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217 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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How is wine classified in France?
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Two classes for quality wine (AOC, VDQS) and two classes for table wine (Vins de Pays and Vins de Table)
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What changes were made to the French wine classification for 2009?
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Three classes of wine. Vins de Table (Table Wines), Vins de Territoire (Territory Wines) - some VDQS and lower quality AOC, and Vins de Terroir (Terroir Wines) - higher-quality AOC wines
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What is AOC in France?
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Highest level for French wine. Dictates areas of production, viticultural practices, maximum yield, vinification methods, and minimum alcohol degree (without chaptalization)
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What is VDQS in France?
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Stepping-stone to AOC.
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What are the class(es) for table wine in France?
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Vin de Pays and Vin de Table
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What is Vins de Pays?
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Gives added value to Vins de Table.
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What are the types of Vins de Pays?
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Major multi-departmental, departmental, regional
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What are major multi-departmental Vins de Pays?
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Vin de Pays d'Oc (Languedoc Roussillon), Vin de Pays des Comtes Rhodaniens (Rhone Valley and Alps), Vin de Pays du Val de Loire, Vin de Pays du Comte Tolosan (South West France including Bordeaux region)
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What are departmental Vins de Pays?
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Covers smaller region of land. Excludes Alsace, Champagne, Cote dOr, Beaujolais, and Bordeaux
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What are regional Vins de Pays?
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Must qualify by meeting area of production, grape varieties, yields, and analytical standards.
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What is Vins de Table?
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Can be produced anywhere in France with no restriction as to grape variety. Chaptalization is still forbidden. No vintage, region, grape variety can be stated. Price usually based on alcoholic strength.
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Describe the market in Bordeaux.
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Prestigious chateaux account for a small proportion of the market. Leaves a lot of wine left to be sold. Few merchants have the resources to launch brands and compete in world markets. Generally Bordeaux wines need aging to show potential. Most producers and retailers do not want to burden themselves with storage.
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Contrast Burgundy and Bordeaux in terms of recognition.
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In Burgundy - names attached to specific plots of land. In Bordeaux - known by estate under single ownership (chateaux) - more of a brand that of a particular vineyard.
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What is the climate of Bordeaux?
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Maritime climate. Long hours of sunshine in ripening season. High humidity. Encourages noble rot and grey rot. Strong winds broken up by forests and sand dunes. Vintages vary from year to year.
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What are the soils like in Bordeaux?
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Alluvial soil on river borders (lowest appellations). Finest on well-draining gravel with subsoil of marl (Haut Medoc and Graves). St Emilion gravel on limestone base. Hillside vineyards rare - limestone and clay.
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What are the red grapes of Bordeaux?
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
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What are the white grapes of Bordeaux?
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Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
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Describe Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux.
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Moderate yields, quality tannic wines with blackcurrant when fully ripe. May be vegetal. Adds aromatic fruit, color, tannin.
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Describe Cabernet Franc in Bordeaux.
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Mainly grown in St Emilion (some in Medoc and Graves); bigger yields than Cabernet Sauvignon, less body and finesse. Herbaceous or stalky. Adds aromatic fruit, color, tannin.
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Describe Merlot in Bordeaux.
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Most planted red grape in Bordeaux. Medium yield, full bodied, moderately tannic. Matures earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. Adds softness, richness, and body. Likes limestone soils of St Emilion and Pomerol.
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Describe Petit Verdot in Bordeaux.
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Ripens fully only in very hot years. Gives very deep-colored, tannic wine that ages slowly. Add tannin, color, and spicy notes.
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Describe Malbec in Bordeaux.
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Used for early drinking red wines (Bourg and Blaye)
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Describe Semillon in Bordeaux.
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Most widely planted white grape in Bordeaux. Thin skin, widely used for sweet wines. Golden color and body.
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Describe Sauvignon Blanc in Bordeaux.
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Vegetal, grass, elderflower. High acidity can counterbalance flabbiness of Semillon.
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Describe Muscadelle in Bordeaux.
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Grapey Muscat flavor. Used as small part of sweet wines.
