Northern Rhône

The vineyards of the Northern Rhône are some of the oldest in France. Many hug the steep granite banks of the river, that cuts through the heart of the region, on terraced slopes. In the far North of the region is Côtes Rôtie which is believed to date back to Roman times. Once only bought by those that knew of its wines, the region dwindled to barely 70ha in the early 1970’s. Now firmly on the wine map, the region now has around 650ha under vine. Translated literally to ‘roasted slope’ the soils maintain every bit of heat thrown at them by the warm sun. Condrieu to the South was a region that had all but vanished after the only variety grown there, Viognier, fell out of favor. By the 1960’s there was barely 12ha under vine. Fortunately, as tastes have changed, the region is once again thriving with 164ha now being tended. Condrieu is a wine in demand so expect to pay a high price, if you can get a hold of any. Saint Joseph is the largest of the AOC with vines on more gentle slopes. This leads to softer and lighter wines with higher yield and lower prices. Hermitage, and its larger neighbor, Crozes Hermitage sit on the Eastern (left as the river flows) bank. Hermitage (not to be confused with the South African term for Cinsault) is legendary for powerful red wines that were once used in Bordeaux to add intensity to their wines before the AOC rules prohibited it. Hidden by hills for the wind, virtually every vineyard has a climate of its own with low yields and intense, savoury wines, Crozes Hermitage sits on the higher plateau above which allows for higher yields but more diluted flavors.