Northern Rhone Hermitage Flashcards
In what Département is Hermitage located?
Drome
What styles of wine are allowed in Hermitage?
White: From Marsanne and Rousanne
Red: from Syrah with a maximum 15% combined Marsanne and Rousanne
Vin de Paille (Blanc) from Marsanne and or Rousanne
Minimum potential alcohol for red Hermitage?
10.5%
Minimum potential alcohol for Hermitage Blanc?
11%
What are the principal sois of Hermitage?
granite with topsoils of mica, schist and gneiss
When was the Hermitage AOC established?
1937
Name the major Lieu Dits of Hermitage
Les Grandes Vignes L'Hermite Varogne Les Vercandières Les Bessards Les Diognières Les Beaumes Le Méal Les Murets La Croix Péleat Les Rocoules La Pierelle Les Greffieux Maison Blanche L'Homme Torras et les Garennes
What is the Aspect of the Hermitage Hill?
South facing
Who is Gaspard de Sterimberg?
The legendary Crusader-turned-hermit who lived a life of asceticism atop the Hermitage hill.
What is the name of the 2 main towns closest to the Hermitage Hill?
Tain l’Hermitage
Tournon-sur-Loire
How many hills does the Hermitage appellation consist of?
3
The largest granite covered dome of Hermitage with the most significant gradient is home to which vineyards?
Les Bessards
L’Hermite
Le Meal
Les Greffieux
Travelling east of the largest dome in Hermitage is the second hill which has a slightly lower elevation. Which vineyards are found here?
Maison Blanche
Les Baumes
Les Rocoules
Peleat
The third major hill of Hermitage has the lowest elevation, Which noteworthy vineyards are located here?
Les Murets
Les Diognieres
La Croix
What are the characteristics of the Les Bessards vineyard?
- One of the largest vineyards located at the most western end of the appellation
- Pure granite base and topsoil of decomposed granite and sandy gravel
- Situated just below Jaboulets chapel of St Christopher
- Produce the richest, most concentrated, and powerful of the appellation
Name some famous wines produced from the Les Bessards vineyard?
- Chapoutier’s La Pavillon
- Plays a large role in Chave’s Hermitage (including a principal component in Cuvee Cathelin)
- Plays a lesser role in Jaboulet’s La Chapelle
What are the characteristics of Les Beaumes vineyard?
- Located in the middle of the appellation, east of Les Bessards and Le Meal and west of Les Murets and Le Croix
- Granite base, but limestone, clay and stone as the topsoil.
- Makes medium to full bodied wines with excellent purity and fruit
Name a famous wine produced from the Les Beaumes vineyard?
Chave’s Les Baumes
What are the characteristics of the Les Diognieres vineyard
- Located at the eastern end of the appellation with one of the lowest elevations
- gravelly lighter soils
- Makes wines with smoky red and black fruits as well as considerable acid and tannin
Name a famous wine produced from the Les Diognieres vineyard
- Domaine Fayolle Cuvee Les Dionnieres
- Guigal purchases fruit from here which is an important component in their blend
- Chave owns a small portion
What are the characteristics of the L’Hermite vineyard?
- Situated at the top of the largest hill it straddles Les Bessards and Le Meal
- Soil here contains significant iron
- Makes wines that are tannic and powerful yet they retain a sense of elegance and finesse
Name a famous wine produced from the L’Hermite vineyard
- Chave has produced some great cuvees of pure Rousanne from this vineyard
- Chapoutier began in 1996 to produce a single vineyard red Hermitage called l’Hermite
What are the characteristics of the Le Meal vineyard?
- Located directly behind the center of Tain l’Hermitage
- Large steeply terraced vineyard with soil of limestone with large rocks among degraded quartz
- Produces supple, forward wines that are smoky and exotic
Name a famous wine produced from the Le Meal vineyard
- The most important component in Jaboulets La Chapelle
- 90 - 100% of Marc Sorrels Le Greal (named thus because he sometimes blends in some fruit from Les Greffieux)
- Chave owns several acres and it plays a small role in his Hermitage blend
- Chapoutier’s white Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree is made from Marsanne grown here
