Climate & Grape Growing Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the terrain of the Rhône Valley?
Narrow and Steep
Where are vineyards planted?
how much is under vine?
Close to the Rhône River
4,000 ha (vs 66,000 Southern Rhone)
Where are the best sites
Steep slopes with south-facing aspect
What do the valleys that feed into the Rhone protect the vines from?
Mistral wind (cold, north)
What is the climate of the Northern Rhone?
Moderate continental climate = cold winters, warm summers and adequate rainfall during autumn/winter
What is the key weather influence?
Mistral Wind - cold, blows from the North. Reduces fungal disease, decreases vigour and leads to lower yields and higher concentration in the wines, but also lower production.
Key difference in temperature of Northern Rhône vs Southern Rhône
Noticeably cooler in the North
What does planting on steep slopes in the N. Rhône result in?
Better light interception and better drainage = more work in vineyard, by hand, raising cost
What is the distance between the most northerly and southerly vineyards?
65km - better ripening in southern area of N Rhône
Describe the Syrah grape
Vigorous
requires careful training and tying to protect from Mistral
On steep slopes individual vines are tied to 1 or 2 poles - trellising not possible
Susceptible to mites and botrytis bunch rot
Disease called Syrah Decline or Disorder - leaves turn red, graft point breaks up, vine dies
Wines that Syrah produces?
Only black grape allowed in N Rhône Crus
Deep ruby
med to pronounced intensity aromas
violet, plum (red/black - depending on cold/warm year) blackberry and black pepper and herbal notes
Acidity and tannins from med to high
Syrah adds structure, fruit and colour to Southern Rhone reds
Describe Côte Rotie AOC
small AOC, more northerly appellation, produces only red wines
vineyards on steep slopes, often terraced, making most of east/south-east facing for high sunlight interception and wind shelter.
High sunlight, heat, good drainage, poor stony soils = fully ripe grapes
Describe the vineyard for Cote Rotie and size
Steep slopes, often terraced, worked by hand
Individual vines are single or double guyot trained and tied to 1 or 2 poles
Vineyard size shrunk to 70 ha in 1970s
Propagated by mass selection
Rootstock 3309 preferred
Typical planting density 10,000 vines per ha = competition between vines, reducing yields = concentrated fruit
Max yield 40 hL/ha
What is the size of the Cote Rotie vineyard(s) now, who revived the area?
250 ha
Single Vineyard La Mouline and La Landonne Revived by Guigal - high score by Robert Parker
Describe the wines from Cote Rôtie?
All red, made from Syrah
Up to 20% Viognier permitted, tho often 0% added
If Syrah & Viognier used must be co-fermented
Deeply coloured, full bodied, spicy and the best have floral freshness and textural elegance that distinguishes them from Hermitage - Pronounced aromas, typically softer and less full-bodied than other appellations
Describe Winemaking in Cote Rotie
winemaking emphasises aromatic potential of wines
most choose to destem and then cold soak, but use % of stems in ferments becoming common
Warm fermentation 26-30℃, for full extraction
Viognier adds floral and fruity aromas
natural yeasts used (terroir expression)
MLF takes place in cask
Maturation in small barrels (225 l barriques or 500-600 L for less overt oak
Describe Condrieu AOC
close to Northern end of North Rhone
Describe Condrieu wine
must be 100% Viognier
Full-bodied white wines
aromas of blossom and apricots
flavours of stone fruits
low acidity, high alcohol - as grapes do not develop signature flavours until v late in season = high level of sugar ripeness
careful handling to avoid oily character
new oak increasing used, but easy to overwhelm primary aromas
small number made in an off-dry style from late-harvested grapes
describe Condrieu vineyards
197 ha
Often south facing (river turns southwest) = enhanced fruit ripening
steep, low fertility, rocky slopes, terraced vineyards, challenging soil erosion and wind
Max 41 hL/ha = medium to pronounced flavour intensity
Describe winemaking in Condrieu AOC
Fermented in S/S or large wooden vessels, some small barrel
MLF can be chosen by producer, but normally carried out
Aged on lees 10-12 months with lees stirring
Good to outstanding quality, premium to super-premium in price.
model for Viognier around the world.
what is the small AOC within Condrieu?
Château Grillet AOC 3.5ha, created the reputation for Viognier before it came back in fashion in 1980s
Describe Saint Joseph AOC
Long appellation runs from Condrieu to Cornas 50 km on westerner bank of the Rhone river
90% of wines are Red made from Syrah
Max yield 40 hL/ha
Marsanne/Roussanne allowed in small amounts
Large volumes of more light-bodied wines come from more flatter, fertile sites.
Describe winemaking / wine style of Saint Joseph
Often lightest-style of N Rhone Syrah
S/S and large wood tanks for fermentation, ageing in larger wood tanks/barrels, occasionally barriques
Wide range of quality/price
good wines at mid-price
very good wines to premium and super premium
Describe Hermitage AOC
on a Hill, located above town of Tain L’Hermitage
Small appellation of 137ha
Divided into a number of Lieu-dits - named sites not part of appellation system - Chapoutier
On East of river = catches the sun and protection from Mistral
1/3 planted to white wine production
