Rhône Fundamentals

Question 1

What major city sits at the top of Northern Rhône?

Answer 1

Lyon

Question 2

How would you describe the overall climate of the Rhône valley?

Answer 2

Moderate to hot

Question 3

Would you expect a wine labelled Côtes du Rhône Villages to be more or less premium than one labelled Côtes du Rhône?

Answer 3

More premium

Question 4

which town do the slopes of Hermitage tower over?

Answer 4

Tain-l’Hermitage

Question 5

What percentage of Syrah must red wines from Cornas contain?

Answer 5

100%

Question 6

Are Syrah wines from Cornas typically light, medium or full bodied?

Answer 6

Full-bodied

Question 7

Which is the only French region that produces more AC wine than the Rhône Valley?

Answer 7

Bordeaux

Question 8

Which two towns beginning with ‘v’ lie at the north and south of northern Rhône?

Answer 8

Valence ans Vienne

Question 9

What is the total number of grape varieties permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines?

Answer 9

It is traditionally cited as allowing 13 grape varieties to be used, but the 2009 version of the AOC rules lists 18 varieties, since blanc, rosé and noir versions of some grapes are now explicitly listed as separate varieties

Question 10

Is Condrieu in northern Rhône or southern Rhône?

Answer 10

Northern

Question 11

When do known records suggest wine was first made in the Rhône Valley?

Answer 11

First century AD

Question 12

In which geographical part of France is the Rhône Valley situated?

Answer 12

Southeastern France

Question 13

Which knight is behind the myth surrounding Hermitage?

Answer 13

Le Chevalier de Sterimberg or Gaspard de Stérimberg

Question 14

The positioning of Hermitage is important for making its world-class wines, which direction do the vineyards face?

Answer 14

South

Question 15

Do you find more steep and sloping vineyards in northern or southern Rhône?

Answer 15

Northern Rhône

Question 16

The Condrieu appellation produces wines made exclusively from which grape?

Answer 16

Viognier

Question 17

Are the vines usually behind the top tier white Viognier wines from Condrieu low yielding and old or high-yielding and young?

Answer 17

Low-yielding old vines

Question 18

Hermitage is split into a number of areas known as ‘lieu-dits’ - what are they?

Answer 18

Named sites that are not part of the official appellation system

Question 19

Other than Languedoc and Roussillon, which part of the Rhône has a tradition of making sweet Vin Doux Naturel?

Answer 19

South

Question 20

Viognier vines are prone to which type of fungal disease?

Answer 20

Powdery mildew

Question 21

Which direction do the vineyards of Saint-Joseph face?

Answer 21

East

Question 22

Name the notorious wind that can cause damage in southern Rhône vineyards

Answer 22

Mistral wind

Question 23

Two grape varieties are permitted in Côte-Rôtie appellation - what are they?

Answer 23

Syrah and Viognier

Question 24

Some of the vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape are covered in large stones, what are they known as?

Answer 24

Galets

Question 25

Name the four main rock types found in Rhône valley

Answer 25

Granite, sandy silica, limestone and clay

Question 26

What is a ‘foundre’?

Answer 26

A very large barrel or vat, historically used in Rhône

Question 27

What is the main soil component in the steep vineyards of Saint-Joseph?

Answer 27

Granite

Question 28

What is the maximum percentage of Marsanne and Roussanne permitted in Saint-Joseph red wine blends?

Answer 28

10%

Question 29

What is the mistral?

Answer 29

A northwesterly wind that can cause damage to vineyards

Question 30

What are galets?

Answer 30

Large stones or shingles that are found in some vineyards

Question 31

Large wooden vats have traditionally been use for winemaking in the Rhône, what are they called?

Answer 31

Foudres