Northern Rhone

Question 1

Mistral

Answer 1

• cold north winds
• Pros: prevents pests and disease
• Cons: disrupt flowering > cause couloure (shedding blossom), destroy vines
• vines planted in lateral valleys to river for protection
• stakes used on vines for support against
• cooling effect

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

moderate Continental

Question 3

Syrah

Answer 3

• deep color
• high acid
• medium to high tannin
• medium to full body
• black fruit (black berry, black cherry, black plum), black pepper, clove, floral
• oak
• when blended with Viognier > aromatic intensity
• fermented with Marsanne and Roussanne to stabilize color extraction

Question 4

Viognier

Answer 4

• adds aromatic intensity to fermentation/blending with Syrah
• full body
• high alcohol
• low acid
• perfumed aromas (orange blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle), stone fruit (peaches, apricot, nectarine)
• rich, waxy, oily character
• handled with care to avoid overtly oily character
• oak handled with care
• slow ripening > must be picked late
• some late harvest style
• susceptible to mildew, botrytis

Question 5

Marsanne and Roussanne

Answer 5

• stabilizes red color extraction to fermentation/blending with Syrah (not as common)
• Marsanne: richness and weight
• Roussanne: high acid and perfumed fruit
• blended together
• ageworthy > hazelnut
• not as aromatic as Viognier

Question 6

Cote Rotie

Answer 6

• red only (Syrah) > up to 20% Viognier
• deep color
• full body
• spicy, aromatic freshness

Question 7

Condrieu

Answer 7

• white wine only
• Viognier
• low yielding old vines
• Chateau Grillet (own AOC)

Question 8

Saint Joseph

Answer 8

• red (Syrah)

- white (Marsanne and Roussane)

Question 9

Hermitage

Answer 9

• blends
• lieux dits (single vineyard)
• red (Syrah) > up to 15% Marsanne and Roussane
• white (Marsanne and Roussane)
• Red Hermitage: fullest body in Northern Rhone
• ageworthy

Question 10

Crozes Hermitage

Answer 10

• highest volume

- up to 15% Marsanne and Roussane

Question 11

Cornas

Answer 11

• 100% Syrah
• deep color
• full body
• high alcohol

Question 12

Massif Central

Answer 12

• western mountain range

- vineyards on steep slopes