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Describe viticulture in Bordeaux.
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Vineyards densely planted and vines trained on low wires. High average age of vines. Machine harvesting common except for sweet wines (hand-picked using several passes).
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Describe selection of grapes in Bordeaux.
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Proportion of grape varieties in blend (i.e. if early maturity - Merlot; if longer-lasting - Cabernet). Grapes selected at various stages - green harvesting to lower yields, only picking ripest and healthiest bunches, selecting individual grapes at press-house. Each stage adds on to cost.
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Describe fermentation in Bordeaux.
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If long-lasting wine - may add in stalks to increase tannins. Traditionally ferment in oak; may be in stainless steel. Individual grape varieties are vinified separately.
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Describe aging and blending in Bordeaux.
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Top quality wines aged in barriques (225 liters). Finest in new casks. Some may do no cask aging. Time spent in cask varies from property to property. In early part of the year following vintage, will be assembled together.
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Describe white wines in Bordeaux.
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Dry whites may be fermented in stainless steel with temperature control. Finest sweet wines have long, slow fermentation process to ferment out as much sugar as yeast can absorb.
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What are the principle areas of Bordeaux.
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Left Bank: Medoc, Graves, Sauternes. Entre Deux Mers. Right Bank: St Emilion, Pomerol.
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What is the hierarchy of AC levels in Bordeaux.
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Generic, district, commune
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What are generic appellations?
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AC wines produced anywhere in the Gironde
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What are district appellations?
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May be highest appellation for wines produced in a locality Entre Deux Mers) or may be from different commune appellations (Haut Medoc)
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What are commune appellations?
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Highest appellations in Bordeaux (except for St Emilion Grand Cru AC)
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Bordeaux AC
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Low to mid priced basic Bordeaux wines. Both white and red.
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Bordeaux Superieur AC
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Low to mid priced basic Bordeaux wines. Both white and red. Higher alcohol requirements than Bordeaux AC.
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Medoc AC
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Clay soil. Mid to high priced wines. Red only.
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Haut Medoc AC
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Lower yields than Medoc. Includes communes of St Estephe, Pauillac, St Julien, Margaux. High to premium priced. Red only.
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Graves AC
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Gravel in north - red wines. Sandy soil in south - white wine. Reds lighter in body and more fragrant than in Haut Medoc. Whites normally dry. Some sweet whites are produced. Mid to high priced.
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St Estephe AC
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Commune of Haut Medoc. Red only. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Pauillac AC
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Commune of Haut Medoc. Red only. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Saint Julien AC
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Commune of Haut Medoc. Red only. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Margaux AC
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Commune of Haut Medoc. Red only. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Pessac-Leognan AC
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Commune of north Graves. White and red. Must be dry. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Barsac AC
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Village of Sauternes. Sweet white wines mostly of Semillon. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Sauternes AC
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Sweet white wines only. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Entres Deux Mers AC
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District AC. For dry white wines only. Low to mid priced.
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Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux AC
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District AC. Usually dry red wine, with some medium-sweet whites made. Low to mid priced.
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Sainte Croix du Mont AC
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Commune AC of Entres Deux Mers. Sweet wine made in Sauternes style. Lower levels of botrytis - wines tend to be less concentrated and complex. Mid to high priced.
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Cotes de Bourg AC
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Softer, earlier drinking red wines. Mid priced.
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Premieres Cotes de Blaye AC
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Softer, earlier drinking red wines. Mid priced.
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Saint Emilion Satellites
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Lussac, Montagne, Puissegin, Saint Georges can be added before St Emilion. Mid to high priced.
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Saint Emilion AC
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Three groups of vineyards. N and W: well-drained gravel and limestone soils - Cabernet Franc, some Cabernet Sauvignon. S and E: limestone; most prestigious wines. Sandy soils which give lighter and lower-priced wines. High to premium priced.
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Saint Emilion Grand Cru
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Come from low-yielding vineyards. Often aged in new French oak. Rich tannins and complex red berry fruit flavors. High priced to extremely expensive.
