Rhone Pt 4 - N.Rhone AOCs

Question 1

How many Cru AOC in N.Rhone?

Answer 1

Eight. They are all considered to be a “CRU”. They all lie within the Cotes du Rhone production zone.

Question 2

Which is the largest AOC in N.Rhone?

Answer 2

Crozes-Hermitage.

Question 3

Which AOCs lie on the right bank of the Rhone?

Answer 3

Cote-Rotie, Condrieu, Chateau Grillet, St.Joseph, Cornas and Saint-Peray.

Question 4

When was Cote Rotie awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 4

Awarded 1940 for Red only.
White; (S) Viognier;
Red; Syrah.

Question 5

When was Condrieu awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 5

Awarded in 1940 for Dry White, Sweet White.(RS 4.5%/45 gl)
Grapes are Viognier only

Question 6

Where is Condrieu located?

Answer 6

On East-facing slopes on the right bank of the Rhone.

Question 7

When was Chateau-Grillet awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 7

Awarded 1936 for dry white only.
Viognier is sole grape.
Produces in the same style as Condrieu.

Question 8

Where is Chateau-Grillet located?

Answer 8

It is within the bounday of Condrieu on steep terraces. It is only 8.6 ac/3.5 ha.

Question 9

What is the ageing regime for Chateau-Grillet wines?

Answer 9

They must spend two years in oak barrels or tanks. They can continue to age for a further 10 years.

Question 10

What is unique about Chateau-Grillet?

Answer 10

It is one of only two monopoles outside Bourgogne. The other is Coulee de Serrant in the Loire.

Question 11

When was Saint-Joseph awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 11

1956 for dry white and red;
White(P) Rousanne, Marsanne;
Red (P) Syrah.

Question 12

Where is Saint-Joseph located?

Answer 12

On steep east-facing slopes on the right bank of the Rhone. It runs 37 miles in a narrow and long stretch.

Question 13

Why do the wines of Saint-Joseph vary in style and concentration? How do they generally differ from other N.Rhone wines?

Answer 13

It has a variety of aspects so some wines are structured and concentrated whilst others are softer and more fruit-forward. As a general rule they mature more quickly than other N.Rhone crus.

Question 14

When was Cornas awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 14

Awarded 1938 for RED only.
100% Syrah only.

Question 15

Where is Cornas located?

Answer 15

It is a steep, SE-facing slope of granite which forms an amphitheatre protecting the vines from cold winds.

Question 16

When was Saint-Peray awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 16

Awarded 1936 for dry and sparkling white.
White: (P) Marsanne and Roussanne.

Question 17

Which AOCs lie on the left bank of the Rhone?

Answer 17

Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage.

Question 18

When was Hermitage awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 18

Awarded 1936 for dry white, red and Vin de Paille.
White: (P) Marsanne , Roussanne;
Red: (P) Syrah.

Question 19

Which white grapes can be used in Hermitage red wines?

Answer 19

Up to 15% Roussanne and Marsanne can be co-fermented.

Question 20

When was Crozes-Hermitage awarded AOC? For which styles? Which grapes?

Answer 20

Awarded 1937 for dry white, red.
White: (P) Marsanne , Roussanne;
Red: (P) Syrah.

Question 21

Which N.Rhone AOC is not included in the Cotes du Rhone zone of production?

Answer 21

The Diois which is considered a part of the N.Rhone.

Question 22

Where is the Diois located?

Answer 22

It is 25 miles SE of Cornas on the edge of the Massif du Vercors.

Question 23

What is the climate of Diois?

Answer 23

Continental with alpine influences. Continentality and diurnal range are higher than other N. Rhone AOCs. Summer days are very hot and nights substantially cooler.

Question 24

When was Clairette de Die awarded AOC? for which styles? which grapes?

Answer 24

Awarded 1942 for sparkling white and sparkling rose.
White: (P) Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc, Clairette;
Rose: (S) Clairette Rose;
Red (S) Gamay,Muscat a Petit Grains Rouge.

Question 25

Which styles of wine are produced from Clairette de Die?

Answer 25

Clairette de Die - traditional method; Clairette de Die - Methode Dioise Ancestral - sweet sparkling blend

Question 26

Which grapes are used in Clairette de Die?

Answer 26

100% Clairette

Question 27

Which grapes are used in Clairette de Die Method Dioise Ancestral?

Answer 27

Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc and Clairette. Muscat dominates the blend. Can be rose.

Question 28

Why is Cote Rotie known as the " roasted slopes"?

Answer 28

It is located on extremely steep, South facing slopes, and so receives long hours of sunlight.

Question 29

How much Viognier can be used in Cote Rotie wines?

Answer 29

AOC permits up to 20% but this is usually less than 5%.

Question 30

How much Marsanne or Roussanne can be fermented with Saint-Joseph reds?

Answer 30

Up to 10% may be co-fermented.

Question 31

Which white grapes can be used in Crozes-Hermitage red wines?

Answer 31

Up to 15% Roussanne and Marsanne can be co-fermented. They can also be bottled in white wines.

Question 32

What production rules govern how Viognier may be used in Cote Rotie reds?

Answer 32

They must be co-planted, co-harvested and co-fermented.

Question 33

What is the character of Condrieu wines?

Answer 33

Med.-Full bodied with moderate to low acidity.

Question 34

What % of Condrieu is vinifed dry?

Answer 34

90-95% today. in 18th and 19th century it was mostly sweet. It is uncommon today.

Question 35

What is production in Saint-Joseph?

Answer 35

86% red and 14% white.

Question 36

What does "Cornas" mean?

Answer 36

It is old celtic for "burned earth".

Question 37

Why is Saint-Peray cooler than expected so far south?

Answer 37

It is a deep valley with steep slopes.

Question 38

How much sparkling wine is produced in Saint-Peray?

Answer 38

Very little. It has been produced here in the traditional method since 1825.

Question 39

What is the production split between red and white in N.Rhone?

Answer 39

86% red and 14% white. Rose is not authorised for any Cru.

Question 40

What is Hermitage renowned for?

Answer 40

It is one of the oldest vineyards in France still under cultivation. It yields one of the most long-lived and collected wines in the Rhone.

Question 41

What is production in Hermitage?

Answer 41

2/3rds red, 1/3rd white.

Question 42

What is the character of Hermitage wines?

Answer 42

Reds are long-lived and whites are similar. Both need a few years in bottle to mature.

Question 43

What is the character of Crozes-Hermitage wines?

Answer 43

They are essentially lighter, faster maturing versions of Hermitage and represent good value.

Question 44

How does the climate affect grape variety planted in Diois?

Answer 44

Grape varieties are planted that can endure in this challenging growing environment

Question 45

What are the grape varieties of Diois?

Answer 45

White: Clairette, Muscat a Petit Grains Blanc, Chardonnay and Aligote; Rose: Clairette Rose; Red: Gamay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Muscat a Petit Grains Rouge.

Question 46

What are the main wine styles in Diois?

Answer 46

Mainly sparkling white in either ancestral or traditional method, including Cremant de Die.

Question 47

What is the production of Clairette de Die AOC?

Answer 47

It produces 96% of all of Diois entire production.

Question 48

How is Vin de Paille made in Hermitage?

Answer 48

Marsanne and/or Roussanne grapes are dried on straw mats for 45 days to dessicate and concentrate the flavours in the grapes, before fermentation.