Northern Rhone Flashcards
There is little room for vineyard expansion in Condrieu and Cote Rotie so many young producers have been planting vine where?
In Seyssuel on the opposite side of the river
Does the Northern Rhone experience more or less rainfall than the Southern Rhone?
More
What are the 3 communes of production in the Cote Rotie?
- Ampuis
- Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône
- Tupin-Semons
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Cote Rotie wines?
10.5%
What is the soil type of the Cote Blonde?
- gneiss
- sand
- limestone
What is the soil type of the Cote Brune
Mica-schistous rock and heavier clay
Who is the largest producer in the Cote Rotie?
E. Guigal
Which commune is considered the heart of Cote Rotie?
Ampuis
Where is the majority of Viognier in Cote Rotie planted?
Cote Blonde. Viognier does not flourish in the heavy clay based soils of the Cote Brune
What are Guigal’s famous LaLa Wines?
- La Mouline (89% syrah)
- La Turque (93% syrah)
- La Landonne (100% syrah)
Which of Guigal’s LaLa wines is 100% syrah?
La Landonne
What is the oak regime for Guigal’s LaLa wines?
42 months in new French oak
Name two of the most famous vineyards of the Cote Blonde?
- La Mouline (exclusively Guigal)
- La Chatillonne (marketed under Vidal-Fleury owned by Guigal)
- La Garde (managed by Rene Rostaing)
- Le Clos
Name two of the most famous vineyards of the Cote Brune?
- La Viaillere (partially owned by Dervieux-Thaize manged by Rene Rostaing)
- La Landonne (Guigal and Rostaing the major proprietors)
- La Chevaliere (Several growers)
- La Turque(Guigal)
- Les Grandes Places (Clusel Roche, JM Gerin)
Which departements does Condrieu occupy?
- Rhône
- Ardèche
- Loire
What are the 3 original communes of production in Condrieu?
- Condrieu
- Vérin
- Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône
In what year were 4 additional communes added to the original 3 of Condrieu? What are they?
1967
- Limony
- Chavanay
- Malleval
- Saint Pierre de Bouef
What is the minimum potential alcohol for Condrieu wines?
11.5%
What is the primary soil type in Condrieu?
Decomposed Granite
What is the only wine style allowed in Condrieu?
White wines from 100% Viognier
The most favoured vineyards in Condrieu have a powdery mica rich topsoil locally know as?
Arzelle
Who is the current owner of Chateau Grillet?
Francois Pinault since 2011
Which vineyard sites in Condrieu are known for their Arzelle soils?
- Chery
- Chanson
- Cote Bonnette
- Les Eyguets
Côteau de Vernon and Les Chaillées de l’Enfer are two famous cuvees made what which producer?
George Vernay
Name Guigal’s premium Condrieu wine
La Doriane
What is the size of Chateau Grillet?
3.8 Hectares
In what Département is Hermitage located?
Drome
What styles of wine are allowed in Hermitage?
- Dry White (marsanne/rousanne)
- Dry Red (syrah with a max 15% combined marsanne/rousanne)
- Vin de Paille (marsanne/rousanne)
Minimum potential alcohol for red Hermitage?
10.5%
Minimum potential alcohol for Hermitage Blanc?
11%
What are the principal soils of Hermitage?
granite with topsoils of mica, schist and gneiss
When was the Hermitage AOC established?
1937
Name 3 major Lieu Dits of Hermitage
Les Grandes Vignes
L’Hermite
Varogne
Les Vercandières
Les Bessards
Les Diognières
Les Beaumes
Le Méal
Les Murets
La Croix
Péleat
Les Rocoules
La Pierelle
Les Greffieux
Maison Blanche
L’Homme
Torras et les Garennes
What is the Aspect of the Hermitage Hill?
South facing
Who is Gaspard de Sterimberg?
The legendary Crusader-turned-hermit who lived a life of asceticism atop the Hermitage hill.
What 2 main towns are closest to the Hermitage Hill?
- Tain l’Hermitage
- Tournon-sur-Loire
How many hills does the Hermitage appellation consist of?
3
The largest granite covered dome of Hermitage with the most significant gradient is home to which vineyards?
- Les Bessards
- L’Hermite
- Le Meal
- Les Greffieux
Travelling east of the largest dome in Hermitage is the second hill which has a slightly lower elevation. Which vineyards are found here?
- Maison Blanche
- Les Baumes
- Les Rocoules
- Peleat
The third major hill of Hermitage has the lowest elevation, Which noteworthy vineyards are located here?
- Les Murets
- Les Diognieres
- La Croix
What are the characteristics of the Les Bessards vineyard?
- One of the largest vineyards located at the most western end of the appellation
- Pure granite base and topsoil of decomposed granite and sandy gravel
- Produce the richest, most concentrated, and powerful of the appellation
Name some famous wines produced from the Les Bessards vineyard
- Chapoutier’s La Pavillon
- Plays a large role in Chave’s Hermitage (including a principal component in Cuvee Cathelin)
- Plays a lesser role in Jaboulet’s La Chapelle
What are the characteristics of the L’Hermite vineyard?
- Situated at the top of the largest hill, straddling Les Bessards and Le Meal
- Soil here contains significant iron
- Makes wines that are tannic and powerful yet they retain a sense of elegance and finesse
Who is known to be an outspoken advocate of biodynamic farming in Hermitage?
Michel Chapoutier
Who producers Hermitage Cuvee de l’Oree and what is the assemblage?
Chapoutier
100% Marsanne from ancient vines in Le Meal
Who produces Cuvee Cathelin? What was its debut vintage?
Chave
1990
What is the assemblage of cuvee Cathelin?
