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.

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.