Ch 19 - Northern Rhône

Question 1

What is the Climate in the Northern Rhône

Answer 1

Similar to Beaujolais - moderate and continental. Noticeably cooler than the Southern Rhône.

Question 2

Comment on where most sites are located in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 2

Vineyards are mainly planted close to the river where best sites occupy steep slopes with south aspects. Often lie in lateral valleys that feed into the Rhône and serve to protect vines from the cold mistral winds.

Question 3

What is the main hazard in the Northern Rhône? What is done to protect against this hazard?

Answer 3

The mistral winds which are cold and can damage vines easily. Vines are supported either by individual stakes or tepee-like arrangements of stakes.

Question 4

What are the two predominant wines in the Northern Rhône and what are they associated with?

Answer 4

Syrah - powerful red wines. Viognier - premium white wines.

Question 5

What black varieties are permitted in the Northern Rhône? Where does this grape generally grow (comment on sites)?

Answer 5

Syrah is the only black variety permitted. It is at the most northern point at which it can ripen and thrives in the steep, terraced slopes by the river with southerly aspects to increase warmth and sun exposure. Having steep slopes with good aspect is particularly important the further north you go.

Question 6

What is the character of the red wines from Northern Rhône?

Answer 6

Deeply coloured with medium-high tannins and flavours of black fruit and sometimes black pepper or floral notes.

Question 7

How is oak used for red wine in Northern Rhône?

Answer 7

Depends on winemaker. Some use high proportion of new oak on best wines whereas others prefer larger or older oak barrels.

Question 8

How is red wine sometimes fermented in Northern Rhône and why?

Answer 8

With white varieties which help stabilise the colour extraction- generally Viognier which can add aromatic intensity though it is not common.

Question 9

What is the dominant white variety and what are its characteristics?

Answer 9

Viognier- full bodied dry white wines with perfumed aromas of white blossom, apricots and flavours of stone fruits. Tend to have low acidity and high alcohol because grapes to do not develop signature aromas until late in season when they’ve reached high sugar ripeness.

Question 10

Why are Viognier grapes handled very carefully in the winery?

Answer 10

They can develop oily character that overwhelms the varietal aromas.

Question 11

How is oak used on whites from Northern Rhône?

Answer 11

New oak is increasingly used but has to be done carefully as it can overwhelm the primary aromas.

Question 12

What alternative style of white is made in Northern Rhône?

Answer 12

Off dry style from late harvested grapes.

Question 13

What are the two supporting white grapes in the Northern Rhône and how are they used?

Answer 13

Marsanne and Roussanne, usually blended together. Marsanne brings richness and weight and Roussane brings acidity and perfumed fruit character. They don’t have the intensity of Viognier but can age well and develop hazelnut aromas with age.

Question 14

What is the generic appellation in Northern Rhône and what is the more prestigious level?

Answer 14

Cotes du Rhone is the generic level. Crus are the more prestigious ones.

Question 15

What are the appellations in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 15

Cote Rotie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Crozes Hermitages, Hermitage, Cornas

Question 16

Describe the Cote Rotie and its wines.

Answer 16

The most north appellation in the Rhône. Means ‘roasted slope’ - the slopes have good sun exposure. Only red wines but up to 20% Viognier can be used in blends. Wines are deeply coloured, full bodied, spicy and the best have an aromatic, floral freshness and textural elegance which distinguishes them from Hermitage.

Question 17

Describe the Condrieu and its wines.

Answer 17

White only appellation from only viognier grape. Best wines come from low-yielding old vines on steep, well exposed terrace vineyards.

Question 18

Describe the Saint-Joseph and its wines.

Answer 18

Majority are reds from Syrah. Whites are also made from Marsanne and Roussane. Best wines come from the terraced vineyards near Touron - similar flavour intensity and structure of Hermitage. Excellent ones also south of Condrieu. Large volumes of relatively light bodied wines often with carbonic maceration come from the fertile latter sites on the valley floor and plateau above the slopes. These can be among the lightest bodied of the Northern Rhône, expressing pepper perfumed aspects of Syrah.

Question 19

Describe Hermitage and its wines.

Answer 19

Located on a stepp south facing slope divided into lieux-dits named sites. Vary in steepness and aspect which gives subtly different styles and body. Best have been blends from these sites but some are doing specific wines from single lieux-dits now. Generally fullest bodied of the northern Rhône reds and ages well. up to 15% marsanne/roussanne can be used but is rarely done. Also make whites form these.

Question 20

Describe the Crozes Hermitage and its wines.

Answer 20

Vineyards lie on mixed terrain. High volume area. North of Hermitage the vineyards are on slopes, south they’re on a flat plain. Can use 15% marsanne or roussanne. Quality style and price depends on vineyard location. Lighter wines from higher yielding flatter sites. More concentrated complex and tannic ones from vines growing on steeper slopes to the north. Do not enjoy same reputation as Hermitage and Cote Rotie. Some whites are produced too.

Question 21

How might oak be used in Crozes Hermitage?

Answer 21

Some of the more expensive wines may be aged in oak

Question 22

Describe the Cornas and its wines.

Answer 22

100% Syrah must be used. Mos southern crus and the warmest. Vineyards lie on sheltered well exposed sun baked south facing slopes of the many lateral valleys. Deeply coloured, full bodied and in a style and quality similar to Hermitage.