Rhone Flashcards
Where is the Northern Rhone located?
The Northern Rhône, or Rhône septentrionale, occupies a narrow band of vineyards hugging the river just south of Beaujolais, from Vienne to Valence.
Where is the Southern Rhone located?
The vineyards of the Southern Rhône, or Rhône méridionale, funnel outward south of Montélimar toward Avignon, near the river’s Mediterranean basin.
The introduction of winemaking in France can be traced to the________, who established vine cultivation at their Massalia settlement—modern-day Marseilles—in approximately 600 BCE.
The introduction of winemaking in France can be traced to the “Greeks,” who established vine cultivation at their Massalia settlement—modern-day Marseilles—in approximately 600 BCE.
The Northern Rhône’s picturesque, hallmark terraces were first constructed by _______ workers
The Northern Rhône’s picturesque, hallmark terraces were first constructed by “Roman” workers
After the fall of Rome, who was responsible for reviving the vine culture in the Rhone?
As in Burgundy, the Catholic Church was primarily responsible for reviving the culture of the vine in the ninth century. In 1309, the Southern Rhône suddenly became the center of Christian Europe as Pope Clement V moved his court from Rome to Avignon.
Which Pope created the construction of the now ruined papal palace (Chateauneuf-du-Pape) and planted the surrounding vineyards?
Pope John XXII, began construction of the now-ruined summer papal palace—Châteauneuf-du-Pape—and planted the surrounding vineyards. The Roman Catholic Popes presided in Avignon until 1378, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape remained property of the papacy until 1791. However, the wine sourced from the papal vineyards—vin d’Avignon—was not bottled as Châteauneuf-du-Pape until the 19th century.
In the 17th century, how did Rhone wines find their way in England?
In the 17th century traders carried Rhône wines to the Loire Valley, and by the 18th they were being exported via the Loire to England.
How were wines from Hermitage viewed in 17th and 18th century?
The “manly” wines of Hermitage were amongst the most famous in France in the 18th and 19th centuries, and many merchants of Bordeaux blended it with their own reds to strengthen the wines.
What was the first French region to be struck by phylloxera and when?
The Southern Rhône was the first quality region in France to be struck by phylloxera when it first appeared in 1863.
What region became the prototype of the development for the AOC and when did they begin the groundwork?
As wine fraud took hold in France during the decades of grafting and replanting following the epidemic, the growers of Châteauneuf-du-Pape prepared and imposed a set of rules for production. These rules became the prototype for the Appellation Contrôlée system, and in 1936 Châteauneuf-du-Pape became the first AOC (now AOP) in France.
How were the wines from the Rhone viewed in the late 20th century and how they viewed now?
In the late 20th century, the wines were often overlooked in favor of Burgundy and Bordeaux; today, they are achieving critical acclaim and a renewed public interest.
Climate of Southern Rhone?
Southern Rhône’s climate is firmly Mediterranean
Climate of Northern Rhone?
Northern Rhône is more continental.
How are the vines positioned in the Northern Rhone and what climatic challenges do they deal with?
Northern Rhône benefits from its southerly position but experiences greater seasonal temperature shifts, more rainfall, and fewer annual hours of sunshine than the southern appellations.
Mistral
The cold, dry Mistral wind, a defining climatic element of the Southern Rhône and Provence, blows down from the Massif Central and affects the Northern Rhône in winter and spring.
What benefits does the mistral winds have?
Although the wind is strong enough to strip the vines—many trees in the valley grow leaning southward, bent by the wind—it dries the vineyards, preventing mold and mildew from taking hold.
What is the soil content like in majority of the vineyards in Northern Rhone?
Heat-retaining granitic and schistous soils define much of the North: the steeply sloped vineyards of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage are carved out of this bedrock.
arzelle
Fine sand and loess topsoil throughout the Northern Rhône is prone to erosion, a threat partially mitigated by terrace construction. Near the commune of Condrieu, the thin topsoil is rich with powdery, decomposed mica, known locally as arzelle.
How are the soils in St-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and St-Peray different than their Northern Rhone neighbors?
The soils become heavier with clay in the southern section of St-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and St-Péray.
How are the reds of Northern Rhone typically fermented and aged?
The wines are typically fermented and aged in large oak foudres, although some producers are now experimenting with new barriques.
What is the leading varietal in Northern Rhone and what are its flavor characteristics?
In the Northern Rhône, the Syrah grape achieves its classic status. The wines are full-bodied, firm, savory, and manifest a host of signature secondary aromas including smoke, grilled meat, olive, lavender, and peppercorn.
What are the 5 appellations for Syrah in the Northern Rhone?
Hermitage AOP, Crozes-Hermitage AOP, Cornas AOP, Côte-Rôtie AOP, St-Joseph AOP.
