Condrieu AOC

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Condrieu AOC
Wine region
Guigal Condrieu.JPG
Official nameWine from the Condrieu AOC
TypeAOC
Year established1940
CountryFrance
Part ofRhône Valley
Climate region mild continental
Soil conditionsgneiss
Total area202 ha
No. of vineyards101
Grapes producedViognier
No. of wineries76
Wine producedsec, demi-sec, doux
Comments2005
Location of the Condrieu AOC among the major in wine regions of the Northern Rhone Northern Rhone Valley wine regions.JPG
Location of the Condrieu AOC among the major in wine regions of the Northern Rhône

Condrieu (French pronunciation: [kɔ̃dʁijø] ; from the French coin de ruisseau meaning "corner of the brook") [1] is a French wine-growing Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) located in the northern Rhône, near Vienne and to the south of the Côte-Rôtie AOC. The vineyards are situated in the seven communes of Limony, Chavanay, Malleval, Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, Saint-Pierre-de Boeuf, Vérin, and Condrieu. These communes are in the French departments of Ardèche, Rhône and Loire on the steep slopes of the foothills of the Massif Central on the right bank of the Rhône. The four southernmost communes can also produce wine under the Saint-Joseph AOC. The wines made in this AOC are exclusively white, from the Viognier grape, which may have originated in the region. The smaller AOC of Château-Grillet is enclaved within Condrieu and produces wines that are also 100% Viognier. The Condrieu AOC was officially created in 1940. [2]

Contents

History

Viticulture in the area around Condrieu has existed since at least Roman times and it is possible that the area was first cultivated by the native Allobroges tribe. [3] In the 18th century, Condrieu enjoyed a period of popularity as it gained access to the lucrative Parisian market. The wine was transported north by land to the city of Saint-Étienne where the Loire would carry the wine to the Canal de Briare and then to Paris. During periods of peace between France and Great Britain, Condrieu would find its way to the London market. [4]

For most of the 20th century before the early 1970s, the only northern Rhône wine well-known far from the region was Hermitage, and there was little demand on the export market for Rhône wines. Producing wine from hillside vineyards requires more labour than on flat vineyards, and is therefore economically difficult when demand and prices are low. This was particularly felt by some Rhône appellations in the early post-World War II era, including Condrieu and its neighbour Côte-Rôtie, with the 1950s and 1960s a particularly difficult time. Rhône wines in general started to be more in demand from the early 1970s, and stronger so from the late 1970s/early 1980s. From this time, the négociant business of Marcel Guigal at Ampuis helped expand the market for Condrieu wines. Guigal primarily made his name with his Côte-Rôtie wines which then paved the way for his bottlings from other appellations, which also includes a significant portion of white wine. Guigal's Condrieu was sourced from small growers in the appellation. [5]

The increase in demand led to new plantations inside the appellation's border, which at the time was far from fully exploited and at one stage included many abandoned vineyards. The area under vine was less than 12 hectares (30 acres) in the 1960s, 14 hectares (35 acres) in 1982, 98 hectares (240 acres) at the end of the century and 135 hectares (330 acres) in 2005. [5] [6]

Climate and geography

As in much of Northern Rhone, the climate of Condrieu is continental and characterized by cold wet winters and hot summers. Ideally situated vineyards are planted on granite soils and face south, which aids growth during the cool months of late spring and early autumn. The well-drained granite soil retains heat during the day and reflects it back to the vines at night. [1] In some areas the soil includes a fine layer of decomposed chalk, flint and mica which is known in the region as arzelle. [7] The best vineyards have some natural shelter from the fierce northern winds that blow through the region and wreak havoc during flowering. The steep incline of many vineyards exposes them to soil erosion. [8]

The Condrieu AOC covers more than 500 acres (202 ha) [9] of hilly terrain located along a 12 miles (19 km) stretch of the Rhône. [10] The AOC region begins at the town of Condrieu and extends south along the west bank of the river to the town of Limony. Within the AOC is 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) of Château-Grillet, which has its own micro-appellation. [9]

Wine

A Condrieu wine Condrieu Viognier.jpg
A Condrieu wine

The only wine that can be sold under the Condrieu AOC is a white wine made entirely from Viognier. The clone of Viognier grown in Condrieu produces low yields of small berries and is less productive than the clones planted in other regions of France, such as the vin de pays wine of the neighboring Ardèche department. This contributes to the expense of Condrieu AOC wine, of which only 30 000 or so cases are produced annually. [10] In the early to mid 20th century, Condrieu producers tended to make wines that were off-dry to sweet but by the end of the century the trend was to produce mostly dry wines. In particularly favourable vintages, some producers will make a sweet late harvest wine. [7]

Condrieu wine is often characterised by delicate aromatics of peaches, dried fruit and white flowers. Some examples also have notes of anise, star fruit and melons. Often the wine is full bodied and rich in a style that is texturally similarly to Chardonnay. [9] Normally the wine is made dry but the fruitiness and perfume of the bouquet can suggest sweetness. [7] The Viognier grape is naturally low in acidity, which challenges growers and winemakers to keep the wine from becoming flabby and bleak. Some winemakers in the region use malolactic fermentation and some do not. [8] The delicate flavors of the wine can be overwhelmed by too much oak during the winemaking process. [1]

