Rhône

Question 1

Explain the geography of the Rhône

Answer 1

Named for the Rhône river - begins in Swiss Alps; flows into France through Jura Mtns and flows south into Mediterranean.

Divided into Northern (smaller, more prestigious) and Southern (larger, better known). They are an hour away from each other and connected by the river.

Question 2

Describe the best vineyards in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 2

The best cling to narrow rocky terraces on steep slopes above the river. Erosion is a major concern. Terraces and hand built stone walls keep vineyards in place.

Southern orientation of vines is critical to receive enough sunlight and heat.

Question 3

Describe soil in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 3

Poor, ancient, weathered and crumbly. Slate and granite. Well draining and retains heat well.

Question 4

Describe climate/weather in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 4

Continental (vs. Mediterranean in Southern Rhône). Hard, cold, wet winters; hot summers; late spring and early fall fog. Le Mistral.

Question 5

What is Le Mistral?

Answer 5

A violent wind that comes from the Alps, traveling 100s of miles south and picking up speed as it goes. Affects the Rhône, especially in the South.

Question 6

What are the effects of Le Mistral on vines - positive and negative?

Answer 6

Good

• cools vines during growing, helps retain acidity
• acts as a blowdryer during harvest time, preventing humidity and mold
• evaporation - concentrates sugar and acid in grapes

Bad
Can rip apart vines. The most successful sites are sheltered and or trained low to the ground.

Question 7

What is the parentage of syrah?

Answer 7

Mondeuse blanche x rueza (red, descendant of Pinot noir

Thought to have occurred naturally in the Rhône-Alps region in eastern France

Question 8

What are the red wine appellations of the Northern Rhône? What grapes?

Answer 8

Côte-Rôtie
St. Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage 
Cornas

Syrah only

Question 9

Which appellations in the Northern Rhône make both white and red?

Answer 9

St. Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage

Question 10

What appellations produce white wine in the Northern Rhône? Which grapes?

Answer 10

Viognier -
Condrieu and Château-Grillet

Roussane/Marsanne blend -
St. Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage

Question 11

Where is rosé made in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 11

Trick question - it is not permitted anywhere

Question 12

Describe viognier.

Answer 12

Rich, oily, heavily perfumed. High glycerine, low acid, often has noticeable sweetness, creamy texture.

Notes of peach, tangerine, rose, honeysuckle, raw almond, lichee, gardenia, white melon

Notoriously fickle. Hard to grow, site sensitive.

Question 13

Describe marsanne/roussanne blends.

Answer 13

Tend to be rich and fruity with bold peach flavors and oily texture. Notes of apple, mandarin, beeswax, acacia.

Marsanne is heart of blend. Roussanne adds finesse, aromas and flavors.

Question 14

Who is winemaking done by in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 14

1. Tiny family owned estates
2. Larger, well known family firms ex M. Chapoutier, E. Guigal
3. Negociants, who buy blend and bottle under their own name
4. Cooperatives, who make the least interesting wine

Question 15

What are some major winemaking techniques in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 15

Whole cluster fermentation

• keeping stems adds notes of sandalwood, briar, and spice
• increases tannin, adds more edge and grip

Blending from multiple vineyards

• adds complexity
• in many cases adding a small amount of white wine is permitted (though not often done)

Question 16

Compare the 2 types of vineyards in Côte-Rôtie.

Answer 16

Côtes
Best. On steep granite slopes with grades up to 60 degrees. South facing.

“Non-Côtes”
On plateaus above slopes. Newer, est. when Côte-Rôtie expanded in 1970s and 80s. Some producers acknowledge inferiority and declassify as Côte du Rhône.

Question 17

Name and briefly describe the 2 famous slopes in Côte-Rôtie.

Answer 17

Côte Brune
More tannic and powerful

Côte Blonde
More elegant and racy

According to legend, named after the blonde and brunette daughters of a feudal lord

Question 18

Name some notable single vineyards in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 18

La Chantillone
La Garde
La Chrvalière

The La La vineyards- Guigal
La Mouline
La Landonne
La Turque

Question 19

How much viognier is permitted in Côte-Rôtie? Why?

Answer 19

20% but most include <5%

Largely practical - viognier vines are scattered among Syrah in many sites

Historically thought to soften Syrah, also used for its exotic aroma

Question 20

Name the 4 most well-known firms in Côte-Rôtie.

