Saint-Joseph: Demanding by nature!
On the right-bank of the Rhône, the Saint-Joseph vineyard sits upon the 45th parallel, planted on steep hillsides that have been carved into terraces since ancient times. Erstwhile known as “Vin de Mauves”, the Jesuits gave it its current name in the 17th century.
Today, the appellation is known for its red wines made using Syrah grapes. These wines are both strong flavoured and refined, expressing notes of pepper and spices, often accompanied by notes of violet mixed with minerals. The appellation also produces 10% of all white wines made using Roussanne and Marsanne grape varieties.
Like the terrain itself, the appellation’s winemakers are demanding and seek to produce only the best wine – but they are far from being stern: every year they host the National Comedy Festival.
GRAPE VARIETIES
Within the Saint-Joseph AOC area, 160 winemakers produce predominantly red wines and, on a much smaller scale, white wines made with a single variety of grape or an assembly of different varieties. Syrah is the primary variety used in the red wine (even if up to 10% Roussanne or Marsanne were authorized in 1980), resulting in a strong end product.
Syrah produces robust wines with notes of pepper, spices, and a hint of violet, and is made into wine exclusively in the northern reaches of the Rhône valley. It is the Syrah grapes that give Saint-Joseph wines their fine, darkly aromatic personality.
The balanced, gourmet white wines are yellow with hints of green, and with a structure that changes with its assembly. The wine is produces in metal or stainless steel vats.
Roussane makes wines of the highest quality that are fine, straw yellow in colour, offer a remarkable nose and age nicely. A noble grape variety, it gives wines a satisfying colour and an elegant touch of apricot, hawthorn, unroasted coffee, and honeysuckle in the nose, with discreet hints of narcissus.
Marsanne requires a hot, dry climate with a lot of exposure to the sun. Rustic and sturdy, these vines are happy in poor soil, but good hillsides with stony earth provide the most harmonious development. It produces strong wines of average acidity, and its floral aromas come into their own as it ages, and are accompanied by notes of hazelnut.