The Rhône Valley in France is overwhelmingly devoted to red wine production.
While the Rhône River is dotted with vineyards from its headwaters in Switzerland to its mouth on the French Mediterranean coast, the Rhône Valley properly refers to two clusters of appellations along the banks of the river in Southern France. The Northern Rhône, or Rhône septentrionale, occupies a narrow band of vineyards hugging the river just south of Beaujolais, from Vienne to Valence. The vineyards of the Southern Rhône, or Rhône méridionale, funnel outward south of Montélimar toward Avignon, near the river’s Mediterranean basin. While these two separate stretches are often considered collectively, the Northern and Southern Rhône are climatically and viticulturally distinct.
The Rhône Valley and its environs boast a long history of enological importance. The introduction of winemaking in France can be traced to the Greeks, who established vine cultivation at their Massalia settlement—modern-day Marseilles—in approximately 600 BCE. At the height of Greek trade, some 10 million liters of wine in amphorae were shipped through Massalia into the heart of Gaul via the Rhône River. The Romans continued this trend with their arrival in the Southern Rhône in 125 BCE, and viticulture spread to the Northern Rhône by the first century CE. The Northern Rhône’s picturesque, hallmark terraces were first constructed by Roman workers. Vienne evolved as an important Roman provincial capital, and the Viennese vinum picatum, or "pitched wine," was exported to Rome itself. Whether vinum picatum was simply a reference to the wine’s character resulting from its mode of transport
Cairanne, just like Gigondas and others before it, now has its own appellation.
After attending the Rhone Master class hosted by Chris Tanghe, I am confused about the following concerning Cotes du Rhone Villages,
"With the upgrade of Cairanne to AOP status in 2016 and Gadagne's 2012 promotion to status as a geographic designation, 17 communes may append their names to the appellation"
From Rhone Valley wines www.rhone-wines.com/.../cotes-du-rhone-villages, they say 18.
So can Cairanne no longer label as CDRV? Thanks
Characteristics:
- Amber Rivesaltes: ageing of 30 months minimum in an environment favouring oxidization. Complex wines with notes of preserved orange, gingerbread, dried fruit, caramel and mild spices.
- Tuilé Rivesaltes: ageing of 30 months minimum in an environment favouring oxidization. Intense wines with toasty notes, hints of cocoa, coffee, tobacco and preserved fruit.
- Rivesaltes Grenat: ageing in a reduction environment, of which 3 months in-bottle. Rich and voluptuous wines with cherry and blackberry aromas.
- Rivesaltes Hors d’Âge: reserved for Amber or Tuilé Rivesaltes with a minimum of 5 years' ageing.
- Rivesaltes Rancio: acquires the taste called "Rancio" with age (walnuts, dried fruits, etc...).
Source : www.roussillon-wines.com/.../80
Okay, this might be the LEAST important detail to pick over, but the Syndicat intercommunal de Defense Viticole de l'Appellation d'Origine Controlee produces a bottle used since 2001 that does not have a papal seal (tiara) after losing court cases in 1999 and 2004, for which the CDP Syndicat has retained sole control. instead it has a mitre with no keys. Its more the liturgical vestment of a Bishop. so maybe it isn't 100% correct to say that ALL estate bottled wines have a tiara on them.
"...the two slopes nearest Ampuis—the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde—are considered the heart of the appellation’s terroir. The wines derived from these two hillsides are said to mirror their feminine namesakes: Côte Blonde yields softer, alluring wines whereas the wines of Côte Brune are stronger and more assertive."
Would it be possible to update the descriptions here?