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Pomerol AC
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Tiny estates. Rarer. Richer, spicier blackberry fruit. Very expensive.
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Fronsac AC and Canon Fronsac AC
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Mostly merlot. Hillside vineyards. Full-bodied and tannic. High priced.
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How is trade done in Bordeaux?
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Role of negociants have declined. Owners of individual chateaux stronger and sell their own wine. Fierce competition from New World. Negociants now have moved out of the city and hold stocks of bottled wine. Some are mainly brokers or now sell wines from other regions.
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What is En Primeur Sales?
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Money tied up in stock. Producers release quantities of crop for sale in year following harvest. Price includes all costs up to and including bottling. Wines released in number of tranches. Prices increase with each tranche. Wine can be kept at chateau for maturation until bottled and released when it is two years old.
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How is wine classified in Bordeaux?
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1855 Classification of Medoc and Sauternes. Graves and St Emilion have own classifications. No classification in Pomerol.
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How is wine classified in Medoc and Sauternes?
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Five growths for wines of Medoc. Chateau Haut Brion included as a first growth. Sweet white wines of Sauternes classified in 1855. Chateau d'Yquem as Premier Grand Cru with Premiers Crus and Second Crus.
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How is wine classified in Graves?
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Separate lists for red and white with no ranking. Cru Classe.
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How is wine classified in Saint Emilion?
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Separate AC for St Emilion Grand Cru wines. Three subdivisions. Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classe, and Premier Grand Cru Classe (A&B).
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What are garage wines?
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Wines made in small quantities from small plots of land. No expense spared in wine-making. Super-ripe grapes from low-yielding vineyards. Aged in new French barriques.
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What are the classes of wines in South West France?
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Bordeaux clones from regions that adjoin Bordeaux; other wines of varying styles
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Bergerac AC
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Bordeaux clone. Both red and white. Mid priced.
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Monbazillac AC
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Bordeaux clone. Sweet white wines. Mid to high priced.
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Cotes de Duras AC
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Lighter Bordeaux style wines and local grape varieties (Mauzac). Red wines. Mid priced.
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Buzet AC
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Mostly red, but with white and rose. Mostly produced by co-ops. Mid priced.
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Cahors AC
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Most important grape is Malbec (Auxerrois), which must be 70% of the blend. Also some Merlot and Tannat. Aged in oak, deeply colored, high in tannin with dark berry fruits with cedar and earth. Mid to high priced.
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Madiran AC
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Full-bodied rustic red from Tannat. Mid to high priced.
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Vin de Pays de Gascogne and Vin de Pays du Gers
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Aromatic, crisp light white wines from Armagnac varieties (Ugni Blanc) with aromas and flavors of green apples. Low priced.
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What is the climate of Burgundy?
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Northern continental climate with severe winters and hot summers. Cool autumns, rain frequent at vintage time. Massif Central acts as a protective barrier.
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What are the soils of Burgundy?
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Clay - Chardonnay. Limy marl - Pinot Noir. Granite - Gamay.
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What are the main grapes of Burgundy?
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Chardonnay. Pinot Noir. Gamay. Aligote.
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Describe Pinot Noir in Burgundy.
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Red fruit flavors, evolving into vegetal and savory notes. Levels of acidity and tannin vary according to vineyard, producer, and vintage. Usually full-bodied.
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Describe Gamay in Burgundy.
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Young, fruity with light tannin.
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Describe Chardonnay in Burgundy.
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Rich, ripe, buttery fruit. Steely, high acid wines in Chablis. Complex in Cote d'Or. Full-bodied and riper in Macon.
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Describe Aligote in Burgundy.
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Thin, high acid. Mostly for sparkling wines.
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Describe Vinification in Burgundy.
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Cellars usually heated to make sure musts are warmed so fermentation does not stop. Cote d'Or may cold-soak musts before fermentation. Open vat fermentation normal for Cote d'Or and Cote Chalonnais. Many winemakers retain portion of the stem. Some carbonic maceration in Macon and much in Beaujolais. Top quality reds and whites are barrel aged.
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Describe the wine market in Burgundy.