Answer 20

E. Guigal
M. Chapoutier
Paul Jaboulet-Aîné
Delas Frères (owned by Roderer)

Question 21

Name some other notable producers in Côte-Rôtie.

Answer 21

René Rostaing
Jamet
Robert Jasmin
Henri Gallet
Michel Ogier
J. M. Gerin
Benjamin et David Duclaux
Château de St. Cosme

Question 22

Describe Château-Grillet.

Answer 22

Both a single producer and an appellation. 8.6 acres. An enclave inside Condrieu. Owned by Artemis Group, coparent of Château Latour.

Viognier only.

Question 23

Describe and name some of the best producers in Condrieu.

Answer 23

270 acres (100 HA). Sits at a curve in the Rhône river. Means “coin de russeau” - “corner of the river.”

Georges Vernay, E. Guigal, Philippe Faury, René Rostaing, Yves Cuilleron, André Perret, Dumazet, Robert Niero

Question 24

Describe the region of Saint Joseph and the wines that come from it.

Answer 24

Est. 1956 as a small, hilly appellation across the river from Hermitage.

Has expanded to a long, 2,500-acre stretch from Condrieu to bottom tip of Northern Rhône. As a result the once reputable region has introduced some thin & coarse wines (less than ideal sun exposure)

Question 25

Describe vinification in St. Joseph.

Answer 25

Syrah with up to 10% marsanne/roussanne 10% of production is white - St. Joseph blanc. Majority marsanne with some roussanne. Best = Roger Blachon

Question 26

Name a few producers in St. Joseph.

Answer 26

``` M. Chapoutier J.L. Chave Alain Graillot Yves Cuilleron J.L. Grippat André Perret ``` Dard et Ribo Laurent Habrard

Question 27

What is the historical significance of Hermitage?

Answer 27

Frances costliest red in 18th and 19th centuries. Was even secretly blended into 1st Growth Bordeaux Maybe named for medieval crusader Gaspard de Sterimberg who est. a sanctuary on top of hill - small ancient stone chapel. (Jaboulet’s La Chapelle named for)

Question 28

Describe the terroir and soil of Hermitage.

Answer 28

A single 1000-ft high southern-facing hill with 300 acres Mostly granite with gravel, flint, and limestone

Question 29

Describe vinification in Hermitage.

Answer 29

Red Syrah; up to 15% marsanne/roussanne but not often used. Usually aged in large casks up to 3 yrs or in small oak barrels, some new White (Hermitage Blanc) Rare; marsanne roussanne.

Question 30

Describe Hermitage blanc and name 2 of the best.

Answer 30

Full bodied, bold and rich. Oily and resiny texture. Roussanne lifts to add peach, quince, almonds, honeysuckle and lime J.L. Chave M. Chapoutier Ermitage l’Ermite blanc

Question 31

Name the top Hermitage producers.

Answer 31

``` E. Guigal J. L. Chave Marc Sorrel M. Chapoutier Paul Jaboulet Aîné ```

Question 32

Describe the geography, viticulture, and notable producers of Crozes-Hermitage.

Answer 32

Red-syrah; white- marsanne/roussanne (sm. amt) Mostly on flatlands that spread S and E of Hermitage. Area is 10x larger and biggest in N. Rhône. Less distinguished, higher-yielding vineyards - usually less concentrated Notable: Alain Graillot Other: Albert Belle, M. Chapoutier, Dom. Combier

Question 33

Describe the geography and best vineyard sites in Cornas.

Answer 33

Tiny, at end of N. Rhône Best vineyards are on dangerously steep hillsides held in by ancient terraces. Facing due south: intense light and heat.

Question 34

Describe vinification and name best producers in Cornas.

Answer 34

Only red, only Syrah. Best are dense, edgy, and masculine. Aging is critical: 7-10yrs. Adds leather and earth notes. Producers: Auguste Clape, Jean-Luc Colombo, Thierry Allemand, Franck Balthazar

Question 35

Describe the geography, climate, and soil of the Southern Rhône.

