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'''Crozes-Hermitage''' is an [[Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC)]] in the Northern [[Rhône Valley]] of [[France]], encircling the hill of [[Hermitage]] on the left bank of the [[Rhône River]]. It is the largest [[appellation]] of the [[Northern Rhône]] by surface area and production, and is primarily associated with [[red wines]] made from [[Syrah]], alongside a smaller volume of [[white wines]] based on [[Marsanne]] and [[Roussanne]].<ref>Robinson | '''Crozes-Hermitage''' is an [[Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC)]] in the Northern [[Rhône Valley]] of [[France]], encircling the hill of [[Hermitage]] on the left bank of the [[Rhône River]]. It is the largest [[appellation]] of the [[Northern Rhône]] by surface area and production, and is primarily associated with [[red wines]] made from [[Syrah]], alongside a smaller volume of [[white wines]] based on [[Marsanne]] and [[Roussanne]].<ref>Jancis Robinson, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 17 Sept. 2015. ISBN 9780198705383.</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
[[Viticulture]] in the area surrounding Hermitage hill has ancient roots, with [[vineyards]] documented in Roman and medieval sources, although wines from the flatter surrounding lands were historically less distinguished than those from the hill itself.<ref>Unwin, ''Wine and the Vine'', 1991. ISBN 9780415042698.</ref> The appellation Crozes-Hermitage was formally established in 1937, expanding the recognised wine-growing zone beyond Hermitage to include a broad ring of communes around Tain-l’Hermitage and Tournon-sur-Rhône.<ref> | [[Viticulture]] in the area surrounding Hermitage hill has ancient roots, with [[vineyards]] documented in [[Roman]] and medieval sources, although wines from the flatter surrounding lands were historically less distinguished than those from the hill itself.<ref>Unwin, ''Wine and the Vine'', 1991. ISBN 9780415042698.</ref> The appellation [[Crozes-Hermitage]] was formally established in 1937, expanding the recognised wine-growing zone beyond Hermitage to include a broad ring of communes around Tain-l’Hermitage and Tournon-sur-[[Rhône]].<ref>Jancis Robinson, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 17 Sept. 2015. ISBN 9780198705383.</ref> | ||
During the 20th century, Crozes-Hermitage played a significant role in the commercial development of the Northern Rhône, providing wines that were more approachable in youth and produced in larger quantities than those of neighbouring appellations such as Hermitage and [[Cornas]].<ref>Livingstone-Learmonth, ''The Wines of the Northern Rhône'', 2019.</ref> | During the 20th century, Crozes-Hermitage played a significant role in the commercial development of the [[Northern [[Rhône]]]], providing wines that were more approachable in youth and produced in larger quantities than those of neighbouring appellations such as Hermitage and [[Cornas]].<ref>Livingstone-Learmonth, ''The Wines of the Northern Rhône'', 2019.</ref> | ||
== Geography and climate == | == Geography and climate == | ||
The appellation extends across eleven communes on predominantly flat or gently undulating terrain to the north, east and south of Hermitage hill. Vineyards lie at relatively low elevations compared with other Northern Rhône sites, though some hillside plots approach the slopes of the hill itself.<ref>Robinson | The appellation extends across eleven communes on predominantly flat or gently undulating terrain to the north, east and south of Hermitage hill. [[Vineyards]] lie at relatively low elevations compared with other Northern Rhône sites, though some hillside plots approach the slopes of the hill itself.<ref>Jancis Robinson, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 17 Sept. 2015. ISBN 9780198705383.</ref> | ||
