Rhone Valley Flashcards
(44 cards)
Which two towns bookend the northern Rhone?
- Vienne (north)
- Valence (south)
What is the climate of the northern Rhone?
Continental
Where does the Rhone River originate?
Switzerland
What benefits does the Rhone River provide the vineyards?
moderates the climate
provides air circulation
reflects sunlight
warms the slopes
What is the Mistral?
Strong winds that originate in Switzerland and follow the Rhone River into France.
It warms and dries out the nothern Rhone, inhibiting disease, mildew and mold.
Are the vineyards of the northern Rhone situated on the valley floor or on steep, terraced hillsides overlooking the river?
Steep, terraced hillsides overlooking the river
What are the soils of the northern Rhone?
Granite
Schist
What are the white grapes of the northern Rhone?
Viognier
Marsanne
Roussanne
What is the only red grape allowed in the northern Rhone?
Syrah
Why are vines in the northern Rhone so often staked to the ground?
The Mistral is strong its been known to knock over vines.
Are the wines of the northern Rhone more often bottled as blends or single varietals?
Most often single varietals, especially Syrah and Viognier.
Sometimes you’ll see Marsanne and Roussanne blended together.
Most wines from the northern Rhone are fermented and aged in ______.
However, there are some winemakers who do primary fermentation in _____ and then age their wines in ______.
Oak, especially large foudres.
Stainless steel, then oak (new and/or used)
What is cofermentation and why is it done?
When two or more grape varietals undergo fermentation together, rather than separately.
It is done to boost aromatics, complexity and softening tannins.
What are the 6 AOPs of the northern Rhone from north to south?
- Cote-Rotie (red only)
- Condrieu (white only)
- Saint-Joseph
- Crozes-Hermitage
- Hermitage
- Corona (red only)
What are the 2 red-wine only AOPs in the northern Rhone?
- Cote-Rotie AOP
- Cornas AOP
What color wines can Cote-Rotie be and what are the permissible grapes?
Red only
Syrah with max 20% Viognier
What color can wines from Condrieu be and what are the permissible grapes?
White only
100% Viognier
What color can wines from Saint-Joseph be and what are the permissible grapes?
red and white
reds: Syrah w/max 10% Roussanne and Marsanne
whites: Roussanne and Marsanne
What color can wines from Crozes-Hermitage be and what are the permissible grapes?
red and white
red: Syrah w/max 15% Roussane and Marsanne
White: Roussanne and Marsanne
What color can wines from Hermitage be and what are the permissible grapes?
red and white
red: Syrah w/max 15% Roussane and Marsanne
white: Roussanne and Marsanne
What color can wines from Cornas be and what are the permissible grapes?
red only
100% syrah
How big is the distance between the northern Rhone and the southern Rhone?
30 miles
What is the climate of the southern Rhone?
Mediterranean
How does the Mistral affect the southern Rhone?
Cools down the southern Rhone
