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Saint Joseph is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône Valley. Blessed with its location on the right bank of the Rhone River, south of France, the region boasts of its warm climate and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.

Traditionally, red wines made from the grape variety found in Saint Joseph are known for their age-worthiness. The region puts out a smaller percentage of white wine blends that contain grape varieties like Marsanne and Roussanne. It focuses more on red wine production and is acknowledged as the best-value red in the region. St. Joseph Syrah is a signature red wine variety in this region and serves as a measurement for all other Syrah wines in France. The prices of wine are quite reasonable, and their quality is significantly high. Also, once visiting the Saint-Joseph wine appellation, you will have an opportunity to taste the wine in one of the Château, enhancing your experience even more.

Saint-Joseph

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Where is the Saint-Joseph wine region located?

St. Joseph is located in the northeast of France in a region of Northern Rhône, close to the border of Belgium. The Region of the Rhône is long and thin, stretching from Vienne in the north to Valence in the south. St. Joseph wine appellation is in the central area of the region and covers around 50 km along the right bank of the Rhône. Southern contact points are neighboring appellations Cornas and Hermitage, while northeastern contact points can be found in Condrieu and Cote Rôtie.

History of Saint-Joseph wine appellation

Saint-Joseph wine region first emerged in 1956, consisting of only six communities, and since then, the popularity and commercial success of the wine has spread quickly. The boundaries were extended in 1969 to accommodate growth, and now it spans more than 26 communes and 115 active growers.

Before getting the appellation status, Saint Joseph wine was a favorite in the French royal court of Louis XII, who owned a vineyard in the region known as Clos de Tournon. It was originally known as Vin de Mauves, mentioned in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. During Louis XII's reign, it raised wine consumption due to its irresistible taste and drinkability; therefore, the appellation earned the name of Saint Joseph. Nowadays, St. Joseph is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), rampant in the whole country and not only.

 

Type of Saint-Joseph Terroir

The climate in the Saint-Joseph region s similar to the Mediterranean but slightly cooler, and harvests are delayed by a few weeks. Wine grapes in Saint Joseph grow versatile, as they are not in the same place because of soil and sun exposure variations. But overall, the combination of Mediterranean and continental climates makes Saint-Joseph grapes unique and guarantees the remarkable taste of its wines.

The Saint-Joseph soil consists mainly of granite but also of other components like gneiss and complex, acidic granite, mostly in the southern part of the region, which affects wine production. The vineyards are planted largely on terraces to ensure that the grapes receive enough sunlight and have access to adequate drainage, which can be achieved using natural and environmentally-friendly agricultural methods. One of the reasons wines have such diversity here is due to the three different types of soil present throughout this region. These soils offer adequate nutrients for each type of grape, allowing them to thrive.

 

Saint-Joseph wine characteristics

As mentioned before, the Saint-Joseph wine region is more concentrated on producing the red wine; around 90 percent of the wine is red, produced from the St. Joseph Syrah grape. Many types of wine worldwide are cultivated on different types of soil, but Syrah is the only one that thrives on specifically rich soils. Grapes themselves are small to medium-size, dark purple, almost blue, with tight skin. Its distinctive taste comes from spicy notes and hints of violet, expressed in a stylish and soft wine it can provide. White wines are made from the blend of Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties and tend to be full-bodied wines.

However, the flavours of Saint-Joseph wines can range from spicy black pepper and black olive to fruity notes such as lemon, pear, berries, quince, orange zest, and even honeycomb and thyme giving them a herbal radiance. All that flavour diversity comes from the variations in soil, climate, and grape maturation times throughout the region. All Saint-Joseph wines are light style, moderate in acidity and lower in tannins, recommended for earlier consumption (from 3 to 5 years).

The best red wines of St. Joseph:

  • 2018 Delas Freres Saint Joseph Sainte Epine
  • 2015 Pierre Gonon Saint Joseph
  • 2017 Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff Saint Joseph Rouge
  • 2015 E. Guigal Saint Joseph Vignes de L'Hospice
  • 2016 Domaine Jean Louis Chave Saint Joseph' Clos Florentin

The best white wines:

  • 2016 M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Blanc 'Les Granits'
  • 2016 E. Guigal Saint-Joseph 'Cuvee Lieu Dit Saint Joseph'
  • 2018 M. Chapoutier Le Clos

 

Food to pair with Saint-Joseph wine

For its easy drinkability, the Saint Joseph wine is perfect for pairing with food and is an imperative accompaniment for a dinner table in every family in the region. Moreover, France is famous for its passion for wine and food aesthetics.

La Fondue

French cheese is recognized as one of the best in the world, but the cheese from this region of Rhône is special. Fondue is a melting cheese dish made from 3 types of locally-produced cheese, a hint of garlic, and white wine inside. You can enjoy this delicacy by dipping a fresh baguette in it. Don't forget the little glass of your favorite St. Joseph wine to get it all across.

Shitake Mushroom Risotto With Black Truffle

Truffle is another local product this region boasts of, and its truffles veritably have a specific, intense taste worth noting. Therefore, it gives a great touch to the risotto made from rice, meaty Shitake mushrooms, veggies and creamy sauce. Needless to say that a glass of red or white wine would be a fantastic embellishment for all that.

Tartiflette Potato Gratin

Another very common French dish on a cheese basis, tartiflette potato gratin, is a traditional, one-pot meal with potatoes, reblochon cheese, onions, garlic and crispy bacon. Straight from the oven, one can taste it with fresh chives on top and a glass of wine.

Places to visit in the Saint-Joseph wine region

Bourg medieval de Riverie

Bourg medieval de Riverie is a medieval village, picturesque and cozy, where one can get lost and walk all day long without getting bored. No surprise that you will encounter nice souvenir shops on your way and fascinating views of this beautiful region.

Espace Zoologique de Saint Martin la Plaine

Espace Zoologique de Saint Martin la Plaine is a zoological park situated a few kilometres from Saint-Joseph. Still, it is an absolute “must-see” if you like animals and are in the region. You will explore animals in nature as if they were on their own and discover very specific species.

Chapel Hermitage Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Chapel Hermitage Paul Jaboulet Aîné is a historical chapel that dates back to 1100 and is restored in 1980. The good thing is that Paul Jaboulet Winehouse also holds an elegant, ephemeral wine-tasting event at their Chapel location. The Chapel has a phenomenal view of the valley to appreciate while enjoying the wine selection.

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Check out the best wineries in Saint-Joseph!

Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Joseph Region

Where is St Joseph Rhône?

St Joseph is a sub-region of the Rhône region, located in the southeast of France, along with the Rhone River.

What grape is St Joseph wine?

 Syrah is a predominant grape variety, which is majorly used to produce St Joseph wine. But also grape varieties like Marsanne and Roussanne are used in small quantities.

Map of Wineries in Saint-Joseph

Discover the locations of wineries in Saint-Joseph