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Ownership of vineyards very fragmented. Chablis, Macon, Baujolais: co-operative cellars. Some may be domaine bottled. Or growers may sell wine in bulk to negociants. Merchants going through difficult period because of consolidation of ownership. Increase in domain-bottling, with less wine available in bulk. Leads to higher prices. Number of small negociants is rising. Trend toward buying grapes rather than wine.
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What are the classifications for regions in Burgundy?
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Regional. District. Commune. Single Vineyard.
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Describe Regional AC in Burgundy?
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Will always have the word Bourgogne in their title. Most will come from vineyards which do not have right to superior appellation or will have been declassified.
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What are the Regional AC in Burgundy?
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Bourgogne Aligote, Rouge, Blanc, Passetoutgrains, Grand Ordinaire
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Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire AC
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Mainly red from Gamay. If white, likely to be Muscadet with Aligote.
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Bourgogne Passetoutgrains
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Pinot Noir and Gamay, with at least 30% Gamay.
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What are District AC in Burgundy?
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Step up hierarchy from Regional AC. Do not include Bourgogne in title.
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What are Commune AC in Burgundy?
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Usually name of commune or village will appear on label. If wine comes entirely from one vineyard that is not recognized as a Premier Cru, vineyard name may appear but in smaller print than that of village.
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What are Premier Cru in Burgundy?
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Premier Cru usually state status on label or will have village and vineyard name in same size print. Can also have wines that are a blend of various Premier Cru vineyards.
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What are Grand Cru in Burgundy?
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Vineyard name stands alone on label (commune not displayed).
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How is the hierarchy different in Chablis?
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One Grand Cru site that is spread over 7 adjoining plots of land.
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What is the soil of Chablis?
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Limestone with layer of Kimmeridgean clay (rich in marine fossils). Some vineyards on Portlandian clay.
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Petit Chablis
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Lesser vineyards of Chablis that lie on Portlandian clay.
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Chablis
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Whites of Chardonnay. Mid to high priced. Austere, with green-plum fruit and high acidity. Some have hint of minerality.
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Chablis Premier Cru
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Whites of Chardonnay. High to premium priced. Well-exposed slopes. Riper fruit, more body. Creamier texture with more mineral aromas and acidity.
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Chablis Grand Cru
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Whites of Chardonnay. Expensive. All on hillside. More likely to have some oak flavors. Develop smoky aromas, high acidity.
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What are the Chablis Grand Crus?
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Les Clos, Vaudesir, Valmur, Les Preuses, Bougros, Blanchot, and Grenouilles. Also brand name La Moutonne.
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Characterize Grand Cru vineyards in Cote d'Or.
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All red Grand Crus except for Corton are in Cote de Nuits. All white Grand Crus except for Musigny Blanc are in Cote de Beaune.
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What are the key villages of Cote de Nuits?
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Gevry-Chambertin, Vougeot, Vosne-Romanee, Nuits-Saint-Georges
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Cote de Nuits Villages
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Mid to high priced. Red or white.
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Bourgogne Hautes-Cotes de Nuits
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Mid priced. Usually lighter in body. Red or white.
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What are the important villages of Cote de Beaune?
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Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet
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What is different about Volnay?
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Produces only red wines.
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Characterize wines coming from Grand Cru vineyards in Cote de Beaune.
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Intensely flavored. Fermentation and aging in new French oak gives tannins, body, and toasty flavors, Also may have lees stirring to add more complexity.
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Cote de Beaune Villages
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Mid to high priced. Must be red. May come from a combination of villages except for Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay.
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Bourgogne Hautes Cote de Beaune
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Mid priced. Usually lighter in body. Red or white.
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Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise
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Regional appellation. Mid priced. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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Rully, Mercurey, Givry
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Mid to high priced. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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Montagny
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Mid to high priced. Chardonnay only.
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Macon
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Wine coming anywhere from Maconnais. Low to mid priced. Chardonnay: Good balance of fresh apple and citrus with crisp acidity and medium to full body. Creaminess from malo-lactic fermentation. Also reds from Pinot Noir or Gamay.
