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AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) France › Rhône Valley

Hermitage AOC

Prestigious Northern Rhône appellation producing powerful, age-worthy red wines from Syrah and distinctive white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne; one of France's most celebrated wine regions.

Permitted Varieties

[Syrah](/grapes/syrah)[Marsanne](/grapes/marsanne)[Roussanne](/grapes/roussanne)

Key Regulatory Constraints

  • {"Red":"Syrah minimum 85%, up to 15% Marsanne/Roussanne"}
  • {"White":"Marsanne and/or Roussanne 100%"}
  • Yield limit 40 hl/ha (red and white)
  • Steep hillside vineyards only

Hermitage AOC

Technical Summary

  • Classification: AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)
  • Legal status: Protected Designation of Origin under EU wine regulations
  • Country: France
  • Region: Rhône Valley (Northern Rhône)
  • Geographic scope: Steep granite hillside above Tain-l’Hermitage, Drôme department
  • Area under vine: ~137 hectares (compact, prestigious)
  • Core products: Red wines (majority); White wines (significant); Vin de Paille (rare)

Verified Constraints:

  • Red: Syrah minimum 85%
  • White: Marsanne and/or Roussanne 100%
  • Yield limit: 40 hl/ha (both colors)
  • Minimum natural potential alcohol: 10% (red), 10% (white)
  • Hillside vineyards only (named lieux-dits)

Regulatory Constraints (Verified)

Ampelographic Composition

Red wines:

  • Syrah: Minimum 85%
  • Marsanne: Up to 15% (co-fermented traditionally)
  • Roussanne: Up to 15% (co-fermented)
  • Note: White grapes rarely exceed 5% in modern practice

White wines:

  • Marsanne: 100% or blended with Roussanne
  • Roussanne: 100% or blended with Marsanne
  • No other varieties permitted

Yield Limits

  • Maximum yield (red): 40 hl/ha
  • Maximum yield (white): 40 hl/ha
  • Butoir: 45 hl/ha
  • Actual yields: Often 30-35 hl/ha (concentrated wines)

Minimum Alcohol

  • Red wines: 10% ABV minimum
  • White wines: 10% ABV minimum
  • Typical red: 13-14.5% ABV
  • Typical white: 13-14% ABV

Geographic Constraints

  • Single hillside: Only the Hermitage hill qualifies
  • Lieux-dits (named plots): Les Bessards (granite, tannic); Le Méal (rounded); L’Hermite (top of hill); Les Greffieux; Chante-Alouette (white); etc.
  • Aspect: South-facing slope
  • Altitude: 100-350m

Aging Requirements

  • No minimum aging required by regulation
  • Producer discretion on release timing
  • Premium reds typically aged 18-36 months before release

Enological Implications

Evidence-backed:

  • Syrah from Hermitage produces among the most concentrated, tannic, and age-worthy expressions globally
  • Granite soils (Les Bessards) produce structured, powerful wines
  • Loess/alluvial soils produce more approachable, aromatic styles
  • White wines from Marsanne develop waxy, honeyed character with age
  • Reduction common in young Syrah; resolves with aeration and aging

Operational observation:

  • Extended oak aging standard for premium reds (new and used French oak)
  • Color stability excellent in Syrah; deep color maintained
  • White wines can age 20-50+ years (Marsanne oxidative stability)
  • Steep slopes limit mechanization; labor-intensive viticulture
  • Co-fermentation with Marsanne/Roussanne (rare) follows Côte-Rôtie tradition

Frequent Compliance Risks

  • Geographic boundaries: Only Hermitage hill qualifies; adjacent areas are Crozes-Hermitage
  • Yield limits: 40 hl/ha strict; low-yielding varieties typically well under limit
  • Variety requirements: Must maintain Syrah minimum; white grape co-fermentation optional but limited
  • Labeling: “Hermitage” prestigious name; strict enforcement

Relevant Grape Varieties

  • Syrah - principal red variety (85% minimum for red wines)
  • Marsanne - principal white variety
  • Roussanne - white variety (often blended with Marsanne)

Climat/Lieu-dit Designations

Red Wine Benchmarks:

  • Les Bessards: Granite; most tannic, structured; longest aging
  • Le Méal: Granite with loess; power with elegance
  • L’Hermite: Top of hill; complex, elegant
  • Les Greffieux: Granite; structured

White Wine Benchmarks:

  • Chante-Alouette: Famous white lieu-dit
  • Les Rocoules: Quality white site
  • L’Hermite: Also produces white

Notable Producers

Quality Benchmarks:

References

Last Updated: January 6, 2026