‘Grand Old Man’ of Cornas Noël Verset dies

One of the Rhône Valley’s most celebrated winemakers, Noël Verset, has died at the age of 95.

Along with Auguste Clape, Noël Verset is considered to have defined Cornas wines in the 1980s and 1990s (Photo: Gail Skoff)

Affectionately known as the “Grand Old Man” of Cornas, Verset is widely credited for defining the appellation in the 1980s and 1990s alongside Auguste Clape.

His wines are still considered to be the benchmark for many winemakers working in the region today.

Verset began working in wine in 1931, at the age of 12, assisting his father Emmanuel until 1943 when he took over management of the family domaine. He continued to work as a winegrower for more than seven decades, retiring with the 2000 vintage.

After his retirement he sold parcels of his domaine to tenants whom he knew and respected, in particular Thierry Allemand. He also sold to domaines Clape and Courbis, and his nephew Franck Balthazar.

He continued to make wine for personal consumption and for his family until 2006.

Verset produced just one cuvée, which was assembled from all of his terriors, and was known for his commitment to steadfastly traditional winemaking practices: low yields, harvesting grapes at full maturity, treading by foot, fermentation in cement vats and ageing in old demi muids (600-litre barrels).

Wine industry personalities across the globe tweeted messages of respect and condolence following the news of Verset’s death, which was reported in the Wine Spectator on September 13:

Very sad to hear of the passing of Noel Verset. He hosted us very generously and sweetly when we were students. Great memories of the man.

— Jeremy Seysses (@JeremySeysses) September 14, 2015

Drinking with Pliny the Younger and thinking about Noel Verset. https://t.co/yVet1Miz16 — Levi Dalton (@Levi_opens_wine) September 14, 2015

Very sad! RT @jmolesworth1: Sad news out of the Rhône, where Cornas’ old school legend, Noël Verset, passed away this weekend… — Rajat Parr (@rajatparr) September 14, 2015

Verset was described as a “genius producer” by Angelique de Lencquesaing of auction platform iDealwine. “This legendary winemaker used to vinify some of the greatest parcels of Cornas and only produced one cuvée, beautifully balanced, a blend from the different plots he owned in the appellation,” she said. “He was a genius producer who gave a unique style to his wines, a style that was known to balance any excess or technical complications encountered in some years. His bottles are now becoming extremely rare.” 

Verset was described as a “genius producer” by Angelique de Lencquesaing of auction platform iDealwine. “This legendary winemaker used to vinify some of the greatest parcels of Cornas and only produced one cuvée, beautifully balanced, a blend from the different plots he owned in the appellation,” she said.

“He was a genius producer who gave a unique style to his wines, a style that was known to balance any excess or technical complications encountered in some years. His bottles are now becoming extremely rare.”