WINE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: HERMITAGE vs. CROZES-HERMITAGE
There’s no denying that things in the world of wine can be very confusing.
For starters, there are loads of wine grapes to learn and attempt to remember, alongside countless wine producers and a dizzying number of wine regions. And then, let us not forget - within wine regions, there are so many different appellations and sub-appellations.
It can all be pretty mind-boggling - to put it lightly!
And the situation is not helped when similar naming conventions and/or terms are used to describe or label things that actually bear little to no relationship to one another (by the way, the same hold true for the opposite - sometimes, there are multiple names used for one thing!).
For example, let’s consider the appellations of Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage. Are they the same thing or completely different or somewhat related?
This is a situation that many people find confounding and/or to be perfectly honest, don’t fully understand. Whether they are willing to admit this is or not is a totally different thing….
So, what is the deal here? Are they the same thing or completely different?
If you are wondering or have ever asked this question, not to worry, we’ve got your covered in this article. We’re going to break it down for you, in as simple and straightforward a way as possible.
A Brief Introduction to Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage
Both Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage are AOCs (aka “appellations d’origine controllée” or specified appellations) located in southern France, in the Northern Rhone Valley. Both appellations are located within the same vicinity - more precisely, right beside one another.
Both Hermitage AOC and Crozes-Hermitage AOC produce wines predicated on a handful of grapes, specifically Syrah (Shiraz), Marsanne and Roussannne.
Both are also generally subject to a moderate continental climate.
However, as any devout Rhone Valley wine lover will tell you, the similarities mostly end here. In many ways, there are far more pronounced differences between these two appellations than there are similarities.
Though their names bear much resemblance, each appellation has its own unique and distinct characteristics, history, geography, winemaking practices, and reputation. Let's delve deeper to understand this better.
Taking a Closer Look - Hermitage AOC
Hermitage AOC is actually one of France's oldest wine appellations, with a rich heritage that dates back to Roman times. There are numerous records of wine scholars and the elite naming it to be the source of some of the world’s best wine, dating back hundreds of years. Today, it is still widely considered to be the most famous of all of the northern Rhone appellations.
Situated on a steep granite hill, Hermitage AOC overlooks the town of Tain-l'Hermitage and is situated along the left (east) bank of the Rhone River.
Encompassing a mere 130 hectares or so, the vineyards of this revered AOC are primarily situated on south-facing slopes on the hill of Hermitage. The situation of the vineyards gives them good protection from the cold and gusty Mistral wind that is a hallmark of the Rhone Valley and also provides them with very good exposure to sunlight.
When the above is combined with the poor stony soils and slope of this AOC as well as the fact that there are a lot of old vines, the result is ideal conditions for the potential to produce wines with pronounced intensity, high tannins and the ability to age in bottle for decades.
Hermitage AOC is particularly well-known for its red wines, which are crafted from the Syrah grape variety. In fact, Syrah is the sole red grape permitted in this appellation (NOTE: it IS possible to add up to 15% Marsanne and/or Roussanne grapes to the Syrah-dominated wines of this appellation).
The red wines of Hermitage are renowned for their full-bodied and opulent character, generally displaying pronounced aromas of black fruit, spice, and earth. The best examples are aged in oak barrels for several years before release to further enhance their complexity and longevity and a proportion of new oak use is common.
While Hermitage AOC primarily produces red wines, roughly 30% of production is devoted to white wines based on the Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, the only white grape varieties permitted in the appellation. White wines tend to be Marsanne-dominant, with Roussanne being added as a blending partner. The white wines of this appellation are known for displaying flavors of stone fruit, citrus, and honey in their youth and if aged, creamy and nutty notes.
In select years, a rare sweet wine is also produced which is known as Vin de Paille.
Taking a Closer Look - Crozes-Hermitage AOC
The Crozes-Hermitage AOC on the other hand, is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhone, covering a much larger territory that is over 1,700 hectares of vineyards situated in 11 different villages on the left (east) bank of the Rhône river. The appellation was first created in 1937 and was initially actually fairly contained, but then was extended in 1956 and many times since then to ultimately grow to its current size.
