Georges Vernay Les Terrasses de LEmpire Condrieu Blanc 2015 Pure Wine Co

Domaine Georges Vernay is widely regarded as the source of the greatest Condrieu ‚– the reference for pure Viognier. Georges Vernay himself 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 renaissance and modern global popularity.

In their Le Grand Guide des Vins de Franc, Bettane and Desseauve write: ‘In recent vintages, both wines Chaillées de L’Enfer and especially Coteau de Vernon are some of the greatest dry whites in the world in terms of their development and their grace. The other big success, perhaps even more significant, has been the perfecting of the red wines. Now the two Côte Rôtie wines – Blonde du Seigneur and especially Maison Rouge ‚– are amongst the most brilliant interpretations of the appellation. “

In Condrieu, the cuvees are made from vineyards situated in Condrieu itself, the heart of the appellation, on south to southeast facing steep slopes, and all express the purest, most restrained expression of the Viognier grape. Côteau de Vernon, created in 1940 by Francis Vernay, is the reference amongst all Condrieu: 65 year old vines on decomposed granite locally called ‘gore’, is a wine of great personality and definition, and has on numerous occasion shown a remarkable ability to age. Les Terrasses de l’Empire, made from 40 year old vines is a great introduction to Condrieu, offering early approachability.

Le Pied de Samson (Viognier, from just outside of Condrieu) and Fleurs de Mai (Syrah, from just outside Côte-Rôtie) constitute an ideal first step towards exploring this great domaine.