Rhone Valley Flashcards
Northern Rhone’s location?
The Northern Rhône, or Rhône septentrionale, occupies a narrow band of vineyards hugging the river just south of Beaujolais, from Vienne to Valence
Southern Rhone’s location?
The vineyards of the Southern Rhône, or Rhône méridionale, funnel outward south of Montélimar toward Avignon, near the river’s Mediterranean basin
The Southern Rhône suddenly became the center of Christian Europe as Pope Clement V moved his court from Rome to Avignon in?
1309
His successor, Pope John XXII, began construction of the now-ruined summer papal palace, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and planted the surrounding vineyards
The Southern Rhône was the first quality region in France to be struck by phylloxera when it first appeared in ?
1863
Châteauneuf-du-Pape became the first AOC (now AOP) in France in?
1936 by the efforts of Baron Le Roy of Chateau Fortia
Soils in Condrieu are known locally as?
Near the commune of Condrieu, the thin topsoil is rich with powdery, decomposed mica, known locally as arzelle
Name the five appellations for Syrah in Northern Rhone
Hermitage AOP, Crozes-Hermitage AOP, Cornas AOP, Côte-Rôtie AOP, and Saint-Joseph AOP
Hermitage produces which styles?
Blanc: Marsanne and/or Roussanne
Rouge: Syrah plus a max. 15% combined Marsanne and Roussanne
Vin de Paille (Blanc): Marsanne and/or Roussanne
Hermitage maximum yields?
Blanc: 45 hl/ha
Rouge: 40 hl/ha
Vin de Paille: 15 hl/ha
Hermitage principal soils?
granite with topsoils of mica, schist and gneiss
Hermitage minimum potential alcohol?
Blanc: 11%
Rouge: 10.5%
Vin de Paille: 19.5% (12.5% acquired)
Name some major Lieux-dits of Hermitage
The western flank towards the river is the highest at around 320m with granitic soils and the best lieux-dits are Les Bessards, L’Ermite and Les Grandes Vignes producing powerfull, athletic, straight, saline style of Hermitage
Immediately to the east lies Le Meal with limestone and pebbles producing producing richer, fuller and darker wines than Les Bessards which provides the ‘skeleton’ of the wines
Les Greffieux below Le Meal at the bottom with more clay and alluvial
Towards the east Les Beaumes and Peleat are important for JL Chave
Les Rocoules and Les Murets opulent whites
Les Dionnieres at the bottom both red and whites less dense and more enjoyable young
Name some top producers from Hermitage
M. Chapoutier: A leading producer known for both red and white Hermitage wines, with several single-vineyard bottlings like “Le Pavillon” and “L’Ermite”, Le Meal
Jean-Louis Chave: A legendary name in the Rhône Valley, famous for producing some of the most sought-after Hermitage wines, both red and white. After 1990 he produces a special cuvee called Cathelin from Les Bessards and Le Meal
Paul Jaboulet Aîné: Known for its iconic “La Chapelle” Hermitage, one of the most celebrated wines of the region a blend of Le Meal, Les Bessards, Les Greffieux, Les Rocoules and Les Murets from 80y old vines on average. Produces also La Chapelle blanc (2010 very good)
E. Guigal: Though based in Côte-Rôtie, Guigal also produces exceptional Hermitage wines, including single-vineyard offerings.
Delas Frères: Esteemed for their powerful and age-worthy Hermitage wines, with notable cuvées such as “Les Bessards” and Ligne de Crete rouge a monopole at the highest part of the hill
Domaine Marc Sorrel: The estate owns small but prestigious plots on the Hermitage hill with their top red being Le Greal a blend of mainly Le Meal 85% and Les Greffieux and a top white from 60y old vines from Les Rocoules. Their Crozes-Hermitage also is superb
Domaine de Colombier and Cave de Tain are also repsresentatives
Crozes-Hermitage produces which styles?
Blanc: Marsanne and/or Roussanne
Rouge: Syrah plus a max. 15% combined Marsanne and Roussanne
Crozes-Hermitage yields and soils?
45 hl/ha
North: Granitic slopes, similar to Hermitage
South: Alluvial soils of glacial origin
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 10.5%
Cornas produces which styles?
Rouge: 100% Syrah
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 10.5%
Cornas yields and soils?
40 hl/ha
granite (gore)
Cornas major Lieux-dits ?
Les Chaillots: Known for its stony, granite soils, producing wines with good structure and minerality.
Reynard: One of the most prestigious lieux-dits, known for producing some of the most intense and long-lived wines in Cornas.
La Côte: This site provides wines with great depth and concentration.
Les Mazards: Produces well-balanced wines with a mix of power and elegance.
Les Eygats: A higher altitude site, resulting in wines with freshness and fine tannins.
Patou: Known for producing rich and robust wines.
