NORTHERN RHONE Flashcards
What is the climate in the Northern Rhone?
Moderate, Continental
What are the geographic characteristics of the Northern Rhone?
Steep slopes running along the Rhone river
With the steep slopes of the Northern Rhone, what harvesting method is most used?
Hand harvesting is required for steep slopes
What are the main weather/ climate challenges for the Northern Rhone? What can occur?
The Mistral winds are the biggest challenge, causing coulure during the spring or uprooting young vines.
What is the wind called that blows through the Rhone Valley? What temperature is it?
The mistral winds. The mistral wind is a cool wind from the north (English channel)
What black grapes are grown in Northern Rhone?
Syrah is the only black varietal permitted in N. Rhone
What are the characteristics of Syrah? (flavour, body, skin, etc)
Syrah is a thick-skinned grape which produces med-high tannin wines with med-high acid.
Flavour profile of Syrah is black pepper and black fruit
What white grape is sometimes blended with Syrah in Northern Rhone?
Viognier
What white grapes are grown in Northern Rhone (3)?
Viognier, Marsanne and Rousanne
What are the characteristics of Viognier? (flavour, body, acid, alch% etc)
Full-Body white wines with aroma and flavour of apricot and stone fruit. Low acid and high alcohol.
What 2 white varietals are usually blended together in Northern Rhone? Why?
Marsanne and Rousanne. Marsanne proivides body and Rousanne provides acid and fruit aromas
What are the 6 main regions in Northern Rhone?
1). Cote Rotie
2). Condrieu
3). Saint-Joseph
4). Hermitage
5). Crozes-Hermitage
6). Cornas
What is the generic label for the Rhone Valley?
Cotes du Rhone
What wines are produced in Cote Rotie? What are their characteristics?
Only red wines (syrah) are produced in Cote Rotie (20% of viognier may be added). Full-bodied and spicy
What is Condrieu known for?
White wines made from Viognier.
