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Ch. 7 – Rhone Flashcards

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1
Q

Northern vs. Southern Rhone Valley

A

Nothern Rhone
- Syrah
- Continental climate
- 4,000 ha

Southern Rhone
- Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre
- Mediterranean climate
- 66,000 ha

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2
Q

White grape varieties in the Rhone

A

Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
Grenache Blanc
Clairette
Bourboulenc

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3
Q

Syrah (Rhone)

A

Vigorous, needs careful training and tying in to protect from Mistral (trellising is not possible on steep slopes)

Susceptible to mites and botrytis bunch rot

Disease ‘Syrah decline’ - leaves turn red and graft points break, vine dies

The only black grape used in Northern Rhone crus

Deep ruby colour, med to pronounced intensity (violet, plum, blackberry, black pepper, herbal notes)
Acidity and tannin medium to high.

Adds structure, fruit and colour to Southern blends

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4
Q

Grenache Noir (Rhone)

A

High yielding

Ripens late (can be affected by autumn rains)

Upright growth makes it suitable for bush vine, pruned low to contain vigour

Does well on dry, low fertile soils (drought resistant)

Prone to coulure and fungal diseases

Prone to bacterial blight (kills shoots, leaves, and plant eventually)

Prone to oxidation and premature colour loss (if exposed to too much oxygen)

Blends - contribute to pale ruby colour, ripe red fruit (strawberry, red plum, red cherry) spicy, herbal notes, high alcohol, low to med tannins and low acidity

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5
Q

Mourvedre (Rhone)

A

Late budding and late ripening

Thrives in warm to hot climates
- Can be under-ripe if late summer is not hot

Not drought resistant (needs small but regular supply of water)

Best pruned short (cordon or bush vine)

Low yields

Prone to mites, leafhoppers, sour rot (affects ripening bunches)

Strongly prone to reduction (adequate access to oxygen is very important)

Typically aged in old oak.

Almost always used as part of blend in Rhone - deep colour, intense aroma of blackberries, blueberries, violets, high alcohol and firm tannins

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6
Q

Cinsault

A

Late budding, high yielding

Good drought resistance and heat resistance

Yield must be managed

If grown on excessive lime in soil - suffers from chlorosis

Prone to esca and eutypa, mites and grape moths

Typically small part of blend (made in style to preserve fruitiness) light ruby colour, med (+) aroma (fresh red fruit - raspberry, red cherry) high alcohol and low to med tannins

Aroma most prominent in the first year after wine is made (early drinking styles and rose)

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7
Q

Viognier

A

Early budding (prone to spring frost)

Low and unpredictable yields (poor flowering and fruit set - coulure)

Picking time is very important - fruit must be absolutely ripe to get pronounced aromas
- if left too long - loses flavour and acidity -unbalanced

Lemon in colour, pronounced aroma of honeysuckle, apricot, peach. Medium to high alcohol and low acidity.

Up to 20% allowed in northern Rhone red wines

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8
Q

Marsanne

A

Late budding

Vigorous and productive (yields must be kept low)

Best on stony and low fertility soils

Prone to powdery mildew, mites, botrytis

Medium lemon colour (sometimes gold) light intensity honeysuckle, lemon, apricot, oily texture, medium acidity, full body, med to high alcohol

Northern Rhone can be varietal (south usually blend)

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9
Q

Roussanne

A

Late budding

Best on low fertility, well drained soils

Poor resistance to wind

Unpredictable yields due to coloure.

Very susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis and mites

More difficult than Marsanne (therefore less common)

Medium lemon colour (sometimes gold) medium+ intensity (pear, herbal notes) medium (+) acidity, med (high) alcohol.

