Northern Rhone Cards Flashcards
(181 cards)
1
Q
What is the primary climatic difference between Northern and Southern Rhône?
A
More continental: greater temperature shifts, more rainfall, fewer sunshine hours
2
Q
What is the effect of the Mistral wind in the Northern Rhône?
A
Dries vineyards, preventing mold/mildew; strong enough to strip vines
3
Q
What type of soils dominate the steep vineyards of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Hermitage?
A
Granitic and schistous
4
Q
What is “arzelle” and where is it found?
A
Powdery, decomposed mica found near Condrieu
5
Q
What is the threat of loess and sand topsoils in Northern Rhône and how is it mitigated?
A
Erosion; mitigated by terrace construction
6
Q
What are the five AOPs for Syrah in the Northern Rhône?
A
Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph
7
Q
Which Northern Rhône AOP must be 100% Syrah?
A
Cornas
8
Q
What is the maximum percentage of Viognier allowed in Côte-Rôtie?
A
20%
9
Q
What is the maximum combined percentage of Marsanne and Roussanne allowed in Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage reds?
A
15%
10
Q
What is the maximum combined percentage of Marsanne and Roussanne allowed in Saint-Joseph reds?
A
10%
11
Q
Why is co-fermentation with white grapes used in the Northern Rhône?
A
Stabilizes red wine color, moderates tannin extraction
12
Q
Which producer is the largest in Côte-Rôtie?
A
E. Guigal
13
Q
Which two hillsides are considered the heart of Côte-Rôtie?
A
Côte Blonde and Côte Brune
14
Q
What is La Landonne?
A
Cru vineyard in Côte-Rôtie; vineyard designate for Guigal, Rostaing, etc.
15
Q
What is the iconic hilltop vineyard of Hermitage?
A
L’Hermite
16
Q
What is the name and origin of Jaboulet’s top Hermitage wine?
A
La Chapelle; named after chapel built by Crusader Gaspard de Stérimberg
17
Q
Name four key climats of Hermitage.
A
Le Méal, Les Bessards, Gréffieux, Beaume, Péléat
18
Q
Which Northern Rhône AOP is physically the smallest for red wine?
A
Cornas
19
Q
Name four noteworthy lieux-dits in Cornas.
A
Les Reynards, La Côte, Les Chaillot, Les Mazards
20
Q
Which producer is the traditional benchmark of Cornas?
A
Auguste Clape
21
Q
What is a key difference between Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage wines?
A
Crozes-Hermitage is generally lighter and less ageworthy
22
Q
How has the size of Saint-Joseph changed over time?
A
Originally small; greatly expanded from Tournon to Condrieu
23
Q
What are the only two Northern Rhône red wine AOPs that do not produce white wines?
A
Cornas and Côte-Rôtie
24
Q
Which grapes are used for white wines in Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, and Hermitage?
A
Marsanne and Roussanne
25
What is Saint-Péray AOP known for?
Exclusively Marsanne & Roussanne; traditional and sparkling wines
26
What is vin de paille and where is it made in Northern Rhône?
Dessert wine from dried Marsanne/Roussanne in Hermitage
27
Which Northern Rhône AOP focuses on Viognier?
Condrieu
28
What is the soil type of Condrieu?
Decomposed mica (“arzelle”) over granite
29
Name three top producers of Condrieu.
Georges Vernay, Yves Cuilleron, André Perret
30
What is Château Grillet AOP?
Monopole within Condrieu; Viognier; historically acclaimed, very small
31
Which AOP is sometimes incorrectly cited as the smallest in France?
Château Grillet (correct answer is La Romanée in Burgundy)
32
Which Rhône AOPs lie on the Drôme River?
Coteaux de Die, Crémant de Die, Clairette de Die, Châtillon-en-Diois
33
What grape is used in Coteaux de Die and Crémant de Die?
Clairette
34
What is the primary grape of méthode Dioise ancestrale wines?
Muscat à Petit Grains (min. 75%)
35
What is the residual sugar requirement for méthode Dioise ancestrale?
Min. 35 g/L
36
What is the max residual sugar for méthode traditionnelle in Clairette de Die?
