The St Joseph guide: grape varieties, food and wine pairings

Welcome to Comptoir des Millésimes. Today you'll find a guide to the Rhône appellation: St Joseph.

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SAINT-JOSEPH: A highly prized appellation!

Visit Rhône Valley wines have the wind in their sails, at a time when wine lovers appreciate powerful, racy wines.
The town of Saint-Joseph is one of them. Built around the town of Tournon and located in the northern part of the Côtes-du-Rhône, this wine originated under Greek and then Roman colonization, who appreciated the sloping terraces bordering the Rhône for almost 60 kilometers.
In 1956, the appellation d'origine contrôlée was created. The appellation could now be produced in 6 communes, with a total of 90 hectares of vines planted. It wasn't until 1944 that the appellation expanded to 1,330 hectares, covering 26 communes.

 

Saint-Joseph's climate and terroir

Benefiting from semi-continental influences, the grapes enjoy a very hot summer, favoring ripening and producing wines richer in alcohol.
This climate, combined with granite soils on terraces facing south, southeast and the Rhône, produces powerful, complex wines.
Granite soils add minerality and tension to Saint Joseph wines, whose grape varieties are really well adapted.

 

Grape varieties of Saint-Joseph appellation

L'Saint-Joseph appellation is present in 26 communes over an area of 1,330 hectares along almost 60 kilometers of the Rhône.
Only 3 grape varieties can be used to make Saint-Joseph wines.
For Saint-Joseph Blanc
Two grape varieties are used to produce Saint-Joseph white wines.
Originally from the Drôme region, Roussanne is the white grape variety of the Rhône Valley. Complex, rich and dense, it lends a backbone to wines when blended.
Generally harvested a little later, it produces juicy, fine wines with notes of white fruit and sweet spices.
Like its Roussanne counterpart, Marsanne originates from the Drôme region. It produces large, juicy berries with higher yields.
More straightforward and fresh, with aromas of exotic fruits and dried fruits, it is interesting as a single varietal, but also in blends, where it adds bitterness and tension.
For Saint-Joseph Rouge
The only red grape variety that can be used to make red wine is Syrah. This variety is very common in the Rhône, Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence regions.
Recent studies confirm that it has its roots in Savoie and Ardèche, where its climate is ideal.
A rare, low-yielding variety, it often produces highly colored wines with aromas of pepper, black fruit and fresh finishes.

> Discover all our varietal guides

 

Tasting Saint-Joseph wines

The appellation is authorized to produce red and white wines with a maximum yield of 50 hectoliters per hectare.
Saint-Joseph red wines are made exclusively from Syrah, but can also be blended with Roussanne and/or Marsanne up to 10%.

• The wine nose

As a general rule, Saint-Joseph wines are powerful, with notes of red fruit (violet, raspberry), black fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant) and spices (pepper, menthol).

 

• The St Joseph in your mouth:

We find the same characteristics with a powerful attack, an often supple and round mid-palate and a spicy finish. Then, depending on how the winemaker ages the wine, it may have more or less tannin and structure on the palate.

Saint-Joseph white wines can be made from a blend of Roussanne and Marsanne or from a single grape variety.
The wines are generally rich, opulent and full-bodied. A lively, citrusy start, and a warm, round mid-palate with a fresh finish.

 

• Saint-Joseph wine and food pairings :
  Saint-Jo" whites can be drunk with any sauce...
  As an aperitif with prawns or seafood. With lightly spiced Asian dishes, these taut whites are a perfect match. Then, with white-fleshed fish such as sea fish, accompanied by a butter sauce.

 

• The St Josephs we recommend :

Saint-Joseph Blanc 2018 Mairlant - François Villard
From a blend of 50% Roussanne and 50% Marsanne,
A key Rhône Valley winemaker, François Villard offers an exuberant white wine with almond, floral and white fruit notes. The Roussanne adds a beautiful minerality to the mid-palate, bringing balance to the wine.

> Discover our Domaine François Villard wines

 

Saint-Joseph Blanc 2015 - Les Oliviers - Domaine Ferraton Père & Fils
A family story that began in 1946 with Jean Orëns Ferraton, who succeeded his father, before his son Michel took over the reins.
Here too, from an equal blend of Roussanne and Marsanne, Domaine Ferraton offers an exceptional white.
30% of the wine is aged in new barrels, bringing spicy notes to the white peach fruit and a mineral finish.

> Discover our Domaine Ferraton wines

 

• For red wines, many combinations are possible.

As an aperitif, choose a Saint-Joseph that hasn't been aged too long in barrel, for a supple, fruity wine without too much structure to saturate the palate.
These rather supple, round wines can be lightly chilled in summer.
For the more powerful Saint-Josephs, it's interesting to have dishes with character opposite.
Red meats, duck or barbecues will balance well with the spices and power of the wine.

 

Saint-Joseph Les Challeys 2017 - Delas Frères
This Saint-Joseph has good density. Rich, supple and silky on the palate, it releases aromas of blackcurrant, forest berries and black pepper.
Its powerful mouthfeel and silky texture make it a perfect match for rare meat or meat in sauce.

> Discover our Delas Frères wines

Saint-Joseph 2016 Les Granits - Chapoutier
From the finest Chapoutier plots, these granites will surprise you with their power and character.
Syrah has enough character to withstand 16 months in barrel, giving it the depth needed to age for another 15 years.
As you can see, it's best to wait a few more years before enjoying it. If you're impatient, decant 6 hours before drinking!

> Order M. Chapoutier wines

 

We hope you have enjoyed our article on St Joseph wines. Happy tasting on Comptoir des Millésimes.

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