Côtes du Rhône Cru AOC Condrieu

Climate: Continental and mediterranean

Soils: Granites

Website appellation: https://vin-condrieu.fr/

Production surface area in 2023:  217 HA

Total production in 2023: 8 421 HL

Average annual yeld: 39 HL/HA

Export:  30%

Recognition in AOC by the I.N.A.O.:  1940

Communes: Condrieu, St Michel sur Rhône, Vérin, Chavanay, Saint Pierre de Boeuf, Malleval and Limony

Specifications for the appellation

It is likely that Viognier has been grown in Condrieu since the time of the ancient Greeks. Emperor Domitian had the vines pulled up in 92 AD, as he felt they were a bad influence on his soldiers. Around 280 AD, however, emperor Probus had them replanted, declaring that on the contrary, their effect on the army was beneficial. In the 12th century, the area archbishop built a fortress overlooking the town to fend off enemy attacks. It still stands today. Like Saint Michel and Vérin, Condrieu then became home to the sailors who transported goods and people along the Rhône between Lyon and Beaucaire. Wines from Condrieu have been popular for many generations; they were particularly highly regarded by the Avignon Popes, while famous critic and writer Curnonsky believed they were among the best white wines in France. There were difficult times, of course. Phylloxera, World War 1, World War 2 and industrialisation all took their toll. By the 1950s, there were only a dozen or so hectares left planted with vine, across the communes of Condrieu, Vérin and Saint Michel.
However, thanks to the efforts of a handful of winegrowers, the AOC revival started in the 1980s.
Abandoned hillsides were replanted and terrace walls were rebuilt. In 1986, the AOC boundaries were revised, retaining only the slopes with the best exposure. Nowadays this AOC born in 1940 covers 200 ha of vineyards.

The climate is largely continental, similar to Lyon, with a Mediterranean influence. Temperatures are very high in summer, as the orientation causes the sun-baked, rocky soils to store heat.

The right bank of the Rhône Valley between Saint Romain en Gal and Serrières is characterised by greatly contrasting landscapes. The Rhône’s most recent alluvial deposits, the flat terraces, come up sharply against the steep inclines that provide access between them and the Plateau de Pélussin. This is where the vineyards grow, clinging to the parent rock in long, narrow “chayées” needing constant upkeep. The deepest part of the rocky outcrops here is granite. Inside the altered fringe, the soils have a friable texture, while the
fissures are rich in clay.
The fissures provide ideal conditions for the Condrieu vines to root and flourish, not least because the clay supplies moisture when most needed. The outermost layer of the fringe never becomes thick on the slopes, and is made up of altered and unaltered minerals, rock fragments and clay. The chayée terraces ensure this section of the vineyard never compacts, resulting in a soil that is richer in organic matter.

The appellation area encompasses the 7 communes of Condrieu, St Michel sur Rhône, Vérin, Chavanay, Saint Pierre de Boeuf, Malleval and Limony, in the Rhône, Loire and Ardèche départements.

Viognier is the only varietal grown in Condrieu, and makes smooth, generous wines. These are a pale, golden colour with a glimmer of green, and are both fresh and highly aromatic.
Scents include floral perfumes, particularly violets, and fruity notes of mango, white peach and apricot. At their peak, there is also a discernible touch of musk, gingerbread and tobacco.