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Syrah is a dark-skinned grape variety that exhibit very floral wines in its youth, developing violet and black pepper aromas and herbal and jammy notes as it ages. Very sctructural and silk wines with quaite soft bitterness.
Saint-Joseph, located in France's northern Rhone Valley, is comfortably the region's largest appellation in terms of geographical coverage. When originally introduced, in 1956, it covered just six parishes, but following early commercial success and the subsequent drive for expansion, the boundaries were extended in 1969. It now covers more than 26 communes and stretches from Chavanay in the north to Chateaubourg in the south – a distance of roughly 30 miles (50km).
The Saint-Joseph appellation title covers both red wines made mainly from Syrah, and white wines made from Marsanne and Roussanne blended in varying proportions. High-quality red wines. These are generally made in a lighter style, for earlier consumption, and lean towards fruitier flavors with softer tannins rather than the meatier, leathery style of Hermitage.
White wines makes up only one in ten bottles of Saint-Joseph's production and are dry in style, with honeyed, floral aromas and balanced weight and acidity. They are in marked contrast to the sweet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise wines from the southern Rhone and the heavier Viognier-based wines of Condrieu and Chateau-Grillet.
The terroirs of Saint-Joseph vary considerably in the 50 km the appellation covers along the Rhone valley. The best sites are set on primary rock formations, consisting of gneiss, granite and mica-rich schist, while others are set on limestone outcrops, or the alluvial soils of ancient glacial terraces. These soils each bring their own characteristics to the wines produced from them.
Côtes du Rhône vineyards are located on the banks of the Rhône River. The soil and the geographical conditions are very heterogeneous in the northern and southern parts of the region therefore the valley is divided in two parts - Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône. Vines in Northern Rhône are mainly grown on so-called "terraces" - steep granite and slate slopes. Winemakers are often not very fond of the harsh mistral wind because of its low temperature. The unusual climate causes the vines to produce small yields, but at the same time provides an intense flavour that has given the wines of Northern Rhône worldwide fame. Syrah is the mainly used grape for red wines - it produces deep wines with hints of pepper that are suitable for long ageing. Viognier is the queen of white wines, but Marsanne and Rousanne are also always close by. Some appellations allow white grapes to be added to red wines in order to smoothen the roughness of Syrah and enrich the wines with floral aromas. The landscapes of Southern Rhône are very different from the northern part - the vineyards are located along the river on low hills and plains and the weather is much friendlier. The grapes ripen in the hot summer sun and obtain a high sugar level resulting in rich and mouth-filling wines. The main grape used is Grenache, but 12 other varieties are allowed in the region - interestingly some wines even combine all of them.
Côtes du Rhône vineyards are located on the banks of the Rhône River. The soil and the geographical conditions are very heterogeneous in the northern and southern parts of the region therefore the valley is divided in two parts – Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône. Vines in Northern Rhône are mainly grown on so-called “terraces” – steep granite and slate slopes. Winemakers are often not very fond of the harsh mistral wind because of its low temperature. The unusual climate causes the vines to produce small yields, but at the same time provides an intense flavour that has given the wines of Northern Rhône worldwide fame. Syrah is the mainly used grape for red wines – it produces deep wines with hints of pepper that are suitable for long ageing. Viognier is the queen of white wines, but Marsanne and Rousanne are also always close by. Some appellations allow white grapes to be added to red wines in order to smoothen the roughness of Syrah and enrich the wines with floral aromas. The landscapes of Southern Rhône are very different from the northern part – the vineyards are located along the river on low hills and plains and the weather is much friendlier. The grapes ripen in the hot summer sun and obtain a high sugar level resulting in rich and mouth-filling wines. The main grape used is Grenache, but 12 other varieties are allowed in the region – interestingly some wines even combine all of them.
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