Aging

The ability of Condrieu to age is much discussed in the wine industry and opinions differ. Some experts like Master of Wine Mary Ewing-Mulligan believe that it is best consumed within three years of harvest. [10] The Oxford Companion to Wine describes Condrieu as one of the few luxury wines that is meant to be consumed young, typically within two to four years. [8] Wine writer Tom Stevenson recommends drinking Condrieu within four to eight years of harvest and notes that its freshness and purity can be lost as the wine ages. [7] James Molesworth of Wine Spectator notes that some vintages of Condrieu, such as the 2004, will produce more intense, concentrated wines that will age gracefully. [9]

Appellation regulations

Viognier grapes Viognier.jpg
Viognier grapes

The Condrieu AOC can only be used for still white wines made from Viognier. The planting density must be at least 6 500 vines per hectare, and the base yield is 41 hectoliter per hectare. The grape must reach a maturity giving at least 178 g/L sugar in the must (corresponding to 10.5 per cent potential alcohol) and the finished wines must have at least 11.5 per cent alcohol by volume, but no more than 14 per cent after any chaptalisation. If the wine has more than 45 grams per liter of sugar (only applicable for rare sweet Condrieu wines), it must not have been chaptalised to reach that sugar level. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrah</span> Dark-skinned grape variety

Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Syrah should not be confused with Petite Sirah, a cross of Syrah with Peloursin dating from 1880.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beaujolais</span> Wine from the Beaujolais region of France

Beaujolais is a French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine generally made of the Gamay grape, which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. Like most AOC wines they are not labeled varietally. Whites from the region, which make up only 1% of its production, are made mostly with Chardonnay grapes though Aligoté is also permitted until 2024. Beaujolais tends to be a very light-bodied red wine, with relatively high amounts of acidity. In some vintages, Beaujolais produces more wine than the Burgundy wine regions of Chablis, Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais put together.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marsanne</span> Variety of grape

Marsanne is a white wine grape, most commonly found in the Northern Rhône region. It is often blended with Roussanne. In Savoie the grape is known as grosse roussette. Outside France it is also grown in Switzerland, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viognier</span> Variety of grape used to make white wine

Viognier is a white wine grape variety. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhône Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chablis wine</span> French dry white wine

Chablis is the northernmost Appellation d'origine contrôlée of the Burgundy region in France. Its cool climate produces wines with more acidity and less fruitiness than Chardonnay vines grown in warmer ones. These often have a "flinty" note, sometimes described as "goût de pierre à fusil", and sometimes as "steely". The Chablis AOC is required to use Chardonnay grapes solely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burgundy wine</span> Wine made in the Burgundy region in eastern France

Burgundy wine is made in the Burgundy region of eastern France, in the valleys and slopes west of the Saône, a tributary of the Rhône. The most famous wines produced here, and those commonly referred to as "Burgundies", are dry red wines made from pinot noir grapes and white wines made from chardonnay grapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhône wine</span> Wine region

The Rhône wine region in Southern France is situated in the Rhône valley and produces numerous wines under various Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designations. The region's major appellation in production volume is Côtes du Rhône AOC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint-Joseph AOC</span>

Saint-Joseph or St.-Joseph is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. Though the appellation covers the largest amount of land, it is second in actual size under vine to Crozes-Hermitage, an appellation with which it shares much regarding style and prestige. St.-Joseph is primarily a red wine region, but also produces a white wine. The red is produced predominantly from the Syrah grape, but AOC regulations allow up to 10% of Marsanne or Roussanne. The white wine is made exclusively from the latter grape varieties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Côte-Rôtie AOC</span> French wine geographic appellation

Côte-Rôtie is a French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. The vineyards are located just south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons. The vineyards are unique because of the steep slopes facing the river and their stone walls. Côte-Rôtie can be rendered in English as "the roasted slope" and refers to the long hours of sunlight that these steep slopes receive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Château-Grillet AOC</span> Wine-growing AOC in France

Château-Grillet is a wine-growing AOC in the northern Rhône wine region of France, near Vienne, which produces white wine from Viognier grapes. The whole appellation, which is only 3.8 hectares in size, is owned by a single winery, Château-Grillet. The appellation was officially created in 1936.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornas AOC</span> French wine geographic appellation

Cornas is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France based in Cornas, south of Lyon. It is one of the smallest appellations in the Rhône valley and produces only red wine, from the Syrah grape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasteau AOC</span>

Rasteau is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée for wine in the southern Rhône wine region of France, covering both fortified and unfortified wines. The sweet fortified wines can be red, rosé or white, and have long been produced under the Rasteau AOC. In 2010 dry red wines (unfortified) were also added to the appellation, effective from the 2009 vintage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Côtes du Rhône AOC</span> French wine appellation

