Côtes du Rhône Cru AOC Saint-Joseph
Exacting standards. On the right bank of the Rhône, the Saint-Joseph vineyards are situated around the 45th parallel, and are planted on steep hillside terraces which date from many centuries ago.
Saint-Joseph wine was formerly known as Vin de Mauves; its current name was coined by Jesuits in the 17th century.
The appellation is known for its red wines, made predominantly from Syrah, which are powerful and elegant, and, on a smaller scale, for whites made from Roussanne and/or Marsanne. Like their terroir, the appellation winegrowers have demanding standards, seeking to produce only the best wine. But although they’re serious, they’re far from humourless; every year the appellation hosts the National Festival of Comedy.
Informations
Climate: Semi-continental with mediterranean influences
Soils: Sandy / Granite / Clay
Website appellation: https://www.aoc-saint-joseph.fr/
Key figures
Production surface area in 2023: 1 375 HA
Total production in 2023: 50 583 HL
Average annual yeld: 37 HL/HA
Export: 13%
Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.: 1956
Communes: 23 communes in the Ardèche and 3 in the Loire
Grape varieties
Marsanne
An emblematic grape variety for white wines from the northern Rhône Valley, where it is often blended with Roussanne, Marsanne produces powerful wines with floral and hazelnut aromas which develop particularly with ageing.
Roussanne
A traditional grape variety from the northern crus of the Rhône Valley, where it is often associated with Marsanne, Roussanne is also grown in the southern part of the region. It produces elegant, fine, floral and complex wines.
Syrah (minimum 90%)
Syrah is one of the most emblematic red grape varieties of the northern part of the Côtes du Rhône. Due to its rarity, it is only used to produce certain great wines.
To know
History
The vineyards of Saint-Joseph were planted by the Greeks and later maintained by the Romans, who already saw potential in the steep slopes on the right bank of the Rhône.
The A.O.C. takes its name from a vineyard located between Tournon and Mauves. Saint Joseph wines graced the most prestigious tables across Europe and Russia, and even Charlemagne was said to enjoy them immensely. The first written evidence of wine being made here dates back to the 17th century, but its name came from the monks who owned the monastery where the vineyards grew.
Later, Mauves wine was mentioned in Hugo’s Les Misérables: “My brother offered him some of that good Mauves wine”.
In the 20th century, the winemakers formed a union to protect the Saint-Joseph appellation, and in June 15, 1956, the wine was officially recognised as an AOC. The appellation area runs through 26 communes, across 1,300 ha. The vineyards wind their way through Chavanay to Guilherand, connecting Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie in the north with Saint-Péray and Cornas in the south.
Climate
The climate here is semi-continental, and the harvest is usually relatively late. There are a few variations in soil and sun exposure, but the combination of Mediterranean and continental climates makes the wines of Saint-Joseph distinctive.
Soils
The vineyards are planted largely on terraces on fairly steep slopes, a crucial factor for sun exposure and drainage.
The main component of the appellation soils is granite, but other soils are present and have an impact on production. The southern area is made up of tender gneiss and complex, acidic granite.
The diversity of the appellation soils gives the wines their character and provides the three varietals grown here with all the nutrients they need to flourish.
Geography
From Chavanay in the north to Guilherand in the south,the appellation stretches for around 50km along the right bank of the Rhône.
It encompasses 23 communes in the Ardèche and 3 in the Loire.
Varieties and flavours
For red wines, the primary varietal is Syrah, although winemakers are authorised to add 10% of Roussanne or Marsanne to the blends to add finesse. Syrah wines are powerful, with spicy, peppery aromas and a touch of violet, giving Saint-Joseph wines a brooding, aromatic character.
Whites are well-balanced and full of flavour, yellow in colour with a glimmer of green and a structure that changes according to the blend. Roussanne gives good quality wines, with elegance, an enviable range of aromas including apricot, hawthorn, green coffee and honeysuckle with a subtle touch of narcissus. Marsanne requires a dry, hot climate with plenty of sunshine, but is robust and vigorous and can thrive in the poorest of soils. Its wines are powerful, with medium acidity. Floral aromas develop on ageing, alongside notes of hazelnuts.
Associated appellations