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Macon Villages
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Mid priced. Whites from Chardonnay. Similar in style to white Macon but more ripeness, body, and character.
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Pouilly-Fuisse
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Mid to premium priced. Richest of all Burgundy wines. Very ripe and full-bodied. Melon fruit with nutty flavors of oak.
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Describe Beaujolais Nouveau.
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Very little tannin with notes of kirsch, bananas, bubblegum, and cinnamon spice. Produced for early drinking. Cannot be from a Beaujolais Cru.
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Beaujolais
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Low priced. Reds of Gamay. Limestone-based soil.
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Beaujolais Villages
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Low to mid priced. Reds of Gamay predominately on granite schist soils. Usually a blend between villages.
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Beaujolais Grand Cru
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Mid to high priced. Reds of Gamay on rolling granitic hills. Receive oak aging in large vats rather than casks.
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What are the Grand Crus of Beaujolais?
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Saint-Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin a Vent, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Morgon, Regnie, Cote de Brouilly, Brouilly.
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What are the AC of Alsace?
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Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru
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Alsace AC
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Mid to high priced. Reds of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Sylvander. Rose and red of Pinot Noir.
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Alsace Grand Cru
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High priced to extremely expensive. Finest vineyards in Alsace. Must only come from the finest vineyards; must be produced from a single noble grape variety (exception - Kaefferkopf and Zotzenberg. Lower maximum yield. Name of vineyard and grape will be on label.
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Vendange Tardive
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Late harvest. Noble grapes only. Should have residual sugar.
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Selection de Grains Nobles
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Selection of Nobly Rotten Grapes. Outstanding vintages only. Always sweet. Least some of wines affected by noble rot.
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What is the topography and soils of Alsace?
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Vineyards on exposed foothills of Vosges. Slopes include granitic, limestone, sandstone, clay, loam, and volcanic soils. Alluvial plains.
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What is the climate of Alsace.
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Continental. Vosges shelter vineyards from rain and winds (rainshadow effect). Long hours of sunshine, hot summers, long, dry autumns.
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Compare the Haut-Rhin to Bas-Rhin.
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Haut-Rhin in south and Bas-Rhin in north. Better vineyards on lower slopes, which face east to capture morning sun. Lesser vineyards on plain.
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What are the noble grapes of Alsace?
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Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Muscat
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How do wines in Alsace generally compare to German wines?
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Alsace wines are generally drier and more full bodied than their German equivalents.
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Describe Riesling in Alsace.
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Steely clarity of flavor. Ideal for late harvest wines because of hardiness. Fine fruit and high acidity. Best on granite or schist.
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Describe Gewurztraminer in Alsace.
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Aromatic, spicy nose with leeches, roses, and cashews, Skin has light pink tinge. Low in acidity and high in alcohol. Smoked fish, strong cheese, and Chinese and Thai dishes. Best on deep marl soils.
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Describe Pinot Gris in Alsace.
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Rich and high in alcohol. Less aromatic than Gewurztraminer. Luscious and full of flavor with fresh and dried fruits and smoky, honeyed flavor.
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Describe Muscat in Alsace.
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Prone to rot. Ripens early and likes sandy soils. Classic grapey Muscat flavor, but dry.
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Describe Pinot Blanc in Alsace.
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Grown on light, fertile soils. Light and refreshing still wine.
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Describe Sylvaner in Alsace.
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Deep, sandy or chalky soils.
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Describe Pinot Noir in Alsace.
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Two different styles - traditional is fruity rose; modern reds aged in small barrels and have more color and body.
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What is the market like in Alsace?
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Area under vines and production increased, but smaller number of growers. Growers mostly sell grapes to co-operative or merchants.
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Describe vinification in Alsace.
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Grapes pressed and juice ferments in old oak casks. Thick tartrate deposit in casks so wood does not have influence on the wine. Modern cellars with steel vats. Malo-lactic fermentation generally not used (exception of Pinot Blanc). Bottling takes place spring after vintage while wine is young. Most wines are ready to drink but can evolve in bottle.
