Northern Rhone

Question 1

What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 1

Moderate continental

Question 2

What are the main soil types in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 2

・Granite/Volcanic/Schist: In the northern portion, in Côte-Rôtie + Condrieu, plus a pure granite outcropping in Cornas

・Alluvial/Clay: In the mid-to-southern portion, in Saint-Joseph + Crozes-Hermitage.

Question 3

Which 2 cities delimit the Northern Rhône Valley?

Answer 3

・Vienne
in the north

・Valence
in the south

Question 4

Name the AOPs of the Northern Rhône Valley.

Answer 4

From north to south:

Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Saint-Joseph
Crozes-Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas

Question 5

Where are the prime vineyards of the Northern Rhône situated: on the valley floor or on steep slopes?

Answer 5

Northern Rhône’s prime vineyards are planted on steep slopes.

Question 6

How do winemakers work on the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 6

Most of the work is done by hand as tractors cannot go over the small terrasses. Horses are sometimes used in Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.

Romans built stone terraces which are still used today and require hand harvesting.

Question 7

What is the only red grape allowed in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 7

Syrah

Question 8

Name the white grapes grown in the Northern Rhône and in which white wine appellations you’ll find them.

Answer 8

・Viognier
Condrieu

・Roussanne
Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph

・Marsanne
Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph

Question 9

What are the flavors and characteristics of Viognier?

Answer 9

・Full body
・High alcohol
・Low acidity
・Apricot + blossom aromas

Question 10

What are the flavors and characteristics of Roussanne and Marsanne?

Answer 10

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

・Marsanne
Medium-to-full body
Fatty, rich texture
Slightly bitter; develops marizpan + hazelnut notes as it ages

Neither is as aromatic as Viognier

Question 11

Name a white wine-only appellation in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 11

Condrieu AOP: 100% Viognier​

Question 12

Northern Rhône appellations that are allowed to make both still red and still white wines include:

Answer 12

・Saint-Joseph
・Hermitage
・Crozes-Hermitage

Question 13

Is Condrieu more likely to be dry or sweet?

What about oak usage in Condrieu?

Answer 13

However, back in the 1940s, Condrieu was known for its sweet wine production. A few young winemakers today are experimenting with late harvest Viognier from the slopes of Condrieu.

Question 14

What is the single vineyard appellation within Condrieu that makes a wine similar in style to Condrieu?

Answer 14

Château-Grillet

Question 15

In terms of volume, what is the largest appellation of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 15

Crozes-Hermitage AOP

Question 16

Name the grape varieties used in the production of Crozes-Hermitage AOP.

Answer 16

Red:
・Syrah
Can be blended with a max 15% combined Marsanne and Roussanne.
White:

・Marsanne
・Roussanne

Question 17

Are new oak barrels largely used in Crozes-Hermitage AOP?

Answer 17

Generally, no – either large or neutral demi-muids are used to soften the tannins of the Syrah in Crozes-Hermitage.

New oak usage is rare as Crozes-Hermitage as it is an appellation meant for early consumption.

Question 18

What is the difference between Crozes-Hermitage AOP and Hermitage AOP?

Answer 18

Crozes-Hermitage AOP
・Vineyards are located mostly on flat land with varied soils (with lots of clay) where mechanical harvesting is common;
・Roughly 1,200ha in size.

Hermitage AOP
・Hermitage is a steep granite hill roughly 120ha in size;
・Produces some of France’s most prestigious wines, the majority of them reds. All vineyard work is done by hand.
Both AOPs allow for up to 15% combined Marsanne and Roussanne to be blended into the reds.

Question 19

Is St-Joseph a homogeneous appellation in terms of quality and style of wine?

Answer 19

No, St-Joseph is not homogeneous. The vineyards stretch over a long distance, covering wide variations in climate and soil.

Think of it like a sandwich: the northern and southern portions of St-Joseph make the best wines, while the middle part of St-Joseph makes large volumes of lighter-bodied, inexpensive wine.

Question 20

St-Joseph lies on the east or west bank of the Rhône River?

What city marks the southern end of St-Joseph?

