Condrieu AOC

"One of the greatest white wines of France" - Curnonsky, French gourmet
The AOC Condrieu contains only dry still white wines and to a lesser extent sweet white wines. It is the Viognier grape variety, the only grape variety authorised in the AOC, which expresses itself through wines rich in alcohol and aromatic power. Viognier is an indigenous grape variety, which is said to have originated in the village of Condrieu. Although it is mainly known as a dry white wine, it is as a sweet wine that Condrieu was first appreciated in the 16th century by the Popes of Avignon and the Lyon Chapter. Originally, the harvest was late, around All Saints' Day, and it was not until the dawn of the 20th century that dry wines appeared. Today, it is rather rare to come across a sweet Condrieu, since its production is limited to 2000 bottles per year. To better discover this appellation, savour the vintages from the estates of Stephane Ogier, M. Chapoutier, Sthephan Montez du Monteillet or the Vins de Vienne, the house headed by the three winemakers Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard and François Villard.

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