Answer 35

Close to walled city of Avignon. An hour drive south of N. Rhône Vineyard sites are spread out 20-30 mi away from the Rhône River on flatter, gentler hills Climate: Mediterranean. Warm and sunny. Le Mistral tempers hot days. Soil: some vines planted among large riverbed rocks. Variation of clay, sandy limestone, gravel

Question 36

Describe vinification in the Southern Rhône.

Answer 36

Grenache is leading red grape but blending is almost always used to create more complex wines Almost 60 cooperatives that bottle under many diff brand names. Also sell to dozens of negociants

Question 37

What are the Châteneuf Thirteen?

Answer 37

Grapes permitted in Châteneuf-du-Pape blends. 14 if you count Grenache blanc. Reds Grenache, syrah, Mourvèdre, cinsault, muscardin, counoise, vaccarèse, terret noir Whites Grenache blanc, clairette, bourboulenc, roussanne, picpoul, picardin

Question 38

List the 7 appellations of the Southern Rhône and indicate what styles of wine are made there.

Answer 38

Châteneuf-du-Pape - red and white Gigondas - red and rosé Vacqueras - red white and rosé Rasteau - red Tavel - rosé Côtes-du- Rhône (-Villages) - red white and tosé Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise - fortified sweet

Question 39

Describe the geography and topography of Châteneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 39

15 min drive from Avignon (name means “new castle of the pope” as of 14th century when Pope Clement V resided there) Encompasses plateaus and slopes around the town of Châteneuf-du-Pape plus 4 adjacent villages Large for Rhône stds. >8,000 acres (3,200 HA)

Question 40

Describe soil in Châteneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 40

Smooth, rolled stone. Many vineyards have no visible dirt at all. These quartzite “galets” are remnants of ancient Alpine glaciers. They retain heat and hasten ripening. They also protect vines from dryness by retaining soil and therefore moisture.

Question 41

Describe vinification in Châteneuf-du-Pape.

Answer 41

95% red - the Châteneuf 13. Majority are GSM: Grenache based (sweet, ripe, jammy) with Syrah (deepens color, adds spice) and Mourvèdre (adds structure). Some white and rosé. Low yields required (lowest in France): 35 hectoliters per hectare New oak rare. Grenache is vilified in large cement ranks. Others in large oak barrels - foudres.

Question 42

What is the significance of Châteneuf-du-Pape wine laws?

Answer 42

After phylloxera and WWI, regulations in the 1920s in Châteneuf-du-Pape became the basis of French AOC wine laws 1954: fun fact banned UFOs from flying over vineyards (“les cigares volant”)

Question 43

Name some notable Châteneuf-du-Pape producers.

Answer 43

``` Château Beaucastel Château Rayas Clos de Papes Domaine de Vieux Telegraphe Domaine du Pegau Ch. la Nerthe Ch. de la Gardine ```

Question 44

Describe the geography of Gigondas.

Answer 44

A series of hills just below the jagged spurs of rock - the Dentelles de Montmirail Most northern if important Southern Rhône appellations

Question 45

Describe vinification and name top producers of Gigondas.

Answer 45

99% red, 1% rosé. Reds must be no more than 80% Grenache, no less than 15% Syrah and/or Mourvèdre. The rest often cinsault, no carrignan allowed. Wines tend to be strong, muscular, and firm. Producers: Dom. du Cayron, St. Cosme, Dom de les Pallières, Dom la Garrigue, Dom Santa Duc, Les Hautes de Montmirail

Question 46

Describe Vacqueras and the wines that come from it.

Answer 46

Became appellation in 1990. Just south of Gigondas. Sturdy, bold reds - more rustic versions of Gigondas. Grenache, syrah (highest %), Mourvèdre, cinsault dominate blends. Tiny amounts of white and rosés made

Question 47

Describe Tavel and the wines that come from it.

Answer 47

A tiny village less than 10 miles and across the river from Châteneuf-du-Pape. Rosé! Rugged with robust, spicy berry flavors. 9 red and white grapes can be used, Grenache leads. Whole cluster fermentation with red and white at same time. Bone dry. Drink young and chilled.

Question 48

What are Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages?

Answer 48

70% of all Rhône wines. Quality varies. Best are large reputable firms like Guigal and Chapoutier Do not come from a single place - non contiguous, less prestigious vineyards Villages is generally a step up in quality. 95 producers, the 20 “superior” may append their name to the appellation.