The Northern Rhône Flashcards
What is the climate of Northern Rhône ?
Moderate continental
Noticeably cooler than Southern Rhône
What is the quality of wine of Northern Rhône ?
Home to many of the premium wines
What factors influence climate in the vineyards of Northern Rhône ?
The Rhône valley is narrow and steep
The **river Rhône ** reflect sunlight.
Best vineyards are close to the river on **steep slopes ** with south-facing aspect, on a lateral valley
Lateral valleys also serves to protect vines from strong cold north winds known as mistral
What are the climate hazards of Northern Rhône and how are they managed ?
Mistral: strong north wind that can easily damage the vines and cool the vineyards
Vines can be planted on lateral valley.
Vines are supported by individual stake or by tepee-like arrangement of stakes
What is the grape most associated with Northern Rhône ?
Syrah
What are the white grape varieties of Northern Rhône ?
Viognier (premium wine)
Marsanne and Roussanne
What is the only black variety permitted in the Northern Rhône ?
Syrah
Can you grow any other black grapes than Syrah in Northern Rhône ?
No
What are the most prized site for Syrah in Northern Rhône and why ?
Southerly exposures and on very steep slopes
At this latitude and with cooling effect of the Mistral, Syrah is at the very northern limit of where it can ripen successfully.
Describe the character of Syrah Wines of Northern Rhône
Deeply coloured
medium-high levels of tannin
black fruit, black pepper, floral aromas
Describe the winemaking techniques used for Syrah of Northern Rhône
- Use of oak depend: sometimes high proportion of new oak, sometime large barrels or older oak
- most wines are 100% syrah
- some winemakers find taht addition of the white grapes can help to stabilise colour extraction, for exemple, with viognier, which also add aromatic intensity.
Describe the characteristics of Viognier from Northern Rhône
full bodied
perfumed aromas of blossom, apricots and flavours of stone fruits
Low acidity, high alcohol (signature aromas develop at a very high level of sugar ripeness)
Describe the winemaking techniques used for Viognier of Northern Rhône
- Grapes need to be handled gently so that the wines do not develop overtly oily character
- New oak is increasingly used but has to be handled to not overwhelm primary flavours
- Small number of wines are in off-dry style from late-harvested grapes.
Describe the characteristic of Marsanne and Roussanne of the Northern Rhône
Usually blended together
Marsanne: Richness and weight
Roussanne : Acidity and perfumed fruit characteristic
Do not have aromatic intensity of Viognier but can age well and develop complex hazelnut aromas
What is the french word for Northern Rhône ?
Vallée du Rhône Nord - Septentrionnal
Between which cities is located Northern Rhône ?
Vienne in the North and Valence in the south
South of Lyon
Name the regions/AOC of Northern Rhône
From north to south:
Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Saint-Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
Cornas
Explain the wine laws of Northern Rhône
Most of the wines come from one of the Cru appellations,
Most of crus are tiny, with only Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage covering a significant area
Describe climate and wine characteristics of Côte Rotie
Côte Rotie represents its expore to sun
Only red wines are produced although up to 20% Viognier can be added
Deeply coloured, full-bodeid, spicy,
Aromatic floral freshness and textural elegance distinguish it from Hermitage
Around town of Ampuis
Describe climate and wine characteristics of Condrieu
White wine made solely from Viognier
best wines come from low-yielding old vines
Grown on steep, well-exposed, terraced vineyards
Chateau Grillet is a single property appellation within condrieu that produce in a similar style
What grape varieties are used in Saint-Joseph ?
Syrah (majority)
Marsanne and Roussanne
Describe the different wine areas of Saint-Joseph and their influence on style of wine
- Just south of condrieu : excellent wines
- In the middle : Flatter site on valley floor and plateau above the slopes. : Large volume of light bodied, can have elements from carbonic maceration. Lighest bodied , pepper perfumed
- Terraced vineyard near Tournon : Best wines, flavours and structure similar to hermitage
Which appellation is divided into Lieux-dits ?
Hermitage
What are Lieux-dits ?
Division of Hermitage, named sites which are not part of the appellation system.
They vary in steepness and aspect, which gives wines subtly different style and body
Where is located Hermitage ?
Located on steep south facing slope behind the town of Tain-l’hermitage
East of the Rhône
From what region is the fullest-bodied red of Northern Rhône ?
Hermitage
Describe the style and quality of wine of Hermitage
Traditionally : Blend of wines from different sites but some are now from specific lieux-dits
Red Hermitage is the fullest-bodied of the Northern Rhône
Ages well
up to 15% of Roussanne and Marsanne may be fermented with Syra (rarely done)
White wines are 1/5 of Hermitage’s production
What is the most important appellation in terms of volume in Northern Rhône ?
Crozes-Hermitage
Describe the location and soils of Crozes-Hermitage Vineyards
soil: mixed terrain around the hill of Hermitage
North of Hermitage, vines are on Slopes (best quality)
south of Hermitage, vines are on a flat plain (high yielding, lighter wine)
What is the wine quality in Crozes-Hermitage ?
Quality, style and prive vary depending on the location of the vineyards
lighter wines from highier yielding flatter sites in south
More concentrated, complex and tannic from steeper slopes to the north
Some of the more expensive wines may be aged in oak
Overall, red wines do not have the same reputation as Hermitage or Côte rotie
White wines may be produced
Where is located Cornas ?
Near Valence in the southerly region of the Northern Rhône
Describe the specificity of Cornas red wines
Must be 100 % Syrah
Southerly of the red wine cru and the warmest
Deeply coloured, full bodied, in a quality similar to hermitage
Describe the soil and aspect of Cornas
Sheltered, well exposed, sun baked, south facing slopes of lateral valleys
What mountain is covering the west side of the river Rhône?
Massif Central
Name the white grapes grown in the Northern Rhône and in which white wine appellations you’ll find them.
Viognier
- Condrieu
Roussanne
- Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph
Marsanne
-Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph
Name a white wine-only appellation in the Northern Rhône.
Condrieu AOC
Northern Rhône appellations that are allowed to make both still red and still white wines include:
Saint-Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