In Cornas, Syrah is bottled as a _____% varietal wine.
In Cornas, Syrah is bottled as a 100% varietal wine.
In Côte-Rôtie, up to 20%_______ may be added.
In Côte-Rôtie, up to 20% Viognier may be added.
In Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage, producers have the option of adding a combined total of _____% ______ and __________.
In Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage, producers have the option of adding a combined total of 15% Marsanne and Roussanne.
St-Joseph producers may add up to____% ______ and ________.
St-Joseph producers may add up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne.
What does co-fermentation of different varietals help promote in the Northern Rhone?
Co-fermentation offers the almost counterintuitive advantage of stabilizing red wine color and moderating tannin extraction. Generally, a smaller percentage of white grapes than the allowable maximums are used, if at all.
What is the northernmost appellation in the Northern Rhone?
Côte-Rôtie, the northernmost appellation in the Northern Rhône Valley, is home to some of France’s steepest vineyards.
Meaning behind the name “Cote Rotie”?
Côte-Rôtie, the “roasted slope,”
The two slopes nearest Ampuis—the ______ and ______—are considered the heart of the appellation’s terroir.
the two slopes nearest Ampuis—the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde—are considered the heart of the appellation’s terroir.
What type of wines does the Cote Blonde produce?
Côte Blonde yields softer, alluring wines whereas the wines
What type of wine does the Cote Brune produce?
Côte Brune are stronger and more assertive than the Cote Blonde.
La Landonne
La Landonne, a cru bottled as a vineyard designate by Guigal, René Rostaing and others, fetches prices that can equal those commanded by the first growths of Bordeaux.
Rising up from the village of Tain-l’Hermitage, the south-facing hill of ________ produces equally compelling Syrah.
Rising up from the village of Tain-l’Hermitage, the south-facing hill of Hermitage produces equally compelling Syrah.
What four major producers dominate the terraced hill of Hermitage?
Jean-Louis Chave
the négociants Delas
M. Chapoutier
Jaboulet
“La Chapelle” wine
“La Chapelle,” Jaboulet’s premier wine, is named for a small hillside chapel that stands in commemoration of Gaspard de Stérimberg, the legendary Crusader-turned-hermit who lived a life of asceticism atop the hill. The chapel is located within the climat of L’Hermite.
What are some important climats in Hermitage?
L’Hermit, le Méal, les Bessards, Gréffieux, Beaume Péléat.
Behind the hill of Hermitage are the vineyards of __________.
Behind the hill of Hermitage are the vineyards of Crozes-Hermitage.
What can be said about the type of wines that come out of Crozes-Hermitage?
The red wines of Crozes-Hermitage are generally lighter and less ageworthy, although the better wines can approach Hermitage in quality.
What can be said about the wines coming out of Cornas?
In Cornas, the Syrah wines are traditionally rustic, impenetrable in their youth and slow to develop in the bottle.
What is the climate like in Cornas?
The vineyards of Cornas are amongst the warmest in the Northern Rhône. The sun’s warmth is magnified by the naked granite soil (gore) in the vineyards, and the appellation is shielded from le mistral.
Cornas is divided among four quarters, or lieux-dits:
Les Reynards, La Côte, Les Chaillot, and Les Mazards
Smallest appellation in Northern Rhone?
At just over 100 hectares of planted land, Cornas is physically the smallest red wine appellation of the Northern Rhône, although Hermitage is not far behind.
_______ has long been considered the standard-bearer for the traditional wines of the appellation, eschewing destemming for whole cluster fermentation and new oak barriques for the old demi-muids of the region.
Auguste Clape has long been considered the standard-bearer for the traditional wines of the appellation, eschewing destemming for whole cluster fermentation and new oak barriques for the old demi-muids of the region.
North of Cornas, _______ produces variable wines. The appellation’s borders have been greatly enlarged from the original delimited area near the commune of Tournon-sur-Rhône, opposite the hill of Hermitage
North of Cornas, St-Joseph produces variable wines. The appellation’s borders have been greatly enlarged from the original delimited area near the commune of Tournon-sur-Rhône, opposite the hill of Hermitage
Sub regions within the Northern Rhone that can only produce red wine?
Cornas and Côte-Rôtie may produce only red wine
What are some red wine producing regions in the Northern Rhone that are allowed to make white wine?
St-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage also produce small amounts of white wines, from the Marsanne and Roussanne grapes.
Talk about St-Peray AOP
Near Valence, the cool St-Péray AOP exclusively produces Marsanne and Roussanne wines, which may be made in méthode traditionelle mousseux style.
What flavor components does Roussanne and Marsanne add to St-Peray AOP?
Often but not always blended, the more delicate Roussanne adds acidity and waxy minerality to Marsanne’s broader, oily texture and marzipan character.
