Strength and Power Meet Balance and Elegance in Syrah from the Northern Rhône

Who’s ready to travel to France again? I’ll be the first to raise my glass to that question with a hearty “oui!” and another pour of something deliciously French. Although we can’t visit in real life right now, we can certainly do so virtually. Lately, I’ve been checking out websites of some of my favorite museums, regional wineries, restaurants and tourism bureaus, and have participated in webinars and Zoom or twitter tastings with winemakers and their wines. I’ll be ready to return to France when the time comes, so click here for where I’m going in April 2021. Join me!

This month, the #Winophiles, writers who love everything French food, wine and travel, chose to “visit” the Northern Rhône. Each of us is excited to share our discoveries with articles highlighting fun facts, a variety of wines, foods for pairing and more. Links to my colleagues’ contributions can be found at the end of this post.

The Rhône Valley is France’s second largest quality wine producing area with 21 grape varieties cultivated along the Rhône River for about 156 miles. Major red grapes are Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault and whites include Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. 80% of the production is red and 95% of the total production is in the Southern Rhône. Wines have been produced in the region since the 1^st century BC when the vineyards of Vienne were “born.” If interested in detailed information about wines of the Rhône Valley, click here for the Inter-Rhône website.

The Northern Rhône lies on the banks of the river between Vienne in the north (about 15 miles south of Lyon) and Valence in the south for a total of 50 miles. Vineyards are responsible for only 5% of the total production of Rhône wines, yet these northern vineyards produce wines of the highest reputation and often, the highest prices. There are 8 crus in the region: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas and Saint Pèray.

The valley in the Northern Rhône is narrow and vineyards are planted on steep slopes close to the river on granite and schist; the best sites have a south-facing aspect. Syrah (the only black variety permitted in the Northern Rhône) and Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne (the only white varieties permitted) thrive in a Continental climate with warm temperatures. In fact, the river, which originates in Switzerland, moderates the climate by warming the slopes and reflecting sunlight up to the vines. The mistral winds from Switzerland pick up speed as they head towards France and into the Northern Rhône. The winds dry the climate and help prevent mildew and other molds.

For my contribution to the month’s #Winophiles series, I chose to highlight two wines of Syrah (sent as samples). This iconic grape is Northern Rhône’s flagship red variety and exudes elegance and power, along with an uncanny ability to age, especially when from the best producers. Syrah is also an exceptional pairing with many of my go-to dishes such as tomato-based pasta, grilled beef, roast chicken, roasted vegetables with herbs, succulent lamb, barbecued ribs, juicy steaks and even seared tuna. Ever so balanced with strength to hold its own, Syrah from the Northern Rhône are some of my favorite wines.

Both wines I tasted are of 100% Syrah from the outstanding 2015 vintage year that offered the Northern Rhône sunshine, optimal rainfall and a long growing season. They’re produced by Ferraton Père & Fils, a well-known producer and négociant that has a reputation for classic wines of extremely good value and quality. From their “Tradition” collection, the wines are examples of the classic approach in the Rhône Valley of blending grapes from various vineyards.

The Ferraton Père & Fils “La Matinière” Crozes-Hermitage 2015 ($23) is named after Colette Ferraton whose nickname, la matinière, means “early bird” thanks to her penchant for rising quite early in the morning! Located on a riverbank on the flatter lands around the hill of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage produces more than half of all wines in the Northern Rhône and the price/quality ratio is enticing. As you may expect, the palate profile of a wine depends on the location of the vineyard. Ferraton Père & Fils blended grapes from a mix of estate and neighboring vineyards in the Mercurol and Beaumont-Monteux districts of central and southern Crozes-Hermitage. The elements of this well-priced wine were a cross section of the terroir and included vibrant notes of fruit and herbs.

On the nose, I discovered intense aromas of black cherries, vanilla, herbs, dark purple plums, blackberries, pepper and spice. The fresh palate offered flavors of savory olives, smoke, bold red fruit and berries, black currants, pepper and chocolate wrapped in bright acidity and soft tannins leading to a lingering, savory finish. One recent evening, I chose “La Matinière” as an elegant complement to dinner of Traditional French Cassoulet. Click here for the recipe.

From Saint-Joseph is Ferraton Père & Fils “La Source” 2015 ($32). With around 2400 acres along the west bank of the Rhône River, Saint Joseph is in the foothills of the Massif Central and around 36 miles long. The terroir is diverse with a range of soils, aspect and exposures to the sun. Vineyards in the northern part of the cru are of clay and granite and in the south, soils are clay and limestone. In general, wines from the cool climate of Saint Joseph tend to be bold and peppery.

This luscious Syrah burst with aromas of herbs, violets and bright red and black fruits. Intense flavors of rosemary, thyme, black pepper, lavender, smoke, dark plums and blackberry jam were threaded with minerality, vibrant acidity and firm tannins. Spicy and lingering, the finish was bold and satisfying. Enjoy a glass of two of “La Source” with Aromatic Red Wine Roasted Chicken for a true taste of the Northern Rhône. Click here for the recipe and see photo above.

Notes of earth and pepper, powerful aromatics, balanced fruit and acidity are qualities to explore in each glass of Syrah from the Northern Rhône. If you can, let the wine age for a few years and discover even more characteristics of this fascinating region, one sip at a time.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

For more Grape Experiences delivered directly to you, click here.

Join me on an AmaWaterways Rhône River Wine Cruise in April 2021. Click here for more information.

What are my #Winophiles colleagues exploring in the Northern Rhône?

• Lauren from Swirling Dervish explores “Old World Syrah from the Northern Rhone: 2016 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage”
• Wendy from A Day In The Life On The Farm presents“To Syrah with Love” 
• Jeff from Food Wine Click presents“A View of Northern Rhone’s Saint Joseph through Three Wines”
• Linda from My Full Wine Glass shares “Crozes-Hermitage: A gateway to Northern Rhône wine #Winophiles”
• Jill from L’Ocassion tells us “How France’s Northern Rhône and Southern Rhône Valleys Differ” 
• Gwendolyn fromWine Predator writes about “In These Times, Drink from Deep in The Cellar: Two from Northern Rhone’s St Joseph’s #Winophiles“
• Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles explores “Finding connections in the Northern Rhône #Winophiles”
• Susannah from Avvinare writes about“Virtually visiting Crozes-Hermitage through Chapoutier’s Wine”
• Camilla from Culinary Adventures With Camilla shares “Chicken Chasseur + Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2016”
• Nicole at Somm’s Table presents “A Simple Spring Lamb Feast with Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage”
• Jane from Always Ravenous shares “A Taste of Hermitage Marsanne”
• Martin from Enoflyz shares writes about “Looking For Value in Northern Rhône? Look For Crozes-Hermitage!”
• Here on Savor The Harvest I present “Exploring Treasures of the Northern Rhone
• Rupal at Syrah Queen shares “Exploring Côte-Rôtie – Syrahs With A Twist”