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Wine Saint-Joseph
The Saint-Joseph appellation is located in the north of the Rhône valley, on the right bank. This steeply terraced vineyard is on the 45th parallel. The white and red wines of Saint-Joseph are made from the mythical grape varieties of the northern Côtes du Rhône: Marsanne, Roussanne and Syrah. These wines will surprise you as much as the landscape. Read more on Saint-Joseph
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Appellation Saint-Joseph
The history of the Saint-Joseph vineyard goes back to the Allobroges
The vineyard of Saint Joseph dates back to the Allobroges (-124 BC to -61 BC). They produced "Allobrogica", a drink named after its original varietal. Following genetic studies, a relationship with the Syrah has been demonstrated.
In the 14th century, the county of Lyon (now the department of Ardèche) was under the control of the Kingdom of France while the Rhone valley belonged to the Holy Roman Germanic Empire. Going up the Rhône to distribute right bank wines was therefore complicated and from 1446 the presence of foreign wines on the territory of the Duchy of Burgundy was prohibited. The reputation of the wines of Saint-Joseph was to remain discreet, despite a few recognised wine lovers such as François 1er and his court or Cardinal Tournon.
In the 17th century, the Jesuits were to give the name of the place called Saint-Joseph to their wines. They created the name "vins de Saint-Joseph".
In 1776, a treaty of free circulation of wines in the Kingdom was signed. The commercial development of the vineyard of the right bank of the Rhone valley is launched. The recognition of the quality of the wines is evoked by Victor Hugo in "Les Misérables".
The Côtes du Rhône appellation appeared in 1937 but for the recognition of the Saint-Joseph AOC by the INAO it was not until 1956. The appellation is produced in 6 communes. In 1969, the AOC was extended to 20 communes in the Ardèche department.
The Saint-Joseph appellation is extensive and heterogeneous
The Saint-Joseph appellation is located at the 45th parallel, on the right bank of the Rhone Valley. This northern appellation covers 23 communes in the Ardèche department (Andance, Ardoix, Arras sur Rhône, Champagne, Charnas, Châteaubourg, Felines, Glun, Guilherand-Granges, Lemps, Mauves, Ozon, Peyraud, Saint-Désirat, Saint-Etienne-de-Valoux, Saint-Jean-de muzols, Sarras, Secheras, Serrières, Talencieux, Tournon-sur-Rhône and Vion) and 3 communes in the Loire department (Chavanay, Malleval, Saint-Pierre-De-Boeuf).
The vineyard is established on steep terraces on the edge of the central massif and has a predominantly south-east exposure to the north, while to the south the exposure is eastward. This exposure favours sunshine and temperatures adapted to the ripening of the grapes. Indeed, the climate is continental with southern influences. The cool temperatures and the cold, dry north wind limit the development of cryptogamic diseases by drying out the leaves. The southern influence is felt through the warm and humid south wind.
The substratum of the northern Rhône valley is mostly granitic, on the communes of Châteaubourg and Guilherand-Granges the subsoil is limestone dating from the secondary era. The soils come from the degradation of the primary rock that is granite, sometimes we observe sandy-clay soils with granitic arenas sometimes soils composed of gneiss. The soils derived from the limestone subsoil will have limestone scree. In the commune of Mauves, the soil is covered with loess (accumulation of silt by wind erosion).
At the bottom of the hillsides and steep slopes there are soils formed by sand and pebbles from gravity, water and wind erosion of the upper granitic rocks. The soils are not very stable, so the presence and maintenance of the terraces is essential to the preservation of the appellation. In addition to allowing the stability of the terraces, the low walls play a role in the evacuation of rainwater and in the warmth of the soil (the dry stones store the heat of the day to give it back at night).
What are the organoleptic qualities of a Saint-Joseph?
The red wines made from Syrah have an intense and deep red colour. The nose develops aromas of red fruits, spicy notes notably of liquorice. The nose becomes more complex with medium aging to give aromas of undergrowth slightly animal. The mouth is full and structured with present tannins.
The white wines are made from a Marsanne/Roussanne blend for which Marsanne is the majority. The colour is yellow with green reflections. Marsanne brings floral aromas while Roussanne develops yellow fruit aromas such as apricot and more discreet notes of melliferous flowers. The mouth is powerful, marked by fatness. The vivacity is discreet.
What food pairings with a Saint-Joseph
.The white wines have a powerful, fatty side that pairs well with grilled fish or fish in sauce, seafood, salmon or seafood tagliatelle and squid fritters à la romaine. They can also be paired with a blanquette of veal. These wines go well with creamy cheeses such as bleu d'auvergne, chabichou or mont d'or.
The strong and fine red wines will go with red meat, game, rabbit, pork but also with a dish of lasagne or lentil sausage. These wines will accompany mature cheeses.
What are the great vintages for a Saint-Joseph?
The fine vintages for red wines are 1929, 1937, 1945, 1947, 1961, 1962, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999 and 2005. Recent vintages of very good quality are 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Discovering 2 great estates in the Saint-Joseph AOC
.The Bernard Gripa estate
Domaine Bernard Gripa is located in Mauves in the heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Fabrice Gripa, son of Bernard Gripa, farms 17 hectares spread over the Saint Joseph and Saint Peray AOCs. He produces 4 vintages of Saint Joseph and 2 vintages of white Saint Peray. The white "Berceau" cuvée is made from 100% Marsanne grapes while for the Saint Peray "Figuiers" cuvée it is Roussanne that dominates.The Pierre Jean Villa estate
The Pierre Jean Villa estate was created in 2009 in the commune of Chavanay, and today has 14 hectares of vines spread over the most prestigious appellations of the northern Rhône. Pierre Jean Villa wants to respect the fruit and the terroir that it allows him to obtain great wines. He practices an agriculture that allows him to preserve the life of the soil and the work in the cellar is not very interventionist. He obtains well-balanced wines that remind us of their origin.
Vallée du Rhône appellations
Château-Grillet
Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze-la-Rousse
Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Sainte-Cécile
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Chusclan
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Laudun
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Massif-d'Uchaux
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Plan-de-Dieu
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Rochegude
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Sablet
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Séguret
Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Signargues
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