Rhone Valley Flashcards by Joseph Vo

The French popes ruled in Avignon from when to when?

1305 - 1429

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Who were the 5 French popes and what are they famous for?

“JOIN US BEFORE I CRY”

John 22: developed Châteauneuf-du-Pape (CDP)

Urbain 5: introduced Muscat grape to Beaumes-de-Venise

Benoit 12: built Avignon’s Pope Palace

Innocent 6: initiated production of CDP whites

Clement 5: first to plant vines in Bordeaux near Mt. Ventoux

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Who created “Côte du Rhône” brand? When?

Louis XV, 1737

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When did Phylloxera strike Rhône Valley? Where?

1863, Lirac

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T or F: Rhône Valley is the largest wine region in FR by VOLUME

False, 2nd largest

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T or F: Rhône Valley is the largest wine region in world in VINEYARD AREA

False, 2nd largest

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What percentage of Rhône Valley wines are red? Rosé? White?

75%, 15%, 10%

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What is climate and soil of Northern Rhône (5%)?

Temperate, Continental

Steep hillsides: granite, schist

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What is climate and soil of Southern Rhône (9%)?

Mediterranean

Flat valleys: alluvium, river pebbles

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When was Côtes-du-Rhône (CDR) regional AOP created?

1937

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What are main red grapes in AOP CDR?

Grenache N (min 65% for red, min 60% for rosé )

Syrah

Mourvèdre

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What are main white grapes for AOP CDR?

BUY CHEAP GRAPES MR VO

Bourboulenc
Clairette
Grenache
Marsanne
Roussanne
Viognier

Whites must have min 80% of main grape

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AOP CDR Villages + village name (1966) can only come from how many villages?

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What are main red grapes for CDR Villages + village name (1966)?

Grenache N (blend min 40%)
Syrah (blend min 25%)
Mourvèdre (blend min 25%)

Reds, whites, and rosé must all have min 80% of main grape

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What are main white grapes for CDR Villages + village name (1966)?

“BUY CHEAP GRAPES MR VO”

Bourboulenc
Clairette
Grenache
Marsanne
Roussanne
Viognier

Whites must have min 80% of main grape

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How many village AOPs in Northern and Southern Rhône, respectively?

Northern: 8
Southern: 9

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Name the Northern Rhône village AOPs from North to South:

“CRUNCHY CONDIMENTS on GRILLED JAMON and CHEESE with HARD CORE PORN”

Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Chateau Grillet
Saint-Joseph
Crozes-Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas
Saint-Péray

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T or F: Northern Rhône is birthplace of Syrah

True

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Northern Rhône village AOPs are made exclusively with what grape?

Syrah

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T or F: Southern Rhône village AOPs are mostly blends

Study These Flashcards

True

What is unique about Côte-Rôtie?

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ONLY reds
ONLY AOP that allows co-vinification of Syrah and Viognier, if co-planted (latter max 20%)

60% inclined slopes

What is unique about Condrieu?

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ONLY whites, dry & sweet
ONLY Viognier

What is unique about Château-Grillet (1936)?

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ONLY dry whites
ONLY Viognier
ONLY 1 winemaker (Pinault)

Located within Condrieu
South-facing, warmer

What is unique about Saint-Joseph (1956)?

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86% reds (min 90% Syrah) and whites

What is unique about Crozes-Hermitage (1937, 1952)?

90% reds, 10% whites ONLY Syrah for reds ONLY M & R for whites Flat land, round river rock, cold northern Mistral

What is unique about Hermitage (1937)?

Allows co-vinification of Syrah and Marsanne/Roussanne if co-planted (latter max 15%) Rare, sweet white (grapes dried in sun 45 days) "Hermitage Vin de Paille" South facing, granite

What is unique about Cornas (1938)?

ONLY reds ONLY Syrah Steep granite slopes to sand/clay

What is unique about Saint-Péray (1936)?

