Rhone Flashcards
What percentage of Rhone wine production is accounted for by the Northern Rhone?
5%
Where are the best vineyards situated in the Rhone?
on steep southern facing slopes close to the river
What is the climate of the northern Rhone?
Continental with summers that are warm but not oppressive. Temperatures are noticeably warmer in the south
What is the only permitted red grape in the northern Rhone?
Syrah
Describe northern Rhone Syrah.
deeply colored, high levels of tannin with black fruit, black pepper and floral aromas. they develop gamey aromas with age.
What wine is often blended or cofermented with Syrah in Cote Rotie
Viognier
Describe the flavor profile of Viognier
Apricot, spice and floral aromaa. low acidity and high alcohol.
What are the two white grapes other than Viognier used to make white wines of the northern Rhone.
Marsanne and Roussanne
Why are Marsanne and Roussane perfect blending partners
Marsanne has richness and weight. Roussanne has acidity and perfumed fruit characteristic
What is the most northernly AC of the Rhone valley?
Cote Rotie
Name the 6 ACs of the nothern Rhone.
Cote Rotie, Cornas, Saint Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes- Hermitage, Condrieu
Which Northern Rhone AC produces only white wine from Viognier?
Condrieu
Which AC in the Northern Rhone produces the fullest bodied red wines most suitable for aging?
Hermitage
Which AC in the northern Rhone produces the highest volume and has the least prestigious reputation?
Crozes-Hermitage
Which is the most Southernly and warmest of the red wine ACs in the northern Rhone?
Cornas
Which is the only AC where wine must be made from 100% Syrah with no white grapes blended
Cornas
What is the generic appellation of the southern Rhone?
Cote du Rhone
What is the climate of the Southern Rhone?
Mediterranean with mild winters and hot dry summers
What grape dominates most of the red wines in the southern rhone
Grenache
Describe the fruit aromas of grenache
spiced red fruit flavors
What two varieties play the most important supporting role to grenache in the southern Rhone
Syrah and Mourvedre
Desscribe the characteristics of Mourvedre? what type of climate does it need to ripen?
deeply colored, high tannin, gamey savoury aromas when very ripe. It must be planted in the hottest sites.
You most often find cinsault in the production of what wine?
Blended with grenache in the production of fresh fruity rose.
What are the 7 crus of the southern Rhone?
Cotes du rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, Tavel, Gigondas and Vacqueyras
