AOC Crozes-Hermitage

Crozes-Hermitage covers eleven villages in the Drôme, on the left bank of the Rhône, and its northern edge borders Hermitage, the appellation of the hillside that gave it its name. As the younger sibling, it shares the same grapes, but its reds have a softer structure. All of its wines, red and white, are dry.

Granite in the North, Chassis Pebbles in the South

In the north, between Crozes-Hermitage and Serves-sur-Rhône, the river cuts through the same granite found at Tournon, on the opposite bank. Terraces held up by dry-stone walls keep the unstable, clay-rich sands that weather from this rock on the slopes, as at Saint-Joseph or Côte-Rôtie. Around Érôme, Gervans and Serves, loess, a wind-blown silt, covers the granite.

South and east of Tain-l'Hermitage, the land flattens into terraces of rounded stones worn down from the nearby Alps. The lowest, the Chassis terrace, forms a triangle whose tip reaches Pont-de-l'Isère, where the Isère flows into the Rhône; there, the stones sit on soils that hold little water.

This southern sector, the largest and most planted, gives aromatic reds with solid but restrained structure. On the northern slopes, some bottlings gain more structure and hold up better with age.

The whites have their favorite ground too: white limestone soils around Crozes-Hermitage and Mercurol, and the kaolin sands of Larnage.

History of the AOC Crozes-Hermitage Appellation

Located in the northern Rhône Valley, the Crozes-Hermitage appellation is the largest in the region. This flagship vineyard of the Rhône Valley boasts an ancient viticultural history dating back to Roman times. Recognized as an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in 1937, Crozes-Hermitage is renowned for the quality and unique character of its wines. Today, it is a must-know appellation for any lover of Rhône wines that are both fruity and affordable.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Crozes-Hermitage

• Climate: The Crozes-Hermitage AOC enjoys a semi-continental climate with Mediterranean influences, featuring hot summers and cool winters.
• Soils: The soils are diverse, ranging from rolled pebbles to alluvial terraces, contributing to the variety and complexity of the wines produced in this appellation.

Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne: The Signature Grape Varieties of AOC Crozes-Hermitage

In the Crozes-Hermitage AOC, Syrah is the sole and exclusive red grape variety permitted. This emblematic red grape of the northern Rhône Valley produces red wines that are fruitier and rounder than most neighboring appellations. For white wines, Marsanne is the dominant grape, often blended with its perennial companion, Roussanne.

Style of AOC Crozes-Hermitage Wines

• Red Wine: These wines display an intense purple color. The nose is characterized by aromas of ripe red and black fruits, spices, licorice, and flowers (violet, peony), with occasional hints of peat or undergrowth. The palate is fleshy, with present but silky tannins and a long, elegant finish. While the red wines of Crozes-Hermitage are more approachable in their youth compared to their grander sibling AOC Hermitage, some can age admirably (depending on the domaine and vintage).
• White Wine: These wines exhibit a pale yellow color. The bouquet suggests notes of white flowers, apricot, and almonds. The palate is full and low in acidity yet remains well-balanced.

Best Food Pairings with AOC Crozes-Hermitage Wines

Here are some recommendations for pairing AOC Crozes-Hermitage wines from a domaine or château:

• Red Wine:

  • Charcuterie board
  • Osso buco
  • Navarin of lamb

• White Wine:

  • Trout with almonds
  • Aïoli
  • Cod fritters (acras de morue)

Crozes-Hermitage: An Optional H, White Grapes in the Red, Ten More Villages

Why do some labels say Crozes-Ermitage?

Crozes-Ermitage is the other official name of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, and a label may carry either spelling. Both names refer to the same appellation and the same wines. The neighboring hillside was once called the "coteau de l'Ermitage," a name that many old writings link to hermits.

Can a red Crozes-Hermitage contain white grapes?

A red Crozes-Hermitage can contain up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne, two white grapes, alongside at least 85% Syrah. The white grapes are then fermented with the Syrah: the appellation requires the grapes themselves to be blended, not finished wines.

Why did the Crozes-Hermitage appellation grow from one village to eleven?

Crozes-Hermitage grew from one village to eleven in 1952, driven by postwar prosperity and the spread of the vineyard. When it was recognized in 1937, the appellation covered only part of the village of Crozes-Hermitage; the 1952 decree added the ten neighboring villages.

Where can you buy Crozes-Hermitage direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Crozes-Hermitage, sold by the producer, on Avenue des Vins. Each wine's page lists the vintage and the bottle size.

See also: Red wines from the Rhône Valley - White wines from the Rhône Valley - AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape