«
Rhône Valley
,
France
Saint-Joseph
Skinny Granite String
Stretching for miles along the Rhône's right bank, this appellation is basically a marathon of granite slopes. It acts as the rugged, slightly more affordable cousin to Hermitage that finally stopped being the underdog and started acting like royalty.
Stretching for miles along the Rhône's right bank, this appellation is basically a marathon of granite slopes. It acts as the rugged, slightly more affordable cousin to Hermitage that finally stopped being the underdog and started acting like royalty.
Stretching for miles along the Rhône's right bank, this appellation is basically a marathon of granite slopes. It acts as the rugged, slightly more affordable cousin to Hermitage that finally stopped being the underdog and started acting like royalty.
Taste profile
Peppery Syrah
Mineral tension
Floral whites
You are diving into Syrah that tastes like crushed rocks and black pepper had a baby in a blackberry patch. Whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne offer lazy Sunday vibes with floral honey notes. It is less fleshy than its neighbors but makes up for it with a mineral tension that zings across your palate like an electric guitar solo.
You are diving into Syrah that tastes like crushed rocks and black pepper had a baby in a blackberry patch. Whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne offer lazy Sunday vibes with floral honey notes. It is less fleshy than its neighbors but makes up for it with a mineral tension that zings across your palate like an electric guitar solo.
You are diving into Syrah that tastes like crushed rocks and black pepper had a baby in a blackberry patch. Whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne offer lazy Sunday vibes with floral honey notes. It is less fleshy than its neighbors but makes up for it with a mineral tension that zings across your palate like an electric guitar solo.
The vibe
Steep slopes
Vertical farming
River views
Imagine a vineyard that looks like it's trying to slide into the river. This place is essentially a vertical wall of vines stretching nearly 40 miles north to south. Winemakers here have calves of steel because everything happens on terrifyingly steep terraces where tractors fear to tread. It feels rustic, honest, and slightly dangerous if you look down.
Imagine a vineyard that looks like it's trying to slide into the river. This place is essentially a vertical wall of vines stretching nearly 40 miles north to south. Winemakers here have calves of steel because everything happens on terrifyingly steep terraces where tractors fear to tread. It feels rustic, honest, and slightly dangerous if you look down.
Imagine a vineyard that looks like it's trying to slide into the river. This place is essentially a vertical wall of vines stretching nearly 40 miles north to south. Winemakers here have calves of steel because everything happens on terrifyingly steep terraces where tractors fear to tread. It feels rustic, honest, and slightly dangerous if you look down.
Who's who
Pierre Gonon
Jean-Louis Chave
Lionel Faury
Guigal and Chapoutier obviously have their fingers in the pie, but the real magic often happens with smaller legends like Pierre Gonon or Jean-Louis Chave. Keep an eye out for value stars like Lionel Faury who is crafting wines that punch way above their weight class without needing a second mortgage to buy a bottle.
Guigal and Chapoutier obviously have their fingers in the pie, but the real magic often happens with smaller legends like Pierre Gonon or Jean-Louis Chave. Keep an eye out for value stars like Lionel Faury who is crafting wines that punch way above their weight class without needing a second mortgage to buy a bottle.
Guigal and Chapoutier obviously have their fingers in the pie, but the real magic often happens with smaller legends like Pierre Gonon or Jean-Louis Chave. Keep an eye out for value stars like Lionel Faury who is crafting wines that punch way above their weight class without needing a second mortgage to buy a bottle.
LOCAL TALES
The Jesuit Rebrand
The Jesuit Rebrand
The Jesuit Rebrand
Before it was the hipster's choice for Northern Rhône reds, this area was just a collection of confused villages making wine under the name 'Vin de Mauves'. In the 17th century, the Jesuits of Tournon decided they needed a branding overhaul. They managed the vineyards and dedicated the steep slopes to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of good husbands (which is ironic because wine usually causes trouble for husbands). Victor Hugo even mentioned it in Les Misérables, claiming it was the wine of choice for the Bishop of Digne, proving that even holy men needed a good drink to deal with French politics back then.
Before it was the hipster's choice for Northern Rhône reds, this area was just a collection of confused villages making wine under the name 'Vin de Mauves'. In the 17th century, the Jesuits of Tournon decided they needed a branding overhaul. They managed the vineyards and dedicated the steep slopes to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of good husbands (which is ironic because wine usually causes trouble for husbands). Victor Hugo even mentioned it in Les Misérables, claiming it was the wine of choice for the Bishop of Digne, proving that even holy men needed a good drink to deal with French politics back then.
The Big Expansion
The Big Expansion
The Big Expansion
There is a bit of gossip in the vines about how big this place actually is. Back in the day, the appellation was tight and focused on the best slopes near Tournon. Then, in a moment of enthusiasm (or greed, depending on who you ask) in 1969, they expanded it massively to include flatter lands that had no business growing Syrah. It diluted the brand for decades. Thankfully, serious producers have spent the last twenty years retreating back to the steep granite hillsides, proving that just because you can plant a vine somewhere doesn't mean you should. Quality is finally defeating quantity.
There is a bit of gossip in the vines about how big this place actually is. Back in the day, the appellation was tight and focused on the best slopes near Tournon. Then, in a moment of enthusiasm (or greed, depending on who you ask) in 1969, they expanded it massively to include flatter lands that had no business growing Syrah. It diluted the brand for decades. Thankfully, serious producers have spent the last twenty years retreating back to the steep granite hillsides, proving that just because you can plant a vine somewhere doesn't mean you should. Quality is finally defeating quantity.
Gym Membership Not Included
Gym Membership Not Included
Gym Membership Not Included
If you ever feel like your gym membership is a waste of money, just visit a harvest here. The locals don't use fancy harvesting machines because the machines would simply tumble into the Rhône river. Everything is done by hand - or rather, by back-breaking labor. They use pulley systems and winches just to get crates of Marsanne up the hill. It is not uncommon to see a winemaker practically rappelling down to check on Syrah. The result is wine that literally tastes like blood, sweat, and granite dust, though hopefully more of the latter two than the former.
If you ever feel like your gym membership is a waste of money, just visit a harvest here. The locals don't use fancy harvesting machines because the machines would simply tumble into the Rhône river. Everything is done by hand - or rather, by back-breaking labor. They use pulley systems and winches just to get crates of Marsanne up the hill. It is not uncommon to see a winemaker practically rappelling down to check on Syrah. The result is wine that literally tastes like blood, sweat, and granite dust, though hopefully more of the latter two than the former.
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