The Cornas appellation – its name deriving from the Celtic word for "scorched earth" – lies on the right bank of the Rhône. It is characterized by steep, terraced granite slopes and a hot, dry microclimate. The soil, a mixture of granite, limestone, and clay, stores heat during the day and releases it to the vines at night, giving the Syrah grapes intense aromas and a pronounced minerality. The Mistral wind dries the vines quickly after rain, preventing fungal diseases and resulting in concentrated, powerful wines. Cornas is one of the smallest, yet most important, appellations in the Northern Rhône.
Syrah (internationally known as Shiraz), the queen of the Rhône Valley, captivates with its deep, dark color, robust tannins, and complex aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, pepper, and violet. Originally a cross between Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, it thrives particularly well on the steep granite slopes of the northern Rhône, where it produces varietal masterpieces in appellations such as Crozes-Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Cornas. Syrah is a "diva": demanding to cultivate, but aromatically very rewarding. Ideal with game dishes, lamb, or aged cheeses.
