Domaine Georges VERNAY - Les Terrasses de l'Empire 2019
Domaine Georges Vernay is located in the town of Condrieu, in the north of the Rhône Valley. The estate was created in 1937 by Francis Vernay, with the first plantings in the locality of Coteau de Vernon. In 1940, he launched the now legendary first cuvée named “Coteau de Vernon”. In 1953, Georges Vernay took over from his father, he is recognised to having “saved” the Condrieu appellation and became the leader of an entire generation that after him would make this terroir one of the most recognised in the world. At the time, the Viognier grape variety was abandoned but Georges Vernay replanted his lands and revitalised them. Since 1996, Christine Vernay is the third generation of the Vernay family to manage the estate. After running the estate alone for over 10 years, Christine is now assisted in the vineyard by her younger brother Luc Vernay, who manages and supervises the field teams. For over 20 years, Christine Vernay has used organic farming methods, the entire estate is now certified. While she believes that organic farming is an ethical issue, she is moving towards biodynamics as a philosophy.
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.
Grape variety: 100% Viognier
