Cornas

Grape and style

Cornas is made exclusively from syrah, with no addition of white grapes. This makes it the purest syrah appellation of the Northern Rhône. The wine is dark, tannic and powerful, with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, pepper, tar and sometimes iron or blood. In its youth it can seem hard and rustic.

Compared with Côte-Rôtie, Cornas is bigger and sturdier, and compared with Hermitage it is slightly less broad and usually more approachable sooner, although it certainly demands patience.

Location and soil

Cornas lies on the right bank of the Rhône, south of Saint-Joseph. The vineyards form a kind of amphitheatre on steep slopes facing south and south-east, sheltered from the wind, which makes it warmer here than elsewhere in the Northern Rhône. The vines are worked on terraces with dry-stone walls.

The soil consists largely of granite, locally with limestone and clay layers at the foot of the slopes. The name Cornas is often translated as burnt earth, which suits the heat and dryness of this small, enclosed area.

Classification and rules

Cornas is an appellation in its own right and has only one wine style: red wine from syrah. The area is small and consists of the commune of Cornas itself. The rules do not allow the blending in of white varieties, unlike Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie.

There is no official classification into crus. Well-known vineyard names, such as Chaillot, Reynard and Sauman, may appear on the label, but the reputation depends mainly on the producer and the age of the vines. Much Cornas comes from old vines on the distinctly steep part of the slope.

Ageing and serving

Young Cornas is often closed and sturdy, and is traditionally approached only after a good number of years. Notes of dried fruit, truffle, leather and spices then develop. Decanting is advisable for young wines, at least an hour beforehand.

Serve at 16 to 18 °C. The wine goes well with hearty dishes: game, roast or braised beef, lamb with herbs and spicy sausages. If you would like to try a more fragrant, finer syrah, look at Côte-Rôtie.

Producers in our range

These producers feature in our Cornas range: Auguste Clape and M. Chapoutier (Les Arènes).

More from the Rhône

You will find more wines from the Rhône under Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage.