WSET Diploma 3 Wines of the World > The Rhone Valley overview > Flashcards

The Rhone Valley overview Flashcards

(46 cards)

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1
Q

Difference in climate between northern and southern Rhone

A
  • north is continental (cold winters, warm summers, adequate rain mainly autumn and winter)
    • steep valley, vineyards on banks near River
    • some protection from Mistral
  • south Mediterranean (mild winters, very warm summers, dry, enough rain for grape-growing - drought an increasing issue)
    • much flatter, vineyards spread out, less protection from Mistral, more bush vines
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2
Q

what volume and percentage of wines produced in the Rhone Valley are IGP and what AOC?

A
  • total volume (2017) 3.6m hL
  • 2.5m AOC (70%)
  • 1.1m IGP (30%
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3
Q
  • within the 2.5m hL of AOC Rhones produced, what percentage are
    • CDR
    • CDR Villages
    • southern Rhone Crus
    • northern Rhone Crus
    • and other Rhone AOCs?
A
  • CDR 47%
  • CDR Villages 12%
  • southern Rhone Crus 11%
  • northern Rhone Crus 6%
  • and other Rhone AOCs 24%
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4
Q

how much wine in the Rhone is Cotes du Rhone AOC or Cotes du Rhone Villages AOC?

A

60%

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5
Q

red, white and rosé percentages of wine produced in the Rhone

A
  • red 80%
  • white 7%
  • rosé 13%
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6
Q

flavour profile of Syrah in Rhone

A
  • deep ruby
  • med/pronounced violets, red/black plums (depending on temperature of vintage/site), blackberry, black pepper, herbs (cooked meats)
  • med/high acids
  • med/high tannins
  • adds structure, fruit and colour to southern Rhone blends
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7
Q

flavour profile of Mourvedre (in Rhone)

A
  • almost always part of blend, contributes
  • deep ruby
  • intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries and violets, herbs (thyme) black pepper, meat
  • high alcohol
  • high, firm tannins (nicknamed Etrangle-Chien, “the dog strangler” - as small thick-skinned black berries make v high tannins)
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8
Q

viticulture of Mourvedre in Rhone

A
  • late budding, late ripening - needs high temps at end of season to fully ripen (so unripe in cool years)
  • requires small, regular water (eg deep calcareous soils)
  • best pruned short, either cordon or bush vine
  • low yields
  • prone to mites, leafhoppers, sour rot (after bird/insect eat/ damage ripe grapes so fungus)
  • in winery prone to reduction - must have access to O2, so aged in old oak (adds a bit to cost)
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9
Q

vitculture of Syrah in Rhone

A
  • vigorous so 10000 vines p ha to reduce yields, create competition, max yield 40hL/ha
  • propagation by mass selection, rootstock 3309 preferred (good depth of colour)
  • doesn’t like wind: often tied to 1 or 2 poles to protect from Mistral if steepness prevents trellising
  • mites, botrytis bunch rot, “Syrah decline/ disorder” (leaves turn red, graft point breaks, vine dies)
  • late-budding, mid-ripening
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10
Q

viticulture of Grenache Noir (in Rhone)

A
  • high yielding, so best on dry, poor soils, pruned short to contain vigour, often as bush vine, as it grows upright
  • ripens late (autumn rains), needs warm climate to ripen
  • good drought resistance, but coulure (reduces yields)
  • fungal: downy mildew, phomopsis, botyrtis bunch rot
  • bacterial necrosis/blight kills leaves, shoots then vine
    • plant only disease-free stock, clean pruning tools
  • grapes can accumulate sugar quickly (can be issue in dry wines, but good for Vin Doux Naturel).
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11
Q

viticulture of Cinsault

A
  • late-budding, high yielding, good drought/heat resist
  • to get quality must restrict yields
  • if soils limey, gets chlorosis,
  • esca, eutypa, mites and grape moths
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12
Q

flavour profile of Cinsault (southern Rhone)

A
  • usually made in way to preserve its fruit flavours (mid-range fermentation, brief age in stainless steel) and typically small part of blend in southern Rhone
  • contributes light ruby, med-med(+) intensity frsh red fruits (raspberry, red cherry), high alcohol, low to med tannins
  • the lifted aromas most prominent in first year, so v good in rosés and early drinking reds
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13
Q

