WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World > D3 - Southern Rhône > Flashcards

D3 - Southern Rhône Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of Southern Rhône. (64 cards)

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1
Q

What is the climate of Southern Rhône?

A

Mediterranean

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2
Q

Describe Grenache from the Southern Rhône.

A
  • Pale ruby
  • Ripe red fruits (strawberry, red plum, red cherry)
  • Spicy and herbal notes
  • High alcohol
  • Low to medium tannins
  • Low acidity
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3
Q

What maladies is Grenache prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Coulure
  • Downy mildew
  • Phomopsis
  • Botrytis bunch rot
  • Bacterial necrosis/bacterial blight
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4
Q

Select the correct answer from each prompt.

Grenache:

a. is low or high yielding?
b. needs warmth to ripen or performs well in cool climates?
c. ripens early or late?

A

a. high yielding
b. needs warmth to ripen
c. ripens late

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5
Q

Select the correct answer from each prompt.

Mourvèdre is:

a. early budding or late budding?
b. thrives in cool or warm/hot climates?
c. low yielding or high yielding?

A

a. Late budding
b. Thrives in warm/hot climates
c. Low yielding

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6
Q

What maladies is Mourvèdre prone to?

A
  1. Mites
  2. Leafhoppers
  3. Sour rot
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7
Q

In the winery, why does Mourvèdre need adequate access to oxygen?

A

It is strongly prone to reduction.

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8
Q

Describe the general profile of Mourvèdre.

A
  • Deep ruby
  • Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries and violets
  • High alcohol
  • High, firm tannins
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9
Q

Why is Cinsaut/Cinsault highly suitable for early drinking reds and rosés in the Southern Rhône?

A

Its lifted aromas are most prominent in the first year after the wine is made (fresh red fruits – raspberry, red cherry).

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10
Q

What maladies is Cinsaut/Cinsault prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Esca
  • Eutypa
  • Mites
  • Grape moths
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11
Q

What makes Cinsaut/Cinsault well suited to the Mediterranean climate of the Southern Rhône?

A

It has good drought and heat resistance.

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12
Q

Fill in the blanks:

Cinsaut/Cinsault is a ____-budding and ____-yielding variety.

A

Late budding, high yielding

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13
Q

On what soils does Marsanne thrive?

A

Stony, low-fertility soils.

Marsanne is productive so stony, low-fertility soils help keep yields low.

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14
Q

What maladies is Marsanne prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Powdery mildew
  • Mites
  • Botrytis bunch rot
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15
Q

Give a typical profile of Marsanne from the Rhône.

A
  • Medium lemon, sometimes gold in color
  • Low intensity honeysuckle, lemon and apricot fruit
  • Oily texture
  • Medium acidity
  • Full bodied
  • Medium to high alcohol
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16
Q

Fill in the blank:

Marsanne is _____-budding and vigorous.

A

Late-budding

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17
Q

Fill in the blanks:

Much like Marsanne, Roussanne is also a _____-budding variety that grows best in _____ soils.

A

Late-budding; Low fertility soils

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18
Q

In the Southern Rhône, why must vineyard sites be chosen carefully for Roussanne?

A

It has poor resistance to wind.

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19
Q

What maladies is Roussanne prone to in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Powdery mildew
  • Botrytis bunch rot
  • Mites
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20
Q

Generally, Roussanne and Marsanne are similar in color and structure but Roussanne tends to age faster or slower?

A

Age faster.

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21
Q

Fill in the blanks:

Grenache Blanc is a relatively _____-budding variety that has a good resistance to _____.

A

Early-budding; wind

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22
Q

Give a typical profile of Clairette in Southern Rhône.

A
  • White flowers
  • Fennel
  • Apple and grapefruit notes
  • High alcohol
  • Low to medium (–) acidity

Clairette oxidizes easily so it needs careful handling in the winery.

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23
Q

Why is Clairette well suited to the Southern Rhône (and its low rainfall)?

A

It grows well in low fertility, dry soils.

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24
Q

Why is Bourboulenc well suited to the conditions in the Southern Rhône?

