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WSET Diploma Study > Northern Rhône Valley > Flashcards

Northern Rhône Valley Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the name of the wind that can damage vines in the Northern Rhone?

What is the other wind called?

A

The Mistral

The “tramontane” blows through the gap between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.

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2
Q

What is the general style of Northern Rhone reds?

A

Full-bodied, firm, and savory.

Signature secondary aromas including smoke, grilled meat, olive, lavender, and peppercorn.

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3
Q

Who are the 4 main producers that dominate production of Hermitage wine?

A

Jean-Louis Chave.

Delas.

M. Chapoutier.

Jaboulet.

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4
Q

What are the 4 quarters, or “lieux-dits” of Cornas?

A

Les Reynards

La Côte

Les Chaillot

Les Mazards.

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5
Q

What is a “demi-muid”?

A

French term for a 600-liter barrel, traditionally used in the Rhone Valley.

Literally, “half-hogshead”

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6
Q

What kind of terrain are the highest-quality vineyards planted on in the Northern Rhone?

What does this landscape offer the vines protection from?

A

On steep slopes, close to the River Rhone, facing south, often in lateral valleys.

The valleys give protection from the cold northerly Mistral.

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7
Q

What is the primary grape for the following appellations?

  • Cote Rotie
  • Condrieu
  • Chateaneuf-du-Pape
  • Hermitage Blanc
  • Tavel
  • Gigondas
  • Cornas
A

Cote Rotie: Syrah (up to 20% Viognier)

Condrieu: Viognier

CNdP: Grenache-based blend

Hermitage Blanc: Rousanne/Marsanne

Tavel: Grenache

Gigondas: Grenache

Cornas: Syrah

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8
Q

How did wines eventually reach England from the Rhone Valley?

A

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.

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9
Q

Which white varieties and in what % are allowed in the following appellations?

Cote-Rotie

St.-Joseph

Hermitage/Crozes Hermitage

A

Cote-Rotie: up to 20% Viognier.

St.-Joseph: up to 10% Marsanne/Roussanne.

Hermitage/Crozes Hermitage: up to 15% Marsanne/Roussanne.

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10
Q

What are the major differences between the Northern and Southern Rhone?

A

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.

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11
Q

Where is Chateau Grillet located?

A

Within Condrieu

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12
Q

What are the 3 wines from E. Guigal known as the “La La’s”?

A

La Ladonne

La Turque

La Mouline

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13
Q

What is the character of Rousanne?

A

Adds acidity and perfume, often blended with Marsanne, with age develops hazelnut aromas

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14
Q

In which 2 ways does the Rhone river moderate the climate of the Northern Rhone’s vineyards?

A
  1. Warms the adjacent slopes.
  2. Reflects sunlight up to vines.
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15
Q

List Northern Rhone Appellations from North to South

A

Cote Rotie

Condrieu

Saint Joseph

Crozes Hermitage

Hermitage

Cornas

St.-Péray

Clairette de Die

Chatillon-en-Diois

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16
Q

Alain Graillot produces wine in which commune?

A

Crozes-Hermitage.

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17
Q

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?

A

From terraces - Full bodied

From valley floor - Lighter bodied

Basic quality level.

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18
Q

Chapoutier L’Ermite is associated with which wine/vineyard area?

A

Rhone North/Hermitage

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19
Q

Which black grapes are permitted in Northern Rhone?

A

Only Syrah is permitted

20
Q

What is the typical style of Viognier?

What factors can change its profile?

A

Full bodied, low acid, high alcohol.

Honeyed lushness, intriguing floral aromas, and rich texture.

Use of oak and MLF can change flavor profile.

21
Q

How is oak typically used in Northern Rhone wines?

What are some winemakers now experimenting with?

A

Typically fermented in large, oak foudres.

Some now experimenting with new barriques.

22
Q

In which region does the E. Guigal estate primarily produce wine?

