Northern Rhône Valley Flashcards
What is the name of the wind that can damage vines in the Northern Rhone?
What is the other wind called?
The Mistral
The “tramontane” blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.
What is the general style of Northern Rhone reds?
Full-bodied, firm, and savory.
Signature secondary aromas including smoke, grilled meat, olive, lavender, and peppercorn.
Who are the 4 main producers that dominate production of Hermitage wine?
Jean-Louis Chave.
Delas.
M. Chapoutier.
Jaboulet.
What are the 4 quarters, or “lieux-dits” of Cornas?
Les Reynards
La Côte
Les Chaillot
Les Mazards.
What is a “demi-muid”?
French term for a 600-liter barrel, traditionally used in the Rhone Valley.
Literally, “half-hogshead”
What kind of terrain are the highest-quality vineyards planted on in the Northern Rhone?
What does this landscape offer the vines protection from?
On steep slopes, close to the River Rhone, facing south, often in lateral valleys.
The valleys give protection from the cold northerly Mistral.
What is the primary grape for the following appellations?
- Cote Rotie
- Condrieu
- Chateaneuf-du-Pape
- Hermitage Blanc
- Tavel
- Gigondas
- Cornas
Cote Rotie: Syrah (up to 20% Viognier)
Condrieu: Viognier
CNdP: Grenache-based blend
Hermitage Blanc: Rousanne/Marsanne
Tavel: Grenache
Gigondas: Grenache
Cornas: Syrah
How did wines eventually reach England from the Rhone Valley?
In the 17th Century, traders transported the wines from the Rhone to the Loire Valley, and by the 18th Century from the Loire to England.
Which white varieties and in what % are allowed in the following appellations?
Cote-Rotie
St.-Joseph
Hermitage/Crozes Hermitage
Cote-Rotie: up to 20% Viognier.
St.-Joseph: up to 10% Marsanne/Roussanne.
Hermitage/Crozes Hermitage: up to 15% Marsanne/Roussanne.
What are the major differences between the Northern and Southern Rhone?
N. Rhone S. Rhone
Moderate Continental Warmer Mediterranean
Mistral warms the vines Mistral cools vines
Vines trained on stakes Vines bush-trained
Narrow/steep hillsides Flat/Gently rolling plains
syrah=only red grape syrah, grenache, mouvedre,
cinsault
marsanne, rousanne, white grapes=minority
viognier=white grapes
very stony soils, w/large galet stones.
Where is Chateau Grillet located?
Within Condrieu
What are the 3 wines from E. Guigal known as the “La La’s”?
La Ladonne
La Turque
La Mouline
What is the character of Rousanne?
Adds acidity and perfume, often blended with Marsanne, with age develops hazelnut aromas
In which 2 ways does the Rhone river moderate the climate of the Northern Rhone’s vineyards?
- Warms the adjacent slopes.
- Reflects sunlight up to vines.
List Northern Rhone Appellations from North to South
Cote Rotie
Condrieu
Saint Joseph
Crozes Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas
St.-Péray
Clairette de Die
Chatillon-en-Diois
Alain Graillot produces wine in which commune?
Crozes-Hermitage.
What are the 2 main vineyard areas in St. Joseph and how can wines from them differ?
What is the general quality level of these wines?
From terraces - Full bodied
From valley floor - Lighter bodied
Basic quality level.
Chapoutier L’Ermite is associated with which wine/vineyard area?
Rhone North/Hermitage
Which black grapes are permitted in Northern Rhone?
Only Syrah is permitted
What is the typical style of Viognier?
What factors can change its profile?
Full bodied, low acid, high alcohol.
Honeyed lushness, intriguing floral aromas, and rich texture.
Use of oak and MLF can change flavor profile.
How is oak typically used in Northern Rhone wines?
What are some winemakers now experimenting with?
Typically fermented in large, oak foudres.
Some now experimenting with new barriques.
In which region does the E. Guigal estate primarily produce wine?
Northern Rhone
Identify the regions from North to South
Cote-Rotie
Condrieu (inc. Chateau Grillet.)
Condrieu/St. Joseph.
St. Joseph
Crozes-Hermitage
Hermitage
Cornas
St-Peray
Clairette de Die
Chatillon-en-Diois.
How does the terrain of Crozes-Hermitage differ? How does this influence the style of the red wines?
How do the wines of Crozes-Hermitage generally compare to those of Hermitage?
North of Hermitage - Slopes = complex and tannic, best are oaked
South - Flat plains = lighter style
Generally lighter and less-age-worthy.
