# La Champine Syrah (2023)

- **Producer:** Jean-Michel Gérin
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, violet, black pepper, herbaceous, vanilla, cedar

## About this wine

La Champine Syrah is crafted by the legendary Northern Rhône producer Jean-Michel Gérin. Located in Ampuis, the heart of Côte-Rôtie, the Gérin estate established this cuvée to offer an accessible, fresh, and vibrant expression of Northern Rhône Syrah. Sourced from vineyards just outside the formal Côte-Rôtie appellation boundaries on the plains and hillsides of the Collines Rhodaniennes, this wine captures the classic varietal character of Syrah without the heavy oak or long aging requirements of its grander siblings.

## Interesting facts

- La Champine is sourced from vines located just meters outside the prestigious Côte-Rôtie appellation boundary.
- Jean-Michel Gérin is a pioneer in Côte-Rôtie, helping to revitalize the region's steep terraced vineyards in the 1980s.
- The name 'La Champine' refers to the specific lieu-dit where the Gérin family's house and some of their vineyards are located.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity and moderate tannins of this Northern Rhône Syrah cut beautifully through the richness of roasted and grilled meats. Its signature cracked black pepper and dark fruit notes harmonize wonderfully with herbal seasonings like rosemary and thyme, while its medium body prevents it from overpowering lighter game or pork dishes.

## Wine making process

The grapes are 100% destemmed to preserve bright fruit flavors and manage tannin extraction. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to maintain freshness. The wine is then aged for approximately 12 months, primarily in stainless steel and older oak barrels (demi-muids), ensuring that the oak influence remains subtle and the pure, peppery fruit of the Syrah grape takes center stage.