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Characterize Vin de Pays in Loire.
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No regional generic appellation for Loire. Covers the whole region. Mostly single varietals of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh, light in body, simple fruit flavors.
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What is the climate like in Loire?
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Climates vary with Atlantic Ocean and Loire tributaries moderating the climate.
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What are the main subregions of the Loire?
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Central Vineyards, Touraine, Anjou-Saumur, Nantais
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Describe Loire's Central Vineyards.
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Continental climate, with severe winters and hot summers.
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Sancerre
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Chalky, stony soil. Most is white, high in acidity from Sauvignon Blanc (mid to high priced). Has distinctive herbaceous aroma similar to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Use of temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Demand greater than supply (limited area of vineyards), drives up price, so can invest in wineries and vineyards. 20% of production is red and rose from Pinot Noir. High-priced. Generally light in style but rarity drives up price.
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Pouilly-Fume
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Mid to premium priced. Whites only of Sauvignon Blanc. Flintier soils on gentler slopes. Typically fruitier and less herbaceous than Sancerre.
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Menetou-Salon
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Some Kimmeridgean clay but most soils are hard and calcareous. Mid priced. Whites of Sauvignon Blanc and some red and rose from Pinot Noir.
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Describe Loire's Touraine.
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Maritime and continental climate without high temperatures and drought in summer. In west is red wine area of Chinon and Bourgeil. In east is white wine vineyards of Vouvray.
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Touraine
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Low to mid priced dry whites of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc and red wines from Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Malbec.
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Vouvray
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Mid to premium priced whites of Chenin Blanc. Variety of styles. Tuffeau soils (chalky limestone with marine creatures). High calcium content enables grapes to retain acidity.
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Describe Chenin Blanc in Loire.
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Grows best in limestone soils. Young wines have flavors of fresh apple to exotic fruits and may have smoky mineral notes. Become richer, rounder and more honeyed with age.
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Describe Cabernet Franc in Loire.
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Flowers and ripens early than Cabernet Sauvignon. Fragrant, juicy wines with light tannins and crisp acidity.
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Chinon
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Mid to high priced reds of Cabernet Franc. Lightest wines from sandy soils. On plateau to north, soil has more clay and gravel, leading to firmer-bodied wine. Finest wines from hillside slopes with limestone.
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Nicholas de Bourgeuil
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Mid to high priced reds of Cabernet Franc. Planted on south-facing limestone slopes. Protected from cold north winds by wooded plateau.
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Describe Loire's Anjou-Saumur
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More of a maritime climate. Warmer, damper winter and longer, hotter growing season., Red, white, rose produced in equal proportions.
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Saumur
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Mid priced Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Limestone soils with some cellars cut into tuffeau. Includes Saumur-Champigny for best Cabernet Franc. Center for sparkling wine production.
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Anjou
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Mid priced Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Low priced rose of Groulleau, Cabernet Franc and Gamay.
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Cabernet d'Anjou
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Rose wine that is medium sweet and is blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Rose d'Anjou
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Less sweet and is blend of Groulleau, Cabernet Franc, and/or Gamay.
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Rose de Loire
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Always dry and must have minimum of 30% Cabernet grapes in the blend.
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Coteaux du Layon
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Sweet white wines of Chenin Blanc. Mid to premium priced. Fresh fruit character and acidity of wines of Germany with body and alcohol of Sauternes. Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux have own appellations.
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Savennieres
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Mid to high priced whites from Chenin Blanc. Air circulation prevents noble rot, but can be late harvest. Are austere when young because of high acidity.
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Describe Loire's The Nantais.
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Main wine is Muscadet. Schist and gneiss soils with some granite and sand. Loose-textured soils with good heat retention and drainage. Closeness to Atlantic gives short, mild, damp winters.
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Describe Muscadet in Loire.
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Green apple or grassy aromas. Ripens early and is frost-resistant.
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Muscadet
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Low priced whites of Melon Blanc. All wines should be dry. Traditionally fermented in cask but now stainless steel is more common. Should be drunk young and goes well with seafood (shellfish).
