Condrieu
Condrieu is located in France's northern Rhone Valley and is renowned for its unique Viognier based white wine production. Condrieu was granted AOC classification in 1940, with requirements that the wine be manufactured completely from Viognier and has a minimum alcohol percentage of 11%.
The best wines from Condrieu
Condrieu is located in France's northern Rhone Valley and is renowned for its unique Viognier based white wine production. Condrieu was granted AOC classification in 1940, with requirements that the wine be manufactured completely from Viognier and has a minimum alcohol percentage of 11%.
Terroir of Condrieu
Along the Rhone River Condrieu is situated on precipitous granite hills that face south. Condrieu's terroir is characterised by its steep granite slopes that face the sun, which maximise sunlight for grape ripening. The soil is composed of mica, flint and chalk. Because of the topography, grapes are harvested by hand resulting in low yields and making Condrieu wines rare and costly.
Grapes in wines from Condrieu
Wines and Neighboring Regions
While Condrieu is renowned for its Viognier-based white wines, nearby regions such as Saint-Joseph and Cote Rotie concentrate on Syrah-based red wines.
Pays de Condrieu is a bigger geographic classification that encompasses the Condrieu AOC and its surrounding regions. It allows wines made from Viognier grapes that do not meet the exacting AOC requirements to be classed under the less restrictive IGP Pays de Condrieu.