Rhône Flashcards
Describe the geographical features of the Northern Rhône Valley grape growing regions.
A steep sided narrow valley with a river in the centre.
Many vines are planted in lateral valleys that feed the Rhône river.
The best sites are on steep slopes with south facing aspects.
In Northern Rhône how are vines supported and tied up?
Tied to single stakes or by a teepee-like arrangement.
What is the climate in the Northern Rhône?
Moderate continental
What is the name for the cold north wind that blows through the Northern Rhône?
Mistral
What is the only permitted and dominant red grape variety in the Northern Rhône?
Syrah
Syrah is at its cool limit in Northern Rhône, as a consequence, which sites are most prized?
Steep, south facing slopes
What grape variety makes a deep coloured red wine from Northern Rhône with medium to high tannins, black fruits, black pepper and floral aromas with occasional new oak?
Syrah
Why would a producer co-ferment Viognier with Syrah in Northern Rhône?
Stabilise colour extraction.
Add aromatic intensity.
Which white grape variety has the most significant reputation for white wines in Northern Rhône?
Viognier
A French white wine with a full body, low acidity, high alcohol & aromas of blossom and stone fruit (apricot) is?
Viognier
Alsace Gewurztraminer is similar but with different aromas.
Viognier in Northern Rhône has a particular style. Give two winemaking techniques that may be used.
New oak
Making an off-dry style from late harvest fruit.
What are the only three white grape varieties permitted in Northern Rhône?
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
In a Northern Rhône blend of Marsanne and Roussanne what does each grape variety give to the blend?
Marsanne: Richness & weight
Roussanne: Acidity & perfumed fruit
In Northern Rhône, which generic appellation can in theory be made?
Côtes du Rhône
Which Northern Rhône Cru is the most northerly & produces only red wines in which up to 20% Viognier can be added?
Côte Rôtie
Which Northern Rhône Cru produces only white wines from Viognier?
Condrieu
Which Northern Rhône Cru to the west of the Rhône River can make reds as intense and structured as Hermitage on its slopes, but also the lightest reds using carbonic maceration on the flatter valley bottom and the plateau above the slopes?
Saint Joseph
Which two Northern Rhône Crus can co-ferment up to 15% Roussanne & Marsanne with Syrah?
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
Which Northern Rhône Cru can produce the most powerful red wines of Northern Rhône as well as a significant amount of white using Marsanne and Roussanne?
Hermitage
In Hermitage what does lieux-dits mean?
A named site that is not part of the appellation.
Some producers make wines from these sites and put the name of the site on the label.
Which Northern Rhône Cru makes structured and oaked reds on slopes to the north of Hermitage and lighter reds from higher yielding, flatter sites in the south?
Crozes-Hermitage
Which Northern Rhône Cru can only make reds from 100% Syrah?
Cornas
Which Northern Rhône Cru is the most southerly and has the warmest, sheltered, sun-baked south facing slopes producing a style similar to Hermitage?
Cornas
Compared to the steep slopes in the Northern Rhône, the Southern Rhone is much ________ .
Flatter
