Grapes and wine of the Northern Rhone Flashcards
What is the climate of the Northern Rhone?
Moderate continental (similar to Beaujolais), noticeably cooler than Southern Rhone
Describe the vineyard area of Northern Rhone
Narrow and steep valley: vineyards mainly planted close to the Rhone river
Best sites occupy steep slopes with south-facing aspect, usually in lateral valleys feeding into the Rhone which offer protection from the mistral i.e. the cold north winds
Describe general vineyard management practices of the Northern Rhone
Vines are supported either by an individual stake or by a tepee-like arrangement of stakes
What is the only black variety permitted in the Northern Rhone? Where (in terms of vineyard location, not appellation) are its best plantings found?
Syrah - it is at its most northerly limit of ripening here due to the latitude and cooling effect of the mistral, so the best examples are found on very steep slopes with southerly aspects
Describe a typical Northern Rhone Syrah
Deeply coloured
Medium to high levels of tannin
Black fruit, sometimes black pepper or floral aromas
Use of oak depends on winemaker: can use a high proportion of new oak for best wines while others prefer old oak or larger barrels
What is unique about traditional fermentation practices with Syrah in the Northern Rhone?
Can be fermented with white varieties, traditionally used to help stabilise the colour extraction e.g. with Viognier (which also adds extra aromatic intensity), or Marsanne and Roussanne.
Not as widely practiced now.
What white varieties are used in Northern Rhone?
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
Describe a typical Northern Rhone Viognier
Full-bodied
Perfumed aromas of blossom and apricots
Flavours of stone fruits
Low acidity, high alcohol (grapes do not develop signature aromas until late in the season, by this stage they have achieved a high level of sugar ripeness)
Describe typical Viognier winemaking
Careful handling to avoid developing an overtly oily character which could overwhelm the varietal aromas
New oak is increasingly used, but also need to be careful not to overwhelm primary aromas
Some styles are made off-dry from late-harvested grapes
What do Marsanne and Roussanne offer to a wine? Describe their characteristics.
Usually blended together:
Marsanne has richness and weight
Roussanne has acidity and a perfumed fruit characteristic
Can age well and develop complex hazelnut aromas
Describe Côte Rôtie and associated wine
Slopes exposed to the sun
Only red wines produced (Syrah), with the possibility of adding up to 20% Viognier (although it is rare to add more than a small percentage)
Deeply coloured, full-bodied, spicy. Best examples have an aromatic, floral freshness and textural elegance that distinguishes them from Hermitage.
What is Condrieu wine? Where would the best examples come from?
Only Viognier
Best examples are from low-yielding old vines grown on steep, well-exposed, terraced vineyards
What wines are produced in Saint-Joseph?
Vast majority are Syrah
Also produce Marsanne and Rousanne whites
Best examples are from terraced vineyards near Tournon (similar flavour structure and intensity to Hermitage). Also excellent wines just south of Condrieu.
Large volumes of lighter-bodied wines from fertile valley floors and plateau above slopes often with elements incorporating carbonic maceration. = lightest bodied of Northern Rhone with pepper-perfumed aspects.
Where would I find the best examples of Syrah in Saint-Joseph?
Best examples are from terraced vineyards around Tournon, with a similar flavour intensity and structure to those from Hermitage.
Also great examples from just south of Condrieu.
Where could I find some of the lightest-bodied Syrah in the Northern Rhone?
Large volumes of lighter-bodied and more pepper-perfumed examples come from flatter and fertile sites on valley floor in Saint-Joseph, often incorporating elements from carbonic maceration.
What is a lieux-dit?
A site, not necessarily an appellation
Describe the vineyard layout of Hermitage and how it impacts wine styles
Steep south-facing slope with a number of lieux-dits which are not part of the appellation system
- Lieux-dits vary in steepness and aspect, giving wines of slightly different style
- Traditionally blended wines from different lieux-dits, but we increasingly see wines from specific lieux-dits
Describe a typical Hermitage Syrah
Fullest-bodied of the Northern Rhone
Ages well
Can use up to 15% Marsanne and Rousanne to ferment with Syrah, but now rarely done - instead they are made into white wines.
Best reds were traditionally blends across different lieux-dits, but now starting to release from specific lieux-dits.
What is a typical white Hermitage wine
Blended Roussanne and Marsanne
Describe the vineyard layout of Crozes-Hermitage
Mixed terrain around the hill of Hermitage: to the north the vineyards are on slopes, to the south are mostly on flat plain.
Of all the crus of the Northern Rhone, which is the most important in terms of production volume?
Crozes-Hermitage (mostly Syrah, and some white wines)
Describe the styles of Crozes-Hermitage Syrah
Option to add up to 15% Marsanne or Roussanne
Quality, style and price varies according to location:
Lighter wines from higher-yielding flatter sites in south
More concentrated, complex and tannic wines from vines in steeper northern slopes
More expensive Crozes-Hermitage Syrah can be aged in oak
Overall Crozes-Hermitage does not share the reputation of Hermitage and Cote Rotie
Describe the vineyard layout of Cornas
Warmest site, many lateral valleys
Vineyards lie on sheltered, well-exposed sun-baked south-facing slopes
Describe a typical red Cornas
must be 100% Syrah
Deeply coloured, full-bodied, similar style and quality to Hermitage
