Syrah is a classic grape variety in the Rhone Valley region of France, and although it is also cultivated in the South Rhône Valley, it is the only red grape variety allowed in the North Rhône Valley. The Rhônes Norte Valley may not be the central birthplace of Syrah, but it is the benchmark for all French Syrah. Overall, the Syrah wines produced in the Rhône Nord Valley vary in style depending on the region.
Remarks: The following prices are the average pre-tax retail prices of wines in this appellation and are for reference only.
1. Syrah wine region in the Rhône Valley nor nord
(1) Roticul
Cote Rotie is the northernmost legal wine region in the Rhône Valley nord, where vineyards are generally located on south-facing hillsides to withstand strong winds from the north and provide plenty of light for the growth of grapes. The north-central part of Rotichu is dominated by clay, with some weathered schist and mica, among others, while the south-central region is dominated by granite sandstone soils, which can provide more floral flavors for Syrah grapes.
Overall, the fine Syrah wines produced here are full-bodied, often with fine tannins and black raspberries, blackcurrants, violets, chocolate, olives, bacon, white pepper and strong charcoal smoke.
AOC established: October 18, 1940
Vineyard area: 276 hectares
Red and white wine ratio: Only red wine is produced, of which wine grapes are also mixed with a small number of white grape varieties to increase the aroma and stability of Syrah.
Wine price: $60-400
(2) Hermitage
As early as 500 BC, during the ancient Greek period, Hermitage/Ermitage began to grow grapes. It is recognized as the top appellation of France, but also a world-class high-quality Syrah appellation, and the price of wine is generally not cheap. The vineyards here are mainly located on Mount Emitage, and there are both granite clay and a small amount of loess (the wine produced is generally slightly heavier and more tannins), as well as sandy clay and glacial deposits (the tannins of wine are generally less). Of course, the style of wine is also related to the cultivation and the winemaking process. Overall, these wines have captivating aromas and rich layering, with hints of black cherry, blackcurrant, licorice, coffee and smoky, and have a very outstanding ageing potential.
AOC Established: March 4, 1937
Vineyard area: 136 hectares
Proportion of red and white wines: Syrah (76%), white (24%)
Wine price: $60-350+
(3) Croce-Hermitage
Crozes-Hermitage is the largest wine region in the Nord Rhône Valley, producing both ordinary table wines and very high-quality Syrah wines. Unlike Hermitage, the Croô-Hermitage region, located on the right bank of the Rhône, has a wide range of wine styles, some of which are very sour, while those located on the east-facing and south-facing slopes are not, while the west-facing vineyards produce less fruity silas and have flavors such as hay and tobacco. But most of the vineyards here are located on sandy granite clay covered with cobblestones, so the wines are generally lighter in color and more floral, with soft violet and fresh berries, accompanied by strong acidity and tannins.
AOC established: March 3, 1937
Vineyard area: 1514 hectares
Proportion of red and white wines: Syrah red wine (92%), white wine (8%)
Wine price: $20-60
(4) St. Joseph
Saint-Joseph is the second largest wine region in the Nord Rhône Valley and is a very good value for money region. Due to their larger size, St. Joseph's Syrah wine styles also vary widely, ranging from spicy spices such as black olives and black pepper to full and complex like Roticchu's Syrah. Usually, in the northern region there is a lot of granite clay, and in the south, it is dominated by thin marl (clay + limestone) and granite, and the wines produced are more spicy and have fresh floral aromas.
AOC established: June 15, 1956
Vineyard area: 1211 hectares
Proportion of red and white wines: Syrah red wine (91%), white wine (9%)
Wine price: $28-90
(5) Kornas
Cornas, located on the right bank of the Rhône River, produces only 100% red wines made from Syrah, which are also the fullest and most tannin-rich Syrah wines in the entire Nord Rhône Valley, with hints of blackberry jam, black pepper, violet, charcoal, chalk ash and smoke. Most of the wines here are more than ten years old to soften their tannins before they can be drunk. However, there are also some producers who now use advanced vinification techniques, making the wine very smooth and delicious when it is released.
AOC Established: August 5, 1938
Vineyard area: 131 hectares
Red and white wine ratio: Only Syrah red wines are produced
Wine price: $30-200
2. Syrah wine selection guide
(1) Year guide
Excellent vintages: 2010, 2009 and 2003
Vintages of excellence: 2011 and 2013
Mediocre year: 2014
It is worth mentioning that for the average producer, the influence of vintage on wine is indeed large; but for a small number of quality producers, winemakers can make up for it through the acquired process, so even in bad vintages it is possible to produce good wines.
(2) Classic producer
E. Gyalla Guigal) is the most prestigious and important winery in the Nord Rhône Valley Rotichau appellation, among the many vineyards of the winery, there are 3 of the best vineyards, namely La Mouline, La Turque and La Landonne, these vineyards produce the best quality grapes, coupled with the winery's exquisite winemaking technology, so the wines produced are repeatedly influenced by the international authoritative wine critic Robert Parker Parker) is a great thumbs up.
Jean-Louis Chave, also a well-known winery in the Rhône Valley region and currently owned by the Schaff family, boasts 37 acres of vineyards on Mount Hermitage in the Nord Rhône Valley, known for producing excellent Syrah and other white wines. One of the most recognizable wines is Cuvee Cathelin, which has long been at the top of the world's 50 most expensive wines. (Text/ WineFolly)
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