Rhône Valley

Question 1

Name 4 iconic producers of Cornas.

Answer 1

1. Thierry Allemand
2. Auguste Clape
3. Noel Verset
4. Franck Balthazar

Question 2

Name 4 iconic producers of Hermitage.

Answer 2

1. Jean-Louis Chave
2. Bernard Faurie
3. Jaboulet
4. Chapoutier

Question 3

Name 4 iconic producers of Côte-Rôtie.

Answer 3

1. Bernard Levet
2. Gentaz-Dervieux
3. Domaine Jamet
4. Guigal

Question 4

The Rhône Valley is nestled between these two larger regions.

Answer 4

• Burgundy
• Provence

Question 5

The Rhône Valley is situated between these two cities.

Answer 5

• Lyon to the north
• Avignon to the south

Question 6

What city is the unofficial dividing line between the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône?

Answer 6

Montélimar

There is a 30-mile gap between the Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône sections.

Question 7

What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 7

Mediterranean

Question 7

What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 7

Moderate Continental

Question 8

In what country does the Rhône River originate?

Answer 8

Switzerland

The Rhône River flows south through France to the Mediterranean Sea.

Question 9

Fill in the blanks.

As far as topography in the Rhône Valley, the Northern Rhône is known for its ___ ___ while the Southern Rhône is known for its ___ ___.

Answer 9

• Northern Rhône: steep hillsides
• Southern Rhône: flatter terrain

Question 10

Many of the Northern Rhône AOPs hug the Rhône River.

What effects does this have on those vineyards?

Answer 10

• River reflects light, which helps the grapes ripen and warm the soils.
• River helps reduce disease pressure as it creates gentle breezes.

Question 11

Select the correct answer.

Because of the steep hillsides in the Northern Rhône, the effects of the Mistral are:

a. Reduced
b. Concentrated

Answer 11

b. Concentrated

Question 12

Fill in the blank.

In the Southern Rhône, with its flatter terrain and gentle rolling hills, the effect the Rhône River has on this is a _____ effect.

Answer 12

cooling

Question 13

What are the 2 main soil types in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 13

1. Decomposed granite
2. Schist

Question 14

What are the 3 main soil types in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 14

1. Galets
2. Alluvial
3. Limestone

Question 15

Fill in the blank.

Because of the Northern Rhône’s steep hillsides, vineyards have to be _______.

Answer 15

terraced

Question 16

Fill in the blank.

Northern Rhône’s terraced slopes are vulnerable to the Mistral, so in order for the vines not to be blown over or uprooted, the vines have to be ______.

Answer 16

staked

Question 17

What is the traditional vine training in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 17

Bush

Bush training conserves water and provides shade from the sun.

Question 18

Fill in the blanks.

Modern plantings in the Southern Rhône are often _______ and often dictated by _______.

Answer 18

• trellised
• economics

Question 19

Select the correct answer.

Traditionally, the Northern Rhône winemaking practice is to:

a. co-ferment
b. blend after fermentation

Answer 19

a. co-ferment

Question 20

Select the correct answer.

Traditionally, the Southern Rhône winemaking practice is to:

a. co-ferment
b. blend after fermentation

Answer 20

b. blend after fermentation

Question 21

What are 2 effects/advantages of co-fermenting the red wines of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 21

1. Stabilizing red wine color
2. Moderating tannin extraction

Question 22

Fill in the blank

The only red grape allowed to be planted in the Northern Rhône is ______.

Answer 22

Syrah

Question 23

Fill in the blank.

The main and most important red grape of the Southern Rhône is ______.

Answer 23

Grenache

Question 24

What 3 qualities does Grenache bring to the blends of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 24

1. Rich body 1. Sweet fruit 1. Warmth

Question 25

Name a producer in the Southern Rhône that often releases its Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge as a 100% varietal Grenache.

Answer 25

Château Rayas

Question 26

What is a weakness of Grenache (rouge or blanc)?

Answer 26

It oxidizes easily.

Question 27

What are the 3 white grapes allowed in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 27

1. Viognier 1. Marsanne 1. Roussanne

Question 28

What are the 4 main white grapes of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 28

1. Grenache Blanc 1. Bourboulenc 1. Clairette Blanche 1. Picpoul

Question 29

Besides Grenache, name 2 other important red grape varieties in the Southern Rhône.

Answer 29

1. Mourvèdre 1. Cinsault

Question 30

From north to south, list the 8 appellations of the Northern Rhône.

Answer 30

1. Côte Rôtie AOP 1. Condrieu AOP 1. Château Grillet AOP 1. St.-Joseph AOP 1. Crozes-Hermitage AOP 1. Hermitage AOP 1. Cornas AOP 2. Saint-Péray AOP

Question 31

What is Château Grillet?

Answer 31

A monopole within Condrieu; it is always 100% Viognier. ## Footnote It is owned by French billionaire François Pinault.

Question 32

What are the grape varieties permitted in Côte-Rôtie?

Answer 32

* Syrah plus a max. 20% Viognier * Côte-Rôtie is always red

Question 33

What grape varieties are permitted in Condrieu?

Answer 33

Must be 100% Viognier (Condrieu will always be a white wine).

