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We have chosen to use the word investment, not to advise you to buy this or that bottle in order to make a capital gain in a few years' time, but rather to invest in certain estates or appellations which will be more difficult to access financially in a few years' time. All our investment and wine guides.

 

THE RHÔNE - NORD CLASSIC 

Visit Saint Joseph wines are world-famous. They appeal to a large number of connoisseurs thanks to their accessibility in terms of taste and price. The appellation is located in the Northern Rhône Valley and, like its neighboring appellations, lies on the right bank of the Rhône.  

best st joseph wine

A VARIED TERROIR  

In terms of history, the Saint Joseph wines have passed through many hands. At first, it was the Greeks who cultivated the vines, then, in love with their terraces, the Romans took over. Until then, the wines were called "Vin de Mauves", and it was not until the monks of the monastery that the wine was given its definitive name of Saint-Joseph. In 1956, the appellation d'origine contrôlée was created, bringing together winegrowers from the 6 communes covered by the specifications. At that time, the appellation covered 90 hectares, but was revised in 1994 to cover 1,330 hectares in 26 communes. Of these, 23 are in the Ardèche department and the other 3 in the Loire department. It is possible to produce white wines based on Roussanne and or Marsanne (around 13% of production) and red wines, with Syrah is the only grape variety (87% of production). These three grape varieties are planted on granite soils and benefit from a high level of diversity, as soft gneiss or marl completes the soil, giving real complexity to the wines and providing the vines with all the nutrients they need.  

 

A SURPRISING COMBINATION  

Visit white wines can be very varied, because depending on the grape varieties used and the soil in which they are planted, they produce completely different wines. Roussanne produces dry, gourmet wines with notes of white fruit and stone fruit, while Marsanne produces a livelier, more characterful juice with white fruit and citrus aromas. Single-varietal cuvées or blends are permitted. The red wines are powerful, rich and warm, with notes of black fruit and pepper, but can benefit from a special blend. To soften this structure, Syrah can be blended with 10% of Roussanne or Marsanne to produce a less rustic, more delicate red. 

 

List of great St Joseph wines to discover

As announced by the Saint-Joseph AOC, there are around 190 "operators" producing wines in the appellation. Many of them are already very well known: Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard, Michel Chapoutier, ... So here's our selection of lesser-known winemakers in which you can invest and taste.  

> Discover the best St Joseph wines

 

  • DOMAINE EMMANUEL DARNAUD 

A beautiful property to discover 

The adventure began in 2001 for Emmanuel Darnaud, when he started out with 1.5 hectares of  Crozes-Hermitage. The rapidly expanding estate has grown to 15 hectares, which Emmanuel Darnaud selects with meticulous care, because if there's one thing the winemaker does wonderfully, it's to get the best expression of terroir from each of his plots. The estate has a good reputation in theSaint-Joseph appellation although he only became a member of the appellation in 2010 with the acquisition of the "La Dardouille" parcel (which means "the sun is beating down") in the commune of Tournon. As explained above, Emmanuel Darnaud is a master in the art of bringing out the best in each parcel, and doesn't hesitate to age his wines for long periods in demi-muids (generally 18 months) to give them great ageing potential.  

> See Emmanuel Darnaud wines in stock

 

  • DOMAINE BERNARD GRIPA 

As discreet as it is fantastic... 

Located in Mauves, the birthplace of the Saint-Joseph appellation, Fabrice Gripa is the sixth generation of winemakers to succeed his father Bernard Gripa. The estate has been in the family since 1670, but it was Bernard Gripa who was the first to bottle the estate's wines and demonstrate the full potential of their terroir.  

The estate covers 16 hectares and is one of the rare properties to have as many hectares of white wines as reds. The estate is run by Fabrice Gripa, who advocates integrated viticulture without the use of machinery. All the wines are aged in barrels to a greater or lesser extent, so as not to alter the expression of the terroir. Unlike other Saint Joseph estates that produce heady wines, those of Domaine Gripa are rich and dense, but never too exuberant.

> Great wines from Bernard Gripa

 

  • DOMAINE FRANCOIS VILLARD 

Already well known to the general public, it could yet surprise many more! 

At the outset, nothing predestined François Villard's career... A chef by training, he fell in love with the world of wine and looked for a way in. He first passed his sommelier diploma before entering the Davayé wine school. In 1989, at the end of his studies, he bought a few vines in the Condrieu appellation. It wasn't until 1996 that he built his own building to vinify and produce his own wines, having previously done so in another winery not far from Yves Cuilleron. That same year, he decided with his colleagues Yves Cuilleron and Pierre Gaillard to bring Seyssuel wines up to date by creating "Les vins de Viennes". His estate now covers more than 40 hectares, which he manages plot by plot, always with the aim of producing wines that are representative of the terroir.

> François Villard wines

 

This was an overview of three very fine St Joseph estates. Please note that we have many other St Joseph estates to discover, ideal for investment/cellar investment; or even for the pleasure of tasting!

Here are a few examples of others great Saint-Joseph estates :

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