Northern Rhône Flashcards
What percentage of wine produced in the Rhône Valley as a whole is red?
80%
What is the key red grape variety in the Northern Rhône?
Syrah
What are the main characteristics of Syrah?
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
What are the main characteristics of Grenache Noir?
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
What are the main characteristics of Mourvèdre?
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
What are the main characteristics of Cinsault?
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
What are the main characteristics of Viognier?
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
What are the main characteristics of Marsanne?
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
What are the main characteristics of Roussanne?
Late budding
Poor wind resistance
Susuceptible to coulure, powdery mildew and botrytis
Similar to Marsanne but tends to age more quickly
What are the main characteristics of Grenache Blanc?
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
What are the main characteristics of Clairette?
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
What are the preferred vessels for fermentation and maturation in the Rhône valley?
Fermentation - stainless steel
Maturation - small and large wooden vessels
Why is Grenache Noir typically fermented and aged in stainless steel and/or concrete?
Prone to oxidation and loss of colour if exposed to too much oxygen
Why is Syrah typically pumped over more often than Grenache and aged in oak?
Is prone to reduction and oak vessels offer gentle oxidation (but adds to cost)
How long will grapes for a Cru level wine be cold soaked for and why?
1-3 days to maximise colour extraction
How long will Cru level red wines be macerated for and why?
20-30 days for full extraction
Cap management will also be used - punch down, pump over, rack and return
What techniques may producers use for quickly producing large volumes of inexpensive wine?
Flash detente
Thermovinification
What is the most common technique for rosé winemaking?
Short maceration - 12-24 hour skins then pressed and fermented in the same way as a white wine
Why will producers ferment white wines at moderate temperatures?
To retain fruit
Why is Lees stirring not usually practised for Rhône whites?
Grapes/wines are naturally full bodied
A few exceptions eg M Chapoutier
What are the climate conditions in the northern Rhône?
Moderate continental
Cold winters, warm summers and adequate rain which mainly falls in autumn and winter
What effects does the Mistral wind have?
Reduces fungal disease pressure
Decreases vine vigour creating lower yields and higher concentration
Can cause vine damage so vines must be properly trellised
What is the distance between the most northerly and southerly vineyards in the northern Rhône? What effect does this have?
40 miles
There is often better ripening in the south
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of planting on the steep slopes in the northern Rhône?
Increase sunlight interception
Promotes good drainage
HOWEVER
Must be hand tended and harvested which adds to cost
Cote Rotie AOC - name as many features as possible
To do
What is the climate in the southern Rhône?
Warm Mediterranean with mild winters and extremely warm dry summers
Rainfall is usually sufficient but drought a growing problem
Why is the southern Rhône less protected from thr mistral than the north?
The land is much flatter
How do growers protect against the Mistral in the southern Rhône?
Grenache is grown in low bush vines
Syrah is tied to wires on trellises
Which two white grapes are NOT permitted in chateauneuf du pape?
Marsanne and Viognier
What are the rules for irrigation in the Rhône valley?
AOCs may apply for permission under certain conditions - must give proof of water stress and not allowed to irrigate after veraison