Flavour profile of Viognier

A
  • A rich, oily white, originated in the Northern Rhône, (up to 20% in red Cote Rotie) also California, Australia
  • Medium lemon colour
  • Pronounced honeysuckle (rose), apricot, peach (mango)
  • Med to high alcohol (13.5-15%)
  • Low acidity
  • Can be in oak to deliver Chardonnay-like richness
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14
Q

Viticulture of Viognier in northern Rhone

A
  • Early budding (spring frost)
  • Poor flowering/ coulure reduces crop (yields low/unpredictable)
  • Judging picking crucial
    • fruit must be fully ripe for pronounced aromas
    • if too ripe, lose flavour/ acidity, rapid sugar gain (so wines unbalanced and lack flavour)
  • In N Rhone grown on trellis/poles to prevent wind damage
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15
Q

flavour profile of Marsanne in Rhone

A
  • A primary blending grape in white Rhône blends that incl Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier.
  • N Rhone single varietal or blend with Roussanne
  • S Rhone, blended.
  • colour: medium lemon, sometimes gold
  • Light intensity honeysuckle, acacia, lemon, apricot, mandarin, beeswax,
  • Oily texture, full bodied
  • Medium acidity
  • Med to high alcohol
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16
Q

viticulture of Marsanne in Rhone

A
  • Late budding white (avoids spring frosts)
  • Vigorous/productive: to get quality need low yields
  • best stony, low fertility soils (N Rhone slopes)
  • Prone to:
    • powdery mildew
    • mites
    • botyritis bunch rot
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17
Q

one slide on Bourboulenc (in southern Rhone)

A
  • late ripening white grape with loose bunches and thick skins, so disease resistant (esp to bunch rot) enabling late ripening
  • grows well in warm, dry locations (ideal southern Rhone)
  • contributes lemon flavour, medium(+) acidity and medium alcohol in white blends
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18
Q

flavour profile of Roussanne

A
  • Full-bodied white mostly in South France, blended with Grenache Blanc, Marsanne (and Viognier)
  • With Marsanne & Viognier only white allowed in N Rhone
  • Med lemon, sometimes gold
  • med/med+ intensity pear, herbal notes, chamomile/floral tea (cool climate), honey, Meyer (sweet) lemon, apricot (warm climate)
  • Also found in US, Aust, S Africa
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19
Q

viticulture of Roussanne

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A
  • Late budding, grows best on low fertile, drained soils
  • Careful site selection: poor wind resistance
  • Coulure (variable yields)
  • very prone to powdery mildew, botyrtis bunch rot, mites
    • lower yields, extra work/ cost
  • rarer in Rhone - similar to Marsanne, but trickier to grow and ages quicker
  • normally blended (though singles made)
    • with Marsanne in N Rhone
    • with Clairette & Grenache blanc in S Rhone
20
Q

one slide on Clairette (in southern Rhone)

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A
  • vigorous, likes low fertile, dry soils (ideal south Rhone)
  • vigour limited by pruning short/removing excess buds
  • upright like Grenache, so wind resistant w/o stakes
  • ripens late (autumn rains), oxidises easily like Grenache, so handle protectively
  • white blends - adds freshness, fruit
    • white flowers, fennel, apple, grapefruit
    • high alcohol
    • low to med(-) acidity
21
Q

wine-making process of Cru level red wines in the Rhone Valley

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A
  • hand-picked, small crates, unbroken bunches
  • either de-stemmed/chilled/ cold-soaked 1-3 days to extract colour or whole/partial de-stem, vinified to promote lifted aromatics
  • ferment: stainless steel/ large concrete/ open top wood
  • cultured or ambient yeasts
  • warm temp for max extraction colour, flavour, tannin
  • post ferment 20-30 days maceration on skins full extraction: punch downs, pump-overs or rack and return
  • maturation 12-24 mths
  • large oak Grenache (oxidation),
  • small barrels Syrah, Mouvedre (20-30% new)
22
Q

wine-making process of inexpensive high volume red wines in the Rhone Valley

Study These Flashcards
A
  • machine harvest, quick to avoid bacteria those crushed
  • or hand-pick, carbonic maceration to enhance intensity colour/fruit for low tannins for early drinking
  • large producers flash détente/ thermovinification to process large volumes quickly
  • cultured yeasts for quick, reliable ferment to dryness
  • ferment mid-range temps to retain fruit
  • short post maceration on skins for light tannin extract
  • age 4-6 mths in stainless steel for early release
23
Q

why is rosé wine-making in the Rhone (eg Tavel) not strictly saignée?

