Crozes-Hermitage AOC

• Crozes -Hermitage

Crozes -Hermitage is the largest wine region in the northern part of the French Rhone Valley. The area of the Appellation includes eleven municipalities of the department of Drôme in the neighborhood of the famous vineyard of Hermitage on the left bank of the Rhone. At its heart are the same municipality as well as the town of Tain l' Hermitage. In the year 2005 62.871 hectoliters of wine were produced on 1,443 hectares of land, of which approximately 92 % was attributable to red wine.

Soil and climate

In the northern part of the area, the geological continuation of the Hermitage hill, is the underbody of the vineyards of granite, which weathers to a fine clay. In order to secure the thin soil layers from sliding, there brick terraces were created. The larger, southern part of the appellation form of glacial deposits resulting from gravel and debris, mixed with red clay. Your highest places are covered with loess, they are particularly suitable for white wine.

In the northern Rhone Valley is continental and Mediterranean climate mix. The latter is especially popular south of Tain l' Hermitage for a good sun exposure and high average temperatures in the valleys. The cool, dry north wind prevails, warm southerly winds are rare and then bring mostly rain. The rainfall varies between 700 and 800 mm per year. The summers are warm and dry. To low rainfall in summer on the gravel terrace in the south are a problem.

Documents and wines

The vast majority of production is accounted for by red wine, for the only grape variety Syrah is approved. An addition of up to 15% of white wine is allowed. The base yield is 45 hl / ha. Due to the different soils, the growing region is far from homogeneous. The north of the area brings more powerful red wines of structure and longer shelf life. On the terrace of the chassis in the south of the area arise fruitier wines that develop correspondingly faster in the basement. The low average age of the vines there also plays a role. The barrel extension is the exception when Crozes -Hermitage.

On White wine accounts for about 8 % of production. Open to the varietals Marsanne and Roussanne, the former being dominated because of their reliable income. The best white wine brings out the sector of Mercurol. There are two styles in white wine. The traditional vinification with malolactic fermentation produces full-bodied, spicy and storable wines with nutty and floral notes. The modern style puts more emphasis on freshness and fruitiness, citrus flavors dominate here.

There are over 40 independent winegrowers and two cooperatives ( Tain l' Hermitage, Cave of Clairmonts ). In addition, the large trading houses of the Rhone Valley play an important role.

History

On 3 March 1937, the appellation Crozes -Hermitage for the north adjoining the Hermitage layers was created by decree. On 1 July 1952, it was expanded to eleven municipalities of the canton of Tain l' Hermitage. This appreciation led to an expansion of vineyards primarily on the terrace of the chassis, where once dominated the fruit growing. The acreage has become so increased from 1,029 ha in the early nineties to 1,443 ha in 2005.