Vineyards in the heart of the Rhone Valley
Among the prestigious growths of the northern Rhone Valley, the Crozes-Hermitage appellation beguiles with its compelling, relaxed elegance. Known primarily for its red wines, where Syrah lends unbridled expression, the Crozes-Hermitage appellation also produces some white wines. Elegance is the hallmark here, as is pleasure.
The largest of the northern Côtes du Rhône appellations
Straddling the 45th parallel, along the left bank of the Rhone, the Crozes-Hermitage appellation area covers 11 localities in the uplands of Drôme. With 1,650 hectares under vine, it is the largest of the northern Côtes du Rhône appellations.
1,650
With nearly 1,650 hectares under vine, the Crozes-Hermitage appellation is the most extensive of the northern Côtes du Rhône growths. True sense of place is exuded along the left bank of the Rhone. In the north, vineyards are rooted in the granite hillsides following on from the much-lauded Hermitage hill. In the south, the history of the river is mirrored in the soil types with their glaciofluvial deposits or Rhone pebbles.
1937
The appellation dates back to 1937 and initially referred to the village of Crozes-Hermitage. The designated area was extended in 1952 to include neighbouring localities: Érôme, Serves-sur-Rhône, Gervans, Larnage, Tain-l’Hermitage, Mercurol, Chanos-Curson, Beaumont-Monteux, La Roche-de-Glun and Pont-de-l’Isère, bringing the total number of localities in the appellation area up to 11.
Sense of place
Painstaking blending by wine growers helps bring harmony to the extensive array of soil types in Crozes-Hermitage. Here, the varietal range shows at its best – Syrah for the red wines and Marsanne and Roussanne for the whites.
Climate
The temperate climate varies slightly depending on location. The area situated north of Tain-l’Hermitage (Érôme, Serves-sur-Rhône, Gervans, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage) is slightly cooler and damper. This is due to elevation and the position of the hills and also to the granite soils which are cooler and retain water better. The area east and south of Tain-l’Hermitage (Mercurol, Chanos-Curson, Beaumont-Monteux, Pont-de-l’Isère and La Roche-de-Glun) is often drier because the soils are more permeable and the strong Mistral wind increases air flow. The landform is relatively flat.
Soils
The soils of Crozes-Hermitage are quite varied. The most extensive area, located south and east of Tain-l’Hermitage, comprises thick layers of gravel shaped by different glacial periods (Riss and Würm) interspersed with red clay. These create fairly flat landforms known as plateaux or terrasses such as the Châssis or Sept Chemins. Heading north-west, the landforms become steeper and form hillsides. Near Larnage and Crozes-Hermitage is a stony terrace (Mindel glaciation) covered with loess or white kaolin sand. The northern localities (Serves-sur-Rhône, Érôme and Gervans) are situated on granite soils also covered with loess.
A harmonious varietal range
In an appellation that may seem complex in its diversity, Syrah is the common thread and the only grape variety used for red Crozes-Hermitage wines. The whites are made from the complementary grape varieties Marsanne and Roussanne that offer freshness and delicate floral aromas for wine enthusiasts.
Syrah
Syrah is the queen of grape varieties here. This noble native grape is the only permitted varietal for red wines. Known and used since Roman times, Syrah displays marvellous articulacy in the mild, consistent weather conditions of the Crozes-Hermitage wine region.
Unique
Syrah is made as a single varietal in red Crozes-Hermitage, although a maximum 15% share of white grapes permitted by production regulations is allowed. This expressive grape variety thrives in the temperate climate of Crozes-Hermitage. Its hallmark features are a beautiful aromatic spectrum driven by red fruits and violet, coupled with good intense colours and tannin presence. In addition to this, it shows good resistance to oxidation as evidenced by its colour which retains beautiful purple highlights for many years.
Marsanne
In practice, Marsanne is the predominant grape in white Crozes-Hermitage. However, production regulations also permit similar use of the Roussanne grape variety. The two varietals complement one another in the white wines. Marsanne is now the more widely grown of the two. Its generosity, coupled with the finesse of Roussanne, produces premium white wines which account for just 8% of the appellation’s production.
Key figures of the appellation
Color: red 90%, white 10%
Average annual yield: 43hl/ ha
Production area: 1768 ha
Total production: 75 918 hl
Exportation: 20%
Ref.:
https://www.crozes-hermitage-wines.com/
https://www.vins-rhone.com/en/vineyard/appellations/crozes-hermitage
