Northern Rhône

Question 1

What percentage of wine produced in the Rhône Valley as a whole is red?

Answer 1

80%

Question 2

What is the key red grape variety in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 2

Syrah

Question 3

What are the main characteristics of Syrah?

Answer 3

Only red grape used in Northern Rhône Cru wines

Vigorous - needs careful training to protect from the Mistral

Susceptible to mites and botrytis

Aromas of violet, plum, black pepper with medium to high acidity and tannin

Question 4

What are the main characteristics of Grenache Noir?

Answer 4

High yielding

Needs a warm climate to fully ripen - late ripening so autumn rain can be a problem

Good drought resistance but susceptible to lots of problems including coulure, downy mildew and botrytis as well as bacterial blight

The major component of Southern Rhône blends alongside other varieties such as Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault

Question 5

What are the main characteristics of Mourvèdre?

Answer 5

Late budding and late ripening so only thrives in hot climates

Needs late summer heat to ripen fully

Low yielding

Needs regular small amounts of water

Almost always part of Southern Rhône blends, contributes deep ruby colour, high firm tannin, high alcohol and black fruit/violet notes

Question 6

What are the main characteristics of Cinsault?

Answer 6

Late budding

High yielding

Good drought and heat resistance

Yields must be controlled to maintain quality

Generally vinified to produce pure, fresh red fruit flavours and is suitable for light, early drinking red and rosé

Question 7

What are the main characteristics of Viognier?

Answer 7

Early budding

Low and unpredictable yields as susceptible to coulure (poor flowering and fruit set)

Pronounced aromatic profile

Must be picked at the right time or can quickly accumulate too much sugar and create unbalanced, flavourless wines

Up to 20% permitted in some northern Rhône Syrah wines

Question 8

What are the main characteristics of Marsanne?

Answer 8

Late budding

Vigorous and productive

Yields must be kept low for quality

Likes low fertility slopes of northern Rhône

Northern Rhône - either single varietal or blend with Roussanne

Southern Rhône - part of the blend

Question 9

What are the main characteristics of Roussanne?

Answer 9

Late budding

Poor wind resistance

Susuceptible to coulure, powdery mildew and botrytis

Similar to Marsanne but tends to age more quickly

Question 10

What are the main characteristics of Grenache Blanc?

Answer 10

Early budding but not usually a problem as grown in warm southern areas of France and Spain

Southern Rhône - used in white blends and Vin Doux Naturels

High potential alcohol and low acidity

Question 11

What are the main characteristics of Clairette?

Answer 11

Grows well in low fertility dry soils of the southern Rhône

Vigour must be managed

Late ripening

Oxidises easily so needs careful handling in the vineyard

Question 12

What are the preferred vessels for fermentation and maturation in the Rhône valley?

Answer 12

Fermentation - stainless steel

Maturation - small and large wooden vessels

Question 13

Why is Grenache Noir typically fermented and aged in stainless steel and/or concrete?

Answer 13

Prone to oxidation and loss of colour if exposed to too much oxygen

Question 14

Why is Syrah typically pumped over more often than Grenache and aged in oak?

Answer 14

Is prone to reduction and oak vessels offer gentle oxidation (but adds to cost)

Question 15

How long will grapes for a Cru level wine be cold soaked for and why?

Answer 15

1-3 days to maximise colour extraction

Question 16

How long will Cru level red wines be macerated for and why?

Answer 16

20-30 days for full extraction

Cap management will also be used - punch down, pump over, rack and return

Question 17

What techniques may producers use for quickly producing large volumes of inexpensive wine?

Answer 17

Flash detente

Thermovinification

Question 18

What is the most common technique for rosé winemaking?

Answer 18

Short maceration - 12-24 hour skins then pressed and fermented in the same way as a white wine

Question 19

Why will producers ferment white wines at moderate temperatures?

Answer 19

To retain fruit

Question 20

Why is Lees stirring not usually practised for Rhône whites?

Answer 20

Grapes/wines are naturally full bodied

A few exceptions eg M Chapoutier

Question 21

What are the climate conditions in the northern Rhône?

Answer 21

Moderate continental

Cold winters, warm summers and adequate rain which mainly falls in autumn and winter

Question 22

What effects does the Mistral wind have?

Answer 22

Reduces fungal disease pressure

Decreases vine vigour creating lower yields and higher concentration

Can cause vine damage so vines must be properly trellised

Question 23

What is the distance between the most northerly and southerly vineyards in the northern Rhône? What effect does this have?

Answer 23

40 miles

There is often better ripening in the south

Question 24

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of planting on the steep slopes in the northern Rhône?

Answer 24

Increase sunlight interception

Promotes good drainage

HOWEVER

Must be hand tended and harvested which adds to cost

Question 25

Cote Rotie AOC - name as many features as possible

Answer 25

To do

Question 26

What is the climate in the southern Rhône?

Answer 26

Warm Mediterranean with mild winters and extremely warm dry summers

Rainfall is usually sufficient but drought a growing problem

Question 27

Why is the southern Rhône less protected from thr mistral than the north?

Answer 27

The land is much flatter

Question 28

How do growers protect against the Mistral in the southern Rhône?

Answer 28

Grenache is grown in low bush vines

Syrah is tied to wires on trellises

Question 29

Which two white grapes are NOT permitted in chateauneuf du pape?

Answer 29

Marsanne and Viognier

Question 30

What are the rules for irrigation in the Rhône valley?

Answer 30

AOCs may apply for permission under certain conditions - must give proof of water stress and not allowed to irrigate after veraison