Question 34

**St.-Joseph**: * What colors of wine are permitted? * What grape varieties are permitted?

Answer 34

* St.-Joseph can be **white or red**. * The white wines are made with **Marsanne and Roussanne**. * The red wines are **min. 90% Syrah**, plus Marsanne and Roussanne. ## Footnote Reds can be 100% Syrah; the blending is not mandatory

Question 35

**Crozes-Hermitage**: * What colors of wine are permitted? * What grape varieties are permitted?

Answer 35

* Crozes-Hermitage can be **white or red**. * The white wines are made with **Marsanne and/or Roussanne**. * The red wines are Syrah plus a **max. 15% combined Marsanne and Roussanne**. ## Footnote Reds can be 100% Syrah; the blending is not mandatory

Question 36

**Hermitage**: * What colors of wine are permitted? * What grape varieties are permitted?

Answer 36

* Hermitage can be **white or red**. * The white wines can be **Marsanne and/or Roussanne**. * The red wines are Syrah plus a **max. 15% combined Marsanne and Roussanne**. | Reds can be 100% Syrah; the blending is not mandatory ## Footnote Fun Fact: Vin de Paille can be made in Hermitage, though it is rare.

Question 37

**Cornas**: * What colors of wine are permitted? * What are the grape varieties are permitted?

Answer 37

* The wines of Cornas are always and only red. * The only grape allowed is Syrah.

Question 38

In the Southern Rhône, there are three classification tiers. What are they?

Answer 38

1. Côtes du Rhône AOC 2. Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOC 3. The Crus (17)

Question 39

Give 5 examples of Crus in the Southern Rhône.

Answer 39

1. Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP 1. Tavel AOP 1. Gigondas AOP 1. Vacqueyras AOP 1. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP

Question 40

* How many geographical village names are permitted to append their name to Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP? * Name four.

Answer 40

* 21 * Village Names: 1. Plan de Dieu 2. Sablet 3. Séguret 4. Visan

Question 41

# Select the correct answer. Where are the vineyards found that produce grapes that go into Côtes-du-Rhône AOP? a. flat terrain b. steep slopes c. Côte-Rôtie

Answer 41

a. flat terrain

Question 42

# Select the correct answer. Where are the vineyards found that produce grapes that go into Côtes du Rhône-Villages AOP? a. flat terrain b. on gentle slopes higher than the vineyards designated for Côtes du Rhône c. Condrieu

Answer 42

b. On gentle slopes higher than the vineyards designated for Côtes du Rhône.

Question 43

# Select the correct answer. Where are the vineyards planted that produce grapes to go into the Crus of the Southern Rhône? a. flat terrain b. only next to the Rhône River c. higher elevation vineyards that provide good exposition and excellent drainage

Answer 43

c. Higher elevation vineyards that provide good exposition and excellent drainage.

Question 44

What is the minimum ABV% permitted for Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP?

Answer 44

12.5% ABV

Question 45

What is the minimum Grenache requirement for Gigondas AOP?

Answer 45

Minimum 50% Grenache

Question 46

What is the minimum Grenache requirement for Vacqueyras AOP?

Answer 46

Minimum 50% Grenache

Question 47

What is the minimum Grenache requirement for Lirac AOP?

Answer 47

Minimum 40% Grenache

Question 48

What is the minimum Grenache requirement for Vinsobres AOP?

Answer 48

Minimum 50% Grenache

Question 49

What is the minimum Grenache requirement for Cairanne AOP?

Answer 49

Minimum 50% Grenache

Question 50

What are the 2 appellations in the Southern Rhône designated for Vin Doux Naturel?

Answer 50

1. Rasteau AOP 1. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP

Question 51

The Vins Doux Naturels of Rasteau AOP and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP can be what colors?

Answer 51

White, rosé, and red ## Footnote Fun Fact: they are based on the three colors of Grenache: Blanc, Gris, and Noir.

Question 52

# Fill in the blanks. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines are typically \_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_, whereas the Rasteau wines show more \_\_\_\_\_ flavors.

Answer 52

* Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise: **fresher** and **more aromatic** * Rasteau shows more **tawny** flavors

Question 53

# Select the correct answer. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOP wines are typically: a. heavily fortified and heavily oaked b. heavilty fortified and lightly oaked c. lightly fortified and unoaked

Answer 53

c. lightly fortified and unoaked

Question 54

Name 5 Rhône producers you need to know for the exam.

Answer 54

1. Chave 1. Chapoutier 1. Guigal 1. Beaucastel 1. Rayas

Question 55

What does Châteauneuf-du-Pape translate to in English?

Answer 55

"New house of the Pope"

Question 56

How did Châteauneuf-du-Pape get its name?

Answer 56

From the Avignon Papacy, which was from 1309-1376, when the seat of the Pope moved from Rome to Avignon. ## Footnote This is why there is the papal crest and keys on every bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Read about it [here](https://www.britannica.com/event/Avignon-papacy).

Question 57

In what glass would you pour Grenache or a Grenache-based wine?

Answer 57

Bowl-shaped glass, much like a Burgundy glass.

Question 58

In what glass would you pour Syrah or a Syrah-based wine?

Answer 58

A Bordeaux or Bordeaux-shaped glass.

Question 59

Name 3 ingredients that pair well with Rhône wines.

Answer 59

1. Herbs 1. Bacon 1. Peppercorn ## Footnote Rhône reds love to be paired with meaty dishes!

Question 60

If you have a guest who asks for a Chardonnay alternative, what white from the Rhône could you suggest?

Answer 60

* Condrieu, particularly if the guest is a California Chardonnay drinker for the rich use of oak and ripe peach flavors. * Marsanne and/or Roussane if the guest drinks more Mâcon for the gentler use of oak, texture and weight.