15 g/L (brut)
37
What grapes are used in Châtillon-en-Diois AOP?
Gamay (reds/rosés); Aligoté and Chardonnay (whites)
38
Northern Rhône – Who is the producer of Château-Grillet AOP?
Château-Grillet
39
Northern Rhône – In which appellation is Château-Grillet located?
Château-Grillet AOP (monopole)
40
Northern Rhône – Which communes does Château-Grillet sit between?
Vérin and Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône
41
Northern Rhône – What is the soil type at Château-Grillet?
Granite terraces in an amphitheater-shaped vineyard
42
Northern Rhône – What grape variety is used in Château-Grillet?
100% Viognier
43
Northern Rhône – What viticulture practice was adopted at Château-Grillet post-2011?
Biodynamic viticulture
44
Northern Rhône – How would you describe Château-Grillet’s wine style compared to Condrieu?
Always dry; more restrained and taut than Condrieu; capable of aging 10–20 years
45
Northern Rhône – Who owned Château-Grillet before François Pinault?
The Neyret-Gachet family
46
Northern Rhône – When did François Pinault acquire Château-Grillet?
2011
47
Northern Rhône – What second wine is made by Château-Grillet?
Côtes du Rhône
48
Northern Rhône – What is the special Condrieu bottling made from vines bordering Château-Grillet?
Condrieu “La Carthery”
49
Northern Rhône – What unique bottle format is used by Château-Grillet?
Fluted brown bottle; among last in France to switch from 70 cL to 75 cL
50
Northern Rhône – What is the approximate annual production of Château-Grillet?
Approximately 2,000 cases
51
Northern Rhône – Which notable historical figure praised Château-Grillet in the late 18th century?
Thomas Jefferson
52
Northern Rhône – Historically, why was Château-Grillet expensive?
Due to rarity, not always due to quality
53
Northern Rhône – What has improved Château-Grillet’s quality in recent years?
Biodynamic conversion and winery renovations
54
Northern Rhône – What is the sole grape variety permitted in Condrieu AOP?
Viognier
55
Northern Rhône – In what year was the Condrieu AOP established?
1940
56
Northern Rhône – Which were the original three communes of the Condrieu AOP?
Condrieu, Vérin, and Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône
57
Northern Rhône – Which four communes were added to Condrieu AOP in 1967?
Chavanay, Malleval, Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf, and Limony
58
Northern Rhône – What elevation limit was imposed on the Condrieu AOP in 1986?
300 meters (984 feet)
59
Northern Rhône – How large was the vineyard area of Condrieu AOP as of 2020?
209 hectares (516 acres)
60
Northern Rhône – What are the key soil types found in Condrieu AOP?
Dark granitic soils on steep slopes
61
Northern Rhône – What is the climate of Condrieu AOP?
Continental; cold winters and warm summers intensified by slope and dark soils
62
Northern Rhône – What is the typical vinification style of Condrieu wines today?
Dry and full-bodied
63
Northern Rhône – What vinification practices vary among Condrieu producers?
Use of oak, malolactic conversion, and lees stirring
64
Northern Rhône – What was Condrieu's wine style historically?
Sweet or medium-sweet
65
Northern Rhône – When is Condrieu generally considered to be at its best for drinking?
In the first few years after bottling
66
Northern Rhône – How do Condrieu wines evolve with age?
They develop nutty, honeyed aromas and salinity, even with low acidity
67
Northern Rhône – What geographical feature marks the vineyards of Condrieu?
South- and southeast-facing slopes along a bend in the Rhône River
68
Northern Rhône – Why did Condrieu vineyard area decline in the mid-20th century?
The wine was little known outside the region and fruit crops were more profitable
69
Northern Rhône – What is the only grape permitted in Cornas AOP?
Syrah
70
Northern Rhône – What is the size of the Cornas appellation as of 2020?
155 hectares (383 acres)
71
Northern Rhône – How much wine was produced in Cornas in 2020?
5,243 hectoliters (138,505 gallons)
72
Northern Rhône – How is the terrain of Cornas best described?
Steep, rumpled slopes, mostly east-facing; some south-facing like Reynards
73
Northern Rhône – What are the key soil types in Cornas AOP?
