19 - The Northern Rhone Flashcards
What is climate and grape growing like in the Northern Rhône Valley?
Vineyards are mainly planted close to the river and the best sites occupy step slopes with a south facing aspect. Also lateral valleys that protect vineyards from cold north winds such as the ‘mistral’. Climate is similar to Beaujolais: moderate and continental. Temperature is noticeably cooler than the Southern Rhône.
What are the dominant varietals in the Northern Rhône?
Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.
Describe the common profile of Syrah wines from the Northern Rhône?
In this region, Syrah is at the very northern limit of where it can ripen successfully. Sites must have southernly exposures. Wine tends to be deeply coloured and have medium to high levels of tannin, with black fruit and sometimes black pepper or floral aromas. Some winemakers use a high proportion of new oak for their best wines
Describe the common profile of Viognier from the Northern Rhône?
Full bodied wines, with perfumes aromas of blossom and apricots, and flavours of stone fruits. Tend to have low acidity and high alcohol as the grapes do not develop the signature aromas till late on in the season. New oak is increasingly being used but it has to be handled carefully as oak can easily overwhelm the primary aromas.
Marsanne and Roussanne are also grown in the Northern Rhône, describe their common profile?
Usually blended together. Marsanne has richness and weight whereas Roussanne offers acidity and perfumed characteristics. These wines do not have the aromatic intensity of Viognier but they can age well and develop complex hazelnut aromas.
What are the appelations of the Northern Rhône from north to south?
- Cote Rôtie
- Condrieu
- Saint - Joseph
- Hermitage
- Crozes - Hermitage
- Cornas
Describe the wines and appellation of Côte Rôtie?
Situated around the town of Ampuis. Roughly translated ‘roasted slope’ gives an indication of the sun exposure. Only reds are produced although up to 20% can be added. Wines are deeply coloured, full bodied and spicy and the best have aromatic, floral freshness and textural elegance that distinguished them from Hermitage.
Describe wines from Condrieu?
Whites made soley from Viognier. Best wines come from low yielding old vines, grown on steep, well exposed, terraced vineyards Chateau - Grillet is a single appellation within Condrieu that produces wines ina similar style.
Describe the wines and appelation of Saint - Joseph?
It runs along the west bank of the Rhone from Condrieu in the north to Tournon in the south.Majority of wines made here are Syrah, although some whites are made for Marsanne and Roussanne. Best wines generally come fromterraced vineyards near Tournon, which can have flowvour intesity structure similar to Hermitage. Large volumes of relatively light bodied wines, often incorporating elements made suing carbonic maceration, come from the more fertile plains on the valley floor and the plateau above the slopes, these wines express the pepper-perfumes aspects of the Syrah grape.
Describe the wines and appellation of Hermitage?
Located on south facing slopes behind the town of Tain-l’Hermitage, which is divided into a number of sites which are not part of the appellation system. These sites can contribute to subtly different styles of wines. Red Hermitage id generally the fullest bodied of Northern Rhone wines and ages well.
Describe the wines and appellation of Crozes-Hermitage?
The most important appellation in terms of volume, whos sites lie on mixed terrain around the hill of Hermitage.red wines are made from Syrah (with the option of adding around 15% of Marsanne or Roussanne. Quality, price and style varies depending on the location of vineyards. Lighter wines are form the higher yielding flatter sites in the south. More concentrated, complex and tannic wines come from vines growing on the steeper slopes to the north.
Describe the wines and appellation of Cornas?
Most southernly and warmest of the Northern Rhone. Vineyards lie on the shletered, well exposed sun-baked south facing slopes of the many lateral valleys that exist here. Cornas must 100% Syrah. Wines are deeply coloured, full bodied, and style and body similar to Hermitage.
