Southern Rhône

Question 1

Which appellation accounts for more than half of all production in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 1

Côtes du Rhône

Question 2

Describe the wine style of Côtes du Rhône.

3 points

Answer 2

• Fruity
• Simple
• Medium body

Question 3

True or false:

Only red wine can be produced in Côtes du Rhône

Answer 3

False:

White and rosé can also be made

Question 4

What is the climate of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 4

Warm Mediterranean

Question 5

What is the main climatic hazard?

Answer 5

Drought

Question 6

Name 4 possible red winemaking techniques used in the Southern Rhône.

Answer 6

1) Cold pre-fermentation maceration
2) Storage in stainless steel
3) Warm, extractive fermentation in traditional open fermenters
4) Maturation in large old oak vessels

Question 7

What are the 4 main black varieties of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 7

1) Grenache
2) Syrah
3) Mourvèdre
4) Cinsault

Question 8

What is the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard terrain like?

Answer 8

Notably flat, with some small but impactful variations in aspect

Question 9

Why is it almost impossible to describe a ‘typical’ Southern Rhône red?

(2 points)

Answer 9

1) Range of varieties and blends

2) Range of winemaking techniques

Question 10

• What can cause damage to vines in the Southern Rhône?

- What are 3 ways of combatting it?

Answer 10

• The Mistral gathers speed in this region
• 1) Planting windbreaks
  2) Bush-training vines low to the ground
  3) Supportive trellising systems

Question 11

What does Mourvèdre add to a Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend?

Answer 11

Game and meat

Question 12

What does Syrah add to a Southern Rhône blend?

2 points

Answer 12

• Colour

- Tannin

Question 13

What 3 requirements must be met to achieve Côtes-du-Rhône Villages status?

Answer 13

1) Stringent minimum alcohol levels
2) Maximum yields observed
3) Greater % of the blend must be from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre

Question 14

From what are Tavel and Lirac’s rosés made?

Answer 14

Grenache and Cinsault

Question 15

Are Southern Rhône wines usually varietal or blends?

Answer 15

Complex blends; often over 12 grape varieties

Question 16

How many grape varieties are permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 16

13

Question 17

Which Southern Rhône variety can add red fruit to a blend, but is best used as a partner to Grenache in fresh, fruity rosé?

Answer 17

Cinsault

Question 18

Where in the Southern Rhône are youthful fortified Muscats produced?

Answer 18

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AC

Question 19

What are the stones in Châteauneuf-du-Pape which cover almost all vineyard surface?

Answer 19

Galets

Question 20

What other type of wine is produced in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 20

A small quantity of white

Question 21

What is the most planted Southern Rhône variety?

Answer 21

Grenache

Question 22

Why does Grenache do so well in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 22

The warm summers allow it to ripen fully

Question 23

What is:

1) The largest cru in the Southern Rhône
2) The first ever French area to have appellation contrôlée status

Answer 23

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Question 24

What must Southern Rhône winemakers manage levels of in order to achieve balanced reds?

Answer 24

1) High alcohol

2) High tannin

Question 25

Other than Châteauneuf-du-Pape, what are the Southern Rhône’s 2 most long-standing crus?

Answer 25

1) Gigondas | 2) Vacqueyras

Question 26

What is the downside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s interesting diversity?

Answer 26

There is also a lot of mediocre, unbalanced wine produced there, and it is hard to determine the level of quality from the label

Question 27

What happens to Grenache in hot years?

Answer 27

It becomes overly baked and jammy

Question 28

What are the 3 hierarchy levels in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 28

1) Cru 2) Côtes du Rhône Villages 3) Generic Côtes du Rhône

Question 29

What sort of wines are made in Gigondas and Vacqueyras?

Answer 29

Grenache-led, full-bodied, spicy red blends of high quality

Question 30

How does the terrain of the Southern Rhône compare with that of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 30

It is much flatter

Question 31

What are the best soils in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 31

Very stony, with stones which absorb the sun’s heat and aid ripening

Question 32

Which 2 Southern Rhône crus are the only ones on the west bank?

Answer 32

Tavel and Lirac

Question 33

For what are Tavel and Lirac famous?

Answer 33

Rosé

Question 34

What can be produced in: 1) Tavel 2) Lirac

Answer 34

1) Rosé only | 2) Rosé and quality Châteauneuf-du-Pape style reds and whites

Question 35

When can a village add its name to Côtes du Rhône Villages?

Answer 35

If 100% of the wine comes from that village

Question 36

What do all named villages have the option to apply for?

Answer 36

Cru status

Question 37

What is considered a minority concern in the Southern Rhône?

Answer 37

Cultivation of white grapes

Question 38

Which Southern Rhône wine: - Full body - Intense red fruit flavour - Capable of complex bottle age

Answer 38

Rosé from Tavel and Lirac

Question 39

In the Southern Rhône, which variety is bush-trained low to the ground, and what are 2 benefits of this?

Answer 39

- Grenache 1) Protection from the Mistral 2) Gets warmth from the soil

Question 40

What dominates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

Answer 40

Grenache

Question 41

Which Southern Rhône variety: - Deep colour - Very high tannin - Dense black fruit - Gamey, meaty aromas

Answer 41

Mourvèdre

Question 42

What are the 6 most important crus of the Southern Rhône?

Answer 42

- Gigondas - Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise - Vacqueyras - Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Tavel - Lirac

Question 43

Which 6 white varieties are grown in Southern Rhône?

Answer 43

- Clairette - Grenache Blanc - Bourboulenc - Viognier - Marsanne - Roussanne