Domaine Georges Vernay - Condrieu 'Terrasses de l'Empire' White 2022

Grape

100% Viognier

Tasting notes

Extremely sought-after by great lovers of Rhone wines, this exceptional Condrieu offers a highly concentrated nose framed by inimitable aromas of white peach, candied citrus and bitter orange. On the palate, this same aromatic quality balances the wine towards lovely freshness and crazy deliciousness. An archetypal fruity wine and one of the best examples of its appellation!

Les Terrasses de l'Empire is made from 35-year-old Viognier vines, from several small parcels on the steep slopes of Condrieu. The grapes are hand-harvested at full maturity, then the whole crop is put in direct pressing. After static clarification, the fermentation of the clear juices happened in barrels and temperature-controlled wooden vats. The ageing is carried out in wooden vats, on fine lees and in barrels for 8 months.

More About The Winery

Perched on the steep granite terraces of Condrieu, Domaine Georges Vernay is the undisputed reference for Viognier and one of the greatest domaines in all of France. Founded in 1937 and now led by Christine Vernay, the estate has transformed from saving Viognier from extinction to producing some of the most sought-after white wines in the world.

The domaine’s three Condrieu cuvées — Les Terrasses de l’Empire, Les Chaillées de l’Enfer, and Côteau de Vernon — are benchmark expressions of Viognier: precise, complex, and age-worthy, far removed from the plump examples found elsewhere. Tiny yields, old vines, and minimal intervention define the style, producing wines of extraordinary finesse, depth, and minerality.

Beyond Condrieu, Domaine Vernay also crafts outstanding Côte-Rôtie reds — Blonde du Seigneur and Maison Rouge — regarded among the finest of the appellation. More accessible bottlings, such as the Viognier Le Pied de Samson and Syrah Georges Vernay, showcase the domaine’s craftsmanship at superb value.

Internationally acclaimed, Christine Vernay was named “Wine Person of the Year 2012” by Bettane & Desseauve, elevating the domaine to the prestigious 5-star rating alongside legends like DRC, Château Latour, and Château d’Yquem. Remarkably, Vernay remains one of the few family-owned domaines in this elite circle.