100% Syrah with a large percentage coming from Les Bessards
Who makes Hermitage La Chappelle?
Paul Jaboulet-Aine
Where does the fruit for Hermitage La Chappelle come from?
Primarily from Les Bessards and Le Meal
Who Makes Chevalier de Sterimberg and what is the assemblage?
Paul Jaboulet Aine. Does change but roughly
50% Marsanne
50% Rousanne
List 3 communes of production in Crozes Hermitage?
Beaumont-Monteux,
Chanos-Curson,
Crozes-Hermitage,
Erôme,
Gervans,
Larnage,
Mercurol,
Pont-de-l’Isère,
La Roche-de-Glun,
Serves-sur-Rhône
Tain-l’Hermitage
What is the famous wine made by Paul Jaboulet from Crozes Hermitage?
Domaine de Thalabert
What is the only commune of production in Cornas?
Cornas
What styles of wine are allowed in the Cornas AOP?
Red wines from 100% Syrah
Principal soil types of Cornas
Granite (gore)
What is the trademark style of August Clape?
- stem inclusion
- no new oak
What styles of wine are allowed in Saint Peray?
- dry white based in marsanne/rousanne
- blanc mousseux (trad. method)
What are the ageing requirements for Blanc Mousseux in Saint Peray?
May be released after 12 months of age from the date of tirage (no min lees time stated)
What grape variety is allowed in Coteaux de Die?
100% Clairette
What grape varieties are allowed in Cremant de Die?
Min 55% Clairette
Min 10% Aligote
5 - 10% muscat Blanc a Petits grains is allowed
What are the production and ageing requirements for Cremant de Die?
- Traditional method secondary fermentation
- Wines must spend a minimum of 9 months on the less and may not be released for a minimum of 12 months after the date of tirage
- Min 3.5 atmospheres of pressure
- Max 15g/l of residual sugar
What wine styles are allowed in Chatillon-en-Diois?
Blanc: Chardonnay and Aligote
Rouge: min 75% Gamay, plus Pinot Noir and Syrah
Rose: min 75% Gamay, plus Pinot Noir and Syrah
Name the 4 minor appellations of the Northern Rhone
- Clairette de Die
- Cremant de Die
- Coteaux de Die
- Chatillon-en-Diois
What styles of wine are allowed in Saint Joseph AOP?
White: from Marsanne and Roussanne
Red: 90% Syrah with 10% Marsanne and or Rousanne allowed
What is the minimum potential alcohol for wines from Saint Joseph?
10.5%
What are the primary soil types of Saint Joseph?
schist, gneiss over granite bedrock
Name the 6 original communes of Saint Joseph
- Glun
- Mauves
- Tournon
- St-Jean-de-Muzols
- Lemps
- Vion
List 4 major Lieux dits of Cornas
- Reynard
- Chaillot
- La Cote
- Les Mezards
- Thezier
- Le Pigeonnier
- La Geynale
- Cayret
- Sauman
- Champelrose
- Les Saveaux Nord/Sud
- Les Cotes
- Patou
What is the max yield in Cote Rotie?
40 hl/ha
In what regions of production is Guigal located?
- Cote Rotie
- Condrieu
- Hermitage
- St Joseph
- Crozes Hermitage
Where is Jamet located?
Ampuis, Cote Rotie
Who Produces La Guiraud?
Alain Graillot
Where is August Clape located?
Cornas
JL Chave has vineyard holdings in what 3 AOPs?
- Hermitage
- Crozes Hermitage
- St Joseph
Where is Thierry Allemand located?
Cornas
What is the allowed RS for ancestral method Clairette de Die AOP?
min 35 g/L
What percentage of marsanne/rousanne is allowed in Crozes Hermitage?
15%
What is the aspect of Cote Rotie?
South eastern facing
What is the min abv for red wine of the Northern Rhone?
10.5%
What is the minimum must weight for Hermitage AOP vin de paille?
170 g/L before drying
350 g/L after drying a min 45 days
What is the max yield in Condrieu?
41 hl/ha
What is the assemblage of St Joseph rouge?
- min 90% syrah
- max 10% marsanne/rousanne
What white grapes make up Hermitage Blanc?
- marsanne
- rousanne
Where is Pierre Gonon located?
Mauves, St Joseph
What Jaboulet wine is named for the hermit Gaspard de Sterimberg?
La Chapelle
Wines from Clairette de Die AOP may be made by what 2 methods?
- Traditional method
- Ancestral method
What is the smallest red wine appellation in the northern rhone?
Cornas
What is the maximum percentage of viognier that can be added to red wine from Cote Rotie?
20%
What is the minimum lees aging for Clairette de Die AOP?
- 9 months for trad. method
- 4 months for ancestral method
Who built the hallmark terraces of the northern rhone?
Romans
What French wine region used to bulk up their wines with the addition of Hermitage wines in the 18th and 19th centuries?
Bordeaux
What are the permitted training methods in Crozes Hermitage AOP?
- cordon du royat
- gobelet
Which of the three La Las is the only one that does not come from a monopole?
La Landonne
List 3 producers who bottle a vineyard designated La Landonne
- Guigal
- Rene Rostaing
- Delas
- Jean Michel Gerin
- Xavier Gerard
- Jamet
Which Northern Rhone producer also makes brandy?
Chateau Grillet
Name one producer who makes a Vin de Paille
- Chave
- Guigal
- Chapoutier (no longer produced)
What is the fourth (and newest) of Guigal’s “lalas?”
La Reynarde (2022)
What is the local name for the terraces in the Cote Blonde?
Chaillees
What is the river that influences Clairette de Die AOP and Chatillons de Diois AOP?
Drome