Northern Rhone #1 Flashcards
What is the max % of Viognier that may be added to Syrah in Côte-Rôtie?
20%
In Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage, producers have the option of adding a combined total of what percentage of Marsanne and Roussanne?
15%
What is the northernmost appellation in the Northern Rhône Valley?
Côte-Rôtie
- home to some of France’s steepest vineyards; on parts of the slope, the gradient is a precipitous 55 degrees or more
What does Côte-Rôtie mean?
“roasted slope”
Who is the largest producer in Côte-Rôtie?
E.Guigal
What two slopes are considered the heart of Côte-Rôtie’s terroir?; which slope is further north?; which slope is further south?; what are their soil types?
Côte Brune (north): mica-schistous rock - stronger, more assertive
Côte Blonde (south): gneiss - yields softer, alluring wines
What is the riverside town near Côte-Rôtie?
Ampuis
What is the min alcohol for Côte-Rôtie AOP?
10.5%
- Same as other Syrah focused Northern Rhone AOPs Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, Cornas
- Viogner focused AOPs Coindreu, Château Grillet - min.11.5% alcohol
- Clairette de Die AOP - min. 9% for sparkling wines
In what year was Côte-Rôtie established as an AOC?
1940
Name four major producers that dominate the terraced hill of Hermitage.
- Jean-Louis Chave
(singular)
- Delas
- M.Chapoutier
- Jaboulet
(négociants)
What is Jaboulet’s premier wine?
“La Chapelle”
Who is the legendary Crusader-turned-hermit who lived a life of asceticism atop the hill of Hermitage?
Gaspard de Stérimberg
The small hillside chapel that stands in commemoration of the legendary Crusader-turned-hermit is located within which climat?
L’Hermite
Beside L’Ermite, what are five other important climats of Hermitage?
- le Méal
- les Bessards
- Gréffieux
- Beaume
- Péléat
How would you characterize the wines of Crozes-Hermitage in comparison to Hermitage?
- Generally lighter, less ageworthy
- Although, better wines can approach Hermitage quality
What is the min alcohol for Crozes-Hermitage AOP - Blanc, Rouge?
- Blance: 10.5%
- Rouge: 10.5%
What is the min alcohol for Hermitage AOP - Blanc, Rouge, Vin de Paille?
- Blanc: 11%
- Rouge: 10.5%
- Vin de Paille: 19.5X% (12.5% acquired)
In what year was Crozes-Hermitage established as an AOC?
1937
- Same as Hermitage
In what year was Hermitage established as an AOC?
1937
- Same as Crozes-Hermitage
What is the min planting density for Crozes-Hermitage AOP?
4,000 vines/ha
- Max. 2.5 square meters / vine
- Vs 6,000 vines/ha - Hermitage
What is the min planting density for Hermitage AOP?
6,000 vines/ha
- vs 4,000 vines/ha - Crozes-Hermitage
T/F: The vineyards of Cornas are amongst the warmest in the Northern Rhône.
True
What is gore?
granite soil
- In the vineyards of Cornas, magnifies the sun’s warmth
What are the 4 quarters, or lieu-dits, of Cornas?
- Les Reynards
- La Côte
- Les Chaillot
- Les Mazards
What is the smallest red wine appellation of the Northern Rhône?
Cornas
- Just over 100 ha (131 ha)
- Hermitage not far behind (136 ha)
Who has long been considered the standard-bearer for the traditional wines of Cornas?
Auguste Clape
- Eschewing destemming for whole cluster fermentation and new oak barriques for the old demi-muids of the region
Cornas and Côte-Rôtie may only produce red wine.
True
In what year was Cornas established as an AOC?
1938
What is the min planting density for Cornas AOP?
4,400 vines/ha
T/F: St-Péray exclusively produces Marsanne and Roussanne wines.
True
Are the Marsanne and Roussanne wines of St-Péray always blended?
often, but not always
What does Roussanne add to the blend for wines of St-Péray?
acidity and waxy minerality
What does Marsanne add to the blend for wines of St-Péray?
oily texture and marzipan character
In Hermitage, producers have the traditional option of drying either Marsanne or Roussanne for the rare dessert wine vin de paille. Vin de Paille is a style of wine revived in the 1970s by who?
Gérard Chave
- More recently by Chapoutier
T/F: In the 1960s, wines made from Viognier in Condrieu approached extinction as it had fallen out of commercial favor and only a handful of ha were planted.
True
How many ha of Viognier are planted in Condrieu?
less than 200 (168 ha)
Is Château Grillet the smallest appellation in France?
No. The distinction belongs to La Romanée in Burgundy.
Name three notable producers of Condrieu.
- Georges Vernay
- Yves Cuilleron
- André Perret
In what year was Condrieu established as an AOC?
1940
What is the min potential alcohol for Condrieu AOP?
11.5%
- 13% acquired alcohol required for wines with at least 45 g/l of residual sugar
What is the min planting density for Condrieu AOP?
6,500 vines/ha
- vs 6,000 vines/ha - Hermitage
What is the primary soil type in Coindreu?
decomposed granite
What is the max yield (rendement de base) for Condrieu AOP?
41 hl/ha
- 37 hl/ha prior to 2011
What is the min must weight for Condrieu AOP?
220 g/l
- 178 g/l min must weight for wines w/ min 45 g/l rs
Is manual harvesting mandatory for Condrieu AOP?
Yes
- For wines with min 45 g/l of rs, grapes must be harvested in successive tries
What is the soil known as in Cornas?
“Gore”
- Naked granite
Who owns Chateau Grillet?
François Pinault 2011
- Owner of Lafite
- Previously Neyret-Gachet
What are the important climats of Hermitage?
La Chapelle
L’Hermite
Le Meal
Les Bressards
Greggieux
Beaume
Peleat
Defining climatic element?
Mistral wind - blows down from the Massif Central and affects N. Rhone in Winter and Spring
What are the AOP’s of Northern Rhone?
Cote Rotie
Condrieu
Chateau Grillet
Saint Joseph
Croze-Hermitage
Cornas
St. Perez
Chatillon-en-Diois
Clairette de Die
Coteaux de Die
Cremant de Die
Major lieux dits of Hermitage:
Les Grandes Vignes
L’Hermite
Varague
Les Vercandieres
Les Bessards
Les Diegnieres
Les Baumes
Le Meal
Les Murets
La Craix
Peleat
Les Rocules
Most famous vineyards in Condrieu?
Chery
Chandon
Cote Bonnett
Les Ezguets