A

Northern Rhone

23
Q

Identify the regions from North to South

A

Cote-Rotie

Condrieu (inc. Chateau Grillet.)

Condrieu/St. Joseph.

St. Joseph

Crozes-Hermitage

Hermitage

Cornas

St-Peray

Clairette de Die

Chatillon-en-Diois.

24
Q

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?

A

North of Hermitage - Slopes = complex and tannic, best are oaked

South - Flat plains = lighter style

Generally lighter and less-age-worthy.

25
Q

What is “arzelle” soil and where is it found?

A

A thin topsoil that is rich with powdery, decomposed mica.

Found in the commune of Condrieu.

26
Q

What is the climate and terrain like in Cornas?

What grapes are allowed and what is the general style of the resulting wine?

What type of soil is predominant here?

A

Most southerly appellation, sun baked south facing slopes.

100% Syrah only permitted - Deep colour, full body, similar to Hermitage.

Granite soil (“gore”)

27
Q

Who is considered the standard bearer for traditional wines in Cornas?

What 2 choices are being made to make these wines different?

A

Auguste Clape.

  1. Whole cluster fermentation instead of de-stemming.
  2. Demi-muids instead of new oak barrels.
28
Q

What is the character of Marsanne?

A

Adds richness and weight, often blended with Rousanne, with age develops hazelnut aromas

29
Q

What is the climate like in Northern Rhone?

What are the main climatic differences between the Northern and Southern Rhone?

A

Moderate continental, similar to Beaujolais.

Northern: Continental, Higher rainfall, fewer hours of sunshine.

Southern: Mediterranean, drier, sunnier.

30
Q

Which 2 slopes are considered to be the “heart” of Cote-Rotie?

How do their wines differ from each other?

A

Cote Brune and Cote Blonde.

Cote Brune: Stronger, more assertive.

Cote Blonde: Softer, more alluring.

31
Q

Which is the highest output region of the Northern Rhone?

A

Crozes-Hermitage

32
Q

Which white grapes are used in Northern Rhone?

A

Viognier

Marsanne

Rousanne

33
Q

Who produces the wine below?

A

M.Chapoutier

34
Q

Between which towns is the Northern Rhone located

A

Vienne to the North

Valence in the South

35
Q

List 4 Northern Rhone producers:

A

Michel Chapoutier

E. Guigal

Paul Jaboulet

Jean Louis Chave

36
Q

What are the French names for the Northern and Southern Rhone?

A

Northern Rhone: “Rhone Septentrionale”

Southern Rhone: “Rhone Meridionale”

37
Q

Who is the largest producer in Cote-Rotie?

A

E. Guigal

38
Q

For which 3 reasons might a winemaker in the Northern Rhone choose to co-ferment his red wine with white grapes?

A

Stabilise colour extraction

Moderate tannin extraction

Increase aromatic complexity.

39
Q

What are the names of the winds that blow down the Rhone valley?

A

The Mistral and the Tramontane.

40
Q

Which Northern Rhone appellation (and sub-appellation) only makes white wine?

A

Condrieu

Chateau Grillet

41
Q

Which Appellations in Northern Rhone make white wine?

A

Condrieu - only white - 100% Viognier

Saint Joseph - Marsanne and Rousanne

Hermitage - Marsanne and Rousanne

Crozes-Hermitage - Marsanne and Rousanne

42
Q

The Mistral can easily damage Syrah in the Northern Rhone, so what do vine growers do?

A

Give support by trellising

43
Q

Chateau d’Ampuis is associated with which wine/vineyard area?

A

Northern Rhone/Cote Rotie

44
Q

How are vines supported on the steep slopes?

A

Either by individual stakes or a teepee like structure.

45
Q

What is the premier wine of Jaboulet?

Where is it produced?

A

“La Chapelle”

Hermitage.

46
Q

Which Northern Rhone appellation produces wine that must be made with 100% syrah?

A

Cornas

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