Hiking and Wine between Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu
This guided hike plunges you into the heart of the prestigious vineyards of Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu, on trails rarely used by visitors. It is distinguished by the perf...
Profile
Structure
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 above is our own.
In the glass
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.More wines for scallops →
- Chicken with apricots The wine's apricot notes find a natural food mirror in fruit-braised poultry.More wines for chicken and white meat →
- Spiced courgette fritters The wine's weight and floral aromatics balance fried vegetable dishes.More wines for spicy and Asian food →
With cheese
How to serve Condrieu Les Terrasses de l'Empire
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 1985First 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
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