Condrieu Coteau de Vernon

In the glass

Aroma: white peach, apricot blossom, honey, ginger, white flowers

Palate: rich stone fruit, layered complexity, creamy texture, mineral backbone, extraordinary finish

From the oldest Viognier vines in Condrieu, the Coteau de Vernon is considered the appellation's greatest Viognier. Christine Vernay continues her father's legacy with this flagship single-vineyard wine.

What it pairs with

• Seared foie gras with apricot chutney
  The wine's apricot blossom and honey profile is the classic foie gras pairing.
• Lobster with saffron butter
  The wine's richness and mineral depth match luxurious shellfish.
• White asparagus with mousseline sauce
  The classic Viognier and white asparagus pairing, with Coteau de Vernon's old-vine concentration matching the dish's umami depth.

How to serve Condrieu Coteau de Vernon

Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Seared foie gras with apricot chutney, Lobster with saffron butter, White asparagus with mousseline sauce. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Georges Vernay saved Condrieu from near-extinction in the 1970s when fewer than 2 hectares remained in production. The Coteau de Vernon, first produced in 1979, became the appellation's benchmark and a symbol of its revival.

1. 1953: Georges Vernay founds the domaine and begins replanting abandoned Condrieu parcels
2. 1979: First separate bottling of Coteau de Vernon from the oldest Vernay-holding vines
3. 1996: Christine Vernay takes over the domaine from her father

Facts

Producer

Georges Vernay · visiting guide

Grapes

Viognier (100%)

Classification

Condrieu AOC

Oak

9 months in French oak barrels, 20% new

ABV

14.0%

Price

EUR 100-160 at retail

Drinking window

3-12 from vintage

First vintage

1979

Organic

ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Condrieu Coteau de Vernon

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