North and South Rhone Flashcards
South Rhone Appellations
Generic - Cotes du Rhone
Generic - Cotes du Rhone Villages
Chateauneuf du Pape
Tavel
Lirac
Grenache
S. Rhone - Grenache dominates and is most widely planted grape
When fully ripe = concentrated spicy red fruit flavors
In hot years can become baked and jammy
South Rhone Red Grapes
Grenache - most dominant, spicy red fruit
Syrah - provides color and tannin, struggles w heat
Mourvedre - deep color, depth, complexity, needs heat
Cinsault - Rose mostly, adds red fruit to red blends
Winemaking varies , making light-to-med bodied fruit-driven wines to full-bodied wines with spice, meats, and / or earth tones. Oak use varies too.
Marsanne and Roussanne
Also grown here and often blended together
Marsanne has richness and weight
Roussanne has acidity and perfumed fruit
Not as aromatic as Viogneir; but can age well > hazelnut
Southern Rhone Climate
Climate is MEDITERRANEAN
Much more warm, flat growing terrain than the Northern Rhone
Many (not all) have stony soils (Gallets or big stones) that absorb and help warm vyds
Mild winters and warm dry summers – drought can be an issue
North wind “Le Mistral” gains speed and can damage vyds
Few slopes to protect from winds – wind breaks are often planted
North Rhone - Cote Rotie
Vineyards around the town Ampuis with high slope and exposure
Only reds (SYRAH) are produced
> up to 20% Viognier can be added
Wines are deeply colored full-bodied, spicy, aromatic florals
Textural elegance that distinguishes from Hermitage
N. Rhone - Crozes-Hermitage
Most volume production; surrounding Hermitage appellation
North of Hermitage most are on the slopes – higher quality
South they are mostly on the flats – lighter wines
Reds made from Syrah (up to 15% Roussane and Marsanne) and some white as well
Some oak aging being used, but not getting Hermitage price or reputation
Northern Rhone Climate
Moderate Continental
Narrow valley; steep vyds; close to R. Rhone
Vines on steep slopes single-staked or on teepee-like structure
Best sites on steep slopes w/ south aspect that protect from Mistral winds
North Rhone - Condrieu
Whites from VIOGNIER only
Best wines from low-yield old vines on steep, exposed, terraced vineyards
Chateau-Grillet is single vyd appellation (wine similar to rest)
South Rhone Whites
Minority concern in Southern Rhone
Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussane are dominant
Best whites are rich, full-bodied, high-alc w/ low-to-medium acidity, subtle fruit
Also include Clariette, Grenache Blanc, and Bourboulenc
Syrah
In the North Rhone the only red varietal permitted, the northern limit for where it can ripen. Best in moderate sites, and can struggle in heat.
Deeply colored with medium to high tannins, black fruit, black pepper or floral aromas
Was often co-ferment with white varieties was common but not as much now
- >Said to stabilize the red color
- >Viognier can add extra aromatics
South Rhone Mourvedre
The South Rhone is at its northern limit of successful ripening
Deeply colored with very high tannin
When fully ripe develops dense black fruit flavors, gamey / meaty aromas
Highly prized for adding complexity (Chat d Pape)
North Rhone - Saint-Joseph
Large long appellation from Condrieu to Tournon; western slopes
Mostly reds from SYRAH; but some Marsanne and Rousanne
Best wines on terraced vyds near Tournon; similar to Hermitage
Large volumes of lighter wines made with elements of carbonic from valley floor and plateau sites > pepper and perfume
South Rhone - Cotes du Rhone
Lowest level. Cotes du Rhone > 50% of production of appellation wines, mostly red
- Medium bodied, fruity, simple wines mostly red
- Fruity roses and white wines as well
North Rhone - Cornas
Most southern of North Rhone CRU
Wind sheltered; highly-exposed south-facing slope w/ lateral valleys - hottest and dryest appellation
100% Syrah
Deeply colored; full-bodied; style similar to Hermitage
South Rhone - Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Largest South Rhone Cru and first place to have AOC status
VERY STONY (galets) completely cover soils
wide range of soil and aspect = lots of diversity
Grenache dominates (some 100%) but Mourvedre widely used for power and meaty complexity
Best are full-bodied, rich, pronounced spicy, red fruit balancing high alc
North Rhone - Hermitage
Steep S-facing slopes, high variance in steepness and soil; gives variance in style and body
Mostly red but some whites
lieux-dits: named sites NOT part of the appellation
Best wines typically blends of sites, but some make lieux-dits designates
Up to 15% Rousanne and Marsanne can co-ferment
South Rhone - Villages promoted to Cru
Gigondas and Vacqueyras – most long-standing, Cru villages
Good value and quality similar to CdP
Some permit rose and white production
*** Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise fortified separate AC
South Rhone - Tavel and Lirac
West bank, famous for rose production, from Grenache and Cinsault
Full bodied compared to Provence roses, intense and age-worthy
Tavel – only Roses by law
Lirac – Also makes top-quality reds in the style of CdP
Viognier
Full body, low acid, high alc, blossom, apricot, stone fruits
Careful handling / pressing needed to avoid OILY character
New oak often, but careful to avoid overwhelming fruit
Some make an off-dry style from late-harvest fruit
Northern Rhone Cru Appellations (N-S)
1- Cote Rotie
2 - Condrieu
3 - Saint-Joseph
4 - Hermitage
5 - Crozes-Hermitage
6 - Cornas (non-Cru)
South Rhone - Cotes du Rhone Villages
Cotes du Rhone Villages (reds, some whites and rose). These have strict minimum alcohol, maximum yields, and higher percent must be from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.
- If 100% from a village, can be Cotes du Rhone Villages XXX.
- These are best wines outside of the Cru
- These villages can apply for Cru status