Located to the north, south and east of Hermitage (if you’re wondering why not to the west, remember that Hermitage fronts onto the Rhone River!), this appellation essentially forms a crescent moon around the revered hill of Hermitage and features a diverse terroir with a range of soils which are generally speaking more fertile than the soils in Hermitage.
Futher, unlike Hermitage which is all on a steep slope, the landscape consists of both gentle and steep rolling hills in the north and flatter land in the south.
The climate here is also different - markedly cooler in the north and with more exposure to the Mistral wind and more temperate in the south.
All of these factors directly impact the wine styles produced in the Crozes-Hermitage, which can vary significantly.
The Crozes-Hermitage AOC shares the same primary red grape variety as its prestigious neighbour, Hermitage (i.e. Syrah) and like Hermitage, the AOC also permits a small amount of Marsanne and Roussanne to be included in red wines. Another similarity is that the only permitted white grapes are Marsanne and Roussanne.
The resulting red wines from Crozes-Hermitage tend to be lighter in body and exhibit less tannic structure compared to Hermitage wines, more often displaying fresh and vibrant fruit flavors. The white wines also tend to be lighter in body and fresher in style. Wines are typically not aged for long periods of time in new oak barrels. As a result, the wines of this appellation are often suitable for early consumption and do not require (or benefit from) long periods of bottle aging in your cellar.
Overall, roughly 90% of production in this AOC is dedicated to red wine and only 10% to white wine.
Key Differences Between Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage AOCs
As noted above, there are several key differences between the two appellations when it comes to soils, elevation, topography and size.
When it comes to quality levels and classifications, both Hermitage AOC and Crozes-Hermitage AOC have specific requirements to ensure the integrity and reputation of their wines. However, Hermitage AOC wines are far more revered than those from the Crozes-Hermitage AOC. This is directly related to the quality of wine that one finds in the glass given the different environmental growing factors noted above.
This is not to say however that there are not good quality wines to be had from the Crozes-Hermitage AOC. While there is certainly more variability in the quality and style of wines from producer to producer, there is also some excellent value in this appellation. In fact, some of the well known Rhone Valley wine producers make wines from the Crozes-Hermitage AOC that are age-worthy, usually at much more affordable prices than their Hermitage counterparts.
It is also worth pointing out that stylistically speaking, there are many young and exciting producers in Crozes-Hermitage who are experimenting and focussing on quality production of ready to drink wines. It can be argued that this style of wine is more appealing to the modern day, younger consumer who is not interested in waiting years upon years to drink a bottle of wine and/or prefers a more fruit-forward, fresh style.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the Hermitage AOC contains nine lieux-dits which are essentially named sites/vineyards that have a lot of prestige associated with them and command even higher prices than the already high prices of appellation-level Hermitage wines. Crozes-Hermitage AOC does not have any. This perhaps further illustrates the difference between the two appellations.
So Why Should You Care?
For starters, plain and simple, these are two rather distinct and unique appellations. As a wine lover, you need to know this, at least we think so :)
Secondly, if you want to buy an investment wine, don’t accidentally buy a wine from Crozes-Hermitage thinking you are getting a crazy bargain. Buying or drinking a wine from from this appellation is not the same thing as buying or drinking an Hermitage.
Thirdly, if you are looking for value in the Northern Rhone, look to Crozes-Hermitage. And if you are buying Crozes-Hermitage, it pays to do your research and/or know something about the producer whose wine you are buying.
Lastly, enjoy Crozes-Hermitage when you buy it or shortly thereafter. It is a delightful, structured wine that is well positioned and priced for every day luxury. Save your Hermitage for years from when you buy it - perhaps for a special moment later in life ;-)
Closing Thoughts
Both of these appellations from the Northern Rhone have something to offer all wine lovers - we hope this little guide helps you make the right choice for you and your occasion the next time you are confronted with a choice between wine from Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage!
Cheers!
And If You’re Still Interested In Learning More……….
To dive deeper into all things Rhone wine, check out this website: Vins-Rhone.com