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M. Chapoutier: Choosing locations within the same appellation
A Northern Rhône producer based in Tain-l’Hermitage. In Hermitage, they make wines such as 'Monier de la Sizeranne', which is a blend from various sites, and 'Le Pavillon', which uses grapes from Les Bessards.
Compare Les Greffieux and Le Pavillon and consider the differences in selecting vineyard locations within Hermitage.
Questions for this course
Is the range of grape sources different even if we group Hermitage and Syrah together?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓M. Chapoutier / Learn from producers
France / Rhône / Tain l'Hermitage
Aliases & spellings: M. Chapoutier
Update date: 2026-09-24
Combine three locations
Monier de la Sizeranne uses Syrah, blending fruit from Les Bessards, Le Méal, and Les Greffieux. Even within the same Hermitage, a single wine can include granite, alluvial soils, and gravel-based conditions.
Focusing on Les Bessards
Le Pavillon is also made from Syrah, but official sources link the grape origin to the Les Bessards area. You can compare the choice of vineyard location within the appellation, even without changing the variety.
It’s not just an experiment about location.
The two wines are different labels, so selection and maturation conditions beyond the vineyard may not match. Do not transfer barrel information from 2016 Le Pavillon to Sizeranne—collect sources for both wines from the same vintage when comparing.
What to align and what to compare.
Les Greffieux
- Conditions to standardize
- M. Chapoutier
- Conditions for comparison.
- Combine three zones.
- Additional points to confirm
- Multiple conditions within Hermitage
Pavillon
- Conditions to standardize
- M. Chapoutier
- Conditions for comparison.
- Ingredients of Les Bessards
- Additional points to confirm
- Even for the same Syrah, the range can be narrowed.
Comparisons
- Conditions to standardize
- M. Chapoutier
- Conditions for comparison.
- Producer • Variety • Place of origin are common
- Additional points to confirm
- Check sorting and aging as well
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
M. Chapoutier Resource Comprehension: Choosing locations within the same appellation
Compare the stated conditions in the documentation. Numbers specifying vintages should be treated as information for that specific year.
This summarizes materials published by producers, regional groups, and importers. Each source includes the publisher and the date the material was checked.
| Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|
| Les Greffieux | Combine three zones. | Multiple conditions within Hermitage |
| Pavillon | Ingredients of Les Bessards | Even for the same Syrah, the range can be narrowed. |
| Comparisons | Producer • Variety • Place of origin are common | Check sorting and aging as well |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What is the origin of grapes for Les Greffieux?
The three zones are clearly specified in the documentation. Les Syzelannes combines Les Bessards, Le Méal, and Les Greffieux. By comparing with Le Pavillon, which is focused on Les Bessards, you can explain how the range of raw materials changes within the same Syrah and region of origin.
Which grape varieties are common to both wines?
You can standardize varieties and compare the places the fruit comes from.
Before explaining taste differences only by place, what else is needed?
For different labels, multiple conditions may change at the same time.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Please explain differences in raw materials and winemaking by reading the table and sources.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les Greffieux | Combine three zones. | Multiple conditions within Hermitage | |
| Pavillon | Ingredients of Les Bessards | Even for the same Syrah, the range can be narrowed. | |
| Comparisons | Producer • Variety • Place of origin are common | Check sorting and aging as well |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Describe the geographic range of the grape sources for both wines on a map, and list the materials you would like to standardize in order to compare the same year.
Check after writing
- Did you specify the label, vintage, and scope of materials to be compared?
- Did you distinguish and explain the three items in the table?
- Did you separate verified facts from points to check further with additional references or tasting?
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