NORTHERN RHONE

Question 1

What is the major body of water that runs from north to south through the Rhone?

Answer 1

The Rhone River

Question 2

What are the two major areas of Rhone?

Answer 2

1) Northern Rhone- Rhone Septentionale
2) Southern Rhone- Rhone Meridionel

Question 3

What is the only red grape variety that is allowed in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 3

Syrah (Shiraz in other parts of the world)

Question 4

What is the climate type of Northern Rhone?

Answer 4

Continental

Question 5

What is the soil of Northern Rhone?

Answer 5

Granite Slopes

Question 6

What is the main white varietal of Northern Rhone?

Answer 6

Viognier

Question 7

Which region in Northern Rhone is allowed to produce 100% Viognier?

Answer 7

• Condrieu
• Château Grillet- Monopole (Artemis)

Question 8

True or False Viognier is used for red blends in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 8

• True (E.G. Côte-Rotie)
• *Viognier is added— Historically, in poor years, over mature Viognier acted as a natural chaptalisation to the wines when it was added to Syrah.
• *Also when co-fermented together, Viognier helps stabilise the colour of Syrah.

Question 9

In the Northern Rhone which direction does the Vines face?

Answer 9

South, so that they can maximize direct sunlight and ripeness

Question 10

Which region produces only red wines made from Syrah and up to 20 percent Viognier?

Answer 10

Côte-Rotie

Question 11

What is the Wind Influence that Northern Rhone recieves?

Answer 11

• Le Mistral- A Cold dry north wind or northwest wind, which blows down through the Rhone Valley to the Mediterranean. Can reach speeds of 90Km/H. -The winds protects the vines from mildew/mold.

Question 12

What are the names of the 3 Single Vineyards that are produced by Guigal in Côte - Rôtie?

Answer 12

1) La Landonne
2) La Mouline
3) La Turque

Also called “LA-LA” Wines

Question 13

What are the names of the two sub designations/famous slopes of Côte Rôtie?

Answer 13

• Côte Brunes (More tannic and more powerful)
• Côte de Blondes (More elegant and racy)

Question 14

What type of wines does the region of Hermitage produce?

Answer 14

• Blanc
• Rouge
• Vin de Paille (Blanc)

Question 15

What is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 15

• Saint-Joseph ( second is Crozes-Hermitage)

Question 16

Name the Northern Rhone Appellations:

Answer 16

Question 17

Which region produces only red wine style from 100% Syrah variety?

Answer 17

• Cornas AOP

Question 18

What region of the Northern Rhone produces white sparkling wines?

Answer 18

• Saint-Peray

Question 19

Who is the owner of “LA CHAPELLE” vineyard of Hermitage?

Answer 19

• Paul Jaboulet Aine

Question 20

What is the style and grape variety of Saint-Joseph AOP?

Answer 20

Red/Rouge: Syrah + 10% Roussanne & Marssane

White/Blanc: Roussane & Marsanne

Question 21

What is the style and grape variety of Crozes-Hermitage AOP?

Answer 21

Red/Rouge: Syrah + 15% Roussanne & Marsanne

White/Blanc: Roussanne & Marsanne

Question 22

Name some important Northern Rhone wine producers:

Answer 22

• Marcel Guigal
• Michel Chapoutier (Biodynamic Viticulture)
• Paul Jaboulet Aine

Question 23

What is the style and grape variety of Hermitage AOP?

Answer 23

White/Blanc: Roussanne & Marsanne

Red/Rouge: Syrah + 15% Roussanne & Marsanne

Vin de Paille(Blanc): Roussanne & Marssanne

Question 24

What is the style and grape variety of Saint-Peray AOP?

Answer 24

• White Still & Sparkling wine made by the méthode traditionnelle: Roussanne & Marsanne

Question 25

Which Northern Rhone appellation produces light dry sparkling wine from 100% Clairette grape?

Answer 25

• Crèmant de Die

Question 26

What appellations in the Northern Rhone produces wines with Syrah plus a max of 15% Marsanne and Roussane?

Answer 26

• Hermitage AOP & Crozes-Hermitage AOP

Question 27

What regions in the northern Rhone make red and white wines?

Answer 27

• Saint-Joseph AOP
• Hermitage AOP
• Crozes-Hermitage AOP
• Châtillon-en-Diois AOP

Question 28

What is the largest appellation of the Rhone Valley?

Answer 28

• Côte-du-Rhone

Question 29

What is the style and grape variety of Clairrette de Die AOP?

Answer 29

• Blanc Mousseux (Méthode Traditionnelle): Clairette
• Méthode Dioise Ancestrale: min. 75% Muscat à Petits Grains plus Clairette

Question 30

Where is Châtillon-en-Diois AOP located?
What is the style and grape variety produced in this AOP?

Answer 30

​LOCATION: Northern Rhone

• Blanc: Chardonnay and Aligoté
• Rouge: min. 75% Gamay, plus Pinot Noir and Syrah
• Rosé: min. 75% Gamay, plus Pinot Noir and Syrah

Question 31

What appellation produces white wines from 100% Clairette variety?

Answer 31

• Coteaux de Die AOP

Question 32

What is the smallest appellation od Northern Rhone?

Answer 32

• Cornas AOP

Question 33

What is the name of the single vineyard Viognier of Guigal?

Answer 33

• Doriane

Question 34

Who is the local hero of Cornas AOP?

Answer 34

• Auguste Clape (known for eschewing destemming for whole cluster fermentation and new oak barrique said for the old Demi - Muids of the region)

Question 35

What is unique about the fermentation in the Northern Rhone Valley?

Answer 35

• Co-fermentation or blending of small percentages of white grapes with Syrah