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Muscadet Sevre et Maine
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Low priced whites of Melon Blanc. Better known vineyards of Muscadet region.
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Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie
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Low to medium priced whites of Melon Blanc. Wine bottled direct from cask or tank in spring following vintage, having spent winter on the lees. Largely domain-bottled. Should be delicate and fresh with lazy bubbles. Contact with lees gives more body and slightly yeasty character.
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Characterize the market of the Rhone.
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Northern Rhone: dominated by negociants who buy grapes or finished wine to assemble and sell under their own name. Southern Rhone: co-operative cellars; trend for grape-growers that supplied to co-ops to set up estates to make and bottle their own wine.
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What is the hierarchy within the Rhone?
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Generic: Cotes du Rhone. Village-level: Cotes du Rhone Villages from small number of villages, all the south. Cru Villages with AC status - 6 of 8 in North.
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What is the climate and topography of the Northern Rhone?
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Narrow and steep valley. Vineyards planted on western slopes close to the river. Granitic soil. Lateral valleys give protection from Mistral (cold, north wind that improves air circulation and can reduce grape sizes - concentrate flavors). Climate similar to Beaujolais - southern continental with hot summers.
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What is viticulture like in Northern Rhone?
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Vines are staked because of Mistral.
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How are wines typically vinified in the Northern Rhone?
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Fermented in open vats and aged in oak for up to two years. New oak is increasingly being used. Usually varietals are co-fermented.
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What are the main grapes of Northern Rhone?
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Syrah, Viognier, Roussane, Marsanne
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Describe Syrah in Northern Rhone.
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Deeply colored, tannic. Black fruit flavors with hints of black pepper when young and gamey when mature.
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Describe Viognier in Northern Rhone.
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Fruity and exotic aromas.
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Describe Marsanne in Northern Rhone.
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Higher in alcohol than Roussanne.
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Describe Roussanne in Northern Rhone.
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Susceptible to rot and resists wind poorly. Adds finesse, fruit, and crisp acidity to Marsanne.
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What are the main AC of Northern Rhone?
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Cote Rotie, Condrieu, Saint Joseph, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas
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Cote Rotie
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Expensive. Red wines only of Syrah. Up to 20% Viognier can be added. Deeply colored, full bodied, complex. Vines are grown on narrow terraces; trained into a teepee shape.
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Condrieu
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Expensive. White wine only of Viognier. Unique floral perfume best when young.
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Chateau Grillet
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Expensive. Single vineyard within Condrieu. Effort to cultivate and rarity command high prices.
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Saint-Joseph
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Mid to high priced. Some whites of Roussanne and Marsanne, mostly reds of Syrah. Generally lightest of Northern Rhone red wines (raspberry and pepper characteristics).
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Crozes-Hermitage
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Mid to high priced reds of Syrah and mid priced whites of Roussanne and Marsanne. Mixed terrain around Hermitage. Can add 15% white wine to reds. Lighter wines are made from machine-harvested grapes. Higher quality wines come from steeper sloes. Some more expensive wines aged in oak. Whites are medium-bodied and fruity.
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Hermitage
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Premium priced. Vineyards on steeply rising, south facing hillside. Red Hermitage is one of fullest-bodied French wines. Can be up to 15% white grapes. Some white Hermitage, mostly Marsanne, with some Roussanne for fragrance and crisp acidity. Full-bodied long lived wines that can develop honey and hazelnut flavors.
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Cornas
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High priced reds of Syrah only. Sheltered, sunbaked vineyards allow for wines to be deeply colored and full-bodied.
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What is the soil and topography of Southern Rhone?
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Pockets of sandy soil and rough rocky scrubland (garrigues). No slopes to protect vines from Mistral, windbreaks planted. "Pudding stones" in Chateauneuf du Pape - store heat and keep vineyard warm (helps add ripeness).
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What is the climate of Southern Rhone?
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Mediterranean - milder winters and hotter summers.
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What are the main grapes of Southern Rhone?
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Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre
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Describe Grenache in Southern Rhone.
