Hermitage AOC

[1] According to legend, the Knight Gaspard de Stérimberg returned home wounded in 1224 from the Albigensian Crusade and was given permission by the Queen of France to build a small refuge to recover in, where he remained living as a hermit (ermite in French).

Louis XIV presented King Charles II of England with 200 casks of fine wine including examples from Hermitage, Champagne and Burgundy.

The vines grow on the south west side of a steep granite hill facing the afternoon sun and can be divided into a number of smaller vineyards.

[3] With 345 acres (140 ha) of vines, in soil composed greatly of granite and gravels, Hermitage produces 730,000 bottles of mostly red wines, annually.

Because of the high levels of tannin they are usually aged longer than American or Australian Syrahs [citation needed] and are often cellared up to 40 years.

The Hermitage hill, here seen from the heights of Tournon-sur-Rhône , stands above the Rhône River and the town of Tain-l'Hermitage.
Production of red wines dominate, but white wines are also produced. In this case a white Hermitage from Chapoutier from 100% Marsanne.