The Rhône - The Northern Rhône

Question 1

What kind of climate does the Northern Rhône have?

Answer 1

Continental

Question 2

What kinds of soils are typically found in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 2

Granite and schist

Question 3

Which Northern Rhône appellation bottles 100% Syrah?

Answer 3

Cornas AOP

Question 4

What are the appellations of the Northern Rhône?

Answer 4

Côte-Rôtie AOP
Condrieu AOP
Château-Grillet AOP
Saint-Joseph AOP
Crozes-Hermitage AOP
Hermitage AOP
Cornas AOP
Saint-Péray AOP
Châtillon-en-Dois AOP
Clairette de Die AOP
Crémant de Die AOP

Question 5

Which Northern Rhône AOPs produce Syrah-dominant wines?

Answer 5

Hermitage AOP
Crozes-Hermitage AOP
Cornas AOP
Côte-Rôtie AOP
Saint-Joseph AOP

Question 6

In what kind of vessel is wine typically fermented in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 6

Large, aged oak foudres.

Question 7

What are the blending grapes commonly found in the Northern Rhône?

Answer 7

Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne

Question 8

What are the allowed grape varieties of Côte-Rôtie AOP?

What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 8

Syrah and Viognier

Maximum 20% Viognier

Question 9

What are the allowed grape varieties of Condrieu AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 9

Viognier.

All wines must be 100% Viognier.

Question 10

What are the allowed grape varieties of Château-Grillet AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 10

Viognier

All wines must be 100% Viongier

Question 11

What are the allowed grape varieties of Saint-Joseph AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 11

Marsanne, Roussanne, Syrah.
White: Marsanne and Roussane
Red: Min. 90% Syrah with up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne.

Question 12

What are the allowed grape varieties of Crozes-Hermitage AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 12

Marsanne, Roussanne and Syrah.
White: Marsanne and/or Roussane.
Red: Syrah with a max of 15% Marsanne/Roussanne.

Question 13

What are the allowed grape varieties of Hermitage AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 13

Marsanne, Roussane and Syrah
White: Marsanne and/or/Roussanne
Red: 85% Syrah plus a max. of 15% Marsanne/Roussanne

Question 14

Which sweet wine is made in Hermitage AOP?What requirements are placed on its production?

Answer 14

Vin de Paille (Blanc)
Made from Marsanne and/or Roussanne with a min. alcohol of 19.5%.
Grapes must be dried for at least 45 days.

Question 15

What are the allowed grape varieties of Cornas AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 15

Syrah.

Wines may not be blended here – 100% Syrah.

Question 16

What are the allowed grape varieties of Saint-Péray AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 16

Marsanne and Roussanne.

No limits on assemblage.

Question 17

In what style is Saint-Péray Blanc Mousseux made?

Answer 17

Méthode Traditionelle

Question 18

What are the allowed grape varieties of Châtillon-en-Dois AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 18

Chardonnay, Aligoté, Gamay, Pinot Noir and Syrah
White: not specified
Red/Rosé: min. 60% Gamay

Question 19

What are the allowed grape varieties of Clairette de Die AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 19

Clairette and Muscat à Petits Grains
Méthode traditionelle: 100% Clairette
Méthode ancestrale: min. 75% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.

Question 20

What are the allowed grape varieties of Crémant de Die AOP? What are the acceptable blending practices?

Answer 20

Clairette, Aligoté, Muscat Blanc à Ptits Grains.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains cannot exceed 10% of the blend.