Wine Production of Condrieu Wine

Condrieu is located to the south of Côte-Rôtie and the wines are produced from vineyards spanning across seven communes; Limoney, Saint-Pierre-de Boeuf, Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, Chavanay, Malleval, Vérin, and Condrieu itself. The vineyards thrive due to the soils being composed of granite, chalk, flint and ‘arzelle’; a form of mica. The granite retains the heat of the sunlight from the warm sunshine filled days and allows for warmth and continued ripening to take place over night.

The best of the vineyard sites benefit from added shelter due to the strong winds that can occur within the region. The Condrieu wine appellation covers just over 202 hectares of terroir within Northern Rhone.

Wines of Condrieu are white wines made from 100% viognier which produces low yields of small grapes. Due to the low yields produced, wines carry a higher price tag than many viognier wines found across the world. Only 30,000 cases of wines are produced each year, thereby making these some of the most sought after wines of the region.

Wine Style

Wines of Condrieu are white wines made from 100% viognier, according to the appellation regulations. The wines are mainly still, dry, full bodied wines with aromas of peach, dried white fruits, apricots and white blossom. They are an excellent alternative if you enjoy a bold, complex chardonnay as they are textually similar, however often more aromatic florally.

Wine makers often choose to keep the wine styles quite simple in terms of wine making options, however there can be some excellent examples that have undergone malolactic fermentation or gentle oak ageing.

Condrieu is often made to be drunk young, within three years, however some of the best examples with pronounced, complex layers to their flavours can be aged.

Grape Varieties

According to Condrieu appellation regulations, wines can only be white wines produced from 100% viognier grapes.

The wines are full bodied wines with aromas of peach, dried white fruits; apricots and white blossom.

Buy Condrieu Wine from Hourlier Wines

We at Pierre Hourlier Wines are proud to partner with Pierre Gaillard to showcase their wonderful Condrieu still white wine. The Pierre Gaillard Family own 4 vineyards across Rhône, Roussillon, and the south of France, and their Condrieu wines are quite rare and in short supply - We are lucky to be able to include their wine in our offering.

Condrieu: Pierre Gaillard L'Octroi White

Made from 100% viognier grapes from a selection of parcels planted a dozen years ago on the rocky and mineral slopes of the Malleval Gorges, this beautiful dry white wine of Northern Rhone, Condrieu brims with ripe white fruits; peaches, apricots, along with an elegant white floral note and added minerality.

FAQ

What does wines from the Condrieu taste like?

The wines are mainly still, dry, full bodied wines with aromas of peach, dried white fruits, apricots and white blossom. They are an excellent alternative if you enjoy a bold, complex chardonnay as they are textually similar, however often more aromatic florally.

Which food groups pair well with Condrieu wines?

Condrieu wines are made from 100% viognier grapes, therefore they brim with white fruits and floral, blossom notes. To bring the best out of these wines, they make for a sublime pairing with sushi, lobster, pork and cheesy vegetables.

How do Condrieu wines differ in taste from other Viognier wines of the world?

Condrieu wines can be much fresher in style with New World viognier wines often stirring in lees during wine production to add more body and texture. If you like your white wines big and bold, you may prefer the New World styles. However, Condrieu brings finesse in the style of the wines like no other in the world. They are therefore some of the most sought after viognier wines of the world and the price tag often reflects this.