Hermitage AOC Flashcards
Hermitage AOC
Location and History
The hill of Hermitage has been producing wine since the Greco-Roman era. Located above the town of Tain L’Hermitage, this most famous of all northern Rhône appellations is named after Gaspard de Stérimberg, a crusader and latterly hermit.
Hermitage AOC
Size
It is a small appellation (137 ha) virtually all planted,
Hermitage AOC
Its location and aspect in terms of the Rhone river and its benefits.
On the left bank of the river as it turns south, the appellation is a south-facing slope, catching the sun and having protection from cold winds.
Hermitage AOC
Soil types and micro climate of the vineyards and their benefits
The hot, dry vineyards with thin, stony soils result in wines of pronounced flavour intensity, high tannins in red wines and longevity.
Hermitage AOC
Climats for Syrah and their location
The most famous climats for Syrah are at the western end of the hill that records the highest temperatures, for example, Le Méal.
Hermitage AOC
Erosion and its effects
Erosion is a constant problem with some parts of the
vineyard having to being terraced, and much vineyard work has to be done by hand, raising cost.
Hermitage AOC
Yields and age of vines
Yields are limited to 40 hl/ha (45 hl/ha for whites), seldom achieved, and many producers have old vines, giving low yields and highly concentrated wines.
Hermitage AOC
Red winemaking:
Fermentation temperatures and maturation?
Fermentation and Maturation vessels?
Warm fermentation temperatures used for maximum extraction of flavour and tannins, and lengthy oak ageing (typically 12–18 months).
A proportion of new oak is common but not always used and medium to large wooden vessels are common.
Hermitage AOC
White winemaking
Typical blend and or single variety
Fermentation vessels
White wines are typically a blend of a majority of Marsanne with some Roussanne or pure Marsanne. Fermentation is either in old wood vats, new or old oak barrels or in stainless steel.
Hermitage AOC
White winemaking
Maturation vessels
Lees ageing
Maturation takes place in oak, with a minority proportion being new, or stainless steel depending on the style preferred by producers.
The wines are typically aged on the lees for 10–12 months. After long bottle ageing, the best of these wines can develop rich, creamy and nutty flavours with outstanding complexity.
Hermitage AOC
Vin de Paille
In very ripe years a rare Vin de Paille is
made (a sweet wine made by drying the grapes off the vine).
Hermitage AOC
Who owns the vineyards?
The holdings are dominated by the négociant houses of Chapoutier and Jaboulet, with significant holdings owned by the co-operative Cave de Tain (15 per cent of the
appellation) and by Jean-Louis Chave.
Hermitage AOC
Quality and price
The wines, both red and white, are typically very good to outstanding and mostly super premium in price. The reds in particular are a model of the world’s most structured and long lived Syrah wines.
Hermitage AOC
Interesting note on Single vineyard parcels vs blending of many sites
Chapoutier has pioneered an approach focusing
on individual parcels, Chave is a long-standing supporter of blending across the appellation.
