Northern Rhone Flashcards
where is the Northern Rhone located?
at the base of Beaujolais, 75 miles north of Avignon
what is the climate of the northern rhone?
continental climate
what is the Mistral wind?
a climatic element of the southern rhone and provence that blows down from the massif central, affects northern rhone in winter and spring
what does the mistral wind do to vineyards in Northern Rhone?
vines become bent by the wind therefore leaning southward, the wind dries the vineyards and prevents mold and mildew from taking hold
what soils are found in the Northern Rhone?
heat retaining granite and schist, fine sand and loess topsoil, clay
how are the vineyards organized in northern rhone?
on steep slope, terraced vineyards
what is mica?
also known as arzelle, thin topsoil consisting of powdery and decomposed pieces, found in condrieu
what appellations in the Northern Rhone have clay soils?
Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Peray
what is the dominant red variety in the northern rhone?
Syrah
Northern Rhone AOPs
Hermitage AOP, Crozes-Hermitage AOP, Cornas AOP, Cote Rotie AOP, Saint Joseph AOP, Saint-Peray AOP, Condrieu AOP, Chateau Grillet AOP, Coteau de die/ Creamant de Die AOP
Hermitage AOP
Syrah but can add up to 15% marsanne and rousanne (combined)
Crozes-Hermitage AOP
syrah but can add up to 15% marsanne and rousanne (combined) same as hermitage
Cornas AOP
100% syrah
Cote Rotie AOP
Syrah but up to 20% viognier can be added
Saint Joseph AOP
Syrah but can add up to 10% marsanne and rousanne
what is the northernmost appellation in the northern rhone?
Cote rotie
what does cote rotie mean?
roasted slope
what is the largest producer in Cote Rotie?
E Guigal
What are the 2 most important communes/ vineyards in cote rotie?
Cote Brune and Cote Blonde
what cru was bottled as a vineyard designate by Guigal in which the prices can match those of first growth Bordeaux?
La Landonne
what is the village within Hermitage?
Tain l’Hermitage
4 main producers in Northern Rhone?
Jean Louis Chave, Delas, M. Chapoutier, Jaboulet
what is the name of Jaboulet’s premier wine?
La chappelle
what are the climats of Hermitage?
Le Meal, Les Bessards, Greffiex, Beaume, Peleat
what styles of wine are permitted in Hermitage?
reds, whites, and vin de paille
how does crozes hermitage differ from Hermitage?
crozes hermitage wines are generally lighter and less ageworthy than hermitage
what are the four lieu-dits of Cornas?
Les reynards, La COte, Les Chaillot, Les Mazards
what is the smallest red wine appellation in the northern rhone?
Cornas
Main producer in Cornas who is the standard for cornas wines?
August Clape, known for whole cluster fermentation and use of new oak barriques
what are the two appellations in northern rhone that produce only red wines?
Cornas and Cote Rotie
what wines are made in Saint-Peray AOP?
sparkling and still whites exclusively produced from marsanne and rousanne
Condrieu AOP
100% viognier
Chateau Grillet AOP
100% viognier
Major villages of Northern Rhone
Vienne, Ampius, Condrieu, Tain l’Hermitage, Cornas, St. Peray, Valence
