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'''Hermitage''' (French: [ɛʁmi.taʒ]) is a prestigious [[appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC)]] in the [[Northern Rhône]], [[France]]. Centred on a single south-facing hill above the town of [[Tain-l’Hermitage]], it is regarded as one of the [[Rhône Valley’s]] most historic and renowned [[vineyard]] sites, producing powerful and long-lived wines, primarily from [[Syrah]].<ref>Robinson (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 2015.</ref>  

== Background ==  
[[Viticulture]] on the Hermitage hill dates back to [[antiquity]], with cultivation attributed to the [[Romans]]. The name “Hermitage” derives from a 13th-century knight, Gaspard de Stérimberg, who is said to have lived there as a hermit after returning from the Crusades.<ref>Livingstone-Learmonth, ''The Wines of the Rhône'', Infinite Ideas, 2019.</ref> By the 18th and 19th centuries, Hermitage wines were celebrated across [[Europe]], often used to strengthen weaker [[vintages]] of [[Bordeaux]] through [[blending]].  

The [[appellation]], formally established in 1937, covers around 130 hectares of vineyards on steep granite [[slopes]] above the [[Rhône River]].<ref>Syndicat de l’Appellation Hermitage, “Appellation Hermitage”, hermitage-vins.com.</ref>  

== Characteristics ==  
The [[terroir]] of Hermitage combines granite bedrock with patches of loess and alluvial deposits, yielding varied mesoclimates across the hill. The vineyards are divided into [[lieux-dits]] such as Les Bessards, Le Méal, and L’Hermite, each contributing distinct expressions of Syrah.<ref>Johnson & Robinson, ''The World Atlas of Wine'', 8th ed., 2019.</ref>  

Hermitage [[red wines]] are exclusively made from Syrah, with the AOC regulations permitting up to 15% [[Marsanne]] and [[Roussanne]] in the blend, though this is rarely practised. White Hermitage, produced solely from Marsanne and Roussanne, is celebrated for its richness and longevity.  

== Use in winemaking ==  
Hermitage reds are known for their depth, firm tannic [[structure]], and capacity to age for decades, often developing complex aromas of [[black fruit (aroma)|black fruit]], [[leather (aroma)|leather]], [[spice (aroma)|spice]], and [[game (aroma)|game]]. They are among the longest-lived wines of the Northern Rhône.<ref>Robinson (ed.), ''The Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 2015.</ref>  

Hermitage whites, though rarer, can be equally ageworthy. They display [[flavours]] of stone fruit, nuts, and honey, and may take many years to reach their peak. Small quantities of [[vin de paille]] (straw wine) are also authorised under the appellation, made from dried Marsanne and Roussanne grapes.  

== Reputation and influence ==  
Hermitage has historically been one of the most esteemed French wines, often commanding high prices and influencing styles beyond the Rhône. In the 19th century, Bordeaux négociants commonly used Hermitage to fortify and enrich claret in weaker vintages.<ref>Livingstone-Learmonth, ''The Wines of the Rhône'', Infinite Ideas, 2019.</ref> Today, it remains a benchmark for Syrah globally, inspiring producers in the [[New World]].  

== See also ==  
* [[Northern Rhône]]  
* [[Syrah]]  
* [[Marsanne]]  
* [[Roussanne]]  

== References ==  
{{reflist}}  

[[Category:Wine regions of France]]  
[[Category:Wine regions]]  
[[Category:Rhône wine AOCs]]