The Northern Rhone

Question 1

Describe the location of many of the premium vineyards in the Northern Rhone.

Answer 1

Situated on steep slopes next to the River Rhone between Vienne in the north and Valence in the south.

Question 2

Where are the best vineyards in the Northern Rhone situated?

Answer 2

Close to the river on steep slopes with a south facing aspect.

Question 3

What is the name of the cold north wind and how do growers protect themselves from it?

Answer 3

Mistrial. Vineyards are planted in lateral valleys that feed into the Rhone.

Question 4

How are the vines on the steep slopes supported?

Answer 4

Individual stake or teepee-like arrangement of steaks.

Question 5

What is the climate of the Northern Rhone?

Answer 5

Moderated Continental, but noticeably cooler than the Southern Rhone.

Question 6

What type of wine is most closely associated with the Northern Rhone?

Answer 6

Powerful reds made from Syrah.

Question 7

What white wine is associated with the Northern Rhone?

Answer 7

Viognier.

Question 8

How many black varieties are permitted in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 8

Only Syrah. Where it is at the northern limit of where it can ripen successfully.

Question 9

What do the best Syrah sites have in common?

Answer 9

Steep slopes and southern exposure.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of Syrah?

Answer 10

Deeply colored, medium to high levels of tannin, and sometimes black pepper or floral aromas.

Question 11

Why would Viognier be added to Syrah?

Answer 11

Staballize the color extraction; add aromatic intensity. it is done less frequently today.

Question 12

How is oak used in fermenting Syrah?

Answer 12

Winemakers discretion. Some use new oak for their best wines; others use older oak or larger barrels.

Question 13

What are the characteristics of Viognier?

Answer 13

Full-bodied white with perfumed aromas of blossom and apricots; flavors of stone fruits. Low acidity and high alcohol.

Question 14

When does Viognier develop its signature aromas?

Answer 14

Very late in the season when they have reached a very high level of sugar ripeness.

Question 15

What can happen to Viognier if the grapes are not handled carefully in the winery?

Answer 15

They can develop an overtly oily character that can overwhelm the varietal aromas (as can the use of too much new oak).

Question 16

Name two other whites grown in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 16

Marsanne and Roussanne.

Question 17

Marsanne and Roussanne are usually blended together. Why?

Answer 17

Marsanne has richness and weight while Roussanne offers acidity and perfumed fruit. They do not have the aromatic intensity of Viognier but can develop hazelnut aromas when aged.

Question 18

What are the two largest wine regions in the Northern Rhone?

Answer 18

Saint Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.

Question 19

What is the most northern appellation of the Rhone Valley?

Answer 19

Cote Rotie. Centered around the town of Ampuis.

Question 20

What is the translation of Cote Rotie?

Answer 20

roasted slope

Question 21

Describe a Cote Rotie wine?

Answer 21

Deeply-colored, full bodied, spicy; the best have an aromatic, floral freshness and textural elegance that distinguishes them from Hermitage.

Question 22

Can red and whites be produced in Cote Rotie?

Answer 22

No. Only reds. Although up to 20% Viognier can be added.

Question 23

Condrieu makes wines from what grape?

Answer 23

Viognier.

Question 24

What is Chateau-Grillet?

Answer 24

A single property appellation within Condrieu that produces wines similar in style.

Question 25

Where is the appellation of Saint-Joseph located?

Answer 25

Western bank of the Rhone from Condrieu in the north to Tournon in the south.

Question 26

What grape varieties are used in the wines from Saint-Joseph?

Answer 26

The vast majority are reds from Syrah, with some whites from Marsanne and Roussanne.

Question 27

Where do the best wines from Saint-Joseph come from?

Answer 27

Terraced vineyards near Tournon, with a flavor intensity and structure similar to Hermitage

Question 28

Describe the wines made from the more fertile, flatter sites on the valley floor and the plateau above the slopes?

Answer 28

Relatively light bodied wines often using carbonic maceration expressing a pepper aroma.

Question 29

What appellation has the reputation of being the fullest bodied of the Northern Rhone reds?

Answer 29

Hermitage.

Question 30

What is the name given the sites in Hermitage that are not part of the appellation system?

Answer 30

lieux-dits. They add a subtly different style and body.

Question 31

As in Cote Rotie, may white wines be blended with a red in Hermitage?

Answer 31

Yes, although it it rarely done today, up to 15% of Roussanne and Marsanne may be added to the fermentation.

Question 32

Marsanne and Roussanne account for what % of Hermitages total production?

Answer 32

20%

Question 33

What Northern Rhone appellation has the highest volume of production?

Answer 33

Crozes-Hermitage.

Question 34

The vineyards of Crozes-Hermitage lie both north and south of Hermitage. What is the difference in the vineyards and the style of wines produced from each?

Answer 34

North of Hermitage the vineyards are on slopes producing concentrated, complex and tannic wines. Vineyards to the south lie on a flat plane and make lighter wines from the higher yielding sites.

Question 35

Cote Rotie allows up to 15% of Roussanne or Marsanne to be blended with their reds? Does Corzes-Hermitage allow a white wine to be added to its reds?

Answer 35

Yes. Up to 15% of Roussanne or Marsanne.

Question 36

Of the following appellations, name the two with the best reputation for their wines? Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Cote Rotie.

Answer 36

Hermitage and Cote Rotie.

Question 37

Name the most southernly red wine crus in the Northern Rhone.

Answer 37

Cornas. Warmest cru. Vineyards on the sheltered, well exposed sun-baked south facing slopes of the many lateral valleys.

Question 38

Does Cornas allow a white wine to be blended with their red?

Answer 38

No. 100% Syrah.

Question 39

Describe the style of a Cornas Syrah.

Answer 39

Deeply colored, full bodied, in a style and quality similar to Hermitage,