Northern Rhône Flashcards

1
Q

From what must Cornas be made?

A

100% Syrah

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2
Q

Which 2 cru appellations are the largest in Northern Rhône?

A
  • Saint-Joseph

- Crozes-Hermitage

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3
Q

In Crozes-Hermitage, where would these wines come from:

1) Light, high volume
2) Concentrated, complex, tannic

A

1) Flat plains in the south

2) Steep slopes in the north

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4
Q

Can Viognier from Northern Rhône mature in new oak?

A

Yes, but winemakers must be careful not to let it overwhelm fruit flavours

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5
Q

What are ‘Lieux-Dits’?

A

‘Names Sites’ into which Hermitage is divided, but which are not part of the appellation system

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6
Q

Which Northern Rhône wine:

  • Deep colour
  • Full body
  • Spicy
  • Aromatic floral freshness
  • Textural elegance
A

Côte Rôtie Syrah

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7
Q

What type of oak is used for Northern Rhône Syrah?

A

New or old - depends on the producer

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8
Q

Why are white grapes blended with Syrah in Northern Rhône?

2 points

A

1) Help stabilise colour extraction from red grapes

2) Add extra aromatic intensity (especially Viognier)

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9
Q

Which is the warmest cru in the Northern Rhône?

A

Cornas

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10
Q

What is the climate of the Northern Rhône?

A

Moderate continental

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11
Q

Which Northern Rhône variety:

  • Full body
  • Perfumed blossom, apricot
  • Stone fruit
  • Low acidity
  • High alcohol
A

Viognier

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12
Q

Which single property appellation within Condrieu produces wines in a similar style to the larger area?

A

Château-Grillet

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13
Q

Where are the best vineyards in Cornas?

A

On the sun-baked south-facing slopes of the many lateral valleys there

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14
Q

What accounts for the vast majority of production in Saint-Joseph?

A

Reds made from Syrah

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15
Q

Which 2 varieties account for approximately 20% or Hermitage’s production?

A

Marsanne and Roussanne, as a while blend

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16
Q

What determines quality, style and price in Crozes-Hermitage?

A

The location of the vineyards

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17
Q

Where do the best wines in Saint-Joseph comes from?

2 places

A

1) The terraced vineyards near Tournon

2) Just south of Condrieu

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18
Q

What is the most northerly appellation of the Northern Rhône, situated around the town of Ampuis?

A

Côte Rôtie

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19
Q

Though generic Côtes du Rhône can theoretically be made in the Northern Rhône, where do most wines come from?

A

One of the cru appellations

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20
Q

Which Northern Rhône wines lack intensity of aromas, but age well and develop complex hazelnut aromas?

A

Marsanne and Roussanne blends

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21
Q

In Crozes-Hermitage, what are the vineyard sites like:

1) North of Hermitage
2) South of Hermitage

A

1) On slopes around the hill of Hermitage

2) On a flat plain

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22
Q

What are the 2 premium varieties grown in the Northern Rhône?

A

1) Syrah

2) Viognier - Small production

23
Q

What appellation has the highest volume production of the Northern Rhône?

A

Crozes-Hermitage

24
Q

What is the growing situation for the best wines from Condrieu?

(2 points)

A

1) Low yielding old vines

2) Steep, well-exposed terraces

25
Q

What is the only Northern Rhône cru to make wine from 100% Syrah?

A

Cornas

26
Q

What are the 3 white varieties of the Northern Rhône?

A

1) Viognier
2) Marsanne
3) Roussanne

27
Q

What sort of wines are made in the flat, fertile valley floor of Saint-Joseph?

(3 points)

A
  • Large volume
  • Light body
  • Elements made using carbonic maceration
28
Q

What is the Rhône Valley like topographically in its north?

A

Narrow and steep

29
Q

What creates subtle differences between Lieux-Dits in Hermitage?

A

Variations in steepness and aspect between sites

30
Q

What technique was traditionally practised in many Northern Rhône crus, but is now rare?

A

Fermenting Syrah with white varieties

31
Q

In what style are a small number of wines made from Northern Rhône Viognier?

A

Off-dry, from late harvest grapes

32
Q

Where are the best vineyard sites in the Northern Rhône?

A

On steep, south-facing slopes close to the river

33
Q

What grapes may be added to Crozes-Hermitage Syrah, and up to what % of the final wine are they allowed to constitute?

A

1) Marsanne and Roussanne

2) 15%

34
Q

Which Northern Rhône appellation runs along the western bank from Condrieu to Tournon?

A

Saint-Joseph

35
Q

What do these grapes offer to a blend (they are usually blended together):

1) Marsanne
2) Roussanne

A

1) Richness and weight

2) Acidity and perfumes fruit

36
Q

What would you expect from a Northern Rhône Syrah in terms of:

1) Colour
2) Tannin
3) Fruit
4) Other aromas

A

1) Deep
2) Medium to high
3) Black fruit
4) Black pepper; floral

37
Q

What is the only style of wine produced in the Côte Rôtie?

A

Red

38
Q

What grape may be blended with Syrah in the Côte Rôtie, and up to what % of the final wine?

A
  • Viognier

- 20%

39
Q

Why does Northern Rhône Viognier tend to have low acidity and high alcohol?

A

The grapes only develop heir signature flavours late in the growing season, by which time sugars are high

40
Q

What is the only wine allowed to be made in Condrieu?

A

Viognier

41
Q

Why are the most prized Northern Rhône sites for Syrah on steep south-facing slopes?

A

It is at the very northern limit of where Syrah can successfully ripen so it needs the extra warmth and sunlight

42
Q

Why must Viognier be handled with particular care in Northern Rhône wineries?

A

The wine can develop on overtly oily character which overwhelms varietal fruit flavours

43
Q

What are the 6 main appellations of the Northern Rhône, from north to south?

A
  • Côte Rôtie
  • Condrieu
  • Saint-Joseph
  • Crozes-Hermitage
  • Hermitage
  • Cornas
44
Q

How are vines supported on the steep slopes of the Northern Rhône?

A

1) Individual stakes

2) Teepee-like arrangements of stakes

45
Q

Which is generally the fullest-bodied Northern Rhône Syrah?

A

Hermitage

46
Q

Which Northern Rhône wine:

  • Lightest body
  • Pepper
  • Perfumed
A

High-volume Syrah from Saint-Joseph

47
Q

How many black grape varieties are permitted in the Northern Rhône?

A

One - Syrah

48
Q

Where is Hermitage located?

A

On a steep south-facing slope behind the town of Tain-l’Hermitage

49
Q

What are the vineyards in lateral valleys feeding into the Rhône protected from?

A

The Mistral

50
Q

Other than Syrah, what wines can be made in Saint-Joseph?

A

Whites from Marsanne and Roussanne

51
Q

What does ‘Côte Rôtie’ translate as?

Why is it called this?

A
  • Roasted Slope

- It has lots of hot sun exposure

52
Q

Which varieties may be fermented with Syrah in Hermitage?

What % of it is allowed?

A
  • Marsanne and Roussanne

- Up to 15%

53
Q

Are any white wines produced in Crozes-Hermitage?

A

Yes