Rhône wine

From the 200- km section of the Rhone between Vienne and Avignon, France, come a number of top quality wines. The Rhône wine region is the oldest wine region in France. The total vineyard area is about 61,172 hectares, the wine production amounts to approximately 2.51 million hl / year (as of 2008 ).

• 4.1 climate
• 4.2 appellations

• 5.1 climate
• 5.2 appellations

History

Supposedly, the root of the Phocians ( Greeks ) to have brought the grapevine about 2400 years ago from Asia Minor to the Rhône. The fact is that already viticulture was operated in Roman times. The wines of the northern Rhône are closely connected with the cities of Lyon and Vienne. Lyon, situated at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône, was 43 BC by the Romans under the Celtic name Lugdunum ( hill of light, or hill of the ravens, the etymology is still controversial ) established as the administrative center of Gaul. Before, at the same location is already a Celtic settlement. The geographical location of Lyon became the hub for transportation in the direction of Paris, the northern Alps and the Mediterranean. Between Cornas and Guilherand -Granges there are still remains of a transport route between Lyon and Narbonne today. Already Strabo points out in his book Geographica attention to the fact that the Rhône have an inherently important role. From the Mediterranean it was possible to cross the waterway to the Atlantic and the English Channel. However, Strabo was of the opinion that only in a Mediterranean climate was the wine possible. As an indicator, he took the evergreen Quercus ilex. The oak tree is a character Mediterranean climate zone. She's from Portugal to Turkey ( Aegean and Black Sea Coast) and distributed from Morocco to Tunisia.

Vienne was originally the capital of the Celtic Allobrogians. In the year 121 Quintus Fabius Maximus BC defeated at Vienne allied Allobrogians and Arverni. As a result, Roman legionaries settled in the city. Under Emperor Caligula Vienne was 41 AD Roman colony in the year. Blossomed Known as the Vienna city and was in the Roman imperial period second capital of southern Gaul.

In the 9th century Benedictine edit vineyards in Cornas. In 1137 Cistercian take over the cultivation of Gigondas and Vacqueyras and Pope Clement V establishes Chateauneuf (ie the new castle, as a contrast to the old in Avignon ).

Geography

The Rhône made ​​his way between the central massif on one side and the foothills of the Alps on the other side. In the North outweighs the granite base of volcanic origin from the Massif Central. This soil provides good drainage. The vineyards up can be found usually on the steep slopes of the region that are less vulnerable to fog and frost. In many places, the vineyards are terraced. In the south, the valley is much wider. The lower floors are made of limestone, sand and clay. In the topsoil the glacier stones have left. These stones help the drainage and store the heat.

Varieties

Within the Rhône wine region are within the quality winegrowing 21 varieties, 13 red and 8 white, admitted. Some varieties provide as leading grape represents the lion's share of the stocked area, other varieties may be included only to a modest degree in the waste.

