France: Northern Rhône

The Rhône wine region in Southern France is located in the Rhône Valley and produces numerous wines under various Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designations. The wine region is divided into two sub-regions, both with distinct viticultural traditions, the Northern Rhône (referred to in French as Rhône septentrienal) and the Southern Rhône (in French Rhône méridional). The northern Rhône is characterised by a continental climate with harsh winters but warm summers. Its climate is influenced by the mistral wind, which brings colder air from the Massif Central. Northern Rhône is therefore cooler than southern Rhône, which means that the mix of planted grape varieties and wine styles are slightly different. Syrah is the only red grape variety permitted in red AOC wines from the northern Rhône. For wines bearing the Cornas AOC designation, Syrah must be used exclusively, whereas other red wines from the northern Rhône sub-region may be blended with white wine grapes, these generally are either Viognier or Marsanne and Roussanne, depending on the appellation. However, while this is allowed by the AOC rules, blending with white grapes is only widely practiced in the production of Côte-Rôtie. Viognier by itself is used for white wines from Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Marsanne and Roussanne are in turn used for the whites from Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Saint Joseph, and Saint Péray. From north to south the appellations in the northern Rhône are: Côte-Rôtie AOC: red wines made from the Syrah grape and up to 20% of Viognier. Condrieu AOC: white wines made from the Viognier grape only. Château-Grillet AOC: white wines made from the Viognier grape only. Saint-Joseph AOC: red wines made from Syrah and up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne; white wines made from only Marsanne and Roussanne grapes. Crozes-Hermitage AOC: red wines made from the Syrah grape and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne; white wines made from only Marsanne and Roussanne grapes. Hermitage AOC: red wines made from Syrah and up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne; white wines made from only Marsanne and Roussanne. Cornas AOC: red wines made from the Syrah grape only. Saint-Péray AOC: sparkling and still white wines made from only Marsanne and Roussanne. Northern Rhône reds are often identified by their signature aromas of green olive and smoky bacon.

	Domaine Combier Crozes Hermitage 2009 - Northern Rhone, France Bin No. COMBCH09 Price: £19.50 Domaine Combier's Crozes Hermitage is spectacularly deep and dark in colour with an almost silky sheen made from 100% organically grown Syrah grapes. On the nose the wine displays rich fruit, leather and spicy oak notes. This is echoed on the palate, where the tannins are firm but ripe and elegant and the finish is extremely long and fine. ..
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	Domaine Combier Crozes Hermitage Clos des Grives 2008 - Northern Rhone, France Bin No. COMBCDG08 Price: £27.00 Domaine Combier’s top cuvée is the outstanding Crozes Hermitage Clos des Grives. This red wine is produced from 100% Syrah grapes; all hand-picked from Combiers oldest parcels of vines maintained chemical free and organic. The Domaine Combier Clos de Grives is wonderfully vibrant in colour with a rich complex nose of chocolate, mocha and a hint of tobacco. On the palate the wine is full of depth and power, the tannins and the oak wonderfully i ..
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	Domaine Cuilleron Condrieu La Petite Côte 2008 - Northern Rhône, France Bin No. CUILLLPC08 Price: £36.00 The Viognier grapes for all of Cuilleron's Condrieu's are harvested by hand and all wines are fermented in French oak barrels. After fermentation a portion of the wine is then aged in oak while the remainder is transferred to tank to wait for the final blending. The final Condrieu La Petite Côte is juicy, light and fresh with modest depth and a good mineral backbone. ..
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