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!

La Valle del Rodano produce vino da oltre 500 anni e alcuni dei suoi vigneti sono tra i più antichi di Francia. Il Syrah domina il sud con un mix di uve mediterranee, mentre a nord le due stelle sono l'Hermitage - coltivato su un'imponente collina di granito sopra la città di Tain e da riporre in cantina per un decennio - e la Côte-Rôtie, una denominazione stellare resa famosa dai vini monovitigno di Guigal, ma che ospita anche decine di ottimi produttori ancora meno conosciuti. Le colline a picco sul fiume devono essere terrazzate per rendere possibile la produzione.

Anche St Joseph e Cornas forniscono vini di peso e di valore, ma la fonte migliore per un buon rapporto qualità-prezzo è Crozes-Hermitage, una denominazione satellite che si è animata negli ultimi anni con l'arrivo di giovani leve.

La valle del fiume si allarga a sud di Valence nella regione delle Côtes du Rhône, sulle pianure alluvionali ventose e sui pendii inferiori delle colline. È uno spettacolo imponente durante i freddi e limpidi cieli blu del Maestrale. I migliori villaggi vinicoli delle Côtes du Rhône sono stati promossi a denominazioni proprie - Vinsobres, Vacqueyras - vicine per qualità al più noto Gigondas.

Il re del Rodano meridionale è Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Qui i galets roulés, rocce arrotondate provenienti dall'antico letto del fiume, forniscono il contesto per vini rossi gloriosamente ricchi che profumano del calore e delle erbe aromatiche del sud e sono esaltati dalla complessità che deriva dall'assemblaggio di diverse varietà di uve. In tutto ne sono ammessi tredici, ma di solito domina la Grenache, con Syrah e Mourvèdre a supporto. Per ottenere i migliori risultati, una buona annata necessita di otto-dieci anni di invecchiamento.

Se i vostri gusti si orientano verso vini bianchi più pieni, ricchi e relativamente esotici, allora forse un Hermitage bianco o uno Châteauneuf-du-Pape della Valle del Rodano sarebbero più adatti, oppure un Condrieu meravigliosamente profumato e inebriante - sede dell'uva Viognier.

Cote Rotie is a wine region located in the northern Rhone Valley of France. The name Cote Rotie translates to "roasted slope," which refers to the steep, south-facing hillsides where the vineyards are located. The region is known for producing some of the finest and most elegant red wines in the world.

The history of winemaking in Cote Rotie dates back to the Roman era, but it wasn't until the 16th century that the region began to gain recognition for its wines. In the 19th century, Cote Rotie became one of the most sought-after wines in Europe, and it was even served at the coronation of Queen Victoria.

The style of production in Cote Rotie is unique and labor-intensive. The vineyards are planted on steep slopes that require hand-harvesting, and the grapes are often fermented with the stems still attached. This technique, known as whole-cluster fermentation, adds complexity and structure to the wine.

Cote Rotie is made primarily from the Syrah grape, which is known for its dark fruit flavors and spicy notes. The wines are often blended with a small amount of Viognier, a white grape that adds floral aromas and a silky texture to the wine.

The wines of Cote Rotie are classified into two main styles: the traditional style and the modern style. The traditional style is characterized by its earthy, gamey flavors and firm tannins, while the modern style is fruitier and more approachable in its youth.

Some of the top producers in Cote Rotie include Guigal, Chapoutier, and Jaboulet. These producers are known for their commitment to quality and their ability to produce wines that are both powerful and elegant.

Overall, Cote Rotie is a region that produces some of the most sought-after wines in the world. Its unique terroir, labor-intensive production methods, and commitment to quality have made it a favorite among wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.