The Rhône Valley

Question 1

Northern Rhône

Answer 1

Location:
The Rhône River
-Climate moderator
-warms and reflects light

Climate:
-continental
-mistral winds

Topography:
Steep hillside vineyards

Soil:
Granite and schist

Grapes:
White:
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne

Red:
Syrah

Viticulture:
Mistrial- vines staked to ground

Single variety wines:
Oak use (whites and reds)
Stainless steel
New French oak barrique
Large older barrels
Co-fermentation

Question 2

Northern Rhône AOPs

Answer 2

Côte-Rôtie
-red wines only
-syrah
-with a maximum 20% Viognier

Condrieu
-white wines only
100% Viognier

Saint Joseph
Red wines:
-Syrah with a maximum 10% Marsanne and Roussane
White wines:
Marsanne and Roussane

Crozes-Hermitage & Hermitage
Red wines:
Syrah with a maximum of 15% Marsanne (Hermitage Blanc) and Roussane

Cornas
-red wines only
-100% Syrah

Question 3

Southern Rhône

Answer 3

Location:
30 mile gap between Northern Rhône and the Southern

Climate:
Mediteranean
Mistrial winds
Hot summers/diurnal
Rhône River moderates and cools

Topography
Flatter Plains, scrubland

Soil:
Alluvial clay
Alluvial deposits and river rock stones (galets)

Grapes:
White:
Roussane
Clairette
Grenache Blanc

Red (90%)
Grenache
Syrah
Mourvèdre

Viticulture:
Bush (gobelet) vine training
Many vineyards planted on flat Valley floor

Vinification:
Blends predominate
Oak use
Region and producer dependent
No Chaptalization allowed

Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOP
White - blend of local varieties
Red - Grenache-based blends

Gigondas AOP
Red wines only - Grenache-based blends

Vacqueyras AOP
White blends
Red and Rosé
-Grenache based blends

Tavel AOP
Rosé only
Grenache based blends
Hemingway’s favorite