Northern Rhone Flashcards
What is the most northerly appellation in Northern Rhone?
Côte Rôtie
What is the maximum yield for Côte Rôtie wines?
40hl/ha
What grapes are permitted in Côte Rôtie wines?
Syrah and up to 20% Viognier
Give three reasons why producers in certain appellations in the Northern Rhône might ferment red wines with some white grapes.
- Aromatic complexity
- Stabilise colour
- Stabilise tannin
What is the name of the wind that blows from north to south in Northern Rhône?
What effects does this have on production?
The Mistral
Reduces disease pressure
Reduces vine vigour
What aspect would you expect Côte Rôtie vines to be planted on?
How does this affect the vines?
East and south east facing steep slopes
Good sunlight interception
Protected from Mistral wind from the north
Describe the general climate in Northern Rhône
Moderate continental climate
Warm summers with adequate rainfall falling mostly in autumn and winter
What grapes are permitted in Condrieu AOP?
100% Viognier
Describe the terrain on which vines are typically planted in Condrieu
Steep, infertile, rocky slopes
What is the maximum yield for Condrieu?
41hl/ha
Name the appellation located within Condrieu
Château Grillet
Describe typical training system used in Côte Rôtie
Single or double guyot tied to one or two poles - in top Northern Rhône appellations trellising isn’t possible
What is Syrah decline?
A disease affecting Syrah vines - leaves turn red, the graft point breaks and the vine dies
Give a typical tasting note for a Syrah based wine
Deep ruby Medium to pronounced flavour intensity Violet, plum (red in cooler sites, black in warmer), blackberry, black pepper, herbs Medium to high acidity Medium to high tannins Medium to high alcohol
How much area is under vine in the Northern Rhône?
4,000 ha
Is Syrah a vigorous vine?
Yes - needs careful training to reduce yields
Give a typical tasting note for a Viognier based wine
Medium lemon Pronounced flavour intensity Honeysuckle, peach, apricot Low acidity Medium (+) to full body Medium to high alcohol
Is Viognier early or late budding? How can this affect the vines?
Early budding - prone to spring frosts
Why does Viognier typically have low and unpredictable yields?
Poor flowering and fruit set can reduce returns
Why do growers need to time the harvest for Viognier very carefully?
Fruit needs to be fully ripe to have its typically pronounced aromas
If grapes are left too long on the vine they lose flavour and acidity, rapidly gaining sugar and resulting in unbalanced wines that lack flavour
What difficulties might growers face when growing Roussanne vines?
Poor wind resistance (sites need to be chosen carefully)
Susceptible to coulure
Susceptible to botrytis
Susceptible to mites
It is generally more difficult to grow than Marsanne, meaning it is less commonly planted
Give a typical tasting note for a Roussanne wine
Medium lemon / gold Medium to medium (+) intensity Pear and herbal notes Medium to medium (+) acidity Medium to high alcohol
Is Roussanne early or late budding? How can this affect the vines?
Late - often avoids spring frosts
Marsanne is best when grown on what type of soils?
Why?
Stony, low fertility, well-drained soils
It is vigorous and productive, so yields need to be limited to increase quality
Give a typical tasting note for a Marsanne wine
Medium lemon / gold Light flavour intensity Honeysuckle, lemon, apricot Medium acidity Full bodied (oily texture) High alcohol
Is Syrah prone to reduction or oxidation?
What winemaking techniques might be used as a result
Prone to reduction
More pump overs and oak ageing provide gentle oxidation - this adds cost
For high quality red cru wines from the Northern Rhône, what steps might a producer take before starting fermentation?
Grapes hand picked
Some may destem, chill and cold soak for 1 to 3 days to extract colour
Grapes may be left as whole bunches, or partially destemmed, and vinified as such to promote lifted aromatics
Describe the typical fermentation / maceration / ageing for high quality red Syrah wines from the Northern Rhône
Ambient or cultured yeasts
Concrete, stainless steel or open top wooden fermenters
Warmer temperatures improve extraction of colour, flavour and tannin
Period of maceration on skins for full extraction: 20 to 30 days with punch downs, pump-overs or rack and return
12 to 24 months in small barrels (20 to 30% new oak)
What sort of terrain are the best vineyards in Northern Rhône planted on?
Steep slopes - increase the interception of sunlight and promote good drainage
Name the 3 single vineyard Côte Rôtie vineyards that helped revive the appellation.
Which producer famously produced these wines?
La Landonne
La Mouline
La Turque
Etienne Guigal
What quality and price would you expect from Côte Rôtie wines?
V. good to outstanding
Premium to super premium
What is the preferred rootstock for Syrah in Côte Rôtie?
What properties does it promote in the vines?
3309
It is productive and makes grapes with a relatively deep colour
What is the typical planting density in Côte Rôtie?
How does this affect the vines?
10,000 vines per hectare
Increases competition
Decreases yields
Increases concentration
What vessels might be used for maturation of Côte Rôtie wines?
Either small barriques (225l) or demi muids (500 - 600l) (less overt new oak)
Describe how soils from Côte Brune and Côte Blonde in Côte Rôtie differ, and how this affects the wines from here
CÔTE BRUNE
- North
- Iron rich, mica schist and clay (darker in colour)
- Heavier, more tannic, longer lived wines
CÔTE BLONDE
- South
- Sandy granite and gneiss
- More finesse driven, aromatic wines
How big is the Condrieu appellation?
197ha
What fermentation vessels are typically used for Condrieu?
Stainless steel or large wooden vessels
Some producers may used small barrels to enhance texture and flavour
Is MLF carried out for Condrieu wines?
