Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) > Rhône Valley > Flashcards

Rhône Valley Flashcards

Learn the local geography, topography, and climate, along with appellation hierarchy, major grapes, and vinification methods for this iconic region. (44 cards)

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1
Q

Which two towns bookend the northern Rhône?

A
  1. Vienne (north)
  2. Valence (south)
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2
Q

What is the climate of the northern Rhône?

A

Continental

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3
Q

Where does the Rhône River originate?

A

Switzerland

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4
Q

What benefits does the Rhône River provide the vineyards?

A
  • moderates the climate
  • provides air circulation
  • reflects sunlight
  • warms the slopes
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5
Q

What is the Mistral?

A

Strong winds that originate in Switzerland and follow the Rhône River into France.

It warms and dries out the northern Rhône, inhibiting disease, mildew and mold.

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6
Q

Are the vineyards of the northern Rhône situated on the valley floor or on steep, terraced hillsides overlooking the river?

A

Steep, terraced hillsides overlooking the river

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7
Q

What are the soils of the northern Rhône?

A
  • Granite
  • Schist
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8
Q

What are the white grapes of the northern Rhône?

A
  • Viognier
  • Marsanne
  • Roussanne
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9
Q

What is the only red grape allowed in the northern Rhône?

A

Syrah

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10
Q

Why are vines in the northern Rhône so often staked to the ground?

A

The Mistral is so strong it’s been known to knock vines over.

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11
Q

Are the wines of the northern Rhône more often bottled as blends or single varietals?

A

Most often single varietals, especially Syrah and Viognier.

Sometimes you’ll see Marsanne and Roussanne blended together.

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12
Q

Most wines from the northern Rhône are fermented and aged in _____.

However, there are some winemakers who do primary fermentation in _____ and then age their wines in _____.

A

Oak, especially large foudres.

Stainless steel, then oak (new and/or used).

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13
Q

What is cofermentation and why is it done?

A

When two or more grape varietals undergo fermentation together, rather than separately.

It’s done to boost aromatics, complexity, and softening tannins.

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14
Q

What are the 6 AOPs of the northern Rhône from north to south?

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie (red only)
  2. Condrieu (white only)
  3. Saint-Joseph
  4. Crozes-Hermitage
  5. Hermitage
  6. Cornas (red only)
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15
Q

What are the 2 red-wine only AOPs in the northern Rhône?

A
  1. Côte-Rôtie AOP
  2. Cornas AOP
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16
Q

What color wines can Côte-Rôtie be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • Red only
  • Syrah with max. 20% Viognier
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17
Q

What color can wines from Condrieu be and what are the permissible grapes?

A
  • White only
  • 100% Viognier
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18
Q

What color can wines from Saint-Joseph be and what are the permissible grapes?

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A
  • Red and white
  • Reds: Syrah w/max 10% Roussanne + Marsanne
  • Whites: Roussanne + Marsanne
19
Q

What color can wines from Crozes-Hermitage be and what are the permissible grapes?

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A
  • Red and white
  • Red: Syrah w/max 15% Roussanne + Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne + Marsanne
20
Q

What color can wines from Hermitage be and what are the permissible grapes?

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A
  • Red and white
  • Red: Syrah w/max 15% Roussanne + Marsanne
  • White: Roussanne + Marsanne
21
Q

What color can wines from Cornas be and what are the permissible grapes?

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A
  • Red only
  • 100% Syrah
22
Q

How big is the distance between the northern Rhône and the southern Rhône?

23
Q

What is the climate of the southern Rhône?

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A

Mediterranean

24
Q

How does the Mistral affect the southern Rhône?

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A

Cools down the southern Rhône

25
How do the diurnal shifts in the southern Rhône affect the wines?
Helps them remain **fresh and lively**. ## Footnote *Summers don't feel as hot in the southern Rhône thanks to the Mistral and the diurnal shifts.*
26
How else are the warmer temperatures of the southern Rhône moderated?
The **Rhône River helps moderate and cool down the area**.
27
Is the southern Rhône steep, terraced, and hilly like the northern Rhône or is it flatter and more broad?
Flatter and more broad with lots of scrubland (on the valley floor).
28
What are the soils of the southern Rhône?
* Alluvial clay * Large river rocks (aka galets or pudding stones)
29
What are the 3 main white grapes of the southern Rhône?
1. **G**renache Blanc 2. **R**oussanne 3. **C**lairette
30
What are the 3 main red grapes of the southern Rhône?
1. **G**renache 2. **S**yrah 3. **M**ourvèdre
31
Does the southern Rhône make more red wine or more white wine?
**Red** wine ## Footnote *Red wine makes up 90% of total production in the southern Rhône.*
32
How are vines typically trained in the southern Rhône?
Bush trained (aka gobelet)
33
Are the wines of the southern Rhône more often bottled as blends or single varietals?
**Blends** ## Footnote *Very few wines in the southern Rhône are bottled as single varietals.*
34
For aging their wines, most winemakers in the southern Rhône use \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_ rather than \_\_\_\_\_\_.
**Use large oak** rather than barrique.
35
Are the wines of southern Rhône allowed to be chaptalized?
**No** because the grapes have no trouble getting ripe.
36
Name 4 single village AOPs of the southern Rhône.
1. **C**hâteauneuf-du-Pape AOP 2. **G**igondas AOP (red only) 3. **V**acqueyras AOP 4. **T**avel AOP (dry rosé only)
37
What color can wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape be and what are the permissible grapes?
* Red and white * Red: Grenache-based blends * White: Blends based on Grenache and Clairette
38
How many grapes are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
**18** ## Footnote *13 individual ones and then 5 of different color mutations.*
39
What color can wines from Gigondas be and what are the permissible grapes?
* Red * Grenache-based blends
40
What color can wines from Vacqueyras be and what are the permissible grapes?
* Red, white and rosé * Red and rosé: Grenache-based blends * White: Blends of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, etc.
41
What color can wines from Tavel be and what are the permissible grapes?
* Rosé * Grenache-based blends * Always dry, richer, deeper color (than Provence)
42
What sorts of foods would you pair with Condrieu?
* Cheese * Shellfish, e.g. lobster with cream sauces
43
What foods would you pair with fat, rich, Rhône whites based on Marsanne + Roussanne?
* Pork loin * Roast chicken
44
What foods would you pair with Rhône reds?
* Syrah: meat (rabbit, sausage/pork, steak) * Grenache: Cassoulet, sausage, burgers
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