The Northern Rhône

Question 1

What is the climate of Northern Rhône ?

Answer 1

Moderate continental
Noticeably cooler than Southern Rhône

Question 2

What is the quality of wine of Northern Rhône ?

Answer 2

Home to many of the premium wines

Question 3

What factors influence climate in the vineyards of Northern Rhône ?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What are the climate hazards of Northern Rhône and how are they managed ?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is the grape most associated with Northern Rhône ?

Answer 5

Syrah

Question 6

What are the white grape varieties of Northern Rhône ?

Answer 6

Viognier (premium wine)
Marsanne and Roussanne

Question 7

What is the only black variety permitted in the Northern Rhône ?

Answer 7

Syrah

Question 8

Can you grow any other black grapes than Syrah in Northern Rhône ?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

What are the most prized site for Syrah in Northern Rhône and why ?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Describe the character of Syrah Wines of Northern Rhône

Answer 10

Deeply coloured
medium-high levels of tannin
black fruit, black pepper, floral aromas

Question 11

Describe the winemaking techniques used for Syrah of Northern Rhône

Answer 11

• 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.

Question 12

Describe the characteristics of Viognier from Northern Rhône

Answer 12

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)

Question 13

Describe the winemaking techniques used for Viognier of Northern Rhône

Answer 13

• 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.

Question 14

Describe the characteristic of Marsanne and Roussanne of the Northern Rhône

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is the french word for Northern Rhône ?

Answer 15

Vallée du Rhône Nord - Septentrionnal

Question 16

Between which cities is located Northern Rhône ?

Answer 16

Vienne in the North and Valence in the south
South of Lyon

Question 17

Name the regions/AOC of Northern Rhône

Answer 17

From north to south:
Côte-Rôtie
Condrieu
Saint-Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage
Cornas

Question 18

Explain the wine laws of Northern Rhône

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Describe climate and wine characteristics of Côte Rotie

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Describe climate and wine characteristics of Condrieu

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What grape varieties are used in Saint-Joseph ?

Answer 21

Syrah (majority)
Marsanne and Roussanne

Question 22

Describe the different wine areas of Saint-Joseph and their influence on style of wine

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Which appellation is divided into Lieux-dits ?

Answer 23

Hermitage

Question 24

What are Lieux-dits ?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Where is located Hermitage ?

Answer 25

Located on steep south facing slope behind the town of Tain-l’hermitage
East of the Rhône

Question 26

From what region is the fullest-bodied red of Northern Rhône ?

Answer 26

Hermitage

Question 27

Describe the style and quality of wine of Hermitage

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What is the most important appellation in terms of volume in Northern Rhône ?

Answer 28

Crozes-Hermitage

Question 29

Describe the location and soils of Crozes-Hermitage Vineyards

Answer 29

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)

Question 30

What is the wine quality in Crozes-Hermitage ?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Where is located Cornas ?

Answer 31

Near Valence in the southerly region of the Northern Rhône

Question 32

Describe the specificity of Cornas red wines

Answer 32

Must be 100 % Syrah
Southerly of the red wine cru and the warmest
Deeply coloured, full bodied, in a quality similar to hermitage

Question 33

Describe the soil and aspect of Cornas

Answer 33

Sheltered, well exposed, sun baked, south facing slopes of lateral valleys

Question 34

What mountain is covering the west side of the river Rhône?

Answer 34

Massif Central

Question 35

Name the white grapes grown in the Northern Rhône and in which white wine appellations you’ll find them.

Answer 35

Viognier
- Condrieu

Roussanne
- Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph

Marsanne
-Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph

Question 36

Name a white wine-only appellation in the Northern Rhône.

Answer 36

Condrieu AOC

Question 37

Northern Rhône appellations that are allowed to make both still red and still white wines include:

Answer 37

Saint-Joseph
Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage