What is the largest AOP of the Southern Rhone?
Cotes du Rhone AOP, red/white/rose
What is the difference between Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone-Villages?
Villages wines come from a delimited area and have stricter regulations, primarily lower maximum yields, and higher minimum alcohol requirements. ALSO! CDR is min. 30% Grenache, Villages is min. 40%.
Can a Cotes du Rhone wine be 100% Syrah: yes or no?
YES if they are from the Northern Rhone essentially. Cotes du Rhone wines must be minimum 30% Grenache, except for vineyards north of Montelimar (as in, northern Rhone). Since Cotes du Rhone AOP can be from entire north and south of the rhone valley.
What are the requirements for a village to be appended to CdR-Villages?
All the fruit has to come from only that are village. About ~20/21 villages can append their name.
Name at least 3 villages that were promoted from CdR-Villages recently.
Carianne (2016), Vinsobres (2006), Beaumes-de-Venise (2005)
What southern Rhone appellations are not based on Grenache?
Clairette de Bellgarde (100% Clairette Blanc) and Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise (Muscat)
What is the minimum abv for CdP? Are there other requirements?
12.5% abv, other requirements including 1. Hand-harvesting 2. Minimum 2% of harvested grapes must be discarded (as a safeguard against underipeness). 3. White grapes can be used in red wines, but the white and reds must be blended prior to vinification.
Is Tavel 100% Grenache or a blend?
30-60% minimum, a blend!
What is the name of the famous soil/stores in CdP, and why is it important?
“Galets roules”, are large round stones (quartersite and silica) that are remnants of retreating Alpine glaciers from thousands of years ago, polished smooth by the Rhone River. They help retain daytime heat, moderate vineyard temps, and reflect heat at nighttime.
Name 3 Major CdP producers:
Beaucastel, Rayas, Vieux Telegraph, Domaine du Pegau. *Beaucastel famous for using all 13 grapes + Mourvedre dominant, Rayas is famous often releases their CdP as 100% Grenache.
What factors contribute to the significant stylistic differences between CdP wines?
- Appellation is HUGE! So the soils are very varied 2. Assemblage! Can use any number of the 13 varieties in any amount. 3. Winemaking techniques such as carbonic maceration, new barrique aging, extended aging, etc.
What are the “outlier” appellations in the southern Rhone?
Tavel AOP is rose only, Vinsobres and Beaumes de Venise AOP are red wine only, Rasteau + Muscat de Beaumes de Venise are VdN.
Name the wind that blows across the Rhone valley and why it’s important.
The Mistral Wind– a cold, dry wind that blows down from Massif Central–defining dimatic element because it tempers hot summer temperatures, and it significantly dries the region protecting from humidity/mildew issues. Can also negatively impact flavoring in the spring.
What Southern Rhone appellations produce sweet wines, and what type?
Rasteau and Muscat Beaumes de Venise, vin deaux naturel wines
What are the 13 permitted grape varieties for CdP AOP?
Grenache (x3), Mourvedre, Syrah, Cinsult, Counoise, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Vaccarese, Clairette, Clairette Rose, Muscardin, Picardin, Piqeupoul (x3), Terret Noir
What is the minimum alcohol requirement for CdP AOP? What surrounding AOPs also share this minimum?
12.5% minimum, also Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, Rasteau, Vinsobres, Beaume de Venise
What CdP producer famously uses all 12 allowed varieties?
Ch. Beaucastel, but Mourvedre-heavy.
What CdP producer famously bottles 100% Grenache wines?
Ch. Rayas (Pignan = 100% young vine Grenache)
What CdP producer is famous for their holdings in the “La Crau” lieu-dit?
Vieux-Telegraphe
What department does CdP fall under?
Vaucluse
What is Clairette de Bellgarde?
Single commune AOP for 100% Clairette
What are the rules regarding co-fermentation for CdP varieties?
White varieties are (obviously) permitted in red wines, but they must be blended prior to vinification.
What is “la rape” in CdP/ reasoning for it?
Producers must declassify or completely discard annually a minimum 2% of harvested grapes (le rape), this serves as a safeguard against under ripeness.
CdP AOP is known for having some of the most restrictive regulations in France. What are some of them?
Mandatory hand harvesting for entire AOP, mandatory discarding minimum 2% of harvest (as le rape), minimum 12.5% abv red and white varieties must be blended prior to vinification, very low yields (35 hl/ha), high planting density, chaptalization prohibited (reds)
What are the communes of CdP?
CdP, Orange, Bedarrides, Courthezon, Sorgues
What is thermovinification and who uses it in CdP?
Thermovinification = flash heating the musts to very high temperatures pre-fermentation. Enhances extraction and also lends a juicy, candied character to the fruit. Chateau Beaucastel famously does it.
What is the primary viticultural benefit of the Mistral?
Dries the vineyards, preventing mold and mildew.
What are the two VDN appellations of the Southern Rhone?
Rasteau AOP, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise
Styles/varieties of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise?
Red/white/rose VDN, Muscat Blanc and Rouge
What communes are allowed to produce Rasteau VDN?
Rasteau, Sablet, Carianne (Rasteau = rouge sec)
What does “Hors d’Age” indicate on a bottle of Rasteau?
VDN with at least 5 years age before release.
What is rancio?
Wines that are made in a deliberately oxidative and maderized style, left in open barrels, exposed to elements–sunlight, temperature.
What are the only 2 AOPs in France authorized for both VDN and dry red wines?
Maury + Rasteau
What is historically important about Lirac?
Ground zero for phylloxera entrance to country
AOP for red wines ONLY in Southern Rhone:
Vinsobres and Beaumes de Venise AOP
Can Tavel be 100% Grenache?
No!
What is Vaccarese?
Vaccarese (aka Brun Argente) is a RED wine grape that is grown primarily in the Rhone Valley and most importantly, is one of the 13 permitted grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
What is Picardan?
Picardan is a WHITE wine grape that is grown in the Rhone and most importantly, is one of the 13 permitted grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Name another French AOP (other than Clairette del Belgarde) for Clairette.
Clairette de Die (Mousseux Méthode Traditionnelle), Coteaux de Die, Clairette du Languedoc
What’s the southern-most AOP in the Southern Rhone? What’s particular about it?
Costieres de Nimes AOP, formerly considered part of Languedoc.
What producer released the first estate-bottled Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
Chateau La Nerthe (1785)
Is Marsanne allowed in CdP?
No, but Roussanne is.
What century did the Roman Catholic Popes reside in Avignon?
14th Century (1309-1378)
