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We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
Welcome to the captivating world of Northern Rhône, nestled along the steep-sided majestic banks of the Northern sections of the Rhône River in France.
Venture into the hills adorned with terraced vineyards where Syrah reigns supreme, and you’ll discover some of the world’s most revered appellations: Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint Joseph to name but a few. The wines produced here are known for their elegance, complexity, and ability to evolve and age gracefully.
The region’s unique geography plays a vital role in shaping its wines, and over many hundreds of years, generations of terroir-focused winemakers have passed down their knowledge, refining their craft and preserving the region’s rich heritage.
From the dominance of the Syrah grape to the alluring expressions of Viognier and the captivating white Mediterranean varieties, join us on a journey through the vineyards and cellars of the Northern Rhône as we celebrate the wines that have cemented its place among the world’s finest.
The history of winemaking in the Northern Rhône dates back centuries, with evidence of grape cultivation by the Romans as early as the 2nd century AD. The Romans recognized the unique potential of this region, with its ideal combination of terroir and climate, and planted vines along the steep slopes of the valley. Over the years, winemaking techniques and traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, resulting in the exceptional wines we enjoy today.
The Northern Rhône is a narrow, steep-sided valley that stretches approximately 60 miles along the banks of the Rhône River. It accounts for just 3% of the overall wine production of the Rhone region. The valley’s shape acts as a natural funnel, funneling cool air from the Massif Central in the west and warm Mediterranean influences from the south. This creates a unique microclimate characterized by significant diurnal temperature variations, which contribute to the development of complex flavours in the grapes.
The continental climate of the region brings hot summers and cold winters, with significant variations in temperature throughout the year. The harsh winters provide much-needed dormancy for the vines, while the warm summers allow for optimal ripening of the grapes. These challenging conditions result in low yields but produce wines of exceptional quality and concentration.
Syrah, an ancient grape variety believed to have originated in the Rhône Valley, is the undisputed star of the Northern Rhône, where it is the only permitted red grape variety. It thrives in the region’s terroir, expressing itself with elegance, depth, and complexity. The climate and soil of the Northern Rhône impart distinctive characteristics to the Syrah grapes, resulting in wines known for their intense aromas of black fruits, spices, and floral notes. Its dominance is particularly evident in the esteemed Crus of Hermitage and Côte Rôtie. These appellations are renowned for producing age-worthy and complex red wines that showcase the full potential of the Syrah grape, and are some of the most renowned and sought-after wines on the planet.
While Syrah takes center stage, the Northern Rhône also produces exceptional white wines. The highly aromatic Viognier grape is particularly notable, producing some of the most famous whites of the region. Condrieu, where Viognier is the only permitted variety, is celebrated for its luscious, full-bodied wines with pronounced floral and stone fruit aromas. Viognier also plays a supporting role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie, adding complexity and aromatic lift.
However, it is the white Mediterranean varieties of Roussanne and Marsanne that truly shine in the Northern Rhône. These varieties are more widely planted and cultivated throughout the region, producing stunning white wines with rich textures, complex flavours, and excellent aging potential. They contribute to the blend in many appellations, adding depth and structure to the final wines.
The Crus of Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, are legendary, and exquisite domaines such as Marc Sorrel in Hermitage & Jean-Michel Gerin in Côte Rôtie some of the finest wines from these regions. However, the Northern Rhône is also home to other captivating sub-regions that offer their own distinct expressions of the terroir and grape varieties.
In the southernmost part of the Northern Rhône lies Cornas, a small appellation known for producing bold and powerful red wines exclusively from Syrah. The wines of Cornas are characterized by their deep color, concentrated flavours of dark fruits, and firm tannic structure. These inky black wines have built a reputation for their ability to age gracefully for upwards of 15 years.
Saint Joseph and Crozes Hermitage, though not as famous as their counterparts, are appellations worth exploring for wine enthusiasts. St. Joseph, spread across both sides of the Rhône River, produces red and white wines of exceptional quality. The red wines typically exhibit a medium-bodied profile with aromas of black fruits, spices, and a touch of earthiness. The white wines, made primarily from Marsanne and Roussanne, showcase vibrant acidity, citrus flavours, and hints of minerality. Sylvain Gauthier of Domaine Pierres Seches, is one of the most exciting modern winemakers coming out of Saint Joseph, and is producing some of the finest wines not just in the appellation, but the Northern Rhone.
Crozes Hermitage, the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône, offers excellent value and diversity. The red wines are often described as approachable and fruit-forward, with notes of red berries, herbs, and gentle tannins. The white wines of Crozes Hermitage, made predominantly from Marsanne, display a harmonious balance of freshness, complexity, and richness.
As with a lot of French wine region, the Rhone Valley employs the Appellation Origine Controlle (AOC) system, which was established in 1937: to help improve the quality of the wine throughout the region. Starting with the basic designation of Côtes du Rhône, then ‘Côtes du Rhône Village’ and the top tier appellations being designated as Cru (as opposed to Burgundy and Bordeaux who have ‘Grand’ and ‘Premier’ cru designations for their wines). There are 17 crus in total throughout the Rhône, split 8 in the North and 9 in the South.
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