THE RHONE, OUR HERITAGE
Whether nestled in valleys or on sun-drenched hillsides, the exceptional terroir of the Rhône valley vineyards is shaped by Mother Nature, and our winemakers express its complexity in our range of wines. Our values – elegance, tradition, conviviality – and those of the Rhône valley appellations are proudly represented by our wines' typicity. Each blend expresses the very best of two regional varieties, namely Syrah and Grenache, the former bringing depth, the latter voluptuousness.
Combes Saint Sauveur – an evocative name redolent of the Rhône valley's abundance.
THE RHONE VALLEY - A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY
The vineyards of the Rhône valley stretch along the banks of the Rhône, from Lyon to the Camargue. This valley has a particularly long history: its vines were planted in ancient times by the Romans who saw the potential of these lofty hills and their contrasting soils of rock and clay. Today, these steep slopes are home to rows of vines which require meticulous tending.
COMBES SAINT SAUVEUR – PRECIOUS TERROIR
This is the story of an exceptional denomination within an exceptional setting. The name Combes Saint Sauveur pays homage to this terroir, and to the vines which thrive in the heart of the valleys. These deeply-carved coombs are dominated on either side by steep slopes that are typical of the Rhône. The undulating landscape is a succession of hills with excellent exposure, where abundant sunshine and the powerful, local wind – the Mistral - protect the vines from disease.
Grown in optimal conditions, Combes Saint Sauveur is full of opulent fruit aromas - because great wine begins in the vineyard, shaped by the grower's hand and nature's generosity.
PAINSTAKING WORK
To make a wine that expresses the diversity of the Côtes du Rhône, we work year in, year out with our grower-partners who farm individual plots to skilfully reveal their terroir's complexity. The vines are painstakingly tended before the crop is destemmed, crushed and vinified.
Careful blending illustrates each terroir's typicity. A joint decision was taken to use stainless steel tanks to preserve the grapes' purity and create a fruit-driven wine full of flavour.
ENJOY COMBES SAINT SAUVEUR
Combes Saint Sauveur AOP Côtes du Rhône red is a Rhône valley wine whose character was forged by its terroir - hills and valleys carved out by the river, wind-swept and sun-kissed vineyards. The result of our growers' hard work and know-how, Combes Saint Sauveur is an authentic Côtes du Rhône wine with an attractive deep ruby colour.
Ideal for traditional meals with family and friends, and can be paired with poultry or soft cheeses. Its elegance and style will certainly resonate with wine enthusiasts.
Whether you choose to enjoy it now or cellar it, Combes Saint Sauveur will proudly represent its heritage on your dining table.
With its ruby-red colour, Combes Saint Sauveur red (AOP Côtes du Rhône) is a beguiling wine that opens with delicate red fruit and spring flower aromas.
This blend was carefully crafted to express the best of each grape variety. Grenache brings power and fruit character; Syrah gives an attractively deep colour as well as ageing potential, and beguiling notes of small red berries and violets. Correctly stored, this wine will continue to mature for up to two years.
To enjoy it at its best, serve it at 16 - 18°C and let it breathe for a few minutes. It matches well with meat-based dishes with sauce, and indulgent chocolate-based desserts.
The Combes Saint Sauveur range also features an AOC Côtes du Rhône rosé, a blend of Grenache and Syrah. This wine has a bright, light ruby colour and a delightfully expressive nose with red fruit notes. On the palate it is balanced and aromatic, with a refreshing finish.
Serve this AOP Côtes du Rhône rosé at 10 – 12°C; it pairs well with barbecued food, white marinated meat and exotic dishes.
Proudly flying the Rhône valley flag, Combes Saint Sauveur also makes a Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages. The main grape varieties in this blend are Grenache and Syrah, grown on the appellations's limestone and blue clay soils. Pair this wine with flank steak and shallots, a rack of lamb, cous cous or a cheese platter. Serve at 16-18°C.