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High alcohol wines that are usually low in tannin and color, with spiced red berries - can be jammy or burnt.
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Describe Syrah in Southern Rhone.
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Provides color and tannins.
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Describe Cinsault in Southern Rhone.
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Low in tannin but high in fruit and acidity.
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Describe Mourvedre in Southern Rhone.
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Deep colored and tannic.
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What whites are there in Southern Rhone?
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Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc. Usually fat and full-bodied - high in alcohol and with light acidity. New oak rarely used.
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Describe how wines are vinified in Southern Rhone.
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Carbonic maceration may be used if wine is to be drunk when young. Wine could be traditionally fermented and aged in oak to be full-bodied and meaty.
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Cotes du Rhone
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Low to mid priced. 80% of production of Southern Rhone. Many wines light and fruity. Red, white, rose.
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Cotes du Rhone Villages
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Mid priced. Red, white, rose. More stringent requirements on grape varieties, minimum alcohol, and maximum yields. If blend from qualifying villages - Cotes du Rhone Villages. If not blended, name of village can appear on label.
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Vacqueryras
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Mid to high priced. Mostly Grenache.
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Gigondas
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Mid to high priced. Mostly Grenache.
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Beaumes de Venise
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Separate AC for VDN. Mostly Grenache.
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Chateauneau du Pape
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High priced to expensive. Machine harvesting is forbidden and must hand sort grapes. Up to 13 varieties permitted in the blend. Can be white or red. Viognier not permitted.
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Tavel
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Mid priced roses that are full-bodied, intensely flavored. Mostly of Cinsault, Grenache. Limestone soils.
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Lirac
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Mid priced rose, red, white wine. Rose mostly of Cinsault and Grenache. Reds mostly Grenache.
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Rhone Satellites
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Low priced. Lighter wines.
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What are the main regions of Southern France?
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Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon.
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What is the climate of Southern France?
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Mediterranean.
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What is the soil like in Southern France?
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Rich in river valleys, alluvial sand in delta and clay and gravel in plains. Increasing evidence of limestone in many areas.
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What are the main grapes of Southern France?
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Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Carignan
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Cotes de Provence
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Mid to high priced. Mostly rose. Can have reds. May add up to 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards inland and on coast.
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Coteaux d'Aix en Provence
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Mid to high priced. Red, white, rose. High demand for rose drives up price. Local reds and whites also command high prices.
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Bandol
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Mid to high priced. Reds mostly of Mourvedre. Dark, full-bodied with powerful tannin. Need bottle aging to show full meat and liquorice spice flavors. Small production.
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Vin de Pays des Bouches and Vin de Pays Vaucluse
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Low priced southern Rhone style wines. Mostly red.
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Describe Carignan in Southern France.
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High in acidity and tannin and gives deeply colored rather bitter wines. Carbonic maceration frequently used to extract softer tannins and more fruit character.
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Cotes du Roussillon
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Low priced. Mainly red blend of Carignan, Grenache.
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Cotes du Roussillon Villages
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Low priced. Mainly red blend of Carignan, Grenache. Must be no more than 60% Carignan.
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Fitou
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Low to mid priced. Mostly red blend of Carignan with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.
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Corbieres
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Low to mid priced. Mostly red blend of Carignan with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.
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Minervois
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Low to mid priced. Mostly red blend of Carignan with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.
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Coteaux du Languedoc
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Low to mid priced. Mostly red blend.
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Faugeres
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Powerful, full-bodied with meaty, savory flavors of new oak. Can be high to premium priced.
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Saint Chinian
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Powerful, full-bodied with meaty, savory flavors of new oak. Can be high to premium priced.
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Describe Vin de Pays in Laguedoc Roussillon
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Yields are controlled, but may have more flexibility on what grapes can be planted and with styles of wine produced. Considerable plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Initially used small regional names that did not mean anything to consumers. Led to creation of regional Vin d'Oc that covers all vineyards of Roussillon and Languedoc. Popular concept to export markets. Major influx of capital. Broad scope so range of prices can be charged - sometimes more expensive than AC.
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