Study These Flashcards
A

because all of the juice is extracted to be made into rosé

(saignée is a by-product of concentrating what will become a red wine)

24
Q

rosé winemaking in the Rhone

Study These Flashcards
A
  • typically a short, cold maceration on the skins for 12-48 hours, before pressing the grapes and then making fermenting and completing as for white wines.
  • the length of maceration varies for the required depth of colour, flavour intensity and light tannins
  • typcially aged in large oak/concrete vats or stainless steel
  • some might use small, old oak barrels for top wines to add texture.
25
white wine making in the Rhone
* mainly mid-fermentation temperatures to retain fruit * sometimes avoid malo to retain natural acidity * most aged in large old, oak or stainless steel * lees-stirring is sometimes avoided as the white Rhone varieties have a natural full-body, but some do for a yet fuller-bodied style (eg Chapoutier's Hermitage Blanc * some are matured in oak for added layer of complexity * a few ferment in oak for better fruit-oak integration * both ferment/mature in small oak adds cost
26
wine business in the Rhone
* major cos/ large negociants based in north, but operate across region eg Guigal, Jaboulet, Chapoutier * co-ops much more important in south eg Cellier des Princes (based in CNDP), but Cave de Tain in Tain L'Hermitage sells 40% of all Crozes-Hermitage AOC * 33% supermarkets, 25% specialist 7% discounters * 35% exported (and growing), top 3 UK, Belgium, US * as wine value rises more growers bottling own eg Cote Rotie over 50 growers bottling own * small en primeur/ investment market for top Cote Rotie, Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
27
what effect has climate change on France's AOC's irrigation laws?
* general prohibition of irrigation for AOC wines amended so AOCs may apply for permission to irrigate under strict conditions * proof of water stress to vines is required * no irrigation after véraison * irrigation must never be used to exceed the maximum yield allowed by the individual AOCs
28
describe the hierarchy of appellations in the southern Rhone
* Cotes du Rhone AOC is vast area covering all vineyard in Rhone which doesn't have an alternative appellation * Cotes du Rhones Villages AOC better vineyards in this area, lower max yields (45hL/ha v 51hL/ha), higher % of principal grapes (66% must be Grenache Noir (at least 30%), Mourvedre and Syrah). 95 villages at this level. * 20 of these can add their name to appellation eg C du R Villages AOC Séguret or St-Gervais. Max yields 42hL/ha * very top villages known as cru have own appellation eg Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC, Gigondas AOC
29
AOC regulations on wines in southern Rhone (covers north too, but they use their own more valuable AOCs)
* max yields red, white and rosé 51hL/ha * principal black grapes: * Grenache Noir (min 30% of volume of final blend) * Mourvedre, Syrah (together must be min 20%) * all three together must be min 60% final blend * other permitted grapes: Carignan, Cinsault + locals * principal white grapes (must make 80% of final blend) * Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier * others: Piquepoul Blanc + locals
30
most crus in the southern Rhone require a minimum of 50% Grenache and at least Syrah or Mourvedre in the final wine, but which differ?
* Cairanne (min 40% Grenache) * Beaume-de-Venise AOC (Grenache & Syrah together must make up 50%) * Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC has no stipulation of principal grapes or minimum percentages * Ventoux AOC principle varieties include Carignan and Cinsault together with GSM must make at least 50%) * Lirac AOC principle varieties GSM + Cinsault together must make at least **90%**) * Tavel only rosés 12 principles, must incl Grenache Noir
31
what are the permitted grape varieties and percentages required in Chateauneuf-du-Pape?
* 13 (18 if you count the colour variants of 5 of them) * BUT no Viognier or Marsanne! * no percentage requirements, so you can have single varietals (eg Beaucastel CNDP Roussanne VV)
32
the maximum yields for Cotes du Rhones AOC are 51hL/ha. What are they for ## Footnote i) Cotes du Rhones Villages AOC ii) Cotes du Rhones Villages + named village AOC iii) Chateauneuf-du Pape iv) the rest of the Crus?
1. Cotes du Rhones Villages AOC 44hL/ha 2. Cotes du Rhones Villages + named village AOC 41hL/ha 3. Chateauneuf-du Pape 35hL/ha 4. the rest of the Cru villages 36-38hL/ha
33
why can Gigondas produce very good quality wines and what is the main risk to quality?
