Condrieu: Domaine Georges Vernay 'Les Terrasses de l'Empire' 2022
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This superb Condrieu wine from Domaine Georges Vernay is 'bien classique', with subtle scents and flavours of white peaches, lychees and grilled nuts, a taffeta texture and persistent palate. It is well-known a classic of the appellation. Certified as an organic wine.
The principal Condrieu from Domaine Georges Vernay, in volume terms, is this wine called 'Les Terrasses de l'Empire' which comes from 50+ year-old Viognier vines in the 'Sainte Agathe' and 'La Caille' climats. It cellars pretty well for 3 to 5 years, although it is hard to resist on its exuberant, youthful fruit.
| Style | White Wine, Sec, Full-bodied, Non Sparkling |
|---|---|
| Wine Region | Rhône, Condrieu |
| Grape Variety (Cépage) | Viognier |
| Food & Wine Matching | Chicken and Turkey, White Fish |
| Viticulture | Organic |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Cellarage | Best drunk when young within in its first 4 to 5 years.Hand-harvested grapes, from just under 5 hectares of 50+ year-old vines (from the lieu-dits of Sainte Agathe and La Caille) are fermented at 16 to 17 degrees C., in 20 hl oak barrels. Lees stirring takes place until the New Year when the wine is then transferred to steel vats prior to blending and bottling in the late Spring. |
| Alcohol By Volume (%) | 14 |
Domaine Georges Vernay
The Vernay name is synonymous with quality Viognier. Christine Vernay's father Georges (1926-2017) was instrumental in keeping the Condrieu appellation from extinction in the 1960s when there were only 8 hectares left under vine! The Vernays have worked tirelessly to promote Viognier and are largely responsible for its current renaissance and newfound global popularity. Christine Vernay took over winemaking responsibilities here in 1997 and is assisted in the management of the estate by her husband Paul Amsellem. Today the Vernays farm 7.5 hecatres of vines at Condrieu, which puts them in the top 3 growers in volume terms (alongside Cuilleron & Guigal). Domaine Georges Vernay is widely regarded as being among the very best sources of Condrieu, they also produce an excellent Vin de Pays Viognier, from higher altitude vines called 'Le Pied de Samson' as well as an impressive range of red wines comprising a fruity Vin de Pays Syrah, Saint Joseph and Côte Rôtie.
"Domaine Georges Vernay is the flagship of Condrieu. Its vines were planted in the AOC in 1936, and it remained the only domaine in Condrieu for many years, until others finally started believing in Viognier. Today, third-generation vintner Christine Vernay runs the estate, crafting whites that are both opulent and pure. Her Côte-Rôties are equally impressive."
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator.
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