Name some top producers from Crozes-Hermitage
Alain Graillot: One of the most respected names in Crozes-Hermitage, known for producing exceptional Syrah wines with great balance and elegance. In exceptional years produces a special cuvee called La Guiraude
Domaine du Colombier: Renowned for their powerful and structured red wines as well as high-quality whites
Domaine des Lises: Managed by Maxime Graillot, Alain Graillot’s son, this estate produces top-notch wines that are modern yet expressive of the terroir
Domaine de Thalabert (Paul Jaboulet Aîné): This historic vineyard, under the direction of Caroline Frey, consistently produces some of the finest wines in the appellation
Marc Sorrel
Yann Chave: Known for producing rich and concentrated Syrah wines with excellent aging potential.
Domaine de Combier a pioneer of organic viticulture in Rhone
Domaine les 4 Vents
Domaine Laurent Habrard
Domaine Gaylord Machon a rising star of the appellation
Hermitage is a small appellation with?
140ha
The only appellation in the northern Rhône Valley that lies to the east of the Rhône River is?
Crozes-Hermitage. This appellation is located primarily on the left bank of the river, opposite the town of Tain-l’Hermitage and the famous Hermitage hill, which is on the western side of the Rhône River
Cornas has only about?
110ha
Cornas is an old Celtic dialect term for?
'’burnt land’’
Name the top producers and wines of Cornas
Thierry Allemand: Highly respected for his meticulous vineyard work and minimal intervention winemaking, organic and boidynamic practices in the vineyard, producing wines of incredible purity and expression
Cornas “Reynard”: Sourced from the Reynard lieu-dit, this wine is known for its depth, complexity, and aging potential. It is often considered Allemand’s top wine. With its intensely mineral, granitic soil, Reynard is one of the great terroirs of the Northern Rhône. over 60 years old vines
Cornas “Chaillot”: Sourced from the Chaillot vineyard, this wine is also highly regarded, offering a slightly more approachable style while still being profound and age-worthy, with soil of clay of limestone, and very steep, south-facing slopes
Domaine Auguste Clape: One of the legends of Cornas, known for producing robust and complex wines with great aging potential, traditional approache with no new oak and no desteming. Clape’s masterpiece is of course the classic Cornas, precisely blended from five to six cuvées of the oldest vines in the best sites. The backbone comes from Reynard, La Côte and Sabarotte. The old vines here are la Petite Syrah—the old clone considered by many to be the true Syrah—which creates a stunningly deep and complex wine that will develop for decades. Cornas “Renaissance” is often regarded as the pinnacle of Auguste Clape’s production. It is a blend of fruit from several top vineyard sites in Cornas, showcasing the rich, robust, and complex character that the appellation is known for.
Vineyards: The wine is sourced from some of Clape’s best parcels, including old vines from key lieux-dits such as Reynard, Chaillot, and Les Mazards.
Domaine Alain Voge: Esteemed for their traditional and terroir-driven wines, offering both intensity and elegance. Cornas “Les Vieilles Vignes” in the lieux-dits of Reynard, Chaillot, and Les Mazards, best wine La Fontaine from 80year old vines
Domaine Vincent Paris: Rising star of the appellation, making elegant and powerful wines from top vineyard sites like Granit 60 and Geynale
Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo: Known for producing modern and polished wines with a focus on fruit purity and finesse.
Domaine Matthieu Barret: A biodynamic producer creating vibrant and expressive wines with a focus on sustainability
Franck Balthazar: the jewel of the estate is his Chaillot and follows traditional approach
Noel Verset: highly regarded for their traditional craftsmanship, complexity, and ability to age. They offer a pure expression of Cornas and are prized by collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the depth and character of well-made Syrah from this renowned appellation. Les Chaillots, Les Reynard, Les Mazards
Côte-Rôtie produces which style?
Syrah plus a max. 20% Viognier
Minimum Potential Alcohol: 10.5%
Côte-Rôtie maximum yields?
40 hl/ha
Côte-Rôtie principal soil types?
Côte Brune (north): mica-dark, brown and green schistous rock with plenty of iron oxide
Côte Blonde (south): pale-yellow gneiss
Côte-Rôtie became an AOC in?
1940
Saint-Joseph produces which styles?
White: Marsanne and Roussanne
Red: Min. 90% Syrah, plus Marsanne and Roussanne
Minimum Alcohol: 10.5%
Saint-Joseph maximum yields?
40hl/ha
Saint-Joseph principal soil types?
schist and gneiss on granite bedrock
mostly granitic
Which is the largest appellation of Northern Rhone?