Sandy, decomposed granite
74
Northern Rhône – What traditional vine training system is used in Cornas?
Echalas (individual stake training)
75
Northern Rhône – What is the typical mesoclimate of Cornas?
Hot, although new plantings on the plateau are cooler
76
Northern Rhône – What is the maximum elevation in Cornas vineyards?
400 meters (1,312 feet)
77
Northern Rhône – What was Cornas historically known for in terms of wine style?
Rustic wines with an animal character, likely from brettanomyces
78
Northern Rhône – How has the perception of brettanomyces in Cornas changed since the 1990s?
No longer more prevalent than in other Rhône regions
79
Northern Rhône – What structural hallmark remains in Cornas wines?
Intense tannic structure and wild character
80
Northern Rhône – How does the ageability of Cornas compare to Hermitage?
Generally less reliable, but the best can age 20–30 years
81
Northern Rhône – How does Cornas production compare to Hermitage?
Marginally higher production, but more land remains to be planted
82
Northern Rhône – What does “Côte Rôtie” translate to in English?
“Roasted slope”
83
Northern Rhône – What is the dominant grape variety in Côte Rôtie AOP?
Syrah
84
Northern Rhône – What is the maximum permitted percentage of Viognier in Côte Rôtie?
20%, co-planted and co-fermented
85
Northern Rhône – What percentage of Viognier is typically used in Côte Rôtie wines?
Less than 10%
86
Northern Rhône – How must Viognier be incorporated into Côte Rôtie wines?
Co-planted and co-fermented with Syrah
87
Northern Rhône – What communes is Côte Rôtie AOP spread over?
Three communes, including Ampuis
88
Northern Rhône – How many lieux-dits does Côte Rôtie have?
73
89
Northern Rhône – What are the two most famous vineyard areas of Côte Rôtie?
Côte Blonde and Côte Brune
90
Northern Rhône – What soil type is associated with Côte Blonde?
Pale yellow gneiss
91
Northern Rhône – What soil type is associated with Côte Brune?
Dark brown schist
92
Northern Rhône – What are the general style differences between Côte Blonde and Côte Brune wines?
Côte Blonde: lighter, fragrant; Côte Brune: fuller, more structured, ageworthy
93
Northern Rhône – What is the elevation range of Côte Rôtie vineyards?
Up to 325 meters (1,066 ft)
94
Northern Rhône – What are the common vineyard exposures in Côte Rôtie?
East, south-east, and south-facing slopes
95
Northern Rhône – What historical figure referenced Côte Rôtie vineyards?
Pliny the Elder
96
Northern Rhône – What vine training system is traditional in Côte Rôtie?
Echalas (single or double stake)
97
Northern Rhône – What training system is increasingly being used?
Wire trellising (though still rare)
98
Northern Rhône – What is the ageability range for top Côte Rôtie wines?
Up to 20–30 years or more
99
Northern Rhône – When did replanting of Côte Rôtie accelerate after phylloxera?
Since the 1970s, thanks to Marcel Guigal
100
Northern Rhône – Who is credited with revitalizing Côte Rôtie’s reputation in the late 20th century?
Marcel Guigal
101
Northern Rhône – What was the vineyard size of Côte Rôtie in 2020?
330 hectares (815 acres)
102
Northern Rhône – What was the wine production volume in Côte Rôtie in 2020?
11,467 hectoliters (302,926 gallons)
103
Northern Rhône – What is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône?
Crozes-Hermitage
104
Northern Rhône – How does Crozes-Hermitage compare in size to Hermitage in terms of production?
Produces more than 13 times the volume of Hermitage
105
Northern Rhône – How does Crozes-Hermitage compare to Saint-Joseph in production volume?
Produces about 25% more than Saint-Joseph
106
Northern Rhône – What is the primary grape variety used in red Crozes-Hermitage?
Syrah
107
Northern Rhône – What percentage of Crozes-Hermitage production is white wine?
Just over 10%
108
Northern Rhône – What grapes are used in white Crozes-Hermitage?
