LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
If you want to try some of the best red wines of the Rhone Valley, you cannot miss the Hermitage AOC. Each year, this French area of the Northern Rhone region makes about 730,000 bottles, focusing on quality rather than quantity. While most people know Hermitage for its rich red wines made from Syrah grapes, they also make outstanding white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes that get better with age.
As you drive north along the Rhone River from Valence, a notable hill captures your gaze: the iconic heart of Hermitage. Although it appears modest compared to neighbouring Crozes-Hermitage, this hill boasts some of the finest grape-growing terrains in the region. Its steep, predominantly granite slopes provide ideal conditions for viticulture. The wine primarily originates from three key towns: Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Larnage.
The story of wine here goes way back – all the way to 600 BC! The hill got its name from a hermit who built a chapel on top of it in the 1200s, and you can still see it there today. These wines became so good that winemakers in other famous regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy would secretly add some Hermitage wine to make their own wines taste better. That's quite a reputation! Today, this area is home to numerous vineyards that craft some of the best Rhone wines.
Hermitage sits in a perfect spot in the northern Rhône Valley. To the south, you'll find the famous Côte-Rôtie wines, while Crozes-Hermitage wraps around it. In addition, this area is located 48 km away from Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC and 1.5 km away from the Saint Joseph AOC. The hill faces south, which means the grapes get plenty of sun. Different heights and spots on the hill create unique growing conditions, which adds to the complexity of the wines.
The vineyards climb from about 650 to 1,300 feet up the hill. The weather here is interesting – it combines continental conditions with a touch of Mediterranean influence. Hot summers and cold winters create just what the grapes need, especially the Syrah, which loves the warmth.
The soil in this region is unique, composed of granite, sandy gravel, clay, and limestone. Each soil type plays an essential role: granite retains heat from the sun, and the diverse mix promotes effective water drainage. Together, this combination imparts a distinctive flavor and character to Hermitage wines.
Observe how various grape varieties flourish in different environments. Syrah grapes thrive in warmer regions, where they cultivate deep, rich flavours. In the cooler, higher altitudes, Marsanne and Roussanne grow at a slower pace, preserving their freshness and developing subtle aromas.
Nowadays, climate change constantly keeps winemakers alert. Rising temperatures may force them to harvest grapes sooner, which could alter the flavour of the wines. They are diligently striving to manage this challenge.
Making wine this good isn't cheap – every step requires care and attention. But more people around the world are discovering these premium wines, which helps balance out the high costs of making them. Winemakers need to find ways to keep their prices fair while making sure their wines stay excellent.
Today's winemakers are looking to the future while respecting the past. They're finding sustainable ways to grow grapes and make wine, trying new techniques that help them deal with warmer weather. But they're careful to keep what makes Hermitage wines special in the first place. It's like updating a classic recipe – you want to make it better without losing what made it great to begin with.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Standing on the east side of the Rhône River, you'll see Hermitage rising up like a grand theatre built by nature itself. The hillsides climb steeply from the river, their special granite soils catching the sun while helping grow amazing grapes. It's as if Mother Nature herself designed the perfect spot for making wine – the south-facing slopes soaking up the sunshine while keeping the cold winds away from the vines. Every part of this landscape works together to help create truly special wines.
The climate in Hermitage offers the best of both worlds, with continental air from inland France blending seamlessly with warm Mediterranean breezes. The vineyards here are fortunate, as they enjoy natural protection from the strong Mistral winds that frequently sweep across the Rhône Valley. As for the vines, they thrive like sunbathers on south-facing slopes, soaking up every ray of sunshine.
The weather acts like a meticulously organized calendar: warm summers provide just the right conditions for happy grapes, and mild winters allow the vines to rest comfortably without chilling too much. The region receives about 31 inches of rainfall each year (roughly 800 millimetres), which is ideal. This combination is like the perfect recipe: not too much moisture to dilute the grapes, yet sufficient to keep them vibrant and flavorful.
Want to see Hermitage at its most exciting? Think about coming during harvest time, usually from late September to mid-October. This is when everything comes alive – you can watch people picking grapes, join special wine tastings, and really feel the excitement in the air. The weather during these months is just about perfect, too. The warm days are warm and sunny, great for walking through vineyards, while the crisp evenings turn cool and crisp – perfect weather for enjoying a glass of local wine.
But here's something many people don't know: springtime, from April to June, is another amazing time to visit. This is when the vineyards wake up from their winter sleep, with fresh green leaves popping out and flowers blooming everywhere. There's something really special about seeing the vines come back to life. Plus, there are usually fewer tourists around, which means you can take your time during winery visits and really soak in the experience.
The truth is, there's no bad time to visit Hermitage. Each season brings something different to enjoy. In autumn, you get the excitement of harvest and those beautiful golden colours, while in spring, everything is fresh and new.
Every bottle of Hermitage wine conveys a unique story stemming from the transition to single vineyard wines in 1990. In Hermitage, Syrah produces red wines that are the stuff of dreams for wine enthusiasts, while Marsanne and Roussanne combine to craft white wines that leave you mesmerized. As these wines mature, they reveal new flavours and aromas. Let's explore the unique qualities that define this remarkable wine region.
Syrah: When you pour Syrah wines produced in Hermitage, you'll notice its beautiful deep red colour right away. Take a moment to smell it – you'll find ripe blackberries and blackcurrants, along with lovely violet flower scents. What's really special about these wines is how they change as they age: they start to smell like fresh earth, fine leather, and gentle smoke and spices. When you taste them, they feel firm but smooth in your mouth, like velvet with structure. The flavours stay with you long after you've finished your sip. These wines can age for many years – some of the longest-lasting in the Northern Rhône – and they just keep getting better.
