Crozes-Hermitage ou Crozes-Ermitage

France · AOC · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

A zone spanning 11 communes in the Drôme, bounded to the west by the Rhône, to the north by Tertiary sandstone outcrops, to the east by the Herbasse river, and to the south by the Isère.
The 'Chassis' terrace (the most recent level, covering the largest area): rounded river stones over soils with low water-holding capacity, capable of inducing water stress in the vine.
In Larnage, distinctively white kaolinic sand soils derived from the detrital sedimentary formations of the Bas-Dauphiné — unique within the appellation zone.

Human factors

A genetic link between the ancient 'Allobrogica' vine and syrah N, the emblematic and dominant variety (accounting for 90% of plantings) of the appellation.
The phylloxera crisis (1881) and subsequent overproduction (1920–1930) shaped the emergence of collective structures: a growers' syndicate (1927) and a cooperative cellar (1933). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Product characteristics

Reds: deep garnet in colour, shifting toward orange-brick with age; structure and ageing potential vary according to whether the fruit comes from northern hillside sites or southern terraces.
Whites: fruit-forward and citrus-driven styles intended for early drinking, or floral, spiced, and full-textured expressions depending on the handling of malolactic fermentation. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.