Spotlight on the Saint-Joseph Appellation

The Saint-Joseph appellation is undoubtedly one of the  most beautiful wine regions in the Rhône Valley and in France. Its vineyard, composed of steep slopes nestled on the right bank of the majestic Rhône River, boasts a rich and complex history, marked by centuries of dedication to wine.

This article invites you to explore this viticultural gem. From its history to its terroirs, including its grape varieties and its connections with gastronomy, you will know everything about Saint-Joseph and its wines after reading this. 

History of the AOC Saint-Joseph

The history of the Saint-Joseph appellation dates back to Antiquity, illustrating the millennial link between man and vine in this region. The  first traces of the vineyard indeed date back to the 1st and 2nd century BC. From that time, the Romans recognized the exceptional potential of this terroir with steep inclines, allowing the production of ripe and  aromatically rich grapes.

In the Middle Ages, a few centuries later, the regional wine  was then called "Vin de Mauves", named after the commune now located in the southern part of the appellation. From the  8th century, the region's vintages were found on several royal tables , from Russia to the France of Charlemagne.

In the  17th century, the Jesuit monks of Tournon renamed the vineyard Saint-Joseph, a name derived from a parcel of a few hectares belonging to them.

At the end of the 19th century, the phylloxera, a parasite related to the aphid, decimated the European vineyards. The Rhône Valley was also affected, and many producers were driven to bankruptcy.

In 1956, the appellation was officially created. It then covered only  90 hectares and 6 communes.Today, the vineyard has significantly expanded, covering 1,330 hectares across 26 municipalities and starting from Chavanay in the north, ending at Chateaubourg and Guilherand-Granges further south, near Valence.

Grapes and wines of Saint-Joseph

Now that you are more familiar with the history of Saint-Joseph, let's tackle its composition.

Stretching over 60 km from north to south, 85% of the 1,330 hectares of the appellation are dedicated to the Syrah grape variety, producing delicious red wines.The remaining 201 hectares are planted with the Marsanne (136 hectares) and Roussanne (65 hectares) varieties, allowing for the production of very charming white wines.

Syrah is indeed the very embodiment of the vineyard. It allows for the production of wines  with seductive aromas  blending notes of red and black fruits  (cherry, blackberry) with a floral touch (violet) and a hint of spices (notably pepper). Oak barrel vinification is also common in the region, adding an extra layer of complexity (woody, vanilla, sweet spices, etc.). Finally, the tannins of Syrah are often present in tasting but always smooth and delicate.

Depending on the vintage, the red wines of Saint-Joseph generally have an aging potential ranging from 8 to 15 years.

If you want to know everything about this variety, feel free to read our dedicated article titled The Syrah Grape Guide !

Climate and Terroirs of Saint-Joseph

Bordering Côte Rôtie to the north and the Cornas appellation to the south, Saint-Joseph is located on the right bank of the Rhône and stretches over 60km in length, offering exceptional viewpoints.

The appellation experiences a moderate semi-continental climate, meaning it generally has hot and dry summers as well as rather cool winters. Precipitation is average, around 870mm per year, with a high concentration during the fall, from September to November.

Vineyard organized in terraces, Saint-Joseph is made of steep slopes rising up to 350m in altitude. The plots benefiting from more southern exposures are currently reputed to be the most qualitative as they allow for harvesting grapes with better ripeness.

Nevertheless,  climate change is reshuffling the deck. In search of freshness in their wines and to contain alcohol levels, winemakers are now betting on the terroirs exposed more to the north which are less affected by the heat.In any case, all these differences contribute to the  great diversity of wines produced here!

Finally, the appellation mainly evolves on granite soils, sometimes mingling with clay-limestone enclaves. Composed of quartz, micas or even feldspars, the granite allows ideal heat regulation, retaining it during the day but cooling quickly at night. This results in wines with a beautiful acidity while being warm.

What to eat with a Saint-Joseph ?