Rhône Valley Flashcards
(58 cards)
What are the important turning points in the viticultural history?
Viticulture begins in 600 BC.
Romans arrive 2nd century BC and develop vineyards in the upper valley.
14th century - Papal Palace moves to Avignon (70 year stay)
17th century - growers started calling their wines Cote du Rhône and regulations were introduced
19th century - Regional moniker of Les Cotes du Rhône is introduced, stretching from Vienne to Avignon
What was the edict that King Louis XV issued in 1737?
All CdR wine barrels had to be branded ‘CDR’
What are the names of the northern CdR and the southern CdR?
Septentrionales
Méridionales
What is the CdR in relation to the Les Cotes du Rhône?
CdR is the regional AOC of the wider region.
What is the history behind the name Chateauneuf du Pape?
It means “the new castle of the pope” and refers back to when Pope John XXII built a summer residence in the town because he loved it so much back in the 14th century. The name then became the name of the village.
What were Vins de Médecine?
Rhône wines sold to burgundy to add colour, tannin and ripe fruit.
When phylloxera struck, how did this change the landscape?
1/3rd of plantings were Mourvedre but as this wasn’t easily grafted, they were replaced with Grenache and Shiraz.
How did the appellation system in France get its start?
It was decided in 1924 that the vine growers of CdP were going to delineate the zone of production and set production standards. A year later, Baron Pierre Le Roy de Boiseaumarié (who was championing this), found out that cheese producers had been granted appellation protection for Roquefort. In 1935, the Baron helped create the first AOC system and founded the INAO.
Why did viticulture take off post 1956?
The freeze, along with the Mistral, destroyed most the region’s olive and fruit trees. Farmers mostly turned to viticulture for their new livelihood.
Who are the Rhône Rangers?
Californian winemakers making Rhône-style blends.
What are the impacts of the Mistral on viticulture?
Vines in the S.R. are trained low for protection from the wind. In the N.R. ideal vineyards have a SE aspect to minimise their exposure to it.
The Mistral does help prevent frost and chases away humidity. It can however break shoots and rip off leaves.
What are the impacts of the Rhône River?
The river moderates temperatures and equalises diurnal and seasonal tempererature swings. This aids bud break and helps reduce frost.
Does the river impact the N.R. or S.R. more?
The N.R. as the majority of vineyards flank the steep and narrow river banks.
What is the climate of the N.R?
Continental
What are the seasons like in the N.R?
Springs: variable
Summers: hot and sunny with some rain
Autumns: dry and windy with risk of hail
Winters: cold with light snow
What are the main soils of the N.R?
Granite sub-soils with schist top-soils.
What is the climate of the S.R.?
Mediterranean
What are the seasons like in the S.R.?
Springs: dry with clouds
Summers: very hot with cool nights
Autumns: Warm, sunny and windy
Winters: Cool and rainy
What are the principal soils of the S.R?
Galets (rounded river stones) Shingle clay Limestone Red sandstone Loess/Molasse (windblown silts and sands)
What are the main red grapes of the S.R.?
Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Carignan, Cinsault
What are the main white grapes of the S.R?
Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Muscat, Piquepoul and Ugni Blanc
What are the borders of the N.R.?
Vienne to Valence
What are the borders of the S.R?
Montélimar to Nimes
What are the borders of Les Cotes du Rhône?
Vienne to Avignon.
