The Southern Rhône Flashcards

1
Q

List the key appellations of Southern Rhone

A

Cotes du Rhone / Cotes du Rhone Villages
Chateauneuf du Pape
Gigondas / Vacqueras
Tavel / Lirac

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2
Q

What is the climate of Southern Rhone and what are the risks of the climate?

A

Mediterranean - Mild winters, warm dry Summers

Risks - drought and vine damage from Mistral winds

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3
Q

How is Grenache usually trained?

A

Bush trained to protect from Mistral and to get warmth from stony soils

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4
Q

The Mistral can easily damage Syrah so what do vine growers do?

A

Give support by trellising

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5
Q

What are the best soils in Southern Rhone?

A

Stony soils to absorb heat, some with large stones called Galets

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6
Q

What are the 4 key black grapes of the Southern Rhone?

A

Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre plus some Cinsault

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7
Q

What is the style of Southern Rhone Grenache

At its best / worst

A

At best concentrated spiced red fruit

BUT in V. hot years can become baked and jammy

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8
Q

What does Syrah bring to Southern Rhone blends?

A

Extra colour and tannin but struggles in hotter sites

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9
Q

What does Mourvèdre bring to Southern Rhone blends?

A

Very high tannin, dense black fruit and meaty aromas

Thrives in the heat

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10
Q

What does Cinsault bring to Southern Rhone blends and what is it often used for?

A

Low tannin, red fruit flavours

Often blended with Grenache to make fruity Rosé

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11
Q

How do fermentation styles vary in Southern Rhone?

A

From cold pre-fermentation maceration and storage in stainless steel to warm extractive fermentation in open top fermenters with maturation in oak vessels

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12
Q

How can Southern Rhone reds style vary?

A

From light / medium body, med tannin fresh fruity wines

to high tannin, full body, spicy, meaty, earthy

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13
Q

What white grapes are used in Southern Rhone?

A

White is minority production but
Bourboulenc, Clairette and Grenache Blanc plus
Northern Rhone trio; Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne

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14
Q

Whilst a minority interest what is the style of the best Southern Rhone white wines?

A

Best have rich texture, full body, high alcohol, low acidity and subtle fruit, usually no oak

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15
Q

How does Cotes du Rhone Villages differ from simple Cotes du Rhone?

A

Higher minimum alc
Max yield limits
Higher % GSM
Generally more body, structure and spiced fruit

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16
Q

Other than the wine what is Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s claim to fame?

A

The first region in France to be granted Appellation Controlee

17
Q

Which is the largest Cru in the Rhone?

A

Chateauneuf-du-Pape

18
Q

What is the terrain of Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

A

Very flat with a wide range of soils and aspects = varying styles of wines. Many areas have Galets (big stones) on the surface.

19
Q

What is the style of the best red Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines?

A

Full body, rich texture, concentrated spiced red fruit with high alc

20
Q

What does Tavel produce and what is it’s style?

A

Rosé only from Grenache and Cinsault

Full body with intense flavour

21
Q

What is produced in Lirac?

A

Rosé from Grenache and Cinsault, similar to Tavel

Full bodied red and white in a similar style to Chateauneuf-du-Pape

22
Q

What is produced in Gigondas and Vacqueras?

A

Grenache led, full body, spicy reds

23
Q

There’s a sweet fortified wine produced in the Southern Rhone, what is it?

A

Muscat de-Beaumes-de-Venice

24
Q

List the 4 Human factors of wine

A

Grape Growing
Wine Making
Maturation
Market Forces