Part A1: Characteristics of the wine country/- area
The chosen wine area is the Rhône and is located in the south east of France along the bank
of the river Rhône. It is the second largest
French AOC wine area. The Rhône can be
divided in two areas; the Northern part which
is from Vienne to Valence and the Southern
part which extends southward from
Montelimart to Avignon. Therefore, it can be
said that it is an extended area, namely 230
kilometers long. This region has in total
twenty-seven grape varieties and twenty-six
appellations.
Soil
The Northern part is more mountainous than
the south and the banks along the river are
often very steep. The soil in the North consists
mostly of Granite, whereby the harvest is
mostly done by hand. This is in contrast to the
south, whereby the soil is actually more
diverse, like sand, clay and sandstone. The vineyards are in the southern part more flat and
therefore it is possible to harvest mechanically. (Zwaan, 2009)
Climate
The northern Rhône can be characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot
summers. The climate is influenced by the mistral wind that brings colder air from the north.
Due to this, the northern Rhône is less warm than the south part(Livingstone-Learmonth,
1992). The southern Rhône has a different climate than the Northern Rhône. This region
has a rather Mediterranean climate, which means dry, hot summers and mild winters.
Main grape varieties
The main grape varieties that are grown in the North are the grapes Syrah and Viognier. The
grape Syrah is a red grape which is one of the most characteristic red-grape variety of the
, northern part of the Côtes du Rhône. This grape produces wines of deep colour which are
high in alcohol and full of flavour. Furthermore, it is both stylish and robust in structure. The
red wines made from the Syrah can be characterized with a fruity flavour, like red and black
berries and it also has something spicy, like pepper. The Viognier is a white grape which is
characterized with floral, honey aroma and this grape is low in acidity level (Laloganes,
2009).
In the south of the Rhône region the Grenache grape is considered as a main grape
variety(InterRhône, rhone-wines.com, 2013). The Grenache produces intense wines.
Another main grape variety that is grown in the Southern part of the Rhône is the Marsanne,
which is a very vigorous high-yielding grape. This grape grows on hillside areas of low fertility
and does well in warm and stony soils. Even though this is a main grape variety in the South,
the Marsanna is also produced in the North (Zwaan, 2009).
Generally produced wines
The wines that are generally produced in the Côtes du Rhône are quite diverse. The majority
of the wine production is red, which can have an intense spice flavour. On the other hand,
less rustic and strong wines are produced as well. The white wines from the Côtes du Rhône
have a fruity, floral and well-balanced palate with a clear appearance (InterRhône, All about
our wines, 2013).
Valid Classification System
The classification system of the wine is divided in three levels. First of all, the Appellation
Contrôllée, Côtes du Rhône itself which means that the used grapes are prescribed for that
area and that the used grapes are from the determined area of origin. Furthermore, there is a
maximum permitted yield that the company is allowed to harvest. Finally, the wine must
consist of a certain percentage of alcohol. The second level is the AOC Côtes du Rhône
Villages whereby the city is mentioned on the label. Furthermore, the wines from AOC Côtes
du Rhône Villages should have a lower yield percentage and a higher alcohol percentage.
This should be at least 12%. Finally, there are the crus, which are the best vineyards and the
village is only mentioned on the label. Hereby, each village/commune has different
requirements for each produced wine.
The chosen wine area is the Rhône and is located in the south east of France along the bank
of the river Rhône. It is the second largest
French AOC wine area. The Rhône can be
divided in two areas; the Northern part which
is from Vienne to Valence and the Southern
part which extends southward from
Montelimart to Avignon. Therefore, it can be
said that it is an extended area, namely 230
kilometers long. This region has in total
twenty-seven grape varieties and twenty-six
appellations.
Soil
The Northern part is more mountainous than
the south and the banks along the river are
often very steep. The soil in the North consists
mostly of Granite, whereby the harvest is
mostly done by hand. This is in contrast to the
south, whereby the soil is actually more
diverse, like sand, clay and sandstone. The vineyards are in the southern part more flat and
therefore it is possible to harvest mechanically. (Zwaan, 2009)
Climate
The northern Rhône can be characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot
summers. The climate is influenced by the mistral wind that brings colder air from the north.
Due to this, the northern Rhône is less warm than the south part(Livingstone-Learmonth,
1992). The southern Rhône has a different climate than the Northern Rhône. This region
has a rather Mediterranean climate, which means dry, hot summers and mild winters.
Main grape varieties
The main grape varieties that are grown in the North are the grapes Syrah and Viognier. The
grape Syrah is a red grape which is one of the most characteristic red-grape variety of the
, northern part of the Côtes du Rhône. This grape produces wines of deep colour which are
high in alcohol and full of flavour. Furthermore, it is both stylish and robust in structure. The
red wines made from the Syrah can be characterized with a fruity flavour, like red and black
berries and it also has something spicy, like pepper. The Viognier is a white grape which is
characterized with floral, honey aroma and this grape is low in acidity level (Laloganes,
2009).
In the south of the Rhône region the Grenache grape is considered as a main grape
variety(InterRhône, rhone-wines.com, 2013). The Grenache produces intense wines.
Another main grape variety that is grown in the Southern part of the Rhône is the Marsanne,
which is a very vigorous high-yielding grape. This grape grows on hillside areas of low fertility
and does well in warm and stony soils. Even though this is a main grape variety in the South,
the Marsanna is also produced in the North (Zwaan, 2009).
Generally produced wines
The wines that are generally produced in the Côtes du Rhône are quite diverse. The majority
of the wine production is red, which can have an intense spice flavour. On the other hand,
less rustic and strong wines are produced as well. The white wines from the Côtes du Rhône
have a fruity, floral and well-balanced palate with a clear appearance (InterRhône, All about
our wines, 2013).
Valid Classification System
The classification system of the wine is divided in three levels. First of all, the Appellation
Contrôllée, Côtes du Rhône itself which means that the used grapes are prescribed for that
area and that the used grapes are from the determined area of origin. Furthermore, there is a
maximum permitted yield that the company is allowed to harvest. Finally, the wine must
consist of a certain percentage of alcohol. The second level is the AOC Côtes du Rhône
Villages whereby the city is mentioned on the label. Furthermore, the wines from AOC Côtes
du Rhône Villages should have a lower yield percentage and a higher alcohol percentage.
This should be at least 12%. Finally, there are the crus, which are the best vineyards and the
village is only mentioned on the label. Hereby, each village/commune has different
requirements for each produced wine.
