Northern Rhône Flashcards
From what must Cornas be made?
100% Syrah
Which 2 cru appellations are the largest in Northern Rhône?
- Saint-Joseph
- Crozes-Hermitage
In Crozes-Hermitage, where would these wines come from:
1) Light, high volume
2) Concentrated, complex, tannic
1) Flat plains in the south
2) Steep slopes in the north
Can Viognier from Northern Rhône mature in new oak?
Yes, but winemakers must be careful not to let it overwhelm fruit flavours
What are ‘Lieux-Dits’?
‘Names Sites’ into which Hermitage is divided, but which are not part of the appellation system
Which Northern Rhône wine:
- Deep colour
- Full body
- Spicy
- Aromatic floral freshness
- Textural elegance
Côte Rôtie Syrah
What type of oak is used for Northern Rhône Syrah?
New or old - depends on the producer
Why are white grapes blended with Syrah in Northern Rhône?
2 points
1) Help stabilise colour extraction from red grapes
2) Add extra aromatic intensity (especially Viognier)
Which is the warmest cru in the Northern Rhône?
Cornas
What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?
Moderate continental
Which Northern Rhône variety:
- Full body
- Perfumed blossom, apricot
- Stone fruit
- Low acidity
- High alcohol
Viognier
Which single property appellation within Condrieu produces wines in a similar style to the larger area?
Château-Grillet
Where are the best vineyards in Cornas?
On the sun-baked south-facing slopes of the many lateral valleys there
What accounts for the vast majority of production in Saint-Joseph?
Reds made from Syrah
Which 2 varieties account for approximately 20% or Hermitage’s production?
Marsanne and Roussanne, as a while blend
What determines quality, style and price in Crozes-Hermitage?
The location of the vineyards
Where do the best wines in Saint-Joseph comes from?
2 places
1) The terraced vineyards near Tournon
2) Just south of Condrieu
What is the most northerly appellation of the Northern Rhône, situated around the town of Ampuis?
Côte Rôtie
Though generic Côtes du Rhône can theoretically be made in the Northern Rhône, where do most wines come from?
One of the cru appellations
Which Northern Rhône wines lack intensity of aromas, but age well and develop complex hazelnut aromas?
Marsanne and Roussanne blends
In Crozes-Hermitage, what are the vineyard sites like:
1) North of Hermitage
2) South of Hermitage
1) On slopes around the hill of Hermitage
2) On a flat plain
What are the 2 premium varieties grown in the Northern Rhône?
1) Syrah
2) Viognier - Small production
What appellation has the highest volume production of the Northern Rhône?
Crozes-Hermitage
What is the growing situation for the best wines from Condrieu?
(2 points)
1) Low yielding old vines
2) Steep, well-exposed terraces
What is the only Northern Rhône cru to make wine from 100% Syrah?
Cornas
What are the 3 white varieties of the Northern Rhône?
1) Viognier
2) Marsanne
3) Roussanne
What sort of wines are made in the flat, fertile valley floor of Saint-Joseph?
(3 points)
- Large volume
- Light body
- Elements made using carbonic maceration
What is the Rhône Valley like topographically in its north?
Narrow and steep
What creates subtle differences between Lieux-Dits in Hermitage?
Variations in steepness and aspect between sites
What technique was traditionally practised in many Northern Rhône crus, but is now rare?
Fermenting Syrah with white varieties
In what style are a small number of wines made from Northern Rhône Viognier?
Off-dry, from late harvest grapes
Where are the best vineyard sites in the Northern Rhône?
On steep, south-facing slopes close to the river
What grapes may be added to Crozes-Hermitage Syrah, and up to what % of the final wine are they allowed to constitute?
1) Marsanne and Roussanne
2) 15%
Which Northern Rhône appellation runs along the western bank from Condrieu to Tournon?
Saint-Joseph
What do these grapes offer to a blend (they are usually blended together):
1) Marsanne
2) Roussanne
1) Richness and weight
2) Acidity and perfumes fruit
What would you expect from a Northern Rhône Syrah in terms of:
1) Colour
2) Tannin
3) Fruit
4) Other aromas
1) Deep
2) Medium to high
3) Black fruit
4) Black pepper; floral
What is the only style of wine produced in the Côte Rôtie?
Red
What grape may be blended with Syrah in the Côte Rôtie, and up to what % of the final wine?
- Viognier
- 20%
Why does Northern Rhône Viognier tend to have low acidity and high alcohol?
The grapes only develop heir signature flavours late in the growing season, by which time sugars are high
What is the only wine allowed to be made in Condrieu?
Viognier
Why are the most prized Northern Rhône sites for Syrah on steep south-facing slopes?
It is at the very northern limit of where Syrah can successfully ripen so it needs the extra warmth and sunlight
Why must Viognier be handled with particular care in Northern Rhône wineries?
The wine can develop on overtly oily character which overwhelms varietal fruit flavours
What are the 6 main appellations of the Northern Rhône, from north to south?
- Côte Rôtie
- Condrieu
- Saint-Joseph
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Hermitage
- Cornas
How are vines supported on the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône?
1) Individual stakes
2) Teepee-like arrangements of stakes
Which is generally the fullest-bodied Northern Rhône Syrah?
Hermitage
Which Northern Rhône wine:
- Lightest body
- Pepper
- Perfumed
High-volume Syrah from Saint-Joseph
How many black grape varieties are permitted in the Northern Rhône?
One - Syrah
Where is Hermitage located?
On a steep south-facing slope behind the town of Tain-l’Hermitage
What are the vineyards in lateral valleys feeding into the Rhône protected from?
The Mistral
Other than Syrah, what wines can be made in Saint-Joseph?
Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne
What does ‘Côte Rôtie’ translate as?
Why is it called this?
- Roasted Slope
- It has lots of hot sun exposure
Which varieties may be fermented with Syrah in Hermitage?
What % of it is allowed?
- Marsanne and Roussanne
- Up to 15%
Are any white wines produced in Crozes-Hermitage?
Yes
