Saint Joseph

Overview

Saint Joseph is the largest appellation, in hectares, in the northern Rhone Valley, stretching from Chavanay in the north, where it shares a border with Condrieu, and roughly 50km to Chateaubourg, around Cornas, in the south.

Originally declared in 1956 in a much smaller area centred around the villages of Mauves, Tournon, and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, it was substantially increased in 1971 to its current size – which means that there is huge variation in terroirs and in the wines produced.

Key Grape Varieties

Red wines from here are made from Syrah with up to 10% Marsanne and Roussanne allowed in the blend, whereas white wines – around 10% of the appellation’s total production – are made from Marsanne and/or Roussanne. The best Saint Joseph reds offer better wines than many lesser producers in better known appellations, and certainly at better value. With careful selection Saint Joseph is arguably where the best value for money shopping can be found in the Rhone.

Food Pairing

Classic food matches for Saint Joseph include grilled or barbecued steak and beef, especially when served with dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano, black olives, and mushrooms. Other very good food choices for Syrah from northern Rhone include venison and other types of game Saint Joseph is also a delicious match for cheese boards, with the only exceptions being the most pungent ones, such as for example blue cheese.

White Saint Joseph complements a variety of seafood including scallops and richly flavoured crab and mussel dishes but also white fish including monkfish, cod, and halibut – especially when accessorised by flavourful root vegetables and mushrooms. Cheese is another favourite.

Key Producers 

We offer some of the great Saint Joseph from the following producers: Just click on any of the links below to find them:

• Domaine Jean Louis Chave
• Etienne Guigal
• M. Chapoutier
• Pierre Gonon