Depends on the vintage and the producer, but typically yes
Are Condrieu wines often aged on lees or not?
Yes - 10 to 12 months with stirring
What quality and price would you expect from Condrieu wines?
Very good to outstanding
Premium to super premium
What sort of soils do the top Condrieu vineyards typically have?
Powdery, mica rich topsoil known as arzelle
What percentage of St. Joseph wines are red?
90%
Why did some people lose confidence in the St. Joseph appellation?
It was extended in 1994 to include some sites not on hillsides that normally produce lower quality wines
There is now talk of reducing the appellation once again to only include wines made on the hillsides
What are the maximum yields for St. Joseph AOC?
40hl/ha
What grapes are permitted in St. Joseph AOC red wines?
Syrah
Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted in small quantities but this is rare in practice
What vessels are commonly used for fermentation and maturation in St. Joseph?
Fermentation: Stainless steel and wooden vats
Maturation: Usually larger wooden tanks, larger barrels or occasionally barriques
Which well-reputed producer has spent much time and capital in restoring some places in St. Joseph?
Chave
Wine has been produced in Hermitage since the ____ ____ era.
The region is located above the town of ____ _____ and named after 12th century crusader ____ __ _____
Greco Roman era
Tain Hermitage
Gaspard de Sterimberg
How big is Hermitage AOC?
137ha - small
What aspect is the slope of Hermitage facing? How does this help ripening?
South facing
Catches the sun
Protects from cold Mistral winds
Describe the growing conditions and soils in Hermitage
Hot and dry
Thin, stony soils
What is the maximum yield for Hermitage red wines?
40hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Hermitage white wines?
45hl/ha
Why might Hermitage producers add stems to red wine fermentations?
In warmer years, these may lighten wines that are otherwise too rich, absorbing dome of the alcohol
What grapes are used in white Hermitage wines?
Usually a blend of majority Marsanne with some Roussanne, or pure Marsanne
Describe the typical fermentation and maturation for Hermitage reds:
Fermentation temps?
Length of ageing?
Vessels used?
Warm fermentation temperatures: maximise extraction of flavour and tannin
Lengthy oak ageing: 12 to 18 months
Some new oak is common but not always used
Medium to large vessels are common
Describe the typical fermentation and maturation for Hermitage whites
Fermentation in old wood vats, new or old oak barrels, or stainless steel
Maturation typically takes place in oak with a minority proportion being new, or stainless steel depending on the style
Lees ageing typically for 10 to 12 months
What is the name of the rare wine produced in Hermitage in very ripe years?
Vin de Paille
Holdings in Hermitage are dominated by which two négociant houses?
Chapoutier and Jaboulet
How do producers Chapoutier and Chave differ in their approach to winemaking in Hermitage?
Chave believes in blending across the appellation
Chapoutier has pioneered an approach focussing on single vineyards
What is the name of the largest climat in Hermitage?
What soils are found here?
What type of wines does this produce?
Les Bessards
Granite
Produces structured wines with integrated tannins - long lived wines
What type of soils are found in Le Méal, Hermitage?
Pebbles and limestone
This site is warmer than Bessards, producing rich, fleshy wines
How big is Crozes Hermitage AOC?
1,700ha
Describe growing conditions in the north of Crozes Hermitage
NORTH:
- Continental: extremely cold winters with strong influence from the Mistral
- Long growing season
- High diurnal range
- Moderate sugar accumulation
- Retain acidity
Describe growing conditions in the south of Crozes Hermitage
SOUTH
- More temperate than the north of the region
- More rainfall in the late autumn and winter
In the north of Crozes Hermitage AOC, slopes are relatively ____
Soils in Crozes Hermitage AOC are ____ and ____ ____ than in neighbouring Hermitage.
Wines are ____ concentrated than those of Hermitage
Steep
Deeper and more fertile
Less concentrated
What is the maximum yield for Crozes Hermitage AOC?
45hl/ha
What might be used to enhance the fruitiness of Crozes Hermitage AOC red wines?
Carbonic or semi-carbonic
This is now rare
Describe the typical fermentation and maturation for Crozes Hermitage reds
Destemming is widely practiced
Fermentation in concrete vessels and stainless steel
Maturation in the same vessels or in large oak vats
Generally wines are made for early drinking with madium tannin
What percentage of Crozes Hermitage wines are white?
Which varietals are used?
9%
Marsanne and Roussanne (more Marsanne planted)
Describe the price and quality of Crozes Hermitage white wines
Good to very good (some outstanding)
Mid price to premium
What is the most southerly Northern Rhône appellation for red wines?
Cornas
Describe the climate in Cornas
Warm mediterranean
What is the maximum yield for Cornas wines?
40hl/ha
What type of soils dominate in Cornas?
Granite
Why is fruit from Cornas some of the ripest in the Northern Rhône? (3)
- The most southerly appellation
- South and east facing amphitheatre - traps sunlight
- Wind protection from cold Mistral
What colour wines are produced in St. Peray?
What grapes are grown here?
White
Marsanne dominates, some Roussanne
What is the maximum yield for St. Peray wines?
45hl/ha
What types of wines are covered by the Colline Rhodaniennes IGP?
Red, white and rose wines from grapes grown outside the AOC in Northern Rhône
What is the maximum yield for Colline Rhodaniennes IGP wines?
80hl/ha
When might producers chose to use Colline Rhodaniennes IGP on their labels?
- Allows them to offer wines that are less expensive than their AOC wines
- Allows the use of other grape varieties
- Allows higher yields
