France - Northern Rhône - Wine Regions Flashcards
(64 cards)
1
Q
What is the climate and rainfall?
A
- Moderate continental
- Adequate rainfall, mainly in autumn and winter
2
Q
What influence does the cold Mistral wind have?
A
- Reduces fungal diseases
- Decreases vine vigor
- Lower yields and higher concentration
- Lower production
3
Q
Where are the best vineyards located?
A
On steep slopes -> better sunlight interception and drainage
4
Q
What are the appellations from north to south?
A
- Côte Rôtie
- Condrieu
- Saint-Joseph
- Hermitage
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Cornas
- Saint-Péray
5
Q
How are wines from Northern Rhône outside of the appellations labeled?
A
Collines Rhodaniennes IGP
6
Q
Côte Rôtie
What type of wines does it produce?
A
Red only
7
Q
Côte Rôtie
Describe the typical vineyard sites and its characteristics
A
- Steep slopes, often terraced
- East and south-east facing -> sunlight interception and shelter from winds
8
Q
Côte Rôtie
What ensures ripening of grapes?
A
- High levels of sunlight and heat
- Rapid drainage
- Poor, stony soils
9
Q
Côte Rôtie
What are problems with vineyards?
A
- Much of the work by hand
- Erosion is a constant problem
10
Q
Côte Rôtie
How are the vines trained?
A
Single- or double-Guyot trained and tied to one or two poles (known locally as échalas)
11
Q
Côte Rôtie
Who helped with the reputation and what is the typical quality and price of wines?
A
- Etienne Guigal with single-vineyard Côte-Rôties (initially La Mouline and La Landonne)
- Robert Parker’s high scores
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium and super-premium prices
12
Q
Côte Rôtie
How much area under vine is there?
A
250 ha
13
Q
Côte Rôtie
What is the typical planting density and max yield?
A
- 10,000 vines per ha
- Max yield: 40 hL/ha
14
Q
Côte Rôtie
What are the grape varieties?
A
- Syrah
- Up to 20% Viognier (often no Viognier at all)
15
Q
Côte Rôtie
What style is it known for and how is it compared to other appellations?
A
- Pronounced aromas
- Typically softer and less full-bodied than other appellations
16
Q
Condrieu
What are the grape varieties and max yields?
A
- Viognier only
- Max yield: 41 hL/ha
17
Q
Condrieu
Where are vineyards located, what is the soil, what is their aspect, and what does that mean?
A
- Steep, low fertility, rocky slopes
- Often terraced
- Challenges from erosion and wind
- Often south-facing
- Enhances fruit ripening
18
Q
Condrieu
How much area under vine does the appellation have?
A
197 ha
19
Q
Condrieu
Describe fermentation vessel, malo, and ageing
A
- Mostly stainless steel or large wooden vessels
- Some use small barrels
- Usually Malo conducted
- Aged on lees for 10–12 months, often with lees stirring
20
Q
Condrieu
What is the typical quality and price?
A
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium to super-premium price
21
Q
Saint-Joseph
What are two highly regarded producers?
A
- Jean-Louis Chave
- Domaine Gonon
22
Q
Saint-Joseph
What is the historical heart of the region?
A
The lieu-dit “Saint-Joseph”
23
Q
Saint-Joseph
What types of wines are produced?
A
Red (90%)
24
Q
Saint-Joseph
What is the max yield?
A
40 hL/ha
25
**Saint-Joseph**
What can be added to the red wines?
* Marsanne and Roussanne are allowed in small proportions
* In practice: quite rare
26
**Saint-Joseph**
What is the typical quality and price?
* Good wines at mid-price
* Very good to outstanding at premium and super- premium prices
27
**Hermitage**
What is the area under vine?
Small (137 ha)
28
**Hermitage**
What type of wine is produced?
2/3 Red
1/3 White
29
**Hermitage**
Where is it situated? What is the topography and what are the soils?
* Hill on the left bank (river flows south)
* South-facing slope
* Sun + protection from cold winds
* Dry vineyards with thin, stony soils
30
**Hermitage**
What is the typical style? (intensity, tannins, ageing)
* Pronounced intensity
* High tannins
* Great longevity
31
**Hermitage**
What are the max yields for red and white wines?
* Red: 40 hL/ha
* White: 45 hL/ha
32
**Hermitage**
How are red wines fermented and aged?