Tends to age quicker than Marsanne

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10
Q

Grenache Blanc

A

Good wind resistance

Almost exclusively in southern part of Rhone

Low intensity, ripe green fruit and floral notes, high alcohol and low acidity

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11
Q

Clairette

A

Vigorous

Grows very upright (wind resistant)

Ripens late (prone to autumn rains)

Oxidizes easily

Adds fresh fruit and white flowers to blends
- High alcohol and low acidity

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12
Q

Bourboulenc

A

Late ripening

Loose bunches and thick skins (resistant to botrytis)

Adds acidity to blends

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13
Q

General winemaking in Rhone

and winemaking for Grenache and Syrah

A

very traditional

Preference for concrete for ferment (also stainless, large wood)

Small and large wooden vessels for maturation

Grenache prone to colour loss and oxidation if exposed to too much oxygen (so usually fermented and aged in concrete)

Syrah (prone to reduction) must be pumped over more often, often aged in oak (gentle oxidation)

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14
Q

Production procedure for cru level red wine in the Rhone

A

Harvested by hand (small crates)
- May be destemmed and cold soaked for 1-3 days for color
- May be left as whole bunches and vinified as such

Ferment in steel, concrete or open top wooden ferment

Cultured or ambient yeast

Warm temperature ferment (extract colour, flavour, tannin)

Post-ferment maceration on skins for full extraction with punch-down, pump-over or rack and return

Maturation of 12-24 months, in large oak for Grenache, or small barrels for Syrah, Mourvedre
- often 20-30% new

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15
Q

Production of high volume inexpensive red wine in the Rhone

A

Usually harvested by machine

Hand picking and carbonic maceration is also an option

Large producers - flash detente or termovinification (enhance colour, fruit intensity, low tannin)

Cultured yeast (quick, reliable)

Mid-range temperatures ferment (retain fruit)

Short period of maceration on skins

Stored in stainless

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16
Q

Rose winemaking in the Rhone

A

Typically short maceration (12-48 hours)

Typically aged in large oak or concrete vats or steel
(some producers use old small oak for texture)

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17
Q

White winemaking in the Rhone

A

Mostly mid-range temperatures to retain fruit

Malo sometimes avoided

Mostly aged in large old oak or stainless

Lees stirring sometimes avoided (due to natural full body of Rhone varieties), but some do it (Chapoutier’s Hermitage)

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18
Q

Northern Rhone environment and grape growing

A

Moderate continental climate
- adequate rainfall mainly in autumn and winter

Cold Mistral winds from north
(reduced fungal disease, decreases vigour - lower yields and gives concentration)

Better vineyards are on steep slopes
(increased interception of sunlight, better drainage)

Most work has to be done by hand

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19
Q

Appellations of Northern Rhone

A

Côte-Rôtie AOC

Condrieu AOC
- Ch. Grillet AOC

Saint Joseph AOC

Hermitage AOC

Crozes-Hermitage AOC

Cornas AOC

Saint-Péray AOC

Collines Rhodaniennes IGP

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20
Q

Côte-Rôtie AOC

A

Only red wines (Syrah + up to 20% Viognier)

Steep often terraced slopes (east and south-east exposure) - high sunlight interception
- most work done by hand
- erosion
- terrace maintenance
- Sheltered from winds

Rapid drainage, poor, stony soils - fully ripe grapes

Guyot, tied to one or two poles (locally known as Échalas)

Typical density 10,000 vines/ha (competition, low yields)

Lack of commercial interest before Guigal
- increased from 70 ha to 250 ha (now premium prices)

Syrah usually propagated by mass selection

Max yields are low

Winemaking emphasizes aromatic potential
- Most will destem and cold soak
- Usage of a proportion of stems is increasingly common

Typically softer and less full-bodied than rest of the N Rhone

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21
Q

Condrieu AOC

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A

100% Viognier

Max yields are low

South facing vineyards (river turns here)
- steep, terraced, rocky, low fertility
- soil erosion
- strong winds

Single-estate appellation - Ch. Grillet AOC (3.5 ha)

Most ferment in steel or large wood (some small barrels)

