Northern Rhone

Question 1

Topography (Cities, water bodies, mountains)
Factor effecting climate, hazards, Terroir

Answer 1

City: Vienne, Valence

River: Rhone (originate in Switzerland) warm up the climate

Mountains: Massif Central on the left

Moderate Continental climate characterised by hot summer and cold winters.
The Cold Mistral winds cools down the area during summer and keeps vineyards dry to prevent mould.
The Rhone river moderates the climate, provides air circulation, reflects sunlight, warms the slopes

Mistral winds comes originally from the golf stream of the Atlantic. Pulled east trough the Vosges Mountains.
Strong wind can destroy vines and shed blossoms
Vines are therefore supported by stakes.

Less than 5000ha

Rocky soil are mainly granite and schist.
Errosion

Question 2

White Grape Varieties

Answer 2

Viognier - rich oil textured style, floral, stone fruit, low acidity and high alcohol. new oak can be used

Marsanne, Roussanne they can add hazelnut aroma

Question 3

Red Grape Varieties

Answer 3

Syrah - floral, black fruit, black pepper aroma

Mourvedre, grenache

Question 4

Winemaking

Answer 4

Syrah is often cofermented with:
Marsanne Roussanne to help stabilise colour extraction,
Viognier to add extra romantic intensity.

Most wines from the Northern Rhône are fermented and aged in new or used oak

Different styles different appellation :

Cote Rotie, Chateau-Grillet, Condrieu, Hermitage, Cornas, : big with ageing potential

St Joseph, Crozes-hermitage, St Peray : more easy going style of syrah

Question 5

Appellations (8Crus)

Answer 5

AOC Cote Rotie - Syrah 100% (blend up to 20%)
South east facing aspect makes wines very ripe.
Powerful and elegant wines with ageing potential

AOC Condrieu - Viognier 100%
Best from low-yielding old vine on steep terrace

AOC Chateau Grillet - Viognier 100%
In Condrieu

AOC Saint Joseph - Syrah (blend up to 15%), Marsanne Roussanne
Best close to Condrieu and Tournon

AOC Hermitage - Syrah (blend up to 15%), Marsanne Roussanne
East bank
Steep granite hills named Hermitage
Most powerful Syrah in Rhone valley.
Blends versus lieux-dite.

AOC Crozes-Hermitage Syrah (blend up to 15%), Marsanne Roussanne
Largest volume, flat plains, clay dominated.

AOC Cornas - Syrah 100%

Saint Peray (still and sparkling white)

Question 6

Chateaux

Answer 6

AOC Cote Rotie: E.Guigal, Jaboulet, Pierre Gaillard, Domaine Jamet, Vidal-Fleury, René Rostaing, Clape(died)

AOC Chateau Grillet (owner)

AOC Condrieu: André Perret, Domaine de Monteillet, Georges Vernay (topest now it s Christine)

AOC Saint Joseph: Chave, Gonon

AOC Hermitage: Chave, Alain Graillot, Chapoutier,

AOC Crozes-Hermitage: Alain Graillot, Guigal (Thalabert cuvee)

AOC Cornas: Robert Michel (died vines split in 3, Franck Balthazar, Vincent Paris), Auguste Clape (died), Thierry Allemand, Noël Verset (died)

Saint Peray: Domaine du Tunnel, Jean Luc Colombo

Question 7

chaillees

Answer 7

Meaning ‘rocky’ and refers to the dry stone walls that form the terraces of this plot.

Question 8

What are the flavors and characteristics of Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne?

Answer 8

Viognier
Apricot + blossom aromas
Low acidity
Full body
High alcohol

Roussanne
Perfumed stone fruits
Medium acidity
Medium-to-full body

Marsanne
Develops marizpan + hazelnut notes as it ages
Fatty, rich texture
Medium-to-full body