Delas Frères is an estate based in the northern Rhône Valley, particularly known for its Syrah-based wines from the Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and Crozes-Hermitages appellations.

The Delas family have been involved in the production of wine in the Rhône Valley since 1835, taking the current name in 1924. The wines have been received well throughout the 20th century, and in 1977, joined forces with Champagne Deutz. In 1993, both were acquired by the Rouzaud family, owners of Louis Roederer.

Today, the company has vineyards around the northern Rhône, the most notable being Domaine des Tourettes in Hermitage. This estate covers a steep, granitic part of the Hermitage hill, including the famous Les Bressades vineyard.

Der er blevet produceret vin i Rhônedalen i over 500 år, og nogle af vinmarkerne er blandt de ældste i Frankrig. Syrah hersker over den sydlige del med en blanding af middelhavsdruer, mens de to stjerner i nord er Hermitage - dyrket på en imponerende granitbakke over byen Tain og bedst gemt væk bagerst i kælderen i et årti - og Côte-Rôtie, en stjerneappellation, der blev berømt af Guigals enkeltmarksvine, men som også er hjemsted for snesevis af fine producenter, der endnu er mindre kendte. De stejle bjergskråninger med udsigt over floden skal terrasseres for at gøre produktionen mulig.

Joseph og Cornas leverer også vine med vægt og værdi, men den bedste kilde til god værdi er Crozes-Hermitage, en satellit-appellation, som er kommet til live i de sidste par år med tilgangen af ungt blod.

Floddalen udvider sig syd for Valence til Côtes du Rhône-land på de blæsende alluviale sletter og de lavere skråninger af bakkerne. Det er et meget imponerende syn under den kolde, klare, blå himmel under Mistral-forhold. De bedste vinlandsbyer i Côtes du Rhône har fået deres egne appellationer - Vinsobres, Vacqueyras - der kvalitetsmæssigt ligger tæt på den mere kendte Gigondas.

Kongen af det sydlige Rhône er Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Her danner galets roulés, afrundede klipper fra det gamle flodleje, rammen om vidunderligt rige rødvine, der dufter af sydens varme og urter, og som forstærkes af den kompleksitet, der kommer af at blande flere druesorter. Tretten er tilladt i alt, men Grenache dominerer normalt sammen med Syrah og Mourvèdre som støtte. En god årgang har brug for otte til 10 års lagring for at opnå det bedste resultat.

Hvis du er til fyldigere, rigere, relativt eksotiske hvidvine, så passer en hvid Hermitage eller Châteauneuf-du-Pape fra Rhône-dalen måske bedre, eller en vidunderligt parfumeret, berusende Condrieu - hovedkvarteret for Viognier-druen.

Côtes du Rhône is a wine region located in the southern part of France, along the Rhône River. The region is known for producing some of the finest wines in the world, with a history that dates back to the Roman times. The region is divided into two parts, the Northern Rhône and the Southern Rhône, each with its own unique style of wine.

The Northern Rhône is known for producing some of the finest red wines in the world, with Syrah being the dominant grape variety. The wines from this region are known for their complexity, elegance, and ageability. The most famous appellations in the Northern Rhône include Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas.

The Southern Rhône, on the other hand, is known for producing a wide range of wines, including red, white, and rosé. The most famous appellation in the Southern Rhône is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which produces rich and full-bodied red wines that are often blended with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Other appellations in the Southern Rhône include Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Tavel.

The wines from Côtes du Rhône are produced using traditional winemaking techniques, with a focus on quality and terroir. The region has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters, which allows the grapes to ripen fully and develop complex flavors. The soils in the region are diverse, with a mix of clay, limestone, and sandstone, which adds to the complexity of the wines.

Overall, Côtes du Rhône is a region that produces some of the finest wines in the world, with a rich history and a focus on quality and terroir. Whether you are looking for a complex and elegant red wine from the Northern Rhône or a rich and full-bodied red wine from the Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône has something to offer for every wine lover.