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!

Wine has been produced in the Rhône Valley for over 500 years, with some of its vineyards being amongst the oldest in France. Syrah rules over the south with a mix of Mediterranean grapes, while in the north, the two stars are Hermitage – grown on an imposing granite hillside above the town of Tain and best put away in the back of the cellar for a decade – and Côte-Rôtie, a star appellation made famous by Guigal's single-vineyard wines, yet also home to dozens of fine producers as yet less well known. The sheer hillsides overlooking the river have to be terraced to make production possible.

St Joseph and Cornas also provide wines of weight and worth, but the best source for good value is Crozes-Hermitage, a satellite appellation which has come alive in the last few years with the arrival of young blood.

The river valley widens out south of Valence into Côtes du Rhône country on the windy alluvial plains and the lower slopes of the hills. It is a most imposing sight during the cold, clear, blue skies of Mistral conditions. The best of the wine villages of the Côtes du Rhône have been promoted to their own appellations - Vinsobres, Vacqueyras - close in quality to the better known Gigondas.

The king of the southern Rhône is Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Here the galets roulés, rounded rocks from the ancient river bed, provide the context for gloriously rich red wines that are redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, and enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several grape varieties. Thirteen are permitted in all, but Grenache usually dominates, along with Syrah and Mourvèdre in support. A fine vintage needs eight to 10 years cellaring for best results.

If your taste runs to fuller, richer, relatively exotic white wines, then perhaps a white Hermitage or Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône Valley would suit better, or else a marvellously perfumed, heady Condrieu - headquarters of the Viognier grape.

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.