The Chapoutier family can trace their history in the Rhône region back to 1808 but wine making didn’t start until 1879. It wasn’t until the late 1980’s however, under the guidance of Michel Chapoutier, when the quality soared. Now, Chapoutier produces the most diverse and complex wines of the Northern Rhône.

“Michel Chapoutier is dynamic and irrepressible—his approach is damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. At age 24, he pulled aside his grandfather Marc, who owned 72 percent of the family wine company, M. Chapoutier, and said he could no longer work under the current manager, who happened to be his own father, Max. Michel would stay, but only if he was in charge. With the company struggling, Marc listened and handed control to the young man.” The Wine Spectator

He has spread production all over the Rhône region and produces wines from the best appellations such as Hermitage, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côte-Rôtie. But, no matter the location, all wines are crafted with the uttermost attention and respect. Winemaking and vineyard management are the strictest representation of terroir and vintage, making them so profoundly diverse but still holding the Chapoutier finesse throughout.

“It means paying attention to each plot, listening to the world, the environment, anticipating the needs of the earth.” Michel Chapoutier

Not only is Chapoutier iconic for his production of wine, he was also the first wine producer to introduce braille on the label. Michel introduced this after hearing his blind friend, the singer Gilbert Montagné, explain on TV that he needed to take someone into the store with him to identify what wine to buy. This didn’t sit well with Chapoutier, so he put braille on the labels so his friend could have the enjoyment of choosing his own wine!

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.

Saint Joseph is a wine appellation located in the northern Rhône region of France. It is known for producing some of the finest red wines in the world, made from the Syrah grape variety. The appellation covers a total area of approximately 1,200 hectares, with vineyards planted on steep slopes overlooking the Rhône River.

The history of Saint Joseph dates back to the Roman era, when the region was known for producing high-quality wines. However, it was not until the 17th century that the appellation gained recognition for its exceptional wines. Today, Saint Joseph is considered one of the most prestigious wine appellations in France, with a reputation for producing wines of great depth, complexity, and elegance.

The style of production in Saint Joseph is traditional, with a focus on hand-harvesting and minimal intervention in the winemaking process. The vineyards are planted on granite and schist soils, which impart a unique minerality to the wines. The Syrah grape variety is the dominant grape grown in the region, although small amounts of Marsanne and Roussanne are also grown.

The typical wines from Saint Joseph are red wines made from the Syrah grape variety. These wines are known for their deep ruby color, intense aromas of black fruit, spice, and earthy notes, and a full-bodied, tannic structure. The wines are aged in oak barrels for up to 18 months, which adds complexity and depth to the wine. The best wines from Saint Joseph can age for up to 20 years, developing even more complexity and depth over time.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in white wines from Saint Joseph, made from the Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties. These wines are known for their floral aromas, notes of honey and citrus, and a rich, creamy texture.

Overall, Saint Joseph is a wine appellation that is steeped in history and tradition, producing some of the finest wines in the world. Its unique terroir, traditional winemaking techniques, and focus on quality have earned it a reputation as one of the most prestigious wine appellations in France.