A
  • Grows well in warm, dry locations
  • Ripens late
  • Has loose bunches and thick skins, giving it resistance to botrytis bunch rot and disease resistance
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24
Why is **Grenache Noir** typically fermented and aged in concrete vats or stainless steel tanks?
It is **prone to oxidation and premature loss of color** if it is exposed to too much oxygen.
25
Why are low bush-trained vines common for suitable varieties (especially Grenache Noir) in the Southern Rhône?
Southern Rhône is flatter than northern Rhône so there is less protection from the Mistral, resulting in this type of training. ## Footnote Syrah, however, is usually grown tied to wires on trellises to give it protection from the Mistral. See p.105
26
What is the hierarchy of appellations in the Southern Rhône?
* Côtes du Rhône AOC * Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC * Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + named village (currently 22 villages) * Individual appellations known as crus, e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and Gigondas AOC
27
In the Southern Rhône, AOC regulations require typically that red wines are Grenache Noir-dominant blends with Mourvèdre and Syrah **EXCEPT for this appellation**.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
28
What is the maximum yield Côtes du Rhône AOC? ## Footnote (it's the same for red, white, and rosé)
51 hL/ha
29
For red Côtes du Rhône AOC wine, what are the 3 principal varieties?
1. Grenache Noir 2. Mourvèdre 3. Syrah
30
Together, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah must make up a minimum of __% of the volume of the final blend of a red or rosé Côtes du Rhône.
60% ## Footnote If the grapes come from the southern Rhône, Grenache Noir must be a minimum 30% and the combo of Syrah and Mourvèdre 20%.
31
* For white Côtes du Rhône, what are the 6 principal white varieties allowed in the blend? * What percentage must these varieties make of the final blend?
* Varieties: 1. **B**ourboulenc 2. **C**lairette 3. **G**renache Blanc 4. **M**arsanne 5. **R**oussanne 6. **V**iognier * Together must make up minimum **80%** of the final blend.
32
1. What are the maximum yields for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC? 2. What are the maximum yields for Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC + named village?
1. 44 hL/ha 2. 41 hL/ha
33
What is the final blending rule for red wines from Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC?
Final blend must have a minimum of 66% of at least two of the three principal varieties and must include Grenache Noir.
34
What is the maximum yield in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
35 hL/ha
35
# Fill in the blank: Gigondas AOC has vineyards up to \_\_\_\_m asl.
600m asl
36
* Which mountains partly shade Gigondas AOC? * What do these mountains do for the Gigondas appellation?
* Dentelles de Montmirail * Reduce morning temperatures, which extends the period of maturation (ripening) and increases flavor in the resulting wines
37
# Fill in the blank: The final blend in Gigondas AOC must be \_\_\_\_% minimum this grape.
50% minimum Grenache Noir ## Footnote The blend must also contain at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre, but there is no minimum percentage.
38
# Fill in the blank: Vacqueyras AOC rises up to \_\_\_\_m asl.
440m asl
39
In addition to red wines, what other color(s) of wine is Vacqueyras AOC allowed to produce?
White and rosé.
40
# Fill in the blank: Much like Gigondas AOC, Vacqueyras AOC red wines must be a minimum \_\_\_\_% Grenache Noir.
50% ## Footnote The final blend must also contain at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre, but there is no minimum percentage.
41
# Fill in the blank: The **most northerly** of all the Southern Rhône crus is \_\_\_\_\_\_.
Vinsobres AOC
42
What color wine does Vinsobres AOC make exclusively?
Red ## Footnote Must be minimum 50% Grenache Noir + at least one of Syrah or Mourvèdre.
43
What is the elevation range for Vinsobres AOC?
200-500m asl
44
What is the elevation for Rasteau AOC?
100m asl
45
Why are wines from Rasteau AOC so ripe and full bodied?
Vines are planted on south-facing slopes in a warm enclave sheltered from the Mistral.
46
The minimum percentage of Grenache Noir in the final blend of Cairanne AOC is LOWER than those of neighboring AOCs. What is the minimum percentage of Grenache Noir in Cairanne AOC?
40%
47
# Fill in the blanks: Red wines from Beaumes-de-Venise AOC must have a final blend of \_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_, and together must make up \_\_\_\_% of the blend.
* Grenache Noir and Syrah; * 50% of the blend.
48
# Fill in the blank: In Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, red wines make up more than \_\_\_\_% of the wine produced.
90% ## Footnote The remainder is white.
49
Is machine harvesting allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
No; Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC **must be hand harvested**.
50
What are the soil types found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
* Limestone * Clay (helpful for its water retention) * Sandstone * Sand
51
What are galets roulés?
Large pebbles found in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC vineyards that radiate heat at night back to the vines, adding to the warming effect.
52
Why do many producers blend across lieux-dits and soil types in Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
* For **added complexity** * To **create volumes that are commercially viable** ## Footnote Generally, growers believe wines from sandy soils are finer and lighter in style vs. more structured wines from soil with galets roulés.
53
Which AOC lies across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Lirac AOC
54
* For red wines from Lirac AOC, what are the 4 principal varieties? * What percent of the final blend must the 4 make up?
* Varieties: 1. **G**renache Noir 2. **M**ourvèdre 3. **S**yrah 4. **C**insaut * Together must make up minimum **90%** of final blend.
55
What is the maximum yield for Tavel AOC?
46 hL/ha
56
What is the one grape variety that Tavel AOC must include?
Grenache Noir ## Footnote Tavel AOC lists 12 permitted grape varieties.
57
# Fill in the blank: In Tavel AOC, none of the principal grape varieties may contribute more than \_\_\_\_% to the final blend.
60%
58
# Select the correct answer. The color for Tavel AOC is: a. pale candy pink b. deep pink-orange
b. deep pink-orange
59
What other 4 southern Rhône satellite appellations should you know for the exam?
1. **V**entoux AOC 2. **C**ostières de Nîmes AOC 3. **L**uberon AOC 3. **G**rignan-les-Adhémar AOC
60
What are the maximum yields for: 1. Ventoux AOC 2. Costières de Nîmes AOC 3. Luberon AOC
1. 60 hL/ha 2. 60 hL/ha 3. 55 hL/ha
61
What are the laws in the Rhône surrounding irrigation?
1. AOCs may apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions 2. Proof of water stress to vines is required 3. No irrigation is permitted after véraison 4. Under no circumstances can irrigation be used to exceed the maximum yield allowed by individual AOCs
62
By volume %, how are the **sales of Rhône wines** divided across different sectors?
1. French supermarkets (40%) 2. French specialist wine retail and hospitality (23%) 3. Export (37%)
63
# Fill in the blank: Combined together, the appellations Côtes du Rhône AOC and Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC produce around \_\_\_\_% of all wine produced in the Rhône as a whole.
60% ## Footnote In 2021, Côtes du Rhône AOC alone accounted for 49% of production by volume of all Rhône AOC wines.
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