Crozes-Hermitage

Producer of the Month – Domaine les Chenêts Crozes-Hermitage

The vagaries of weather had made Madame a bit distracted the last time we visited Domaine les Chenêts a few years ago. They had had some heavy rains and hail which had destroyed a proportion of the crop. By now, the weather had swung to the opposite extreme and the Northern Rhone was subject to blistering hot weather. This meant she wouldn’t do a tasting so we had to bring a couple of bottles home to sample. They have now converted their some 13 hectares of vines to organic farming I’m pleased to say.

Good Value Rhone Wine

Hermitage stands as a beacon of wine excellence. This renowned wine region, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Hermitage, boasts a rich history dating back centuries. With its diverse terroir and dedication to producing exceptional Syrah wines, Crozes-Hermitage has emerged as a hidden gem for wine enthusiasts seeking quality and authenticity.

Syrah

The vineyards of Crozes-Hermitage stretch across rolling hillsides, basking in the Mediterranean climate that graces the Rhône Valley. The region’s soils vary from granite in the north to alluvial terraces in the south, providing a unique canvas for winemakers to craft expressive wines with distinctive characteristics. Syrah reigns supreme here, producing red wines that exhibit a harmonious balance of fruit, spice, and earthy notes, while Marsanne and Roussanne grapes contribute to the production of elegant white wines.

Explore Crozes-Hermitage

If you can, exploring Crozes-Hermitage is a delight. The charming villages dot the landscape and are full of family-owned wineries. Some preserving age-old traditions, other innovative producers pushing the boundaries of winemaking.

Special Offers

This March 2024, we are featuring Domaine les Chenêts as our producer of the month. This weekend to kick it off you can taste it along with other Syrah/Shiraz to compare and it is also available in the pod by the glass. Make the most of the special discount of 10% off the Crozes Hermitage if you buy this month.

A Taste of the Rhone

Crozes-Hermitage

Domaine les Chenêts, Crozes Hermitage

Let’s have a bottle of wine! This is a frequent refrain and of course we are lucky enough to have a good selection from which we can choose. We usually play the blind tasting game and concluding it was a northern Rhone wine was fairly easy in this instance. We visited the Crozes-Hermitage appellation a few years ago during a blasting hot season. Monique of Domaine les Chenêts supplied us with some bottles to take but wouldn’t conduct a tasting, it was too hot!

Black Pepper and Dark Fruit

It’s a hefty 13.5% alcohol and has the characteristic black pepper and some lovely bramble fruit flavours. A few years in the bottle has softened the tannins beautifully and soft background spice warms the palate and a bit of smokiness.

What to Eat with it?

We had been mushrooming that day and the woodland was dotted with chanterelle, ceps and birch boletus – rest assured I only pick what I am totally confident is safe. Dylan fried these up with some onion and added white wine and cream with lemon and tarragon to flavour. Served with roast pork these pungent flavours are a challenge for a delicate wine. The Syrah stood its ground and I enjoyed the combination.

Try the Marsanne/Roussanne

Domaine les Chenêts also makes a lovely white which is a Marsanne/Roussanne combination. These two grapes are permitted in the reds in small quantities in Crozes-Hermitage but this domaine’s red is 100% Syrah. The nights are closing in and it’s time for heartier fodder in my book so this wine fits the bill. It’s rich and round and very satisfying. I think I’m going to try this with a creamy chicken dish. Iechyd da! Get to: Crozes-Hermitage Blanc – Crozes-Hermitage