Cornas

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The area covered by this appellation is limited to the single municipality of Cornas in the Ardèche department on the right bank of the Rhône. Known since the Middle Ages, Cornas is a wine typical of the Rhône southern. It gets its nickname "black wine" from its very dark, almost black color.

Cornas, an AOC from the slopes of Valence

In fact, this Rhône wine has enjoyed uninterrupted fame since the 10th century. Cornas has graced royal tables both in France and abroad. In the 19th century, the Cornas wine already enjoyed the same reputation as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Only phylloxera and, later, urbanization nearly brought this wine region to its knees. The AOC designation and a resurgence in quality allowed the vineyards to regain their momentum. As a result, Cornas wine was granted local AOC status in 1938.

Located east of the city of Valence, the town of Cornas benefits from a unique terroir that combines the complexity of a semi-continental climate influenced by the Mediterranean with the richness of its sandy-clay, granite-based soils, which are rich in iron oxide.

The soils of the Cornas vineyard are characterized by layers of silt, granite, and gneiss, with the vines planted on very steep granite terraces supported by low stone walls. Facing south/southeast, the vineyard enjoys excellent sun exposure. This orientation allows the grapes to ripen early. It is the first red wine appellation to be harvested in the northern Côtes du Rhône. Syrah is the only grape variety authorized throughout this appellation.

The vineyard area of Cornas covers approximately 116 hectares, with annual production limited to some 4,200 hectoliters of wine. The grape variety used for Cornas wines is exclusively black Syrah, which gives the wine a rich aromatic profile, an interesting tannic structure, and its deep color. Vinification begins with a long maceration period, followed by two years of aging in oak barrels.

The aromas of wines from the Cornas appellation initially reveal notes of ripe red and black fruits such as redcurrants, blackberries, and blueberries. The secondary aromas are more distinctive, hinting at licorice, pepper, and truffle. The Cornas red wine On average, this wine can be cellared for between four and fifteen years from its vintage and should be served and enjoyed at a temperature of 18 to 19 degrees to fully reveal its aromatic profile. The vineyards of this region produce grapes that have a unique ability to leave a lasting impression on the palate with their aromatic notes.

The Purchase of Cornas

The Cornas vineyard includes several renowned wineries that produce complex wines, some of whose vintages are a true testament to the Rhône Valley’s reputation.

Alain Voge is the perfect example of a perfectly balanced wine. This family-owned estate is one of the most renowned in the region, and purchasing an Alain Voge wine guarantees that you will discover a wine that fully expresses the terroir of the Côtes du Rhône vineyards. The 2013 Cornas vintage is an exceptional wine that embodies the family’s entire winemaking expertise. The same is true of the Cornas from Chapoutier, which offers terroir-driven wines, the result of an ancestral winemaking method. The grapes are harvested by hand, and fermentation—which lasts about ten days—is followed by an extended maceration period of three weeks. Chapoutier’s Cornas is then aged 80% in French oak barrels and the remaining 20% in concrete tanks. This method helps preserve the wine’s minerality. Chapoutier’s Cornas features dense tannins and an endless finish on the palate. Its violet hues lend depth to this wine, which pairs perfectly with marinated meat or a large piece of grilled game. Depending on availability, you’ll find the following in our selection: Saint-Péray, Saint-Joseph,

For more information, visit the website at Cornas