* vineyards up to 600m * part shaded by Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, which reduces the morning temperature, extending period of maturation and increasing flavour * Mistral also helps to cool * main risk is Grenache (min 50%) in hotter climate has resulted in wines of high alcohol
34
what differs Vacqueyras AOC from Gigondas AOC?
* not much * slightly lower vineyards (up to 440m) * gives diurnal variation without threatening ripeness
35
one slide on Vinsobres AOC
* promoted 2006, most north of south Rhone crus, * only reds, dominated by Grenache but planting more Syrah to give flavour intensity, structure & colour * as common in area, some older Carignan, Cinsault * s and s-e facing slope 200-500m, good sunlight interception, good drainage, some shelter from Mistral * higher cooler, lengthening ripening/ favour intensity * typically good to v good, mainly mid-priced
36
what about Chateauneuf-du-Pape is historic?
* 14thC original name/fame as Pope's summer residence, when papacy relocated to nearby Avignon * 1923 Baron du Roy of Ch Fortia drew up set of rules to protect the name from being used by others outside the region; approved in 1936; became the prototype for first AOC in France * delimited area for grapes being grown * use of 13 (18) grapes * minimum 12.5% abv without chaptalisation (challenging back then)
37
the soils and their effects in Chateauneuf-du-Pape
* large (3000 ha) AOC includes, limestone, clay, sandstone and sandy soils * clay v useful for water retention as summers dry * low fertility, fast draining soils reduce vegatative growth, so smaller crops of ripe grapes * large pebbles (galets) radiated heat at night, aid ripening, but climate change now gives high sugar * belief sandy soils lighter/finer, galets more structured * producers often blend across lieux-dits and soil types for added complexity and viable volumes
38
which white grapes are surprisingly not permitted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
Marsanne and Viognier
39
can you machine harvest in Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC?
no grapes must be picked by hand
40
flavour profile of red Chateauneuf-du-Pape
* medium ruby * medium (+) to pronounced intensity of ripe red plum and balckberry fruit, spice, herbs, sometimes new oak notes * medium acidity * high alcohol * tannins vary from medium(-) to high depending on varietal mix, winemaking style and vintage * range from good to outstanding, mid to super premium
41
Tavel is unique in the Rhone Valley, why?
it only makes rosé
42
one slide on Tavel AOC
* only makes rosé, from 12 principal black and white grapes, the final blend must include Grenache Noir * no one grape can be more than 60% * max yield 46hL/ha * medium intensity pink/orange (much darker than normal rosés), medium to med(+) strawberry & raspberry fruit, med(+) to full body, at the top end of medium alcohol * good to v good in quality, mid to premium priced * used to be seen as France's best rosé and excellent with food; now Provence challenges. Some paler styles made, but classic style is deeper pink.
43
identify and describe the newest southern Rhone AOC
* Cairanne AOC, created in 2015 * not as steep as Gigondas or warm as Rasteau next door * mainly reds in approachable style * only 40% Grenache Noir must be in final blend and at least one Syrah/Mourvedre * small amount of high quality white
44
one silde on Rasteau AOC
* it's vines are planted on low (100m) south-facing slopes in a warm enclave, sheltered from the Mistral * results in ripe, full-bodied wines * as elswehere in warmer areas of France, irrigation allowed within limits set * fermentation in concrete, matured in old oak * some high quality Syrah aged in small barrels (cost) * good to v good, mid to premium * also well known for vin doux naturel
45
the four largest of the 7 satellite appellations that surround the main Cote du Rhone growing area of the southern Rhone
* **Ventoux DOC** (s-e Rhone 450m on s and w slopes high Mont Ventoux, cooling/ altitude, airflow down on vines. incl Carignan & Cinsault with GSM, so more blends poss. Allows 60 hL/ha (light) exports 25%, co-ops important, Dom de Fondreche leading new wave winemakers * **Costieres de Nimes AOC** (s-w limit of Rhone/ east Langudoc. s-w slopes, breezes from Med, small estates replacing co-ops. max 60hL/ah) * **Luberon AOC** - gentle slopes/ flat borders Provence * **Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC** (north, slightly lighter style)
46
what are the 3rd and 5th most grown grape varieties in the Gard (home to Costieres de Nimes AOC?)
* Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon * made into IGP wines
WSET Diploma 3 Wines of the World
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