The Northern Rhône Flashcards
List Northern Rhone Appellations from North to South
Cote Rotie Condrieu Saint Joseph Hermitage Crozes Hermitage Cornas
Where are the best vineyards located?
On steep slopes, close to the River Rhone, facing south, often in lateral valleys. The valleys give protection from the cold northerly Mistral.
What’s the name of the wind that blows down the Rhone valley?
The Mistral
How are vines supported on the steep slopes?
Either by individual stakes or a teepee like structure.
What is the climate like in Northern Rhone?
Moderate continental, similar to Beaujolais
Which black grapes are permitted in Northern Rhone?
Only Syrah is permitted
What is the general style of Northern Rhone reds?
Some variation but generally deeply coloured, med to high tannin, black fruit, with black pepper
Why might a winemaker add a small % of white grapes to his red wine?
To stabilise colour extraction or, with Viognier, to add aromatic intensity and soften tannin
Which white grapes are used in Northern Rhone?
Viognier
Marsanne
Rousanne
What is the style of Viognier?
When is it picked and what risk must be averted by careful grape handling?
Full bodied, aromas of blossom and apricot with stone fruit flavours, low to medium acid, high alcohol.
Some use new oak.
Some off dry late harvest wines.
Picked late season to develop signature aromas
Careful grape handling to avoid oily character
Which Northern Rhone appellation only makes white wine?
Condrieu
What is the character of Marsanne?
Adds richness and weight, often blended with Rousanne, with age develops hazelnut aromas
What is the character of Rousanne?
Adds acidity and perfume, often blended with Marsanne, with age develops hazelnut aromas
What is the style of Cote Rotie?
Deeply coloured, full bodied and spicy.
At best floral with texture
Small % Viognier often added
What is the style of Saint Joseph red and why can it differ?
From terraces - Full bodied
From valley floor - Lighter bodied
Wine making ranges from extractive to whole bunch fermentations.
How can the terrain in Hermitage differ?
What is the style of the best red Hermitage?
Varying slope steepness and aspect creating different style and body.
At best fullest bodied red of Northern Rhone and ages well
Deep ruby, tannic, red berry, toast, vanilla, liquorice and spice
Which is the highest output region of the Northern Rhone?
Crozes-Hermitage
How does the terrain of Crozes-Hermitage differ?
How does this influence the style of the red wines
North of Hermitage - Slopes = complex and tannic, best are oaked
South - Flat plains = lighter style
What is the climate and terrain like in Cornas and how does it influence the style of wine?
Most southerly appellation, sun baked south facing slopes
100% Syrah only permitted - Deep colour, full body, similar to Hermitage
Which Appellations in Northern Rhone make white wine?
Condrieu - only white - 100% Viognier
Saint Joseph - Marsanne and Rousanne
Hermitage - Marsanne and Rousanne
Crozes-Hermitage - Marsanne and Rousanne
List the 4 Natural factors of wine
Grapes
Climate
Weather
Soil / Aspect
