Northern Rhone
Hermitage (吉佳乐)

Click to View: Map of Hermitage

Hermitage is perhaps easiest to remember, pronounce and deemed as the most famous of all the northern Rhone appellations. The hill of Hermitage is situated above the town of Tain and overlooking the town of Tournon which is just across the river. Hermitage has 120 hectares and produces tiny quantities of very long-lived reds. Hermitage, sometimes spelled Ermitage, produces both red and white wines, both of excellent repute.

The 1,200 hectares of vineyards are planted on the very steep, sun-drenched hillside above the town of Twain-l’Hermitage across the Rhone river from Tournon. The hill itself has three sections, each with a different soil type, and the producers who use grapes from all three of these sections seem to produce the best wines. Syrah is the red grape of Hermitage. The best Hermitage is produced from several climats or more, blended together. The main climates are Les Bessards, Le Meal, L’Hermite, Les Greffieux and Les Diognieres. Most of the finest climates face broadly south, giving maximum sunshine. Most growers only have one or two climats and they might not complement each other. Hermitage quality can therefore vary hugely. Only the top producers have extensive diversified holdings.

80% of the wine produced is red, however up to 15% of white grapes can be used in the blend. Most growers use 100% Syrah and use the white grapes to make white wines only. Chapoutier, Jaboulet and Tain l’Hermitage Co-operative are the some of the largest owners and main proprietors of vineyard in the appellation.

The white wines are made from the Marsanne and Roussanne. Great white Hermitage has the ability to age, it takes on the fruit characters of apricots and peaches and often gives a very nutty finish. Those from the best vintages can take up to 15 years to soften and can age for 30 or 40 years or more.

The powerful white wines from Hermitage are capable of lengthy aging as well, some as long as the red wines.

The name; Hermitage is also referred to a grape variety known as Cinsaut in South Africa. In Australia, Hermitage is another name for the grape variety Syrah, which is most often called Shiraz.

Grape(s):

Soils:
Calcareous soils with gravel and granitic sand.

Above: Granite.

Weather Conditions:
This area sees a moderate continental climate, with warm summers and regular rainfall in the other seasons. The area can suffer under the mistral, a strong, cold wind from the north, which can last for several days.

From left to right: Continental Climate, Warm Summers, and Moderate Rainfall.

Best Producers:
Jean-Louis Chave
Delas (Les Bessards)
Paul Jaboulet Aine (La Chapelle)
Chapoutier (Pavillon)
Desmeures (Cuvée Emilie)
Marc Sorrel (Le Greal)

Further Reading:
Terroir France
Wine Intro
Wikipedia