White Blends (Marsanne and Roussanne): The white wines from Hermitage boast a stunning golden hue that reflects their richness. Combining Marsanne and Roussanne grapes creates a unique experience. Initially, you'll detect floral notes of iris and narcissus blended with fresh peaches and apricots. A sip reveals a rich, creamy texture, accented by a hint of honey that invites you to enjoy each moment. With time in the cellar, these wines evolve to showcase delightful nutty and vanilla characteristics. Similar to their red counterparts, these whites take their time, becoming increasingly fascinating with each passing year.
Additionally, the region produces a straw wine called Vin de Paille. This wine is made from grapes dried on straw mats to enhance their sugar content before fermentation. The yield for this wine is approximately 20 hectoliters per hectare, enabling winemakers to create a rich, luscious beverage that pairs wonderfully with desserts.
Despite not having appellations like other AOCs, such as Côtes du Rhône Villages, the wines of Hermitage are truly special. What makes them so unique is their ability to age gracefully and develop complex flavours over time. The region’s granite-rich soils and ideal climate are key to crafting these unique wines. Add to that the strict regulations on grape varieties, and you’ve got wines that consistently honour the region’s heritage and reputation for excellence.
Want to see where these special wines come from? Visit the steep hills of Hermitage, where some of the world's best wines are made. The towns of Tain-l'Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage welcome visitors to meet the families who've been making wine here for generations.
The best way to understand these wines is to taste them where they're made. Local wine producers welcome visitors warmly, sharing not just their wines but also the stories behind them. If you're lucky, you might catch one of the local wine festivals where you can enjoy great wine, food, and local traditions all at once.
These wines really shine when paired with good food. A glass of Syrah goes perfectly with grilled lamb or beef, while the white wines make chicken dishes or seafood taste even better.
Make your wine adventure complete by staying right in wine country. Choose from lovely bed-and-breakfasts with vineyard views, or treat yourself to a fancy hotel that knows how to pamper wine lovers. Many places offer special wine packages that help you experience the best of Hermitage.
Hermitage wines are crafted from three special grapes: Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Each one brings its own magic to these famous wines, and together,, they create something truly special. Let's explore what makes each of these grapes unique and why they grow so well in this special part of France.
Syrah: In Hermitage, Syrah reigns supreme among red grapes, being the sole variety permitted here! This grape, also extensively cultivated in areas like Saint Joseph, flourishes in rocky, well-drained granite and gravel soils, particularly on sunny, south-facing slopes. Though Syrah tends to grow abundantly and can yield excessive fruit if not managed, diligent oversight keeps it in check. The grape commences its growth late in spring, necessitating ample warm weather for full ripening. Growers also monitor the leaves closely to ward off diseases, particularly powdery mildew, to which Syrah is quite susceptible.
Every bottle of Hermitage wine conveys a unique story stemming from the transition to single vineyard wines in 1990. In Hermitage, Syrah produces red wines that are the stuff of dreams for wine enthusiasts, while Marsanne and Roussanne combine to craft white wines that leave you mesmerized. As these wines mature, they reveal new flavours and aromas. Let's explore the unique qualities that define this remarkable wine region.
Syrah: When you pour Syrah wines produced in Hermitage, you'll notice its beautiful deep red colour right away. Take a moment to smell it – you'll find ripe blackberries and blackcurrants, along with lovely violet flower scents. What's really special about these wines is how they change as they age: they start to smell like fresh earth, fine leather, and gentle smoke and spices. When you taste them, they feel firm but smooth in your mouth, like velvet with structure. The flavours stay with you long after you've finished your sip. These wines can age for many years – some of the longest-lasting in the Northern Rhône – and they just keep getting better.
White Blends (Marsanne and Roussanne): The white wines from Hermitage boast a stunning golden hue that reflects their richness. Combining Marsanne and Roussanne grapes creates a unique experience. Initially, you'll detect floral notes of iris and narcissus blended with fresh peaches and apricots. A sip reveals a rich, creamy texture, accented by a hint of honey that invites you to enjoy each moment. With time in the cellar, these wines evolve to showcase delightful nutty and vanilla characteristics. Similar to their red counterparts, these whites take their time, becoming increasingly fascinating with each passing year.
Additionally, the region produces a straw wine called Vin de Paille. This wine is made from grapes dried on straw mats to enhance their sugar content before fermentation. The yield for this wine is approximately 20 hectoliters per hectare, enabling winemakers to create a rich, luscious beverage that pairs wonderfully with desserts.
Despite not having appellations like other AOCs, such as Côtes du Rhône Villages, the wines of Hermitage are truly special. What makes them so unique is their ability to age gracefully and develop complex flavours over time. The region’s granite-rich soils and ideal climate are key to crafting these unique wines. Add to that the strict regulations on grape varieties, and you’ve got wines that consistently honour the region’s heritage and reputation for excellence.
Want to see where these special wines come from? Visit the steep hills of Hermitage, where some of the world's best wines are made. The towns of Tain-l'Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage welcome visitors to meet the families who've been making wine here for generations.
The best way to understand these wines is to taste them where they're made. Local wine producers welcome visitors warmly, sharing not just their wines but also the stories behind them. If you're lucky, you might catch one of the local wine festivals where you can enjoy great wine, food, and local traditions all at once.
These wines really shine when paired with good food. A glass of Syrah goes perfectly with grilled lamb or beef, while the white wines make chicken dishes or seafood taste even better.
Make your wine adventure complete by staying right in wine country. Choose from lovely bed-and-breakfasts with vineyard views, or treat yourself to a fancy hotel that knows how to pamper wine lovers. Many places offer special wine packages that help you experience the best of Hermitage.
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