19. The Northern Rhone

Question 1

Describe the geography and climate of the Northern Rhone.

Answer 1

• narrow, steep slopes
• south facing aspect
• valleys of the River Rhone (protection from the cold mistral)
• vines supported by an individual stake or a teepee-like arrangement of stakes
• moderate continental climate
• cooler than hot Southern Rhone

Question 2

What is the only permitted black variety of the N Rhone? Where does it thrive? Describe the wines.

Answer 2

Syrah

• northern limit of where it can ripen successfully
• southerly exposure on steep slopes

-powerful wines
deep color
-medium to high tannins
-black fruit
-black pepper
-floral
-some orak
-sometimes fermented with white grapes (crus), more rare now - helped stablize the color extraction of the red grapes, Viogner adds aromatic complexity

Question 3

What is the main white variety of the N Rhone? Describe these wines.

Answer 3

Viogner

• full body
• perfumed
• blossom, apricots, stone fruits
• low acidity
• high alcohol
• aromas don’t develop until later on in the ripening period
• careful handling to avoid oily character
• some off-dry
• some new oak

Question 4

What are two other white grape varieties in the N Rhone? Describe the wines.

Answer 4

Marsanne, Roussanne

• typically blended
• M: richness, weight
• R: acidity, perfumed fruit
• can age well, develop complex hazelnut aromas

Question 5

What are the 6 main cru regions of the N Rhone (north to south)?

Answer 5

1. Cote Rotie
2. Condrieu
3. Saint-Joseph
4. Hermitage
5. Crozes-Hermitage
6. Cornas

Question 6

Describe Cote Rotie.

Answer 6

• “roasted slope”
• sunlight
• only red wines
• can be up to 20% Viogner in red blend (rare)
• deeply colored
• full body
• spicy
• aromatic, floral freshness
• textural elegance

Question 7

Describe Condrieu. Name 1 single property appellation within Condrieu.

Answer 7

• white wine only
• 100% Viogner
• best wines: low yielding, old vines, steep, exposed, terraced vineyards
• Chateau Grillet is a single property appellation within Condrieu

Question 8

Describe Saint-Joseph.

Answer 8

• mostly reds made from Syrah
• some whites from Marsanne and Rousanne
• best: terraced vineyards near Tournon
• similar to Hermitage
• lightest bodied reds of the N Rhone: large volumes of light bodied wines, carbonic maceration
• more fertile, flatter sites of the Valley floor
• pepper-perfumed Syrah

Question 9

Describe Hermitage.

Answer 9

• steep, south facing slope
• divided into lieux-dits (named sites) not part of the appellation system
• best: blend of wines rom different sites, some are from specific lieux-dits
• fullest bodied of the N Rhone reds
• ageworthy
• up to 15% Marsanne and Roussane can be fermented with Syrah (rare)

Question 10

Describe Crozes-Hermitage.

Answer 10

• most important appellation in terms of volume
• mixed terrain around the hill of Hermitage
• north: slopes (more concentrated, complex wines)
• south: flat plain (lighter wines)
• up to 15% Marsanne and Roussane can be fermented with Syrah
• sme aged in oak
• lower reputation than Cote Rotie and Hermitage

Question 11

Describe Cornas.

Answer 11

• warmest
• sheltered, well-exposed, sun-baked, south-facing slopes
• must be 100% Syrah
• deep color
• full body
• style and quality similar to Hermitage