Discovering the Elegance of Saint-Joseph: A Northern Rhône Gem

This week I had the privilege of attending a master class on Saint-Joseph in the Northern Rhône region, led by Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. This experience, which included a Master the World tasting kit, offered a deep dive into one of France’s most intriguing wine appellations. Saint-Joseph, often described as an undiscovered jewel of the Northern Rhône Valley, is the largest appellation in the region, covering 920 hectares of vineyards along a 65-kilometer stretch on the west bank of the Rhône River.

The area spans over 30 miles from north to south and showcases a diverse range of stylistic interpretations within the appellation.

Terroir and Climate

The Elevation of the Vineyards, Vineyard Photos Are Courtesy of Saint-Joseph AOC

The unique character of Saint-Joseph wines is deeply rooted in its terroir:

East-facing slopes with predominantly granite soils that differ by location. In the north, granite is looser. In the south, it is coarse, semi-degraded and more solid. Semi-continental climate with Mediterranean influences. The cold, dry north wind known as “la bise,” which cleanses the atmosphere and accelerates grape maturation

The granite-rich soils are crucial, imparting elegance, austerity, tension, and brightness to the wines. The granite composition changes from north to south, with looser granite and cooler temperatures in the north, and coarser, semi-degraded granite in the south.

Wine Production

Saint-Joseph primarily produces red wines, accounting for about 90% of its output. These reds are made predominantly from