Saint-Péray Blanc
At a Glance
- Variety: Marsanne
- Vine Age: Planted from the 1910s to 1920s
- Terroir: Steep slopes, silt and loess with limestone debris on granite bedrock
- Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée
- Vinification: Direct pressing, indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged for 12 months in barrel.
Additional Info
Saint Péray is the southernmost appellation of the northern Côtes du Rhône. The steep slopes and deep valley create a unique landscape, with a more temperate climate than in Cornas. This climate is especially well-adapted to the production of great white wines, favoring aromatic balance and freshness.
Vineyards here date back to the Roman era, but the appellation Saint-Peray first appeared in the 15th century, a reference to the village Saint-Pierre-d’Ay. The wines’ immediate prestige earned them a place on the tables of French royalty. By the 19th century, Saint-Péray reached the height of its popularity across Europe and was appreciated by great artists like Baudelaire, Lamartine and Maupassant. Saint Péray was declared one of the first nine AOCS in 1936.