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Wine Diploma > Northern Rhone > Flashcards

Northern Rhone Flashcards

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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
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a Marsanne wine

A 
Medium lemon / gold
Light flavour intensity
Honeysuckle, lemon, apricot
Medium acidity
Full bodied (oily texture)
High alcohol
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26
Q

Is Syrah prone to reduction or oxidation?

What winemaking techniques might be used as a result

A

Prone to reduction

More pump overs and oak ageing provide gentle oxidation - this adds cost

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27
Q

For high quality red cru wines from the Northern Rhône, what steps might a producer take before starting fermentation?

A

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

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28
Q

Describe the typical fermentation / maceration / ageing for high quality red Syrah wines from the Northern Rhône

A

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)

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29
Q

What sort of terrain are the best vineyards in Northern Rhône planted on?

A

Steep slopes - increase the interception of sunlight and promote good drainage

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30
Q

Name the 3 single vineyard Côte Rôtie vineyards that helped revive the appellation.

Which producer famously produced these wines?

A

La Landonne
La Mouline
La Turque

Etienne Guigal

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31
Q

What quality and price would you expect from Côte Rôtie wines?

A

V. good to outstanding

Premium to super premium

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32
Q

What is the preferred rootstock for Syrah in Côte Rôtie?

What properties does it promote in the vines?

A

3309

It is productive and makes grapes with a relatively deep colour

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33
Q

What is the typical planting density in Côte Rôtie?

How does this affect the vines?

A

10,000 vines per hectare

Increases competition
Decreases yields
Increases concentration

34
Q

What vessels might be used for maturation of Côte Rôtie wines?

A

Either small barriques (225l) or demi muids (500 - 600l) (less overt new oak)

35
Q

Describe how soils from Côte Brune and Côte Blonde in Côte Rôtie differ, and how this affects the wines from here

A

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
Q

How big is the Condrieu appellation?

A

197ha

37
Q

What fermentation vessels are typically used for Condrieu?

A

Stainless steel or large wooden vessels

Some producers may used small barrels to enhance texture and flavour

38
Q

Is MLF carried out for Condrieu wines?

A

Depends on the vintage and the producer, but typically yes

39
Q

Are Condrieu wines often aged on lees or not?

A

Yes - 10 to 12 months with stirring

40
Q

What quality and price would you expect from Condrieu wines?

A

Very good to outstanding

Premium to super premium

41
Q

What sort of soils do the top Condrieu vineyards typically have?

A

Powdery, mica rich topsoil known as arzelle

42
Q

What percentage of St. Joseph wines are red?

A

90%

43
Q

Why did some people lose confidence in the St. Joseph appellation?

A

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
Q

What are the maximum yields for St. Joseph AOC?

A

40hl/ha

45
Q

What grapes are permitted in St. Joseph AOC red wines?

A

Syrah

Marsanne and Roussanne are permitted in small quantities but this is rare in practice

46
Q

What vessels are commonly used for fermentation and maturation in St. Joseph?

A

Fermentation: Stainless steel and wooden vats

Maturation: Usually larger wooden tanks, larger barrels or occasionally barriques

47
Q

Which well-reputed producer has spent much time and capital in restoring some places in St. Joseph?

A

Chave

48
Q

Wine has been produced in Hermitage since the ____ ____ era.

The region is located above the town of ____ _____ and named after 12th century crusader ____ __ _____

A

Greco Roman era

Tain Hermitage

Gaspard de Sterimberg

49
Q

How big is Hermitage AOC?

A

137ha - small

50
Q

What aspect is the slope of Hermitage facing? How does this help ripening?

A

South facing

Catches the sun
Protects from cold Mistral winds

51
Q

Describe the growing conditions and soils in Hermitage

A

Hot and dry

Thin, stony soils

52
Q

What is the maximum yield for Hermitage red wines?

A

40hl/ha

53
Q

What is the maximum yield for Hermitage white wines?

A

45hl/ha

54
Q

Why might Hermitage producers add stems to red wine fermentations?

A

In warmer years, these may lighten wines that are otherwise too rich, absorbing dome of the alcohol

55
Q

What grapes are used in white Hermitage wines?

A

Usually a blend of majority Marsanne with some Roussanne, or pure Marsanne

56
Q

Describe the typical fermentation and maturation for Hermitage reds:

Fermentation temps?
Length of ageing?
Vessels used?

A

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
Q

Describe the typical fermentation and maturation for Hermitage whites

A

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
Q

What is the name of the rare wine produced in Hermitage in very ripe years?

A

Vin de Paille

59
Q

Holdings in Hermitage are dominated by which two négociant houses?

A

Chapoutier and Jaboulet

60
Q

How do producers Chapoutier and Chave differ in their approach to winemaking in Hermitage?

A

Chave believes in blending across the appellation

Chapoutier has pioneered an approach focussing on single vineyards

61
Q

What is the name of the largest climat in Hermitage?

What soils are found here?

What type of wines does this produce?

A

Les Bessards

Granite

Produces structured wines with integrated tannins - long lived wines

62
Q

What type of soils are found in Le Méal, Hermitage?

A

Pebbles and limestone

This site is warmer than Bessards, producing rich, fleshy wines

63
Q

How big is Crozes Hermitage AOC?

A

1,700ha

64
Q

Describe growing conditions in the north of Crozes Hermitage

A

NORTH:

  • Continental: extremely cold winters with strong influence from the Mistral
  • Long growing season
  • High diurnal range
  • Moderate sugar accumulation
  • Retain acidity
65
Q

Describe growing conditions in the south of Crozes Hermitage

A

SOUTH

  • More temperate than the north of the region
  • More rainfall in the late autumn and winter
66
Q

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

A

Steep

Deeper and more fertile

Less concentrated

67
Q

What is the maximum yield for Crozes Hermitage AOC?

A

45hl/ha

68
Q

What might be used to enhance the fruitiness of Crozes Hermitage AOC red wines?

A

Carbonic or semi-carbonic

This is now rare

69
Q

Describe the typical fermentation and maturation for Crozes Hermitage reds

A

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
Q

What percentage of Crozes Hermitage wines are white?

Which varietals are used?

A

9%

Marsanne and Roussanne (more Marsanne planted)

71
Q

Describe the price and quality of Crozes Hermitage white wines

A

Good to very good (some outstanding)

Mid price to premium

72
Q

What is the most southerly Northern Rhône appellation for red wines?

A

Cornas

73
Q

Describe the climate in Cornas

A

Warm mediterranean

74
Q

What is the maximum yield for Cornas wines?

A

40hl/ha

75
Q

What type of soils dominate in Cornas?

A

Granite

76
Q

Why is fruit from Cornas some of the ripest in the Northern Rhône? (3)

A
  • The most southerly appellation
  • South and east facing amphitheatre - traps sunlight
  • Wind protection from cold Mistral
77
Q

What colour wines are produced in St. Peray?

What grapes are grown here?

A

White

Marsanne dominates, some Roussanne

78
Q

What is the maximum yield for St. Peray wines?

A

45hl/ha

79
Q

What types of wines are covered by the Colline Rhodaniennes IGP?

A

Red, white and rose wines from grapes grown outside the AOC in Northern Rhône

80
Q

What is the maximum yield for Colline Rhodaniennes IGP wines?

A

80hl/ha

81
Q

When might producers chose to use Colline Rhodaniennes IGP on their labels?

A
  • 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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