Saint-Joseph introduced in 1956
Name the best producers of Saint-Joseph
Domaine Gonon (Mauves)
Notable Wines: Saint-Joseph “Les Oliviers” (80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne), Saint-Joseph “Vieilles Vignes” rouge
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Mauves)
Notable Wines: Saint-Joseph “Offerus,” Saint-Joseph “Blanc”
Domaine Monier-Perreol farms biodynamically
Notable Wines: “Châtelet” (15y), “Les Serves” and “Terre Blanche” (30y)
Domaine Pierre Gaillard
Notable Wines: Saint-Joseph “Clos de Cuminaille’’ east facing slope in Chavanay with 30 year old vines
Domaine Lionel Faury
Notable Wines: La Gloriette a blend of three vineyards at the very north of the appellation planted in the 1950s
Domaine Pierre & Jérôme Coursodon (Mauves)
Notable Wines: L’Olivaie and Paradis de St Pierre lieux-dits both red and white, Silice Blanc and Rouge are so-named for the high silica content
The Paradis Saint-Pierre myth with the 2009 and 2010 among the best wines of the region
Bernard Gripa from the southern part of the appellation produces one white (70% Marsanne and the rest Roussanne) and one red from Syrah
Notable producers from the northern part include Yves Gangloff, Xavier Gerard (Les Blanchard) and Domaine de Monteillet (Cuvee du Papy)
Name the single vineyard wines of Guigal in Côte-Rôtie
La Landonne (Côte Brune)
Description: A powerful and complex wine, La Landonne is known for its deep, dark fruit flavors and robust structure. It is made from a vineyard on a steep, south-facing slope with rocky, granitic soil.
La Mouline (Côte Blonde)
Description: La Mouline is celebrated for its elegance and aromatic complexity. It features a blend of Syrah and a small percentage of Viognier, contributing to its floral and spicy character. The vineyard is located on a steep, sunny slope with a mix of granite and clay soils.
La Turque (Côte Brune)
Description: Known for its balance and depth, La Turque offers rich flavors of dark fruit and spices. The vineyard is situated on a steep, south-facing slope with granite and clay soils.
Vin de paille, a style revived by?
Gérard Chave in the 1970s and again by Chapoutier in 1990
Saint-Péray AOP produces which styles?
Blanc: Marsanne and Roussanne
Blanc Mousseux (Méthode Traditionnelle)
Blanc Mousseux: May be released after 12 months of age from the date of tirage (no min. lees time stated)
Name the communes of production of Condrieu
Condrieu, Vérin, and Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône are the original 3 communes of production. In 1967, Limony, Chavanay, Malleval, and Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf were added to the appellation
Yields and soils in Condrieu?
41 hl/ha
decompossed granite
Name the top producers of Condrieu
Domaine Georges Vernay
Notable Wines: Condrieu “Côteau de Vernon,” Condrieu “Les Chaillées de l’Enfer”, Condrieu ‘‘Les Terrasses de l’Empire’’
Domaine Yves Cuilleron (Chavanay)
Notable Wines: Condrieu “Les Chaillets,” Condrieu “Vernon”
Domaine François Villard
Notable Wines: Condrieu “Les Contours de Deponcins,” Condrieu “Le Grand Vallon”, De Poncins, Les Terrasses du Palat
Domaine André Perret
Notable Wines: Clos Chanson, Coteau du Chery
Domaine Rostaing
Notable Wines: Condrieu “La Bonnette,” Condrieu “Les Chênes”
Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff
Notavle Wines: Condrieu “La Bonnette”, Condrieu “La Garde”
Delas Freres Condrieu Clos Boucher
Remi Niero
Notable Wines: Coteau du Chery from 30 year old vines
Chateau Grillet is owned by?
Artemis Domaines, the wine division of the Artemis Group, which is controlled by the French business magnate François Pinault. Artemis Domaines oversees several prestigious vineyards and wine estates. since 2011
Artemis Domaines: This division includes several renowned properties, primarily in France, such as:
Château Latour in Bordeaux.
Domaine d’Eugénie in Burgundy.
Eisele in Napa
Clos de Tart in Burgundy
The Château-Grillet monopole cover only?
3,5 ha
37 hl/ha
1936 AOC
The first vintage of Château Grillet is typically cited as being from 1850
Name the top producers of Cote-Rotie
Domaine René Rostaing
Notable Wines: Côte-Rôtie “La Landonne,” Côte-Rôtie “La Bonnette”
Domaine Guigal
Notable Wines: Côte-Rôtie “La Landonne (100% Syrah),” Côte-Rôtie “La Mouline (89%),” Côte-Rôtie “La Turque”(93%)
Domaine Jamet
Notable Wines: La Landonne
Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff
Notable Wines: La Barbarine, La Sereine
Domaine Clusel-Roch
Notable Wines: Les Schistes (blend of 3 lieux-dits), La Viallieres, Les Grandes Places
Southeast of Valence, four minor appellations of the Northern Rhône lie on the Drôme River, a tributary of the Rhône
Coteaux de Die AOP
Crémant de Die AOP
Clairette de Die AOP
Châtillon-en-Diois AOP
Coteaux de Die AOP produces?
whites 100% Clairette
