Grape Varieties - Rhone Valley Flashcards
What is the Parentage of Syrah?
Southern French Varieties Monduese Blanche and Dureza.
Describe Syrah’s physical characteristics.
Small dark berries that grow in small bunches, the berries grow in the shape of an egg.
Dark skinned, naturally high in acid and tannin. Syrah contains 40% more anthonyacins than Carignan making it well suited to oak maturation.
How does Syrah behave viticulturaly?
A productive and disease resistant vine that buds late but does not ripen too late. It needs a warm climate to fully ripen and the Northern Rhone is it most Northerly viable limit.
What viticultural and disease pressures does Syrah face in the Northern Rhone?
Sensitive to coulure.
Sensitivity to Chlorosis makes rootstock selection important.
What is the only white variety in the Northern Rhone to have it’s own appellation and what are its physical characteristics?
Viognier. It is a deep yellow colour with high levels of sugar and low levels of acid.
How does Viognier perform viticulturaly in the Northern Rhone?
Drought resistant but prone to Powdery Mildew.
Low productivity due to poor fruit set which causes irregular yields contributing to its high price.
Describe the kind of wines Viognier makes in the Northern Rhone.
High alcohol, rich, full bodied wines that conversely have delicate perfume. Stone fruit and blossom predominate. Wines must be drunk young before their already low acidity begins to drop.
Also allowed in co-ferments with Syrah up to 20% in Cote-Rotie which give perfume and lift.
Describe how Roussanne performs viticulturaly in the Northern Rhone.
It is difficult to grow due to susceptibility to Powdery Mildew, its low wind resistance (a problem with the Rhone’s notorious Mistral wind) and low drought tolerance.
It ripens late and must reach full maturity to display its range of characteristics.
What does Roussanne bring to blends with Marsanne?
Finesse, fruit and crispness.
Marsanne is hardier than Roussanne so has greater plantings in the N. Rhone, describe it’s wines.
Has a tendency to be flabby but modern winemaking has reduced this. Full bodied aromatic wines with notes of glue, honeysuckle and sometimes verging on almonds.
What are the main permitted black varieties of the Southern Rhone?
- Grenache Noir
- Cinsault
- Syrah
- Mourvedre
What are the main permitted white varieties of the Southern Rhone?
- Grenache Blanc
- Viognier
- Roussanne
- Marsanne
Why is Mourvedre useful in the roses of S.Rhone?
It’s antioxidant qualities preserve freshness and enhance the aroma.
