Northern Rhone, France

Question 1

What is the Mistral and how does it affect the area

Answer 1

Mistral are winds originating in Switzerland at the mouth of the Rhone river, it slightly warms the area and dries out the climate preventing mildew and other molds

Question 2

What is the topography/aspect of northern Rhone

Answer 2

Steep hillside vineyards

Question 3

What soil type is found in northern Rhone

Answer 3

Granite

Schist

Question 4

Grape varieties of northern Rhone

Answer 4

White-
Viognier
Marsannay
Roussane

Red-
Syrah

Question 5

Important vinification factors

Answer 5

Single variety wines dominate few blends

Typically fermented and or aged in oak foundres

Co-fermentation adding small percentages of white grapes with Syrah to lessen the prominence of tannin in some red wines

Question 6

What are the northern Rhone AOP’s from north to south

Answer 6

Cote rotie 
Condrieu 
Saint Joseph
Crozes- hermatage 
Hermatage
Cornas

Question 7

What AOP’s are red whine only

Answer 7

Cote rotie
Syrah w/ 20% max viognier

Cornas
100% Syrah

Question 8

Which northern Rhone AOP’s are white wine only

Answer 8

Condrieu

100% viognier

Question 9

What northern Rhone AOP’s produce both red (Syrah) and white rousanne and Marsanne) and what are the percentages for the red blends

Answer 9

Saint Joseph- Syrah with 10% rousanne and marsanne

Crozes hermitage-15%
Hermitage-15%