ONLY whites, still, dry and sparking (15%, traditional method) ONLY Marsanne & Roussanne

Which Northern Rhône village AOPs only make reds?

Côte-Rôtie Cornas

Which Northern Rhône village AOPs only make whites?

Condrieu: ONLY Viognier Château-Grillet: ONLY Viognier Saint-Péray: ONLY Marsanne & Roussanne

Name the Southern Rhône village AOPs from North to South:

"VERY ROUND CRUSHED GRAPES in VINEYARD BELOW CHATEAU's LOOMING TURRET" 1. Vinsobres 2. Rasteau 3. Cairanne 4. Gigondas 5. Vacqueyras 6. Beaumes-de-Venise 7. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 8. Lirac 9. Tavel

T or F: Southern Rhône village AOPs are made with Syrah

False, made mostly with Grenache (blends)

What is unique about Vinsobres (2006)?

ONLY reds (min 50% Grenache, min 25% Syrah, Mourvèdre) North of Mt. Ventoux; strong, cold Mistral

What is unique about Rasteau (2010)?

ONLY reds (min 50% Grenache, min 20% Syrah, Mourvèdre) South-facing, hidden from Mistral Historically known for fortified red wines ("Rasteau Vins Doux Naturels") min 216 g/L RS at harvest

What is unique about Cairanne (2016)?

96% reds (min 50% Grenache), 4% whites (min 30% Clairette) Round river rock, located at foothills of Mt. Ventoux Rising star, excellent value

What is unique about Gigondas (1971)?

95% reds (min 50% Grenache), 1% rosé Approved to make whites from 2023 Châteauneuf-du-Pape's "little brother"

What is unique about Vacqueyras (1990)?

95% reds (min 50% Grenache, min 15% Syrah, Mourvèdre), 4% whites, 1% rosé Reds must have >= 90% GSM West side of "Dentelles de Montmirail"

What is unique about Beaumes-de-Venise (2005)?

ONLY dry, red wines Very hot climate, poor marl soil AOP Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (1945): 83% white (min RS 252 g/L at harvest)

What is unique about Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Allows dry reds and whites One of first 6 appellations in FR (1936) Bottles carry symbol of papal tiara over keys of St. Peter since 1937 Can blend all 13 varietals

Name all 13 varietals that can be blended in CDP:

1. Grenache 2. Syrah 3. Mourvèdre "BUY CHEAP CLEAN CASTLE MINIMUM PRICE PLEASE" 4. Bourboulenc 5. Cinsault 6. Clairette 7. Counoise 8. Muscardin 9. Picpoul 10. Picardan "RYAN THUAN VO" 11. Roussanne 12. Terret 13. Vaccarèse

What is unique about Lirac (1947)?

85% reds 10% whites 5% rosé Epicenter of the phylloxera epidemic in 1863 "Châteauneuf of the poor"

What is unique about Tavel (1936)?

One of first 6 appellations in FR (1936) 100% "hematuric" rosé wines 24-36hr skin maceration

What are the other Southern Rhône AOPs that are NOT village AOPs?

Ventoux (1973) (Mediterranean climate, 55% red, 40% white) Luberon (1988) (Mediterranean climate, 60% rosé, 25% red)

Which Southern Rhône village AOPs only make reds?

Vinsobres Rasteau Beaumes-de-Venise

Which Southern Rhône village AOPs only make rosé ?

Tavel

Which Southern Rhône village AOPs only make reds?

Vinsobres (2006) Rasteau (2010) Beaumes-de-Venise (2005)

Which Southern Rhône village AOPs only make rosé?

Tavel

What are the main climate and soil differences between the Northern and Southern Rhône?

NORTH - Temperate Continental - Steep hills - Granite, schist SOUTH - Mediterranean - Flat valleys - Alluvium, sand, limestone pebbles, round river rock

What are 2 the south-facing Northern Rhône village AOPs?

Chateau-Grillet Hermitage

Rhone Valley Flashcards

(49 cards)