Marsanne and Roussanne
109
Northern Rhône – What is the legal maximum percentage of white grapes allowed in red Crozes-Hermitage fermentation?
0.15
110
Northern Rhône – Is co-fermentation of white grapes with red grapes common in Crozes-Hermitage?
No, it is extremely rare
111
Northern Rhône – When was the Crozes-Hermitage AOP established?
1937
112
Northern Rhône – How many communes were added to the original Crozes-Hermitage appellation in 1952?
Ten
113
Northern Rhône – What are the characteristics of wines from the northern communes like Gervans and Érôme?
Lean, fresh style from granitic hillsides
114
Northern Rhône – What characterizes Syrah grown on the southern and eastern terraces of Crozes-Hermitage?
Rich and generous style from gravel and clay soils
115
Northern Rhône – What communes in Crozes-Hermitage are historically known for white wines?
Mercurol and Larnage
116
Northern Rhône – What distinctive soil is found in Larnage?
White kaolin clay
117
Northern Rhône – How much did vineyard area in Crozes-Hermitage expand between 1990 and 2005?
About 25%
118
Northern Rhône – What was the total vineyard area of Crozes-Hermitage in 2020?
1,818 hectares (4,492 acres)
119
Northern Rhône – What cooperative produces about half of Crozes-Hermitage’s wine?
Cave de Tain
120
Northern Rhône – How long can the best red Crozes-Hermitage wines age?
5 to 10+ years
121
Northern Rhône – When is the average Crozes-Hermitage (red or white) best consumed?
Young
122
Northern Rhône – What is the most famous appellation in the Northern Rhône?
Hermitage
123
Northern Rhône – What percentage of Hermitage production is white wine?
About one-third
124
Northern Rhône – What are the main grapes used for white Hermitage?
Marsanne and Roussanne
125
Northern Rhône – What is the only red grape permitted in Hermitage AOC?
Syrah
126
Northern Rhône – What percentage of white grapes is legally allowed in red Hermitage?
Up to 15%
127
Northern Rhône – How large is the Hermitage appellation?
138 hectares (341 acres)
128
Northern Rhône – What town does the hill of Hermitage overlook?
Tain l’Hermitage
129
Northern Rhône – What are the most famous lieux-dits on the Hermitage hill?
Les Bessards, Le Méal, L’Hermite, Les Gréffieux, Les Dionnières
130
Northern Rhône – What lieux-dit is known for linear, intense wines on granite soils?
Les Bessards
131
Northern Rhône – What lieux-dit has larger stones and limestone, producing richer wines?
Le Méal
132
Northern Rhône – Which lieux-dit is crowned with a chapel and has sand and loess over granite?
L’Hermite
133
Northern Rhône – What producer owns the chapel atop L’Hermite?
Paul Jaboulet Aîné
134
Northern Rhône – What is the traditional winemaking philosophy of Jean-Louis Chave in Hermitage?
Blending across multiple lieux-dits for balance and complexity
135
Northern Rhône – Which producers bottle Hermitage lieux-dits separately?
Chapoutier and Ferraton
136
Northern Rhône – What is the typical aging potential of red Hermitage?
Up to 50 years or more
137
Northern Rhône – At what age do red Hermitage wines typically begin to show their best?
About 20 years after vintage
138
Northern Rhône – What is the typical vinification for Hermitage red wines?
Deep color, full-bodied, robust tannins, matured in oak (some new)
139
Northern Rhône – What style of white wine is produced in Hermitage?
Full-bodied, long-lived, often undergoes malolactic fermentation and oak aging
140
Northern Rhône – What producers are known for long-lived white Hermitage?
Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier (L’Ermite, De l’Orée)
141
Northern Rhône – What rare sweet wine style is still occasionally made in Hermitage?
Vin de paille
142
Northern Rhône – Which producers still make Hermitage vin de paille?
Jean-Louis Chave, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Cave de Tain
143
Northern Rhône – What granite-derived geological feature anchors the Hermitage hill?
Outcrop from the Massif Central
144
Northern Rhône – What viticultural challenge affects the Hermitage hill?
Soil erosion, requiring terraces
145
Northern Rhône – What is the historical connection between Hermitage and Bordeaux?
