19. Northern Rhone Flashcards
What is the climate of Northern Rhone?
Moderate continental
Where are the best vineyard sites located in Northern Rhone?
Steep slopes with a south facing aspect
Why are the valleys important for the grape growing in Northern Rhone?
They protect the vines from the cold northern winds known as “mistral”
How are the vines supported in Northern Rhone?
Individual stakes or tepee like arrangement of stakes
Which black grape varieties are permitted in Northern Rhone?
Only Syrah
Why are the most prized sites for Syrah have southerly exposures and are on very steep slopes?
Because the Syrah is at the very northern limit of where it can ripen successfully
Tasting notes of Northern Rhone Syrah
- Deeply colored
- Medium to high tannins
- Black fruit and sometimes black pepper or floral aromas
- Oak aging is optional
What is the advantage of fermenting white grape varieties (like Viognier) with Syrah?
- Help to stabilize the color extraction from the red grapes
- Adds extra aromatic intensity to the wine
Tasting notes of Northern Rhone Viognier
- Full bodied
- Low acidity
- High Alcohol
- Perfumed aromas of blossom and apricots and stone fruits
Why Marsanne and Roussanne are blended together?
- Marsanne brings richness and weight
- Roussanne brings acidity perfumed fruit characteristics
Compare the aromatic intensity of Marsanne and Roussanne with Viognier
Marsanne and Roussanne do not have the aromatic intensity of Viognier but they can age well and develop hazelnut aromas
Name the Northern Rhone appellations from north to south
- Cote Roite
- Condrieu
- Saint Joseph
- Hermitage
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Cornas
Name the allowed grapes for each appellation in Northern Rhone
- Côte-Rôtie AOC - reds of Syrah and up to 20% Viognier.
- Condrieu AOC - whites of Viognier only.
- Saint-Joseph AOC - reds of Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne; whites of only Marsanne and Roussanne.
- Crozes-Hermitage AOC - reds of Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne; whites of only Marsanne and Roussanne.
- Hermitage AOC - reds of Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne; whites of only Marsanne and Roussanne.
- Cornas AOC - reds of Syrah only.
Which appellation produce the fullest bodied Syrah in Northern Rhone?
Hermitage
Where are the lightest bodied red wines are produced in Northern Rhone?
From the more fertile, flatter sites of Saint Joseph with carbonic maceration
