Cornas
Cornas (French pronunciation: [kɔʁ.nas]) is a French appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) located in the Northern Rhône valley, devoted exclusively to red wines made from Syrah. It is among the smallest Rhône appellations but is renowned for producing some of the region’s most powerful and long-lived wines.[1]
Background
The name Cornas is thought to derive from Celtic origins meaning “burnt land”, a reference to the steep, sun-exposed slopes that characterise the appellation.[2] Historical records suggest that vines have been cultivated here since Roman times, and by the Middle Ages Cornas was recognised locally for its dark, robust wines. The AOC status was officially granted in 1938, confirming Syrah as the sole permitted variety.[3]
Characteristics
Cornas covers just over 100 hectares of vineyard land, situated on steep granite slopes rising from the Rhône river. The climate is continental with Mediterranean influences, marked by hot summers and the cooling effect of the mistral wind. Soils are dominated by decomposed granite, though areas of clay, limestone, and sandy loam add further diversity.[4]
The wines are typically deeply coloured, with firm tannins, high ageing potential, and a flavour profile often described as dark-fruited with notes of black olive, spice, and game. Unlike neighbouring appellations that may blend white varieties with Syrah, Cornas regulations stipulate 100% Syrah in all wines.[5]
Use in winemaking
Traditional winemaking in Cornas has emphasised long macerations, extended oak ageing, and minimal intervention, producing structured wines requiring years of cellaring. More modern approaches, including gentler extraction and shorter oak regimes, have also emerged, leading to a wider stylistic range while maintaining the appellation’s hallmark power and depth.[6]
Cornas wines are typically released after several years of maturation and are regarded as some of the most ageworthy examples of Syrah worldwide.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Livingstone-Learmonth, The Wines of the Northern Rhône, Infinite Ideas, 2019.
- ↑ Syndicat des Vignerons de Cornas, “L’appellation Cornas AOC”, vins-rhone.com.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Livingstone-Learmonth, The Wines of the Northern Rhône, Infinite Ideas, 2019.