Red Grapes

• The red grape Grenache is very vigorous and productive, but often tends to be strong irrigator. At the Rhône varietal between 5 and 15 June flowers ( see also the article BBCH-scale for vines ). The harvest time is depending on the year and location between 15 September and 10 October. The Grenache is well adapted to the dry and windy conditions of the southern Rhone. It represents the backbone of many red wines and rosé wines of the southern Rhône some dar. He takes 55-60 % of the area under vines in. Grenache provides rich wines with low acidity. The wines are spicy and powerful and have an aroma of black fruits. Despite the bright color of the wines are stored for long periods.
• The heyday of the Syrah is also between the 5th and 15th of June. Syrah (Shiraz ) grapes However, the maturation time is needed compared to the Grenache slightly shorter, so that the harvest between September 10th and October 5, can be obtained. The Syrah loves especially the comparatively low contrast climate of the Northern Rhone, with mild winters and not too hot summers. It is the only authorized red varieties in this part of the river section and thus determines the famous wines of the Côte- Rôtie, Cornas of, Saint -Joseph and Crozes -Hermitage. The wines are very dark, very aromatic in color and have a flavor note of blackcurrant. The red wines are elegant and have a good aging potential.
• Although Mourvèdre blooms also between the 5th and 15th of June, but can not be harvested before the beginning of October on the Rhône. The late-ripening variety needs plenty of warmth and light to come to full maturity. Therefore, your application range is limited to the vineyards of the southern Rhone. She is content with a small but steady rainfall. The wine of the variety Mourvèdre is intense, heavy and tannic. It ages well. Some rosé wines, the variety gives more freshness and a wider range of flavors. You will find the entrance to the AOC wines of Châteauneuf -du -Pape, Cotes du Luberon, Cotes du Ventoux, Gigondas, Tavel, Tavel and Côtes du Rhône Vacqueyras and in wines of the southern Rhône.
• The richly -bearing varieties Carignan may be used in the Rhône- Appelationen only in small percentages. Depending on location, the wine grapes between 25 September and 25 October can be obtained. Carignan tolerates drought and wind and requires a very warm place. In poor soils and on slopes of the yield of the bulk support is very limited and yields under these conditions, well-structured wines with a deep color, which are well suited for blending.
• The Cinsault grape variety ( different spelling Cinsault ) bears abundant and regular. She loves hot lay, tolerates drought and wind. The lion's share of this species can be found, therefore, in the vineyards of Vaucluse. Cinsault is fruity, light red wines, but where there is no structure due to low acidity and low tannin. However, rosé and marketed under the name Primeur red wines she gives the fruit. Cinsault is found in the wines of Tavel, Chateauneuf -du -Pape and many fillings of the appellation Côtes du Rhône.
• Counoise was used in the past under the name Moustardier. Although it is part of the official mix of the 13 varieties of Châteauneuf -du- Pape, it is hardly cultivated. The genuine wines similar to those of Carignan, are however tanninärmer.
• The grape is also Muscardin barely grown. Due to its strong acidity of the base wine of this variety the Châteauneuf -du -Pape adds a floral note and a greater freshness. The yields are very low, and partly explain the low incidence of the variety Muscardin.
• Under the name Vaccarese or Camarèse the variety Brun Argenté is cultivated on the Rhône. The wines produced from this variety wines are similar to those of Syrah. Particularly when blended with wines from Grenache they give the final product more structure and finesse.
• Piquepoul Noir finds its way into the red wine of Châteauneuf -du -Pape and Côtes du Rhône from the region of Gard. The wines bright red but full with her ​​strong acid give the blend more structure as well as floral and fruity aromas.
• Although mentioned in the Appelationsbestimmungen of Châteauneuf -du- Pape, we Terret Noir grape variety grown practically obsolete. The light red wines are light and comfortable, but give little additional blending qualities.

White Grapes

• The white Grenache Blanc is the bright mutation of the red Grenache. Similarly, it gives vigorous round and strong white wines with long -lasting flavor, but lacking a structure-providing acid. It is used since the 1990s increasingly in the appellations of Châteauneuf -du- Pape, Tavel, Tavel and Vacqueyras, as well as in the white wines of the Côtes du Rhône.
• The Clairette Blanche ripens grew strong on the Rhone between 25 September and 25 October. Due to its rapid growth it is sensitive to strong wind. She loves dry and lean soils with high gravel content. It provides fine wine with a flowery aroma, but quickly prone to oxidation. On the southern Rhône it is harvested early to give the blend of freshness and fruit. Approved it is in the appellation of Châteauneuf -du- Pape, Tavel, Tavel, Vacqueyras and in the white wines of the Côtes du Rhône. In sparkling wine Clairette de Die, she plays only a minor role, despite the name.
• The profitable Marsanne (also called Marsanne Blanche ) provides full-bodied and fragrant wines with low acidity. The very deep colored white wines age well and form appropriate blending partner with the varieties Roussanne or Viognier. Marsanne can be found in the wines of Saint Joseph, Saint Peray, Crozes -Hermitage and to a modest extent in the Hermitage. Excluded is in the wines of Condrieu and Château Grillet. Depending on where the grapes can be obtained from the 15th of September.
• The white varietal Roussanne is moderately vigorous and probably got its name from the rust-red color ( roux is the French-language expression of this color) of the berries when fully ripe. She loves warm, interspersed with gravel bottoms. It merely provides irregularly good income and has low wind resistance. Your acreage is therefore highly restricted due to the geographic and climatic conditions. The wines of the variety Roussanne are elegant, at best, complex and delicate. In blending with the variety Marsanne gives the wine more body. By a suitable clone selection some of the viticultural disadvantages could be mitigated so that the vine is popular again since the 1990s. In particular, Château Beaucastel showed the Roussanne can produce outstanding wines with good vineyard management and full maturity of the grapes. The white top wine of this good, the Châteauneuf -du -Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes AC, is a varietal Roussanne, the wine is made exclusively from grapes that are to come from vines with a minimum age of 65 years. The wines can reach a long life under the bottle.
• The operational area of ​​late-ripening Bourboulenc limited to the appellations of the southern Rhone. In the warm climate at Avignon, the variety between 25 September and 25 October can be harvested. Bourboulenc provides fresh, fruity wines with moderate alcohol and good acidity. In good quality wines, a slight hint of smoke on. Vines are located in the growing areas of Châteauneuf -du- Pape, Tavel, Tavel and Vacqueras as well as in the white wines southern Côtes-du Rhône appellation.
• In Grapes and leaves of the grape variety Viognier; the recording was made in California in August. the early 1970s was almost extinct grape variety Viognier. In 1971, only 13.7 hectares of vineyards on the Rhone (and worldwide) were collected. Especially since the 1990s, but the variety is back in fashion. On the northern Rhône, it is the most important white grape again. Viognier is content with dry and barren soil. The wine of this variety has a strong color and has a generally high alcohol content. In youth predominate in the wines aromas with floral notes of violet and acacia. With increasing age, a more complex bouquet reminiscent of peach and apricot developed. Unmixed will be expanded Viognier in Condrieu and Chateau Grillet appellations. In the red wines dominated by Syrah appellations, the variety may be added to a maximum of 20%.
• The mass support Ugni Blanc plays only a minor role in the wines of the Rhone. The most important variety for the Brandy Cognac gives a few wines from the Côtes du Rhône Tavel freshness and liveliness.
• Piquepoul Blanc is a bright mutation of Piquepoul Noir. She was admitted in the white wines of Châteauneuf -du -Pape and Côtes du Rhône. The wine of this variety is dry, the flavor is rather neutral and of moderate quality. Only because of the crisp acidity, it gives a lot of freshness blends. Occasionally Piquepoul Blanc is added to the wines of Tavel Tavel and to a modest extent.

