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 dusinvis 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.

Syd for Valence breder floddalen sig ud i 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 med 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 også en vidunderligt parfumeret, berusende Condrieu - Viognier-druens hovedsæde.

Cornas is a small wine appellation located in the northern Rhône region of France. The name "Cornas" is derived from the Celtic word for "burnt earth," which is a reference to the steep, rocky slopes that characterize the vineyards in this area. The appellation covers just over 100 hectares of land, and is known for producing some of the most powerful and complex red wines in the Rhône Valley.

The style of production in Cornas is heavily influenced by the unique terroir of the region. The vineyards are situated on steep slopes that face south or southeast, which allows the grapes to receive maximum exposure to the sun. The soil in Cornas is composed of decomposed granite, which is rich in minerals and provides excellent drainage for the vines. The combination of these factors results in wines that are full-bodied, rich, and complex, with intense aromas and flavors.

The primary grape variety grown in Cornas is Syrah, which is known for its deep color, intense aromas, and full-bodied flavor. The Syrah grapes grown in Cornas are typically smaller and more concentrated than those grown in other regions, which contributes to the intensity and complexity of the wines. In addition to Syrah, some producers in Cornas also grow small amounts of white grapes, such as Marsanne and Roussanne, which are used to produce a small amount of white wine.

The typical wines produced in Cornas are full-bodied, rich, and complex, with intense aromas of black fruit, spice, and earth. The tannins in these wines are firm and well-structured, which allows them to age gracefully for many years. The best examples of Cornas can be quite expensive, but they are considered to be some of the finest wines in the Rhône Valley.

The history of winemaking in Cornas dates back to the Roman era, when the region was known for producing high-quality wines. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that Cornas began to gain recognition as a distinct wine appellation. In the early 20th century, the vineyards in Cornas were devastated by phylloxera, a disease that nearly wiped out the entire wine industry in France. However, the vineyards were eventually replanted, and today Cornas is once again recognized as one of the premier wine appellations in the Rhône Valley.

In conclusion, Cornas is a unique and distinctive wine appellation that produces some of the most powerful and complex red wines in the Rhône Valley. The combination of steep slopes, decomposed granite soil, and maximum sun exposure results in wines that are full-bodied, rich, and complex, with intense aromas and flavors. The primary grape variety grown in Cornas is Syrah, which is known for its deep color, intense aromas, and full-bodied flavor. The typical wines produced in Cornas are full-bodied, rich, and complex, with intense aromas of black fruit, spice, and earth. The history of winemaking in Cornas dates back to the Roman era, and today the region is recognized as one of the premier wine appellations in the Rhône Valley.