Rhone Valley

Question 1

Where does the northern Rhone begin

Answer 1

Fifteen miles South of Lyon in a city called Vienne. It stretches 50 miles to the city of Valence. It is a narrow band of grapes growing on either side of the Rhone River.

Question 2

Northern Rhone Climate

Answer 2

Continental. Climate is known for it’s Mistral wind. Mistral can be fierce but it warms and dries the area keeping mold and mildew out.

Question 3

Where does the Rhone river originate

Answer 3

Switzerland, as does the mistral

Question 4

Are vineyards flat or steep

Answer 4

Incredibly steep

Question 5

What are soils of the Northern Rhone

Answer 5

Granite and Schist

Question 6

Approved grape varieties in Northern Rhone

Answer 6

White Grapes-Viogner, Marsanne, Rousanne

Red Grapes-Syrah

Question 7

Vine trellising

Answer 7

Vines are often staked to the ground. Maintaining vines is perilous due to steepness. There are roman terraces that allow for navigation.

Question 8

Wine style

Answer 8

Single varietals prevail more than in most areas of France, although sometimes small amounts of permitted white grapes are co-fermented with Syrah to increase complexity of aromatics. Reds and whites are typically FERMENTED in oak or STAINLESS and then aged in large oak Foudres.

Question 9

What are the Appellations of the northern Rhone

Answer 9

Cote Roti-Red wines only. Up to 20% of Violgner in the Syrah

Condrieu-White wine appellation. Viogner only permitted grape

Saint Joseph-Syrah with 10% Rousanne Marsanne. White wines permit Rousanne and Marsanne.

Crozes Hermitage-Syrah with 15% Rousanne Marsanne. White wines permit Rousanne and Marsanne.

Hermitage-Syrah with 15% Rousanne Marsanne. White wines permit Rousanne and Marsanne.

Cornas-Red wine only 100% Syrah.

Question 10

How big of a gap exists between the Southern and Nothern Rhone

Answer 10

30 miles

Question 11

Southern Rhone climate

Answer 11

Mediterranean. River moderates. Mistral is even stronger in south and can ravage the vines. Hot summers with diurnal temp swings.

Question 12

Topography and soil

Answer 12

Plains, lowlands scrubland, rolling out to mediterranean. Alluvial soils, gallets

Question 13

White grapes of southern Rhone

Answer 13

Rousanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc

Question 14

Red grapes of southern Rhone

Answer 14

Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre

Question 15

What percentage of production is red

Answer 15

90%

Question 16

Trellising

Answer 16

Goblet on flat valley floor

Question 17

Wine styles

Answer 17

Blending is huge here. Aging done in oak casks as opposed to barriques. No chaptalization allowed.

Question 18

What are the appellations in the southern Rhone

Answer 18

Single village AOC, Cotes du Rhone Village AOC (geographic indication), Cotes du Rhone AOC (general).

Question 19

Most famous single village appellation

Answer 19

Chateau Neuf de Pape. Grenache based blend.

Fourteen approved grapes plus other local varieties

Question 20

Gigondas

Answer 20

Red Grenache based blend

Question 21

Vacqueyras

Answer 21

Grenache based reds and roses. Local white varietals.

Question 22

Tavel

Answer 22

Rose only Grenache based

Question 23

Are most whites and reds in northern and southern rhone oaked?

Answer 23

YES