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