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Northern Rhone Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most northerly appellation in Northern Rhone?

A

Côte Rôtie

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2
Q

What is the maximum yield for Côte Rôtie wines?

A

40hl/ha

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3
Q

What grapes are permitted in Côte Rôtie wines?

A

Syrah and up to 20% Viognier

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4
Q

Give three reasons why producers in certain appellations in the Northern Rhône might ferment red wines with some white grapes.

A
  • Aromatic complexity
  • Stabilise colour
  • Stabilise tannin
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5
Q

What is the name of the wind that blows from north to south in Northern Rhône?

What effects does this have on production?

A

The Mistral

Reduces disease pressure
Reduces vine vigour

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6
Q

What aspect would you expect Côte Rôtie vines to be planted on?

How does this affect the vines?

A

East and south east facing steep slopes

Good sunlight interception
Protected from Mistral wind from the north

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7
Q

Describe the general climate in Northern Rhône

A

Moderate continental climate

Warm summers with adequate rainfall falling mostly in autumn and winter

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8
Q

What grapes are permitted in Condrieu AOP?

A

100% Viognier

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9
Q

Describe the terrain on which vines are typically planted in Condrieu

A

Steep, infertile, rocky slopes

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10
Q

What is the maximum yield for Condrieu?

A

41hl/ha

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11
Q

Name the appellation located within Condrieu

A

Château Grillet

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12
Q

Describe typical training system used in Côte Rôtie

A

Single or double guyot tied to one or two poles - in top Northern Rhône appellations trellising isn’t possible

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13
Q

What is Syrah decline?

A

A disease affecting Syrah vines - leaves turn red, the graft point breaks and the vine dies

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14
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a Syrah based wine

A 
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
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15
Q

How much area is under vine in the Northern Rhône?

A

4,000 ha

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16
Q

Is Syrah a vigorous vine?

A

Yes - needs careful training to reduce yields

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17
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a Viognier based wine

A 
Medium lemon
Pronounced flavour intensity
Honeysuckle, peach, apricot
Low acidity
Medium (+) to full body
Medium to high alcohol
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18
Q

Is Viognier early or late budding? How can this affect the vines?

A

Early budding - prone to spring frosts

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19
Q

Why does Viognier typically have low and unpredictable yields?

A

Poor flowering and fruit set can reduce returns

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20
Q

Why do growers need to time the harvest for Viognier very carefully?

A

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

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21
Q

What difficulties might growers face when growing Roussanne vines?

A

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

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22
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a Roussanne wine

A 
Medium lemon / gold
Medium to medium (+) intensity
Pear and herbal notes
Medium to medium (+) acidity
Medium to high alcohol
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23
Q

Is Roussanne early or late budding? How can this affect the vines?

A

Late - often avoids spring frosts

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24
Q

Marsanne is best when grown on what type of soils?

Why?

A

Stony, low fertility, well-drained soils

It is vigorous and productive, so yields need to be limited to increase quality

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25
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 ```
26
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
27
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
28
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)
29
What sort of terrain are the best vineyards in Northern Rhône planted on?
Steep slopes - increase the interception of sunlight and promote good drainage
30
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
31
What quality and price would you expect from Côte Rôtie wines?
V. good to outstanding | Premium to super premium
32
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
33
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
34
What vessels might be used for maturation of Côte Rôtie wines?
Either small barriques (225l) or demi muids (500 - 600l) (less overt new oak)
35
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
36
How big is the Condrieu appellation?
197ha
37
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
38
Is MLF carried out for Condrieu wines?
Depends on the vintage and the producer, but typically yes
39
Are Condrieu wines often aged on lees or not?
Yes - 10 to 12 months with stirring
40
What quality and price would you expect from Condrieu wines?
Very good to outstanding | Premium to super premium
41
What sort of soils do the top Condrieu vineyards typically have?
Powdery, mica rich topsoil known as arzelle
42
What percentage of St. Joseph wines are red?
90%
43
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
44
What are the maximum yields for St. Joseph AOC?
40hl/ha
45
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
46
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
47
Which well-reputed producer has spent much time and capital in restoring some places in St. Joseph?
Chave
48
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
49
How big is Hermitage AOC?
137ha - small
50
What aspect is the slope of Hermitage facing? How does this help ripening?
South facing Catches the sun Protects from cold Mistral winds
51
Describe the growing conditions and soils in Hermitage
Hot and dry Thin, stony soils
52
What is the maximum yield for Hermitage red wines?
40hl/ha
53
What is the maximum yield for Hermitage white wines?
45hl/ha
54
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
55
What grapes are used in white Hermitage wines?
Usually a blend of majority Marsanne with some Roussanne, or pure Marsanne
56
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
57
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
58
What is the name of the rare wine produced in Hermitage in very ripe years?
Vin de Paille
59
Holdings in Hermitage are dominated by which two négociant houses?
Chapoutier and Jaboulet
60
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
61
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
62
What type of soils are found in Le Méal, Hermitage?
Pebbles and limestone This site is warmer than Bessards, producing rich, fleshy wines
63
How big is Crozes Hermitage AOC?
1,700ha
64
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
65
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
66
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
67
What is the maximum yield for Crozes Hermitage AOC?
45hl/ha
68
What might be used to enhance the fruitiness of Crozes Hermitage AOC red wines?
Carbonic or semi-carbonic This is now rare
69
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
70
What percentage of Crozes Hermitage wines are white? Which varietals are used?
9% Marsanne and Roussanne (more Marsanne planted)
71
Describe the price and quality of Crozes Hermitage white wines
Good to very good (some outstanding) | Mid price to premium
72
What is the most southerly Northern Rhône appellation for red wines?
Cornas
73
Describe the climate in Cornas
Warm mediterranean
74
What is the maximum yield for Cornas wines?
40hl/ha
75
What type of soils dominate in Cornas?
Granite
76
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
77
What colour wines are produced in St. Peray? What grapes are grown here?
White Marsanne dominates, some Roussanne
78
What is the maximum yield for St. Peray wines?
45hl/ha
79
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
80
What is the maximum yield for Colline Rhodaniennes IGP wines?
80hl/ha
81
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

Wine Diploma (62 decks)

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