Northern Rhône

Climate

In the northern Rhone Valley mingle in the continental climate of Burgundy and Lyonnais Mediterranean influences from the mouth of the Rhone. The cool, dry north wind prevails, warm southerly winds are rare and then bring mostly rain. The rainfall varies between 700 and 800 mm per year. The summers are warm and dry. Due to the large north - south extent of the area, the climate is, however, not homogeneous, and microclimates play an important role. The vineyards are found there, where maximum sunlight is associated with protection from cold north wind and fog. An orientation to the south-southeast is ideal.

The northern Rhône is the ideal area for growing the grape Syrah: Hermitage and Cote Rotie are among the great wines of the world. The red varieties Cinsault and Mourvèdre are also used addition to a smaller extent. In the area of ​​White Wines Viognier is used in Condrieu, there are also some white Hermitage from Marsanne and Roussanne.

Appellations

The following appellations are associated with this part of the Rhône:

• Côte -Rôtie
• Condrieu
• Château- Grillet
• Saint -Joseph
• Crozes -Hermitage
• Hermitage
• Cornas
• Saint- Péray
• Clairette de Die, a sparkling wine in the traditional style
• Crémant de Die, a sparkling wine according to the classic bottle fermentation
• Coteaux de The
• Châtillon -en- Diois, here are white wines from the Chardonnay, Aligoté and red wines from Gamay, Syrah and Pinot Noir produced. The area around The thus holds a unique position in the Drôme.
• Côtes du Rhône

Southern Rhône

Climate

This part of the region from Montelimar is already clear Mediterranean although the Mistral, a cold north wind is typical of this area. Burgundian winemakers traders had recommended the use of Grenache. In addition, all varieties are grown, which are typical of the South of France, such as Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Carignan, etc. In contrast to the varietal Syrah from the north are assembled in the south cuvées (compiled ). 13 grape varieties are permitted for the red Châteauneuf -du -Pape, where the main component is the Grenache. The white grape varieties predominate Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Piquepoul Blanc, Clairette Blanche and Picardon.

The Mistral is a year-round weather -determining event.

Legend: ' = ': normal; " ": Less than normal; "-": More than normal.

Appellations

The following appellations are associated with this part of the Rhône:

• Côtes du Rhône
• Côtes du Rhône Villages with the individual appellations Cairanne, Chusclan, Laudun- l'Ardoise, Massif d' Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Rasteau, Roaix, Rochegude, Rousset -les -Vignes, Sablet, Séguret, Saint- Gervais, Saint- Maurice- sur- Eygues, Saint- Pantaleon -les -Vignes, Valréas, Visan
• Coteaux du Tricastin
• Cotes du Ventoux
• Côtes du Luberon
• Côtes du Vivarais
• Coteaux de pierrevert
• Beaumes -de -Venise
• Châteauneuf -du -Pape
• Gigondas
• Tavel
• Muscat de Beaumes -de -Venise
• Tavel
• Vacqueyras
• Vinsobres

Sometimes the wine regions Costières de Nîmes and Clairette de Bellegarde be counted for the Rhône wine region, although they are in the area of Languedoc. However, while formally adopt those responsible for the AOC Costières de Nimes in 2004 for membership in the Rhône wine region, the enclave contained there Clairette de Bellegarde remained the responsibility of the Languedoc.

Vintage ratings

Add the vintage ratings is distinguished: exceptionally good year *****, great vintage ****, good year ***, ** moderate vintage, vintage worse *.

Within the last 90 years there have been 24 exceptional vintages, 26 great vintages, 16 good vintages, 22 moderate vintages as well as 2 bad vintages.