2009 Crozes-Hermitage, Alain Graillot, Rhône

Marsanne is the predominant white grape variety grown in the Northern Rhône where it is used to produce white St. Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, and Hermitage. It is a tricky grape to cultivate, being susceptible to diseases and being particularly sensitive to extreme climatic changes - if growing conditions are too cool, then it fails to ripen fully and produces thin, insipid wines, while, if too hot, the resultant wines are blowsy, overblown and out of balance.

This is the largest AC in the Northern Rhône, producing over half of the Northern Rhône’s total production. The appellation was created in 1937 with the single commune of Crozes, but today there are 11 communes. The Syrah variety is king, but Marsanne and Roussanne are also permitted (up to 15 percent). The wines vary hugely in quality and style, with the majority of the reds fairly light in style.