Answer 20

・West bank
・Tournon

Question 21

Name the grape varieties used in the production of Saint-Joseph AOP.

Answer 21

Red
・Syrah

White
・Marsanne
・Roussanne

Question 22

In the Northern Rhône, red wines from (1) tend to have more elegance while in (2) they are bolder and more powerful; in (3) they are full bodied and earthy.

Answer 22

1Côte-Rôtie
2Cornas
3Hermitage

Question 23

What is the warmest appellation in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 23

Cornas AOP

Question 24

Which appellation in the Northern Rhône makes red wine only made from 100% Syrah?

Answer 24

Cornas AOP

Question 25

What are some of the factors that contribute to wines from Cornas being so full and powerful?

Answer 25

Some of the factors that contribute to Cornas’s full and powerful wines are its location and the terroir:

Situated in the southern part of the Northern Rhône, this tiny AOP has a south-facing, so it has long ripening days;
Vineyards are in a sheltered amphitheater on granite soil, which retains heat;
Vineyards are on very steep slopes, enhancing the amount of sunshine the grapes receive.

Question 26

What is the northernmost appellation in the Rhône Valley?

Answer 26

Attention! The Rhône River’s northernmost appellation is Valais in Switzerland; the Rhône Valley’s northernmost appellation is Côte-Rôtie.

Question 27

What does Côte-Rôtie translate to in English?

Answer 27

Roasted slope
Grapes are highly exposed to the sun as the vineyards face east-to-southeast.

Question 28

Which AOP in the Northern Rhône is situated around the town of Ampuis?

Answer 28

Côte-Rôtie AOP

Question 29

In Côte-Rôtie, which white grape may be blended with Syrah?

What is the maximum amount?

Answer 29

・Viognier

Up to 20% of the final blend; often co-fermented with Syrah grapes.
Viognier adds aromatic complexity to the power of the Syrah.

Question 30

Name the 2 AOPs located on the left bank in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 30

1 Hermitage AOP
2 Crozes-Hermitage AOP

Remember that the banks of a river are named “left” or “right” according to the directional flow of that river. The Rhône River flows from north to south and so, drifting downstream, Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage will appear on your left. Ergo, they are located on the left bank.

Question 31

The Rhône River takes a west-to-east turn at the village of Tain l’Hermitage. In terms of exposure, what does this do for the hill of Hermitage?

Answer 31

This turn in the river gives the hill of Hermitage a full southerly exposure, giving the grapes all-day sun.

Question 32

What styles of wine can be made in Hermitage AOP?

Answer 32

Still white and red only from Syrah, Roussanne and Marsanne.
While white grapes are allowed to be blended in red Hermitage, today most of the white grapes are vinified into white wines.

Question 33

Are Hermitage wines well suited for aging, or are they generally made for early consumption?

Answer 33

Hermitage wines are meant to be aged. They are concentrated and tight in their youth, and need time for the tannins to soften.

Hermitage from classic vintages should be aged at least 5-10 years; some may be cellared for to up 50 years.

Question 34

What is the name of the howling, cold northerly wind in the Rhône Valley?

Answer 34

The Mistral

Question 35

What are the advantages of the Mistral in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 35

・The strong wind keeps vineyards dry and prevents mold and mildew, keeping grapes disease- and rot-free;
・Helps grapes maintain bright acidity;
・Cools down the temperature at night.

Question 36

What is a disadvantage of the Mistral in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 36

The wind is so strong it can easily strike down a free cane, so vines are supported with individual or tepee-like stakes (creating more work in the vineyard).

Fun Fact: Le Mistral can blow up to 100 km/h (62 mph).

Question 37

What is a disadvantage of the Mistral in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 37

The wind is so strong it can easily strike down a free cane, so vines are supported with individual or tepee-like stakes (creating more work in the vineyard).

Fun Fact: Le Mistral can blow up to 100 km/h (62 mph).

Question 38

Wines labelled under the Côtes-du-Rhône AOP are mostly sourced from the Northern or the Southern part of the Rhône Valley?

Answer 38

Southern Rhône

Question 39

Which is cooler: the Northern Rhône or the Southern Rhône?

Answer 39

Northern Rhône