Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninlow
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessdry
Oakbarrel aged

Drinking window

Best 2 to 7 years from vintage.
vintage2 yrs7 yrs9 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninMedium acidityDryLong, Peachy And Floral finish

Aroma: fresh apricot, peach, white flowers, ginger, light citrus

Palate: vibrant stone fruit, creamy texture, lighter mineral, clean floral finish

Vernay's entry-level Condrieu, showing the appellation's characteristic apricot and floral freshness in a more accessible and earlier-drinking style than Coteau de Vernon.

What it pairs with

  • Grilled scallops with saffron
    The wine's floral and stone-fruit character pairs with saffron-scented scallops.
  • Chicken with apricots
    The wine's apricot notes find a natural food mirror in fruit-braised poultry.
  • Spiced courgette fritters
    The wine's weight and floral aromatics balance fried vegetable dishes.

How to serve Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire

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. Grilled scallops with saffron, Chicken with apricots, Spiced courgette fritters. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Terrasses de l'Empire represents Vernay's more approachable Condrieu, sourced from the lower terraced parcels of the domaine. It provides an entry into the appellation style without the concentration of Coteau de Vernon.

  1. 1985: First vintage of Terrasses de l'Empire as the estate entry Condrieu

Facts

Producer
Georges Vernay · visiting guide
Grapes
Viognier (100%)
Classification
Condrieu AOC
Oak
7 months in used French oak barrels
ABV
13.5%
Price
EUR 50-75 at retail
Drinking window
2-7 from vintage
First vintage
1985
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire

What does Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire taste like?

On the nose, fresh apricot, peach, white flowers, ginger, light citrus. On the palate, vibrant stone fruit, creamy texture, lighter mineral, clean floral finish. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long, peachy and floral finish. Vernay's entry-level Condrieu, showing the appellation's characteristic apricot and floral freshness in a more accessible and earlier-drinking style than Coteau de Vernon.

When should I drink Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire?

Drink 2-7 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire?

Grilled scallops with saffron is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chicken with apricots and Spiced courgette fritters. The wine's floral and stone-fruit character pairs with saffron-scented scallops.

What grapes are in Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire?

The blend is Viognier (100%). The wine is classified as Condrieu AOC.

Tags

dry full body medium acid medium term mood elegant mood fruity occasion dinner party old world organic pairs with poultry pairs with shellfish pairs with white fish price premium still white value pick viognier

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Rhone Valley

Romans and Wine

Guided tour5 hours4.7 from 7 reviewsfrom €105

Discover two of the best preserved Roman monuments in the world: The Roman Theatre of Orange and the Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard (UNESCO Sites) and enjoy a wine tasti...

Check dates and book

See all 620 bookable experiences in Rhone Valley

← Back to wines in Rhone Valley