Etymologically, Crozes-Hermitage is the hill at the crossroads, but a brief glimpse of the delicious nectars produced here sounds like an invitation to settle down. Let’s discover this jewel of the Rhône Valley.

The largest appellation in the northern Rhône Valley

With its 1,650 hectares of vines, the Crozes-Hermitage appellation is the largest AOC in the northern Rhône Valley (i.e. between Lyon and Valence). Here, red wines account for 90% of total production and are made from a single grape variety: Syrah, which is so emblematic of this part of the Rhône vineyards. However, up to 15% of the white grape varieties Marsanne and Roussanne can also be added. There’s no question here of producing blended rosés, but rather of softening the sometimes rustic angles of Syrah. It’s also a historical rule that dates back to the early days of the appellation, when plots were planted together, with no real attention paid to grape varieties.

At the heart of Crozes-Hermitage lies the famous Hermitage appellation, a wine lover’s dream. It isolates the best terroirs of Crozes-Hermitage (130 hectares in a single block), like a great Burgundy wine that stands out from the rest of the vineyard.

Red wines with a distinctive profile

There’s no doubt about it: these are red wines with a strong Rhône identity. It will take at least 2 or 3 years before it matures and reaches its full potential. When just ripe, a bottle of Crozes-Hermitage is defined by its aromas of ripe wild berries (wild strawberry, raspberry, blueberry), spices (pepper, clove, licorice), flowers (violet, peony) and that unique charcoal or charcoal-like taste. This is the hallmark of the appellation’s granite terroir. On the palate, this is a wine that can give you the impression of velvet on the palate.

Great bottles of Crozes-Hermitage can be recognized by their ability to keep for a decade or more. On tasting, they gain in intensity and aromatic complexity, with notes of freshly pressed black olives and game, as well as a framework reminiscent of a walk in the forest.

Crozes-Hermitage reds at the table

By their very nature, Crozes-Hermitage red wines call for a meal. The appellation’s starters will delight wine lovers at an impromptu aperitif dinner: charcuterie with character, pizzas and croques messieurs or even hummus will only get better once the glasses are full. But where Crozes-Hermitage really shines is at the table, with a nice piece of meat: from the classic Easter leg of lamb to delicious oriental kebabs, the famous shish kebab, not forgetting traditional beef ribs and other grilled meats.