Côtes du Rhône is a wine-growing Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for the Rhône wine region of France, which may be used throughout the region, also in those areas which are covered by other AOCs. In a limited part of the region, the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages AOC may be used, in some cases together with the name of the commune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Côtes-du-Rhône Villages AOC</span>

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages is a French wine Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the southern Rhône wine region of France. Red, white and rosé wine are all produced within the appellation. The quality is superior to the generic Côtes-du-Rhône AOC, but below more specific appellations such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC and Vacqueyras AOC. Côtes-du-Rhône Villages is the second largest appellation in the Rhône, only surpassed in size by Côtes-du-Rhône AOC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muscadet</span> French white wine

Muscadet is a French white wine. It is made at the western end of the Loire Valley, near the city of Nantes in the Pays de la Loire region. It is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, often referred to simply as melon. While most appellation d'origine contrôlée wines are named after their growing region, or in Alsace after their variety, the name Muscadet refers to an alleged characteristic of the wine produced by the melon grape variety: vin qui a un goût musqué. However, according to wine expert Tom Stevenson, Muscadet wines do not have much, if any, muskiness or Muscat-like flavors or aromas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French wine</span> Wine making in France

French wine is produced all throughout France, in quantities between 50 and 60 million hectolitres per year, or 7–8 billion bottles. France is one of the largest wine producers in the world, along with Italian, Spanish, and American wine-producing regions. French wine traces its history to the 6th century BCE, with many of France's regions dating their wine-making history to Roman times. The wines produced range from expensive wines sold internationally to modest wines usually only seen within France such as the Margnat wines of the post-war period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chambertin-Clos de Bèze</span>

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) and Grand Cru vineyard for red wine in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy, with Pinot noir as the main grape variety. Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is located within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, together with a group of nine Grand Cru vineyards all having "Chambertin" as part of their name. It is located uphill from the Route des Grands Crus, borders on Chambertin in the north, Griotte-Chambertin and Chapelle-Chambertin in the east and Mazis-Chambertin in the north. The AOC was created in 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anjou wine</span> French wine

Anjou wine is produced in the Loire Valley wine region of France near the city of Angers. The wines of region are often grouped together with the wines of nearby Saumur as "Anjou-Saumur". Along with the wines produced further east in Touraine, Anjou-Saumur make what is collectively known as the "Middle Loire" (as opposed to the "Upper Loire" which includes the wine regions of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Within the Anjou wine region are several Appellation d'origine contrôlées responsible for a broad spectrum of wines including still red, white and rosé produced with varying levels of sweetness. Extending across the Deux-Sèvres, Maine-et-Loire and Vienne départements, the generic Anjou AOC appellation and its various sub-appellations encompasses vineyards across more than 151 communes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guigal</span>

Guigal, formally Établissements Guigal, is a winery and négociant business situated in Ampuis in the southern part of the Rhône region in France. Guigal produces wine from appellations across the Rhône region, but is particularly noted for their Côte-Rôtie wines and played a pioneering role in improving Côte-Rôtie's international reputation. Guigal's single vineyard wines La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque are internationally renowned. In 2007, the release of the 2003 vintage of Guigal's "La La" wines set the record for most expensive release of any Rhone wine, with bottles retailing for as much as $800.

Co-fermentation is the practice in winemaking of fermenting two or more fruits at the same time when producing a wine. This differs from the more common practice of blending separate wine components into a cuvée after fermentation. While co-fermentation in principle could be practiced for any mixture of grape varieties or other fruits, it is today more common for red wines produced from a mixture of red grape varieties and a smaller proportion of white grape varieties.

References

  1. 1 2 3 K. MacNeil The Wine Bible pp. 235–240 Workman Publishing 2001 ISBN   1-56305-434-5
  2. 1 2 Appellation regulations, version of October 28, 2009 on Légifrance
  3. H. Johnson Vintage: The Story of Wine pg 89 Simon and Schuster 1989 ISBN   0-671-68702-6
  4. H. Johnson Vintage: The Story of Wine pg 283 & 299 Simon and Schuster 1989 ISBN   0-671-68702-6
  5. 1 2 Livingstone-Learmonth, John (2005). The Wines of the Northern Rhône. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 6–7. ISBN   978-0-520-24433-7.
  6. H. Johnson & J. Robinson The World Atlas of Wine pg 132 Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 ISBN   1-84000-332-4
  7. 1 2 3 4 T. Stevenson The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia pp. 215–216 Dorling Kindersley 2005 ISBN   0-7566-1324-8
  8. 1 2 3 J. Robinson (ed) The Oxford Companion to Wine Third Edition p. 192 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN   0-19-860990-6
  9. 1 2 3 4 J. Molesworth "Vintage Analysis: Northern Rhône 2003 and 2004 Archived 2008-12-05 at the Wayback Machine " Wine Spectator December 06, 2005
  10. 1 2 3 E. McCarthy & M. Ewing-Mulligan "French Wine for Dummies" pp. 132–133 Wiley Publishing 2001 ISBN   0-7645-5354-2

45°27′50″N4°46′06″E / 45.46389°N 4.76833°E / 45.46389; 4.76833