Northern Rhone

Question 1

where are many of the vineyards situated in Northern Rhone

Answer 1

on steep slopes next to the River Rhone between Vienne in the north and Valence in the south.

Question 2

Where is the home to many premium wines in Rhone?

Answer 2

in the north despite them being very low in production

Question 3

where are the vineyards planted in N. Rhone?

Answer 3

mainly planted close to the river where the best site occupy steep slopes with a south facing aspect. often lie in lateral valleys that feed into the Rhone. which protect them from the cold north winds

Question 4

what is mistral?

Answer 4

cold north wind in Rhone which can easily damage vines.

Question 5

how are vines supported in Rhone

Answer 5

either by stakes or tepee like arrangement of stakes.

Question 6

describe the climate of Rhone

Answer 6

similar to Beaujolais, moderate and continental, temperatures noticeably cooler in southern Rhone

Question 7

what red varietal is Rhone known for?

Answer 7

Syrah - only black one permitted in N. Rhone

Question 8

what white wine varietal is Rhone known for?q

Answer 8

Viognier

Question 9

Describe sites for Syrah in Rhone

Answer 9

prized sites have southerly exposures and are on very steep slopes.

Question 10

what makes Syrah hard to grow in Rhone

Answer 10

its at the northern most limit of where it can ripen successfully and at the latitude with the cooling effect of the mistral

Question 11

Describe characteristics of Syrah in Rhone

Answer 11

deeply colored, med to high levels of tannin, black fruit and sometimes black pepper or floral aromas.

Question 12

describe the use of oak in N. Rhone

Answer 12

some use high proportion of new oak for their best wines where others use older oak or larger barrels.

Question 13

Is Syrah blended with white wines?

Answer 13

traditionally it was esp in a number of crus, which would help stabilize the color. Viognier can add extra aromatics to the wine. However, this is rarely done now.

Question 14

what characteristics of a wine does Voigner make

Answer 14

full bodied white with perfumed aromas of blossom and apricot and flavors of stone fruit. tend to be low in acidity and high in alcohol as they don’t develop their signature flavors until late in the season when they have reached high level of sugar ripeness.

Question 15

what happens to Voigner grapes if they not carefully handled?

Answer 15

they will develop an overly oily character that can overwhelm the varietal aromas.

Question 16

what type of oak is used for Voigner grapes

Answer 16

new oak is increasingly being used but has to be handled carefully not to overwhelm primary aromas.

Question 17

What are two other white varietals that are often blended in N. Rhone besides Voigner?

Answer 17

Marsanne and Roussanne

Question 18

describe the differences between Marsanne and Roussane?

Answer 18

Marsanne has richness and weight where Roussanne offers acidity and a perfumed fruit characteristic - both can age well and develop aromas such as hazelnut

Question 19

where do most of the wines in the N. Rhone region come from?

Answer 19

one of the cru appellations

Question 20

what are the most northerly appellations in Rhone Valley?

Answer 20

Cote Rotie (around the town of Ampuis)

Question 21

what does Cote Rotie translate into?

Answer 21

Roasted Slope

Question 22

what type of wines are produced in Cote Rotie

Answer 22

only red wines are produced however up to 20% of Voignier can be added.

Question 23

Describe the characteristic of a Cote Rotie wine

Answer 23

deeply colored, full bodied, spicy, and the best ones have an aromatic floral freshness textural elegance that distinguishes it from Hermitage.

Question 24

What is Condrieu?

Answer 24

white wine made solely of Voignier.

Question 25

what type of vines do best Condrieu wines come from?

Answer 25

low yielding old vines, grown on steep well exposed terraced vineyards

Question 26

Where is Saint Joseph located in Rhone?

Answer 26

it runs along the western bank of the Rhone from Condrieu in the north to Tournon in the south.

Question 27

what type of wine is the vast majority made in Saint Joseph

Answer 27

reds made from Syrah. although some whites are made of Marsanne and Roussanne

Question 28

within Saint Joseph where are the best wines made?

Answer 28

the terraced vineyards near Tournon

Question 29

describe characteristics of best red wines from Tournon

Answer 29

flavor intensity and structure similar to Hermitage

Question 30

Besides Tournon where else in Saint Joseph are excellent wines made?

Answer 30

just south of COndrieu - large volume of relatively light bodied varieties, which use carbonic maceration, come from more fertile flatter sites on the valley floor and the plateau above the slopes.

Question 31

Where is Heritage located in Rhone?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

What is Hermitage divided into?

Answer 32

a number of “lieux-dits” (named sites) which are not part of the appellation system.

Question 33

Describe the best wines from Hermitage

Answer 33

typically a blend of wine from different sites, but some producers have begun producing from one site.

Question 34

Describe red Hermitage wines

Answer 34

generally the fullest bodied of the N Rhone and ages well. up to 15% of Marsanne and Roussane may be fermented with Syrah, however this is rarely done

Question 35

What % do MArsanne and Roussane make up of Hermitage wine production?

Answer 35

1/5

Question 36

what is the most important appellation in Rhone in terms of volume

Answer 36

Croze-Hermitage

Question 37

where do the vineyards of Croze Herimtage lie>

Answer 37

on mixed terrain around the hill of Hermitage

Question 38

Where are the vineyards located North of Hermitage?

Answer 38

slopes

Question 39

Where are the vineyards located South of Hermitage?

Answer 39

flat plains

Question 40

what are the red wines of Croze Hermitage made of?

Answer 40

Syrah with the option to add up to 15% of Roussane or Marsanne

Question 41

Describe characteristics of Croze Hermitage wines?

Answer 41

quality depends on location of vineyard. lighter wines are from the high yielding flatter vineyards to teh south. More concentrated, complex, and tannic wines are from vines growing on steeper slopes to the north. some of the more expensive wines might be aged in oak.

Question 42

where is Cornas located?

Answer 42

most southerly of the red wine crus and by far the warmest. lies on sheltered well exposed sun baked south facing slope of many lateral valleys.

Question 43

what wine is made in Cornas

Answer 43

must be made from 100% Syrah

Question 44

describe wines from Cornas

Answer 44

deeply colored full bodied style and quality similar to Hermitage.