To delight as many people as possible, Combes Saint Sauveur offers an excellent organic Costières de Nîmes with aromas of red and black fruits enhanced by a note of sweet spices. Red or white meat in sauce, or with a chocolate dessert, Combes Saint Sauveur Costières de Nîmes can go with your meal from starter to dessert. Good tasting !
TERRA VITIS – A COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
All our AOC Côtes du Rhône wines bear the Terra Vitis certification. Created in 1998 by wine growers in Beaujolais, the Terra Vitis label is recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and is restricted to the wine sector. It was born out of the work of committed wine growers who sought to protect the environment and farm their vines responsibly. This aim united many, and it quickly spread beyond the borders of Beaujolais and right across France. Its philosophy is based on the three pillars of sustainable development, namely environmental commitment, social responsibility and economic sustainability.
Examples of measures taken to preserve the viticultural environment include using natural methods of fighting vine disease, and encouraging biological life in the soil. Using synthetic products is only allowed if unavoidable, to save the harvest.
The Terra Vitis label looks far beyond the vineyards, taking a holistic approach and focusing on the larger picture of running a wine business. Social and economic issues are part of this certifications' framework, which ensures infallible traceability from vine to glass.
Terra Visit offers technical support via trained and qualified personnel, and the sharing of information and best practice. The decision was taken to apply this thinking within our own structure by providing technicians who work with our grower-partners.
Find more information on www.terravitis.com
SYRAH AND GRENACHE – AT THE HEART OF COMBES SAINT SAUVEUR
Our Combes Saint Sauveur red wines feature two grape varieties which are emblematic of the region. Firstly, Syrah. Grown on the steep slopes of the Rhône valley, its aptitude for warm, sunny weather means it can be found in many countries, from South Africa to Australia, where it is called Shiraz. In its native terroir it has ideal conditions for ripening and revealing all its complexity. It can be recognised by its characteristic notes of violets, and ripe red and black fruit. However, its complex bouquet includes spice (eg. pepper) and smoky herbal notes. On the palate it is impressively concentrated and supple, with a subtle balance between generous tannins and pronounced acidity.
Then comes Grenache. Originally from Spain, this is currently one of the world's most widely-planted grapes, and it is grown extensively in the Rhône area. It thrives in warm, dry climates with good exposure, and makes sun-drenched, smooth yet warming red wines with jammy, prune-like fruit aromas. After a few sips this powerful wine reveals its sleek, voluptuous character and integrated tannins.
MORE ABOUT THE TERROIR
The Côtes du Rhône vineyards follow the banks of the Rhône from Vienne to Avignon, and this mighty river shapes the terroirs from which these characterful wines are crafted. The region dates back to ancient times, and its 171 communes and 6 départements are studded with vinous treasure just waiting to be discovered.
Archeological research has shown that this was one of the world's first winemaking regions. It was carved out by the Romans who identified the best plots and built the small walls which can still be seen today, holding up the valley's famous terraces.
Spanning the north and south of the Rhône valley, this area boasts a wide diversity of soil types, from limestone to gravelly alluvium via pebbles, clay and stone. The stony soil stores heat during the day which it then releases at night, helping the grapes ripen in a remarkable fashion. The Mediterranean climate that reigns here is marked by dry, hot summers, rainy (sometimes violent) episodes, gentle winters, and an exceptional amount of sunshine. It also benefits from the influence of the powerful Mistral wind that helps keep the vineyards disease-free.
So it was not by chance that this area was granted appellation status as early as 1937. This AOP allows the use of twenty grape varieties to create a range of unique, carefully blended wines, each with its distinct character, each reflecting local specificities.
The Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation takes its name from a medieval legend relating to this area which was considered outstanding – so much so, that souls might be offered to God in thanks. This exceptional soil has considerable depth and is planted with the flagship grapes of the Côtes du Rhône, giving deep, concentrated wines full of brightness and colour.