As a wine lover for many years, I have had the opportunity to travel across this wonderful Rhône valley on several occasions and particularly the northern part, more commonly known as the Rhône Nord.
Located between Vienne and Valence, the show begins at the exit of Lyon (when coming from Belgium via the A6). In fact, along the Rhône River, you will find majestic steep slopes on which prestigious vines are grown. You can only imagine the hard work required by the steepness of these slopes.
This northern part of the Rhône valley stretches for approximatively 54 hectares.
Syrah remains supreme for red wines, while Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne are used in the composition of white wines.
Let’s give the honor to the hostess, the Syrah. It shapes the known appellations of the northern Rhône such as Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cornas, Hermitage or the famous Côtes Roties.
When young, Syrah generally gives rich wines with a pure fruit accompanied by vegetal notes, licorice and spices.
Usually, after 3 or 4 years in bottles, this grape has a tendency to “close up”. We can therefore be a little bit disappointed by aromas and “timorous”, “tight” notes when opening, for example, a beautiful Saint-Joseph between its fourth and its seventh or eighth year.
But this is only to better reopen itself after a few years! Indeed, the Syrah princess then enters a second step of development where the flavors of ripe black fruit and spices will explode in mouth, releasing an aromatic power rarely equaled.
Beyond 15 years, our Syrah will develop into tertiary aromas (blood types, animal types, etc.) that are no less interesting. While the tannins will have melted considerably, the color will have taken on a brown-orange color, but the wine will nonetheless retain an appreciable aromatic finesse for many years.
White wines of this region are first known to the general public thanks to the Lord Condrieu, which is made exclusively from Viognier. A wine with delicious floral notes mixed with a peach-type fruit that will delight the most demanding wine lovers.
The other Rhône appellations in white wine such as Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage or Hermitage are generally the result of a blend of Roussanne and Marsanne which give generous wines with a fatty side, roundness but also freshness.
Do not hesitate to put your bags down in this wonderful region. You will discover astonishing agriculture, men and women open minded and delighted to share their passion, their profession with you in a very often magnificent setting!