Malo may or may not be allowed (normally yes)

Typically aged on lees 10-12 months, often with lees stirring

Very good to outstanding

22
Q

Saint-Joseph AOC

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A

90% red

Max yields are low

Includes some sites not on the hillside (which typically produce lower quality).. debate over whether to limit the appellation to only hillside sites

Marsanne, Roussanne both allowed in red wine (rarely used)

Stainless, large wood to ferment

Matured in larger wood, occasionally barriques

Wide range of quality

23
Q

Hermitage AOC

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A

1/3 white. 2/3 reds

South facing slopes
- Sunlight
- Protected from wind
- Thin soil
- pronounced intensity, high tannins, longevity
- erosion is a challenge

Max yields are low
- Many old vines, giving low yields

Rare Vin de Paille (sweet)
- made in warm years
- made by drying grapes off the vine

24
Q

Producers, co-ops and negociants in Hermitage

Study These Flashcards
A

Negociants: Chapoutier and Jaboulet

Co-op: Cave de Tain

Producer: Jean-Louis Chave

25
Winemaking in Hermitage
Reds: - Traditional winemaking - Proportion of stems often included - Long oak ageing 12-18 months (proportion of new oak common) Whites: - Typically a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, or pure Marsanne - Any fermentation vessel - Maturation in oak or steel - Typically aged on lees 10-12 months - Rich, creamy, nutty after long bottle aging
26
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
North - steeper slopes - continental with alpine influences - influence from the Mistral - Long growing season, high diurnal range South - more temperate with more rainfall - flatter - deeper, more fertile soils (lower concentration) - machine harvesting possible Generally, wines are intended for early drinking - Carbonic maceration can be used (but this is rare today) Whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne
27
Cornas AOC
Must be 100% Syrah (first AOC to be picked) Max yields are low Natural south and east-facing amphitheater with steep slopes Warm mediterranean climate, good protection from Mistral Tannic, long-lived wines (some use small barrels to soften tannins) Producers: Alain Voge, Domaine Vincent Paris Very good to outstanding
28
Saint-Péray AOC
slightly cooler climate White wines (from limestone and granite soils) Mainly Marsanne (with some Roussanne) Max yields are low Fermented in stainless or oak and aged in same or large old oak Typically aged for 10-12 months Some producers stir lees to add body
29
Collines Rhodaniennes IGP
Red, white and rose from grapes grown outside of the AOCs in the northern Rhone High yields allowed Also allows more grape varieties than AOCs
30
Southern Rhone growing environment and grape growing
Warm mediterranean climate - warm, dry summers, adequate rainfall - drought is an increasing problem - Irrigation permitted if drought is severe within rules Flatter land than Northern Rhone - less protection from Mistral - low bush vines are very common (Grenache) - Syrah is tied to wires on trellises
31
Appellation hierarchy in the Southern Rhone
Côtes du Rhône AOC Côtes du Rhône Village AOC Côtes du Rhône Village AOC + named village Cru (such as Gigondas AOC) Outside of this, there are other appellations such as Ventoux
32
AOC general requirements and regulations in Southern Rhone
Red wines are Grenache-dominated blends with Mourvedre and Syrah (along other permitted grapes) Regulations: - distinguish between principal, complementary and other permitted varieties - State the total minimum proportion of principal (and sometimes complementary) varieties - Some AOCs distinguish between min % of variety in the vineyard and in final blend
33
Appellations in Southern Rhone
Côtes du Rhône AOC Côtes du Rhône Village AOC Côtes du Rhône Village AOC + named village Gigondas AOC Vacqueyras AOC Vinsobres AOC Rasteau AOC Cairanne AOC Beaumes-de-Venise AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC Lirac AOC Tavel AOC
34
Côtes du Rhône AOC + requirements of varieties, yield
