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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) > Rhône Valley > Flashcards

Rhône Valley Flashcards

Learn the local geography, topography, and climate, along with appellation hierarchy, major grapes, and vinification methods for this iconic region.

1
Q

Which two towns bookend the northern Rhône?

A
  1. Vienne (north)
  2. Valence (south)
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2
Q

What is the climate of the northern Rhône?

A

Continental

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3
Q

Where does the Rhône River originate?

A

Switzerland

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4
Q

What benefits does the Rhône River provide the vineyards?

A
  • moderates the climate
  • provides air circulation
  • reflects sunlight
  • warms the slopes
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5
Q

What is the Mistral?

A

Strong winds that originate in Switzerland and follow the Rhône River into France.

It warms and dries out the nothern Rhône, inhibiting disease, mildew and mold.

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6
Q

Are the vineyards of the northern Rhône situated on the valley floor or on steep, terraced hillsides overlooking the river?

A

Steep, terraced hillsides overlooking the river

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7
Q

What are the soils of the northern Rhône?

A
  • Granite
  • Schist
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8
Q

What are the white grapes of the northern Rhône?

A
  • Viognier
  • Marsanne
  • Roussanne
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9
Q

What is the only red grape allowed in the northern Rhône?

A

Syrah

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10
Q

Why are vines in the northern Rhône so often staked to the ground?

A

The Mistral is so strong it’s been known to knock vines over.

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11
Q

Are the wines of the northern Rhône more often bottled as blends or single varietals?

A

Most often single varietals, especially Syrah and Viognier.

Sometimes you’ll see Marsanne and Roussanne blended together.

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12
Q

Most wines from the nothern Rhône are fermented and aged in _____.

However, there are some winemakers who do primary fermentation in _____ and then age their wines in _____.

A

Oak, especially large foudres.

Stainless steel, then oak (new and/or used).

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13
Q

What is cofermentation and why is it done?

A

When two or more grape varietals undergo fermentation together, rather than separately.

It’s done to boost aromatics, complexity, and softening tannins.

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14
Q

What are the 6 AOPs of the northern Rhône from north to south?

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie (red only)
  2. Condrieu (white only)
  3. Saint-Joseph
  4. Crozes-Hermitage
  5. Hermitage
  6. Cornas (red only)
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15
Q

What are the 2 red-wine only AOPs in the northern Rhône?

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie AOP
  2. Cornas AOP
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16
Q

What color wines can Côte-Rôtie be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red only
  • Syrah with max. 20% Viognier
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17
Q

What color can wines from Condrieu be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • White only
  • 100% Viognier
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18
Q

What color can wines from Saint-Joseph be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red and white
  • Reds: Syrah w/max 10% Roussanne + Marsanne
  • Whites: Roussanne + Marsanne
19
Q

What color can wines from Crozes-Hermitage be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red and white
  • Red: Syrah w/max 15% Roussanne + Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne + Marsanne
20
Q

What color can wines from Hermitage be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red and white
  • Red: Syrah w/max 15% Roussanne + Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne + Marsanne
21
Q

What color can wines from Cornas be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red only
  • 100% Syrah
22
Q

How big is the distance between the northern Rhône and the southern Rhône?

A

~30 miles

23
Q

What is the climate of the southern Rhône?

A

Mediterranean

24
Q

How does the Mistral affect the southern Rhône?

A

Cools down the southern Rhône

25
Q

How do the diurnal shifts in the southern Rhône affect the wines?

A

Helps them remain fresh and lively.

Summers don’t feel as hot in the southern Rhône thanks to the Mistral and the diurnal shifts.

26
Q

How else are the warmer temperatures of the southern Rhône moderated?

A

The Rhône River helps moderate and cool down the area.

27
Q

Is the southern Rhône steep, terraced, and hilly like the northern Rhône or is it flatter and more broad?

A

Flatter and more broad with lots of scrubland (on the valley floor).

28
Q

What are the soils of the southern Rhône?

A
  • Alluvial clay
  • Large river rocks (aka galets or pudding stones)
29
Q

What are the 3 main white grapes of the southern Rhône?

A
  1. Grenache Blanc
  2. Roussanne
  3. Clairette
30
Q

What are the 3 main red grapes of the southern Rhône?

A
  1. Grenache
  2. Syrah
  3. Mourvèdre
31
Q

Does the southern Rhône make more red wine or more white wine?

A

Red wine

Red wine makes up 90% of total production in the southern Rhône.

32
Q

How are vines typically trained in the southern Rhône?

A

Bush trained (aka gobelet)

33
Q

Are the wines of the southern Rhône more often bottled as blends or single varietals?

A

Blends

Very few wines in the southern Rhône are bottled as single varietals.

34
Q

For aging their wines, most winemakers in the southern Rhône use _____ ____ rather than ______.

A

Use large oak rather than barrique.

35
Q

Are the wines of southern Rhône allowed to be chaptalized?

A

No because the grapes have no trouble getting ripe.

36
Q

Name 4 single village AOPs of the southern Rhône.

A
  1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
  2. Gigondas AOP (red only)
  3. Vacqueyras AOP
  4. Tavel AOP (dry rosé only)
37
Q

What color can wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red and white
  • Red: Grenache-based blends
  • White: Blends of Grenache, Clairette, etc.
38
Q

How many grapes are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

A

18

13 individual ones and then 5 of different color mutations.

39
Q

What color can wines from Gigondas be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red
  • Grenache-based blends
40
Q

What color can wines from Vacqueyras be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red, white and rosé
  • Red and rosé: Grenache-based blends
  • White: Blends of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, etc.
41
Q

What color can wines from Tavel be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Rosé
  • Grenache-based blends
  • Always dry, richer, deeper color (than Provence)
42
Q

What sorts of foods would you pair with Condrieu?

A
  • Cheese
  • Shellfish, e.g. lobster with cream sauces
43
Q

What foods would you pair with fat, rich, Rhône whites based on Marsanne + Roussanne?

A
  • Pork loin
  • Roast chicken
44
Q

What foods would you pair with Rhône reds?

A
  • Syrah: meat (rabbit, sausage/pork, steak)
  • Grenache: Cassoulet, sausage, burgers

Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) (40 decks)

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