Bordeaux first growths were historically blended with Hermitage
146
Northern Rhône – When was Hermitage first mentioned in English literature?
1680, in Thomas Shadwell’s *The Woman-Captain*
147
Northern Rhône – What famous historical figure praised Hermitage wine in the 18th century?
Thomas Jefferson
148
Northern Rhône – How was Hermitage wine viewed in the 18th–19th centuries?
Among France’s most prestigious wines, priced higher than first growth Bordeaux
149
Northern Rhône – What Australian wine was formerly named after Hermitage?
Penfolds Grange Hermitage
150
Northern Rhône – What was “Hermitage” a historic synonym for in South Africa?
Cinsaut
151
Northern Rhône – What grape is sometimes called “Hermitage” in Switzerland?
Marsanne
152
Northern Rhône – What is the second largest AOC in the Northern Rhône?
Saint-Joseph
153
Northern Rhône – How large was the vineyard area of Saint-Joseph in 2020?
1,370 hectares (3,385 acres)
154
Northern Rhône – How long is the Saint-Joseph appellation from north to south?
60 km (37 miles)
155
Northern Rhône – What type of geographic feature defines much of the Saint-Joseph terrain?
South- and east-facing slopes carved by tributaries from the Massif Central
156
Northern Rhône – When was the Saint-Joseph AOC created?
1956
157
Northern Rhône – How many communes were originally included in Saint-Joseph AOC?
Six
158
Northern Rhône – What year were 20 more communes added to Saint-Joseph?
1969
159
Northern Rhône – Is there a village called Saint-Joseph?
No; the name comes from a lieu-dit in Mauves
160
Northern Rhône – What are the original six communes in the Saint-Joseph appellation?
Glun, Mauves, Tournon, Lemps, St-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion
161
Northern Rhône – What is the dominant soil type in Saint-Joseph?
Granite
162
Northern Rhône – What other soils can be found in Saint-Joseph besides granite?
Gneiss (north), limestone (south), alluvial deposits, and loess
163
Northern Rhône – What grape is used for red Saint-Joseph?
Syrah
164
Northern Rhône – What grapes are used for white Saint-Joseph?
Marsanne and Roussanne
165
Northern Rhône – What percentage of Saint-Joseph production is white wine?
Approximately 13%
166
Northern Rhône – How do the wines from the southern part of Saint-Joseph compare to the north?
Southern wines are more concentrated and structured
167
Northern Rhône – What is the general aging window for most red Saint-Joseph wines?
Best within 8 years
168
Northern Rhône – What is the potential aging window for top red Saint-Joseph wines?
Up to 20 years or more
169
Northern Rhône – How does the cost of Saint-Joseph wines compare to Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage?
Less expensive
170
Northern Rhône – What is the difficulty of farming vineyards in Saint-Joseph compared to Hermitage?
Equally steep and terraced, just as difficult to farm
171
Northern Rhône – Name three top producers of Saint-Joseph.
Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier, Domaine Gonon
172
Northern Rhône – What type of wines are produced in the Saint-Péray AOC?
White wines only
173
Northern Rhône – Which communes does the Saint-Péray AOC straddle?
Saint-Péray and Toulaud
174
Northern Rhône – What are the permitted grape varieties in Saint-Péray?
Marsanne and Roussanne
175
Northern Rhône – What style of wine was Saint-Péray historically known for?
Traditional method sparkling wine
176
Northern Rhône – What wine style is now more common in Saint-Péray?
Dry still white wine
177
Northern Rhône – What was the total vineyard area of Saint-Péray in 2020?
103 hectares (255 acres)
178
Northern Rhône – What soil types are found in Saint-Péray?
Limestone and granite
179
Northern Rhône – What is the elevation of the limestone outcrop in Saint-Péray?
Nearly 400 meters (1,312 feet)
180
Northern Rhône – What is the typical body and acidity of Saint-Péray wines?
Full-bodied with fairly low acidity
181
Northern Rhône- owners of La Landonne
Six vineyard-designated La Landonne wines are bottled (Guigal, Rostaing, Gerin, Delas, and Gérard). And Jean-Paul Jamet
