- most important wine region in southern France - 120 miles north to south - from Lyons follows the course of the Rhône River as it flows into the Mediterranean Sea - is where the French AOC laws were conceived and first ratified

- roasted slope - Steep hills and southern exposure - Produces only reds from Syrah with max of 20% Viognier Côte Blonde, Côte Brune

- unique climate pattern that affects Southern Rhône - a powerful wind that blows north from the Mediterranean where it is channeled up through the Southern Rhône cooling down grapes from the heat of the summer months

Rhône Valley Flashcards by Christian Munoz

Rhône Valley

most important wine region in southern France
120 miles north to south
from Lyons follows the course of the Rhône River as it flows into the Mediterranean Sea
is where the French AOC laws were conceived and first ratified

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Rhône Valley climate

Separated from the Mediterranean Sea only by the region of Provence, the Rhône Valley has predominantly warm-Mediterranean climate
-sandy soil, galets in top vineyards

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Rhône Valley two major areas

differences exist between the two in terms of geography and climate; however, the most important difference may be in winemaking philosophy
-Northern Rhône
winemakers make wines only of a few grapes
the only red grape legally allowed is syrah
-Southern Rhône
winemaker grow 23 different red and white varietals
bulk of wine produced of blends of several grapes

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Rhône Valley Top Grapes

White
-Viognier (N. Rhône)
Red
-Syrah (N. Rhône)
-Grenache (S. Rhône)
Other notable Grapes
-Marsanne
-Roussanne
-Grenache Blanc
-Mourvèdre
-Carignan
-Cinsaut/Cinsault

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Northern Rhône Top Regions

Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Saint-Joseph
Crozes-Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Northern Rhône Climate/Geography

Overall, warm-continental due to its southern latitude, and the positioning of its vineyards maximizes sun exposure and aids in ripening grapes.
River banks are steeper the in Southern Rhône
vineyards often terraced and worked by hand
1/10 in size compared to Southern Rhône

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Côte-Rôtie

“roasted slope”
Steep hills and southern exposure
Produces only reds from Syrah with max of 20% Viognier
Côte Blonde, Côte Brune

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Condrieu

-100% Viognier

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Saint-Joseph

-Syrah with max of 10% Marsanne and Roussanne combined

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Crozes-Hermitage/Hermitage

-Syrah with max of 15% Marsanne and Roussanne combined

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Cornas

-100% Syrah

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Gaspard de Stérimberg

a knight who retired to the region of Hermitage in the 1200s to live in solitude as a hermit
Hermitage named after him

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Château-Grillet

-100% Viognier

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Souther Rhône Climate/Geography

closer to the Mediterranean
north of Provence
warmer than the Northern Rhône
affected by “le mistral” or “the jester” a powerful wind that cools down grape vines

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Le mistral

unique climate pattern that affects Southern Rhône
a powerful wind that blows north from the Mediterranean where it is channeled up through the Southern Rhône cooling down grapes from the heat of the summer months

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Galets

Study These Flashcards