The climate is broadly continental with [[Mediterranean]] influences, characterised by warm summers, cool winters, and the frequent presence of the mistral wind, which helps to reduce disease pressure and promote healthy grape maturation.<ref>OIV, “Viticulture in France – Rhône Valley”.</ref> | The climate is broadly continental with [[Mediterranean]] influences, characterised by warm summers, cool winters, and the frequent presence of the mistral wind, which helps to reduce disease pressure and promote healthy grape maturation.<ref>OIV, “Viticulture in France – Rhône Valley”.</ref> | ||
== Soils == | == Soils == | ||
Crozes-Hermitage is notable for its geological diversity. Much of the appellation is planted on alluvial plains composed of [[pebbles (soil)|pebbles]], [[sand (soil)|sand]] and [[clay (soil)|clay]] deposited by the Rhône and its tributaries, while other sectors feature [[loess (soil)|loess]], [[gravel (soil)|gravel]], and pockets of [[granite (soil)|granite]] closer to Hermitage hill.<ref> | Crozes-Hermitage is notable for its geological diversity. Much of the appellation is planted on alluvial plains composed of [[pebbles (soil)|pebbles]], [[sand (soil)|sand]] and [[clay (soil)|clay]] deposited by the Rhône and its tributaries, while other sectors feature [[loess (soil)|loess]], [[gravel (soil)|gravel]], and pockets of [[granite (soil)|granite]] closer to Hermitage hill.<ref>Jancis Robinson, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 17 Sept. 2015. ISBN 9780198705383.</ref> | ||
This variation in soils contributes to a wide stylistic range, from lighter, fruit-forward wines on deeper alluvial soils to more structured and mineral expressions from stonier or granitic sites.<ref>Livingstone-Learmonth, ''The Wines of the Northern Rhône'', 2019.</ref> | This variation in soils contributes to a wide stylistic range, from lighter, fruit-forward wines on deeper alluvial soils to more structured and mineral expressions from stonier or granitic sites.<ref>Livingstone-Learmonth, ''The Wines of the Northern Rhône'', 2019.</ref> | ||
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Red Crozes-Hermitage must be made exclusively from ''Syrah'', which typically expresses [[aromas]] of dark berries, black pepper and violet, with moderate [[tannic]] structure.<ref>Stevenson, ''The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia'', 2011. ISBN 9780756686840.</ref> | Red Crozes-Hermitage must be made exclusively from ''Syrah'', which typically expresses [[aromas]] of dark berries, black pepper and violet, with moderate [[tannic]] structure.<ref>Stevenson, ''The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia'', 2011. ISBN 9780756686840.</ref> | ||
White Crozes-Hermitage is produced from ''Marsanne'' and ''Roussanne'', either singly or blended. These wines are less common and generally [[fuller-bodied]], with notes of stone fruit, almond and floral elements.<ref>Parker, ''Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide'', 2008.</ref> | [[White]] Crozes-Hermitage is produced from ''Marsanne'' and ''Roussanne'', either singly or blended. These wines are less common and generally [[fuller-bodied]], with notes of stone fruit, almond and floral elements.<ref>Parker, ''Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide'', 2008.</ref> | ||
== Wine styles == | == Wine styles == | ||
Red wines dominate production and range from supple, early-drinking styles to more serious examples capable of short- to medium-term [[ageing]], depending on site and [[winemaking]] approach.<ref> | [[Red wines]] dominate production and range from supple, early-drinking styles to more serious examples capable of short- to medium-term [[ageing]], depending on site and [[winemaking]] approach.<ref>Jancis Robinson, ''Oxford Companion to Wine'', Oxford University Press, 17 Sept. 2015. ISBN 9780198705383.</ref> | ||
White wines are typically richer and broader than those from cooler Rhône appellations, with limited but notable [[ageing potential]] in structured examples from low-yielding vineyards.<ref>MacNeil, ''The Wine Bible'', 2022. ISBN | [[White wines]] are typically richer and broader than those from cooler Rhône appellations, with limited but notable [[ageing potential]] in structured examples from low-yielding vineyards.<ref>Karen MacNeil, ''The Wine Bible'', Workman Adult, October 11, 2022. ISBN 9781523510092.</ref> | ||
== Appellation regulations == | == Appellation regulations == | ||