Traditionally a land of vineyards, the northern region of the Rhone valley includes eight of the most prestigious wines of the Cotes de Rhone : Saint-Péray, Cornas, Saint-Joseph, Condrieu, Château Grillet, Côte Rôtie, Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage. The Controlled Appellation (A.O.C.) Crozes-Hermitage is deeply linked to the large family of Côtes du Rhône. This appellation distinguishes itself from the southern vineyards of the Rhone Valley by two important characteristics : - Its climate : situated in the Drôme on the left bank of the Rhone on the 45th parallel, the vineyards of the Crozes-Hermitage have the advantage of a semi-continental climate. - The single red grape variety : the Syrah has its favourite soils here.