Covers all vineyard land suitable for grape growing in the Rhone (in practice, almost all comes from the south) Second largest appellation in France (after Bordeaux) Max yields are moderate Red and rose - at least 60% GSM - permitted: Carignan, Cinsaut, other local varieties White wine - at least 80% Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier - permitted: Piquepoul Blanc, other local varieties Reds of Côtes du Rhône AOC Village - at least 66% GSM - max yields are lower Côtes du Rhône Village AOC + named village - max yields are even lower Med ruby, med intensity (red plum, blackberry) no oak aroma, med acidity, med tannin (or low if carbonic) good quality
35
Gigondas AOC
up to 600m Shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail mountains - reducing temperature in the morning - longer growing season, increased flavour Also a cooling effect from the Mistral At least 50% Grenache and must contain either Syrah or Mourvèdre
36
Vacqueyras AOC
Up to 440m - diurnal variation At least 50% Grenache and must contain either Syrah or Mourvèdre
37
Vinsobres AOC
Most northerly of the Southern Rhone South/southeast facing slopes at 200-500m - good sunlight - good drainage - some protection from Mistral Older plots of Carignan and Cinsault, valued for high-quality Red GSM blends
38
Rasteau AOC
Low south-facing slopes sheltered from Mistral - ripe, full bodied Red GSM blends
39
Cairanne AOC
Not as steep as Gigondas, not as warm as Rasteau Fruity, approachable red GSM blends High reputation for the small amount of white produced
40
Beaumes-de-Venise AOC
Red GSM blends On slopes, slightly shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail
41
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Became first AOC in France in 1936 -13 varieties allowed -Min alcohol 12.5% without chaptalization -Must be picked by hand -No requirements for principal grapes and % (possible to make single varietal wine) Limestone, sand, clay (water-holding) -low fertility, generally fast-draining Large pebbles (Galets roulés) - radiate heat at night Usually: Red: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre White: Grenache, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Roussanne (Marsanne and Viognier NOT permitted)
42
Expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Red: - Med ruby colour - Med+ intensity (ripe red plum, blackberry, spice, sometimes new oak) - Med acidity - Tannin from med- to high - Range of quality White: - Some fermented in oak, some in steel - Occasionally, a proportion is aged in new oak
43
Lirac AOC
Mainly red, with some rose and white High sunlight hours, well-drained infertile soils At least 90% Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault Producer: Domaine de la Mordoree
44
Tavel AOC
Rose only 12 principal grape varieties - Final blend must include Grenache Noir - None of the varieties may exceed 60% Max yields are moderate Med intensity pink/orange, med(+) intensity of strawberry, raspberry, med+ (full) body and med alcohol
45
Other Rhone appellations (satellites)
Higher max yields than the Crus Mostly GSM blends - followed by rose - very small amount of white 4 largest in terms of production: - Ventoux AOC - Costières de Nîmes AOC - Luberon AOC - Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC Good to very good Inexpensive to mid-priced Co-ops are very important
46
Ventoux AOC
Below Mont Ventoux - cooling influence from altitude
47
Costières de Nîmes AOC
Between the Rhone and Languedoc South-west facing slopes - good light interception and breezes from Mediterranean
48
Luberon AOC
Borders on Provence Gentle slopes or flat land
49
Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC
Lighter style than other Southern Rhone reds
50
IGP wines in the Southern Rhone
Rhone or international varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon quite successful
51
Irrigation regulations and rules in the Southern Rhone
AOC can apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions Proof of water stress is required No irrigation allowed after veraison and in no circumstances to exceed maximum yield allowed
52
Wine business in the Rhone
Negociants usually operate across both regions but often are based in the north (Guigal, Jaboulet, Chapoutier) Cooperatives more important in southern part (Cellier des Princes) Increasing number of producers are making and bottling their own wines, rather than selling to a negociant Export 33% - UK, Belgium, USA Domestic sales split between supermarkets vs. specialist/hospitality Small En Primeur and investment market

Old_Full (26 decks)

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