1. Wine Class March 31, 2015 French Connection VII – Mourvèdre/Carignan and Rhone Region Clifton Wine & Tasting Room 7145 Main St, Clifton, VA 703-266-1607 Major Wine Regions of France : 1.Bordeaux 2.Champagne 3.Burgundy 4.Beaujolais 5.Loire Valley 6.Alsace 7.Rhône 8.Languedoc-Roussillon 9.Provence 10.Southwest (~) 11.Jura 12.Savoy 13.Corsica

2. S. Rhone Characteristics: Mediterranean climate; hot and sunny; little summer rain. Hilly (not steep like N. Rhone); Vineyards spread away from Rhone river (50 miles wide at places); Mistral Winds influence – Goblet style vines; Galets (Stones) soil; Garrigue (fragrant plants growing in area). Produces 95% of Rhone Wines (Mostly blends). GSM Wines: Blends of Grenache; Syrah; Mourvèdre; Main Grapes: 31 grapes found; 24 allowed in AOC; 21 in Côte du Rhône Primary Red grapes: Grenache Noir; Syrah; Mourvèdre; Carignan; Cinsault; and 6 others Primary White grapes: Grenache Blanc; Clairette; Viognier; Bourboulenc; Rousanne; Marsanne; Muscat; Piquepol Blanc; Ugni Blanc and 5 others Wine Producing in Côtes du Rhône Zone (AOC Wines): 1. Côtes du Rhône AOC : 2. Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC : 95 Villages; higher quality. 3. Côtes du Rhône “Named” Villages AOC: 18 Villages: Same blending as “Village”, higher alcohol and lower yields 4. Crus ( 8 in S. Rhone ) AOCs : CRUs in S. Rhone: Chateaunuef-du-Pape (Red & White): 13 allowed grapes; but mostly GSM. Full bodied reds and whites. Lirac : (Red, Rose, White). GSM and Cinsault; medium bodied whites. Gigondas: (Mostly Red; Rose): GSM Blends with higher acidity. Vacqueyas : (Mostly Red a bit of Rose & White); GSM blends more full bodied than Gigondas. Tavel (Rose): Powerful Pinks; primarily Grenache but 9 grapes allowed; Rasteau : (Red, White Rose): GSM Blends Vinsobres (Red): Med and Alpine influences; at least 50% Grenache a/o 20% Syray/Mourvedre. Beaumes-de-Venise : (Red and Sweet Fortified): Blends of Grenache and Syrah Mourvèdre Grape: Synonyms: Monastrell; Mataro; Mourvede. Spanish Origin (Monastrell). Small, think skinned berries. Late budding/early ripening heat loving demanding variety valued for its structure as part of a blend. High tannins; thrives on Mederterrain coast Aromas: Intense colors; in youth: herbs, ripe plums, strawberry fruit; blackberries. When Aged: leather and truffles Key growing areas: France: Bandol (Provence); Languedoc-Roussill on; S. Rhone; Chateauneuf du Pape. Spain: mainly SE Spain in the Yecla and Jumilla DOs. California (Mataro) San Luis Obispo; Washington State: part of increasing use of Rhone Valley Grapes. Australia: GSM Blends. South Africa (Mataro) Carignan Grape: Synonyms: Carignane; Mazuelo; Cariñena; Samsó; Bovale Grande; Carignano. NE Spanish Origin (Mazuelo, Cariñena; Samsó). High-yielding, wind/drought resistant variety produces wines with deep color high in tannis and acidity. Thin skinned, early budding, late ripening (so warm climate) grape. Aromas: fruity, floral, hebs and spices – very location dependent. Best expressions found in Italy (Sardegna) Key growing areas: France: Languedoc-Roussillon; S. Rhone. Italy (Carignano): Sardegna. Spain (Mazuelo – most common name), in Rioja DOCa/Priorat DOCa and Aragon (Cariñena). US: Carignane with some revival. Chile: great promise with the Vignadores de Carignan. Wines of Southern Rhône (Part 2)

3. Rhone Wine Region Northern Rhone Southern Rhone Galets “soil” type & Gobelet Vine Style Châteaunuef-du-Pape AOC Vineyard AOC Wine areas in Southern Rhone not part of Cote du Rhone: Ventoux; Luberon; Costieres de Nimes; & 3 others

4. French Wine Classifications Rhone AOC/ AOPs IGP ( formerly Vin de Pays. Geographic based, Winemaking Rules) Most restrictive quality designation Vins sans IG (wines without geographic indication Formerly Table Wines) Rhone Labels AOC: Appellation d’Orgine Contrôlée AOP: Appellation d’Origine Protégée Cru Côte du Rhône Côtes du Rhône Village Côte du Rhône Village –Named) French Wines “Background Information” CRU Label “Villages” Label Côtes du Rhone Label “Named” Villages Label

5. “French Connection” Class Schedule Tuesdays at 4pm; 6pm; 7:30pm (The Following Monday a Trattoria Villagio (upstairs) Class with main course plate - 7:30-9pm) Jan 20: Intro & Chardonnay 1 (Burgundy – Chablis) Jan 27: Pinot Noir (Burgundy, the rest of the story!) Feb 3: Viognier (N. Rhone, Part I ) Feb 10: Syrah (N. Rhone, Part II ) Feb 17: Winter Break! Feb 24: Riesling (Alsace) Mar 3: Snow Break Mar 10: Grenache and S. Rhone (Part 1) Mar 17, 24, Break Mar 31: Mourvèdre & Carignan (S. Rhone part 2) April 7: Cabernet Sauvignon & Bordeaux April 14: Merlot & Bordeaux April 21: No Class – Fairfax Garden Show April 28: Malbec (Cot) & Bordeaux May 5: Cinco di Mayo BREAK May 12: TBD