19 Northern Rhone [D]

Question 1

Where are most of the vineyards located in the N Rhône. Which are the best sites?

Answer 1

Slopes next to River Rhône (mostly west side, except hermitage). Best sites are on steeper slopes, south facing.

Question 2

Valleys in the N Rhône help protect vines from what?

Answer 2

Cold north winds called the mistral

Question 3

What is the climate in the N Rhône

Answer 3

Moderate and continental. Noticeable cooler temp than S Rhône. Similar to Beaujolais

Question 4

Main grape types of N Rhône

Answer 4

Mostly Syrah. Small amount of Viognier but with a good reputation. Marsanne and Rousanne (usually blended together)

Question 5

Syrah is the only black grape permitted in N Rhone (T/F)?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Best sites for Syrah in N Rhône are what

Answer 6

Southerly exposures and steep slopes (as Syrah is at its northern most limit for successful ripening)

Question 7

Typical N Rhône Syrah wines have what characteristics

Answer 7

Deep colour, med - high tannin, black fruit and sometimes black pepper and floral. Some use new oak, others use older oak.

Question 8

Why would Syrah by blended with Viognier in a N Rhône cru

Answer 8

Stabilises colour extraction from red grapes and adds aromatic intensity.

Question 9

Typical characteristics of N Rhône Viognier

Answer 9

Full bodied, perfumed, blossom and apricot, stone fruit. Low acid and high alcohol (flavours develop late in ripening = high sugar), can be oily

Question 10

Why do Viognier grapes need careful handling in winery

Answer 10

Can develop overtly oily character, overwhelms varietal aromas

Question 11

Marsanne and rousanne are typically blended together. What does each add?

Answer 11

Marsanne - richness and weight
Rousanne - acidity and perfumed
Do not have aromatic intensity of Viognier but can age well (>hazelnut)

Question 12

What are the largest two crus in N Rhône?

Answer 12

Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage (others are tiny). Most wine is cru, generic Cotes du Rhône is also allowed

Question 13

Cote rotie and condrieu are the two most northern appellations in N Rhône. One is solely white Viognier and the other only red wines (Syrah + up to 20pc Viognier). Which is which

Answer 13

Cote rotie = roasted slopes, sun exposure allows deep, full bodied red wines, spicy, aromatic and floral. Though more textural elegance than more southern Hermitage

Condrieu = white, best from low yielding old vines on steep well exposed slopes

Question 14

What different styles can be produced in Saint-Joseph

Answer 14

Light bodied, large vol wine from fertile, flatter valley floor and plateau above slopes. May use carbonic maceration. Pepper and perfumed character of Syrah

Best wines from terraced vineyards near Turnon/Hermitage. Flavour intensity similar to Hermitage

Most wines are red. Some marsanne and Rousanne

Question 15

What grapes are permitted in Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage?

Answer 15

Syrah plus up to 15pc Marsanne / Rousanne (rarely done, more typically used for white wine)

Question 16

What is Crozes-Hermitage best known for and what how does its terrain influence style

Answer 16

Volume wine, generally not the same reputation as Hermitage or Cote Rotie.

Mixed terrain around the hill of hermitage. Quality and style varies significantly based on location.

Complex/concentrated/tannic from steeper slopes in N. Most to south are on a flat plain

Question 17

Where is Cornas and what grapes does it allow

Answer 17

Most southerly crus in N Rhône. Must be 100pc Syrah

Question 18

Style of wine in Cornas and why.

Answer 18

Deep coloured, full bodied and similar style and quality to Hermitage.

By far the warmest in N Rhône (most southern). Vineyards are on sheltered well exposed sun baked south facing slopes