Gérard Chave and Chapoutier have revived this style of wine-making in Hermitage.
In Hermitage, producers have the traditional option of drying either grape for the rare dessert wine vin de paille, a style revived by Gérard Chave in the 1970s and more recently by Chapoutier.
White wine region south of Cote Rotie that focuses on Viognier.
Condrieu AOP is a white wine appellation just south of Côte-Rôtie for the Viognier grape.
What is the size of Condrieu and how were the wines viewed in the 1960s?
The appellation’s less than 200 delimited hectares result in a wine of great rarity; in the 1960s the wine approached extinction as it had fallen out of commercial favor and only a handful of hectares were still planted to Viognier.
What producers help revive the wines from Condrieu?
Today, it experiences a small resurgence in the hands of producers such as Georges Vernay, Yves Cuilleron, and André Perret.
Flavor profile of Viognier from the Condrieu
Viognier wines tend toward honeyed lushness, intriguing floral aromas and rich texture; however, important stylistic decisions, such as the use of oak and the desirability of malolactic fermentation, vary widely by producer.
Wines from Chateau Grillet
The Viognier wines of Château Grillet AOP, a monopole within Condrieu, enjoy historical acclaim but are perhaps more notable today for their rarity than intrinsic value. Château Grillet is often incorrectly cited as the smallest appellation in France; this distinction belongs to La Romanée in Burgundy.
Southeast of Valence, four minor appellations of the Northern Rhône lie on the Drôme River, a tributary of the Rhône. What are they?
Coteaux de Die AOP
Crémant de Die AOP
Clairette de Die AOP
Châtillon-en-Diois AOP
Coteaux de Die AOP and Cremant de Die AOP offer whites based wholly or partially on what varietal?
Clairette.
Clairette de Die AOP provides two styles of sparkling wines, what are they?
méthode traditionnelle and méthode Dioise ancestrale
While Clairette is the sole grape in the traditional method wines of Clairette de Die AOP, what is the leading varietal in Clairette de Die done in methode Dioise ancestrale?
Méthode Dioise ancestrale requires its rustic sparkling wines to contain—confusingly—a minimum 75% Muscat à Petit Grains. A minimum 35 grams per liter residual sugar remains, implying demi-sec sweetness.
Describe the méthode ancestrale technique
The méthode ancestrale is an old technique of sparkling wine production wherein the wine is bottled without dosage before fermentation has concluded. The wines are disgorged into pressurized tanks and rebottled without liqueur d’expédition.
Crémant de Die AOP done in the methode traditionnelle, rather than methode Dioise ancestrale, has what flavor characteristics?
Méthode traditionnelle wines are basically brut in style, with a maximum 15 grams per liter of sugar after dosage.
Near Die, ___________AOP is an anomaly for Gamay-based reds and rosés and whites based on Aligoté and Chardonnay.
Near Die, Châtillon-en-Diois AOP is an anomaly for Gamay-based reds and rosés and whites based on Aligoté and Chardonnay.
What region produces the most wine in the Northern Rhone?
Crozes-Hermitage (48%)
What region produces the least amount of wine in the Northern Rhone?
Chateau Grillet
What is the minimum lees aging (in bottle) for Clairette de Die AOP Méthode Traditionnelle?
Méthode Traditionnelle: 9 months
What is the minimum lees aging (in bottle) for Clairette de Die AOP Méthode Ancestrale?
Méthode Ancestrale: 4 months
Minimum Potential Alcohol for wines from the Condrieu?
11.5% (13% acquired alcohol required for wines with at least 45 g/l of residual sugar)
What are the Enrichment and Harvest methods for wines from the Condrieu?
Enrichment: Chaptalization is prohibited for wines with at least 45 g/l of residual sugar.
Harvest Method: Manual harvesting is mandatory. For wines with at least 45 g/l of residual sugar, grapes must be harvested in successive tries.
Primary soil in the Condrieu AOP?
Primary Soil Type: decomposed granite
Minimum potential alcohol for wines from Cornas?
10.5%
Maximum residual sugar for wines from the Cornas
Maximum Residual Sugar: 3 g/l (4 g/l if potential alcohol is greater than 13.5%)
Major Lieux-dits of Cornas
Reynard
Chaillot
La Côte
Les Mazards
Thézier
Le Pigeonnier
La Ge(y)nale
Cayret
Sauman
Champelrose
Les Saveaux-Nord/Sud
Les Côtes
PatouPermitted training methods in Crozes Hermitage
Cordon de Royat and Gobelet
Communes of production for Cote Rotie
Ampuis, Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, Tupin-Semons
Principle soils found in the northern and southern part of Crozes Hermitage?
North: Granitic slopes, similar to Hermitage
South: Alluvial soils of glacial origin
