WINES OF THE WORLD 🇫🇷 France - The Rhône Valley Flashcards
(121 cards)
Climate of the Rhône Valley
Northern Rhône has a moderate continental climate while Southern Rhône has a warm Mediterranean climate. Presence of the cold Mistral wind.
Climate of the Northern Rhône
Moderate continental climate. Adequate rainfall, mainly in the autumn and winter. The cold Mistral blows from the north.
Key winemaking operations for red wines in the Rhône Valley
Traditional winemaking. Concrete vats for fermentation (also stainless steel and large wooden vessels). Grenache Noir is prone to oxidation (no wooden vessels). Syrah is prone to reduction (pumping over, oak ageing).
Key maturation practices for red wines in the Rhône Valley
Small and large wooden vessels.
Key winemaking operations for inexpensive red from the Rhône Valley
Hand picking and carbonic maceration for early-drinking wines. Large producers may use flash détente or thermovinification (low tannin, fruity style). Cultured yeasts. Fermentation at mid-range of temperatures (fruit flavours and low tannin extraction). Short maceration.
Key maturation practices for red cru-level from the Rhône Valley
12-24 months in large oak vessels for Grenache Noir and small barrels for Syrah and Mourvèdre (20-30% new oak).
Key maturation practices for inexpensive red from the Rhône Valley
Stainless steel for a few months.
Main white grape varieties of the Rhône Valley
Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc.
Main black grape varieties of the Rhône Valley
Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cinsaut, Mourvèdre.
Key winemaking operations for white wines in the Rhône Valley
Fermentation at mid-temperatures. Malo is sometimes avoided.
Key maturation practices for rosé wines in the Rhône Valley
Oak or concrete large vats or stainless steel.
Key maturation practices for white wines in the Rhône Valley
Large old oak or stainless steel. Lees stirring is sometimes avoided (natural full body).
Harvest for wines from the Rhône Valley
Hand harvest and transportation in small crates.
When irrigation in the Rhône Valley
Proof of water stress, no irrigation after véraison and no exceeding max yield by individual AOCs.
Effects of the Mistral wind on the Northern Rhône
Less vigour, low yields and higher concentration, also less incidence of fungal diseases.
Main appellations within the Northern Rhône
- Côte Rôtie AOC
- Condrieau AOC
- Saint-Joseph AOC
- Hermitage AOC
- Crozes-Hermitage AOC
- Cornas AOC
- Saint-Péray AOC
- Collines Rhodanniennes IGP
Types of wines made in the Côte Rôtie AOC
Only reds from Syrah and up to 20% Viognier (often zero and normally less than 8%).
Location of the vineyards in the Côte Rôtie AOC
Vineyards on steep slopes, often terraced, east and south-east aspect (high sunlight and protection from north winds).
Main grape varieties of the Côte Rôtie AOC
Syrah and Viognier.
Main training systems in the Côte Rôtie AOC
Single- or double-Guyot, tied to one or two poles (échalas).
Key winemaking operations for wines in the Côte Rôtie AOC
Destemming and cold soaking for most, to extract the aromatic potential of the wines, but now the use of the stem is increasing.
Co-fermentation when Syrah and Viognier are used together. Warm fermentation temperatures. Natural yeast, malo in cask.
Key maturation practices for wines in the Côte Rôtie AOC
Small barrels (225 L) or larger wooden vessels (demi-muids of 500-600 L for less oak notes).
What happened to Côte Rotie AOC in the 1970s
Lack of commercial interest and hand work involved, just 70 ha in the early 1970s.
Who promoted the renaissance of the Côte Rotie AOC in the past
The appellation was revived by Etienne Guigal and his son Marcel (single-vineyard Côte-Rôties and high scores by Robert Parker).
