount of wine and focus on Rose and Red wine?

Answer 7

Ventoux, Luberon, Costieres de Nimes.

Question 8

When was Ventoux AOC awarded? which styles?

Answer 8

Awarded 1973 for dry white, rose and red.

Question 9

What are the primary white grapes of Ventoux?

Answer 9

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne.

Question 10

What are the primary red grapes of Ventoux?

Answer 10

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and significantly CINSAUT, CARIGNAN.

Question 11

Where is Ventoux located?

Answer 11

SE section of the S.Rhone.

Question 12

What is the climate of Ventoux?

Answer 12

Mediterranean with Alpine influences. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Question 13

What is the ratio of wine styles in Ventoux?

Answer 13

Rose 36%, red more than 50%.

Question 14

What is the production method of Rose in Ventoux?

Answer 14

Mainly saignee.

Question 15

What are the blend rules in Ventoux?

Answer 15

All wines must contain at least two primary grapes.

Question 16

Who produces the vast majority of wine in Ventoux?

Answer 16

Cooperatives.

Question 17

When was Luberon AOC awarded? which styles?

Answer 17

Awarded 1988 for dry white, rose and red.

Question 18

What are the primary white grapes of Luberon?

Answer 18

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino.

Question 19

What are the primary red grapes of Luberon?

Answer 19

Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.

Question 20

Where is Luberon located?

Answer 20

SE of Ventoux between it and Provence.

Question 21

What is the Rose production of Luberon?

Answer 21

It is over 50% (similar to Provence)

Question 22

What is the climate of Luberon?

Answer 22

The climate is Mediterranean (abundant sunshine), with continental influences (cool nights and winters). It is UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Question 23

When was Costieres de Nimes AOC awarded? which styles?

Answer 23

Awarded 1986 for dry white, rose and red.

Question 24

What are the primary white grapes of Costieres de Nimes?

Answer 24

Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne.

Question 25

What are the primary red grapes of Costieres de Nimes?

Answer 25

GSM

Question 26

Where is Costieres de Nimes AOC located?

Answer 26

On the right bank of the Rhone River.

Question 27

What is the climate of Costieres?

Answer 27

It has hot summers with with semi-drought in June to August. It has some of the highest temperatures in France. Cold air from the Petit Camargue cool the nights.

Question 28

What is the dominant grape in Costieres?

Answer 28

Unlike the rest of the S.Rhone it is Syrah>

Question 29

What is the production of Costieres?

Answer 29

Over 90% is red and rose.