* Stems often included
* Warm fermentation temperatures
* Lengthy oak ageing (12–18 months)
* Usually some new oak and medium to large wooden vessels
33
**Hermitage**
What grape varieties are used for white wines?
* Typically a majority of Marsanne with some Roussanne
* OR pure Marsanne
34
**Hermitage**
How are white wines fermented and aged?
* Fermentation in old wood, new or old oak barrels or in stainless steel
* Maturation in oak (minority new) or stainless steel
* Aged on lees for 10–12 months
35
**Hermitage**
Are the whites suitable for ageing?
* Yes
* Can develop rich, creamy, and nutty flavours with outstanding complexity
36
**Hermitage**
What can be produced in very ripe years?
A rare **Vin de Paille** is made (a sweet wine made by drying the grapes off the vine)
37
**Hermitage**
What are the most important négociants, co-operatives, and producers?
* Négociants: Chapoutier and Jaboulet
* Co-operatives: Cave de Tain
* Producers: Jean-Louis Chave
38
**Hermitage**
What is the typical quality and price of red and white wines?
* Very good to outstanding quality
* Mostly super- premium in price
39
**Hermitage**
What is the appellation most known for?
The world’s most structured and long-lived Syrah wines
40
**Crozes-Hermitage**
Where is it located? What is the area under vine? How big is the appellation?
* Left bank (river flows from north to south), surrounding Hermitage
* 1,700 ha
* Largest appellation in the northern Rhône
41
**Crozes-Hermitage**
How is the climate in the north of the appellation?
* Continental climate
* Can be extremely cold in winter
* Strong influence from Mistral
* Long growing season
* High diurnal range
* Moderate sugar accumulation
* Retained acidity
42
**Crozes-Hermitage**
How is the climate in the south of the appellation?
* More temperate
* Risk of heavy rainfall in late autumn and through the winter
43
**Crozes-Hermitage**
How does the soil and resulting wines compare to Hermitage?
* Deeper soils
* More fertile
* Wines with lower concentration
44
**Crozes-Hermitage**
What is the max yield?
45 hL/ha
45
**Crozes-Hermitage**
What is the quality and price of wines?
* Mostly good to very good and mid-priced
* Some premium-priced, high-quality wines
46
**Crozes-Hermitage**
How are red wines made?
* Fermentation on skins
* Mainly in concrete tanks or stainless steel
* Maturation in these tanks or large oak vessels
47
**Crozes-Hermitage**
What is the typical style of red wine? (ageing, tannin)
* Early drinking
* Medium tannins
48
**Crozes-Hermitage**
How much white wine is produced, from what grapes, and in what vessels?
* 9%
* Marsanne, Roussanne
* Top example aged in wood and some new barrels
49
**Crozes-Hermitage**
What is the typical quality and price of white wines?
* Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
* Mid- to premium priced
50
**Cornas**
What is the climate, aspect and topography?
* Mediterranean
* South and east facing amphitheatre
* Protection from cold winds
51
**Cornas**
What type of wine is produced, from what varieties?
ONLY red from Syrah
52
**Cornas**
What is the max yield?
40 hL/ha
53
**Cornas**
What is the area under vine?
145 ha
54
**Cornas**
What are three top producers?
* Domaine Alain Voge
* Domaine Vincent Paris
* Domaine Auguste Clape
55
**Cornas**
What is the typical quality and price?
* Very good to outstanding
* Premium to super-premium price
56
**Saint-Péray**
Where is it located and what is the climate?
* Most southerly appellation
* Slightly cooler climate than neighbors
57
**Saint-Péray**
What are the varieties?
* Mostly Marsanne
* Some Roussanne
58
**Saint-Péray**
What is the max yield?
45 hL/ha
59
**Saint-Péray**
How are the wines produced?
* Stainless steel or in oak barrels
* Aged in the same or in large old oak vessels
* Higher quality wines, aged on the lees for 10–12 months
* Some lees stirring
60
**Saint-Péray**
What is the quality and price of wines?
* Good to very good quality
* Mid- to premium priced
61
**Collines Rhodaniennes IGP**
What type of wines are produced?
* Red
* White
* Rosé
62
**Collines Rhodaniennes IGP**
Where do the grapes come from?
Northern Rhône outside the appellations
63
**Collines Rhodaniennes IGP**
What is the max yield?
80 hL/ha
64
**Collines Rhodaniennes IGP**
What are the requirements and price?
* Other grape varieties allowed
* Mid- to premium priced
