Northern Rhone Grape Varieties

Question 1

Red Grape (1)

1. Only
2. Uncertain Ori
3. Warm
4. Productive + dis res
5. Late bud
6. Loses aroma/ac with ↑y
7. Hi proportion anthocyanins (D Colour), good with Oak

Answer 1

Syrah

1. Only red grape authorised in Northern Rhone
2. Uncertain origin:
   
   1. From Shiraz in Persia & brought by the Phocaeans
   2. From Syracuse & brought by the Romans
   3. Grew wild in Rhone.
3. Needs warm climate
4. Relatively productive & disease resistant
5. Late budding but doesn’t ripen too late.
6. Loses aroma & acidity rapidly when yields increase
7. Hi proportion of anthocyanins (i.e. dark colour) -> responds well to oak maturation when grapes really ripe.

Question 2

Whites (3)

1. V
2. R
3. M

Answer 2

1. Viognier
2. Rousanne
3. Marsanne

Question 3

Viognier (6)

1. Relative of Neb
2. Origin ?
3. Warm - drought ok, prone to PM
4. Deep yellow, hi C + alc, lo acid
5. Apricot, P + blossom
6. Uses - Cond, Ch Gr, blended w/Sy in CR for perfume/stab

Answer 3

Viognier

1. Potential relative of Nebbolio via Freisa
2. No evidence of origin: from Dalmatia by Probus?
3. Needs a relatively warm climate, can withstand drought but prone to powdery mildew
4. Deep yellow grapes, hi in colour & alcohol; lo acidity
5. Typical apricot, peaches & blossom aromas
6. Only used for Condrieu, Chateau Grillet & blended w Syrah in Cote Rotie as perfuming & stabilising agent.

Question 4

Rousanne (4)

1. Named after R-coloured Sk
2. Irr Y - prone to PM + Rot, poor wind res
3. Often Bl, one of 3 grapes in NRh app whites
4. Aro + hi ac wine = better age

Answer 4

Roussanne

1. Named after russet coloured skin
2. Irregular yields, tendency to powdery mildew & rot, poor wind resistance makes it an evident 2nd or 3rd choice
3. Often blended. Only other grape w Marsanne authorised in Northern Rhone appellation whites -
4. Aromatic & hi acidity wines -> better ageing

Question 5

Marsanne (3)

1. Origin NRh
2. Sturdy, hardy, s/times flabby often bl to bal ac
3. Style- D C, F/B wines w/glue, honeys, almonds

Answer 5

Marsanne

1. Originating from Northern Rhone
2. Sturdy, hardy productive grape w tendency to flab ->often blended with Viognier or Roussanne to balance acidity
3. Produces deep-coloured, full-bodied wines w aromas of glue, honeysuckle & sometimes almonds