19. The Northern Rhone

Question 1

Climate of Northern Rhone

Answer 1

Moderate and continental

Question 2

How are vines supported in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 2

Individual stakes or teepee-like stakes

Question 3

Northern Rhone white grape

Answer 3

Viognier

Question 4

Northern Rhone red grape

Answer 4

Syrah

Question 5

What is important about Syrah and the Northern Rhone?

Answer 5

Syrah is the only red variety permitted

Question 6

In the Northern Rhone, what can adding white wine to Syrah do?

Answer 6

Stabilises colour exttraction from the Syrah grapes

Question 7

In the Northern Rhone, what does Viognier specifically bring to Syrah?

Answer 7

Aromatic intensity

Question 8

Northern Rhone Viognier body

Answer 8

Full-bodied

Question 9

Northern Rhone Viognier aromas

Answer 9

Blossom and apricots

Question 10

Northern Rhone Viognier primary fruit flavours

Answer 10

Stone fruits

Question 11

Northern Rhone Viognier acidity

Answer 11

Low acidity

Question 12

Northern Rhone Viognier alcohol

Answer 12

High alcohol

Question 13

Why do Northern Rhone Viogniers have high alcohol and low acidity?

Answer 13

They are harvested late to maximise aroma intensity

Question 14

Two other important white varieties in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 14

Marsanne and Rousanne

Question 15

What does Marsanne possess in blends?

Answer 15

Richness

Question 16

What does Rousannne possess in blends?

Answer 16

Acidity and perfumed fruit

Question 17

Marsanne and Rousanne develop what aromas from age?

Answer 17

Hazelnut

Question 18

What are the two largest crus in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 18

Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage

Question 19

Up to what % of Viognier can be added to Cote Rotie?

Answer 19

20%

Question 20

What properties distinguish premium Cote Rotie wines from Hermitage?

Answer 20

Aromatic floral freshness and textural elegance

Question 21

Only white grape permitted in Cote Rotie?

Answer 21

Viognier

Question 22

Cote-Rotie body

Answer 22

Full-bodied

Question 23

Are Cote-Roties spicy?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

Where do the best Saint-Josephs come from?

Answer 24

Southern part of appellation near town of Tournon

Question 25

What do the inexpensive, high-volumes Saint-Josephs express best?

Answer 25

Pepper-perfumed aspects of Syrah

Question 26

What are lieux-dits in Hermitage?

Answer 26

Named sites

Question 27

Historically, Hermitage wines have been composed how?

Answer 27

Blend of wines from different lieux-dits

Question 28

Hermitage permits up to what % of Marsanne and Roussanne to be blended with Syrah?

Answer 28

15%

Question 29

White wines of Marsannne and Rousanne account for what % of Hermitage's wine output?

Answer 29

20%

Question 30

Where are the lighter wines of Croze-Hermitage from?

Answer 30

Flatter sites to the south

Question 31

Where are the more concentrated and tannic wines of Croze-Hermitage from?

Answer 31

Steeper slopes in the north

Question 32

Most southerly appellation of the Northern Rhone?

Answer 32

Cornas

Question 33

Warmest appellation of the Northern Rhone?

Answer 33

Cornas

Question 34

Cornas is the most ___ and ____ appellation of the Northern Rhone

Answer 34

Southerly and warmest

Question 35

Cornas permitted varieties?

Answer 35

Only Syrah is permitted

Question 36

Cornas body

Answer 36

Full-bodied

Question 37

Two growing properties of Viognier that make it a challenging grape?

Answer 37

Buds early and ripens late

Question 38

Why does Viognier need warm regions to grow in?

Answer 38

It ripens late

Question 39

Where is co-fermenting Viognier with reds most famous?

Answer 39

Cote-Rotie

Question 40

What kind of white wine is Viognier?

Answer 40

Aromatic

Question 41

Soils of Condrieu and Chateau Grillet?

Answer 41

Steeo, granite soils

Question 42

How does Condrieu differ from other Viogniers elsewhere?

Answer 42

It has minerality and ages well

Question 43

Temp fermentation of Viognier

Answer 43

Cool fermentation

Question 44

Vessel for Viognier fermentation?

Answer 44

Stainless steel

Question 45

Why is Viognier commonly grown on well-drained soils like granite and limestone?

Answer 45

They reduce excessive vigour, leading to more concentrated fruit

Question 46

Who do producers often block malolactic conversion in Viognier?

Answer 46

To retain acidity and minimise oiliness in texture