Saint-Joseph

France · AOC (PDO) · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Vineyard extending over approximately 60 km on a north–south axis, on the right bank of the Rhône, with south- and south-east-facing exposures on the Massif Central.
Delimited zone covering 23 communes in the Ardèche and 3 communes in the Loire, between Condrieu (to the north) and Saint-Péray (to the south).
Bedrock mainly of Primary era age; dominant soils: granitic sands (arènes granitiques) and sandy-clay soils, with gneiss and micaschist also present.
Continental climate of the so-called 'Lyonnais' type with Mediterranean influences; the cold, dry northerly Bise wind predominates, while a warm, humid southerly wind is less frequent.

Human factors

The AOC, recognised in 1956 across 6 communes, takes its name from a lieu-dit in Tournon farmed by the Jesuits from the seventeenth century onwards.

Product characteristics

Reds (Syrah): aromas of red fruit, spice, liquorice, or undergrowth; velvety tannins, tending more rustic on calcareous soils.
Whites (Marsanne): aromas of honeyed white flowers, with a rich, well-balanced palate.

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