Domaine Georges Vernay : Les Terrasses de l'Empire 2022

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Les Terrasses de l’Empire 2022 cuvée from Domaine Georges Vernay

Cellaring

Accessible today, this cuvée can be kept in the cellar until around 2030 to develop all its aromatic richness.

A great white wine from the Rhône Valley signed by Domaine Georges Vernay

The property

Located in the heart of the iconic Condrieu appellation in the Rhône Valley, the history of Domaine Georges Vernay has been written since 1938, when Francis Vernay planted the first hectare of Viognier within the appellation.

His son, Georges Vernay, established himself in the 1960s as a pioneer by replanting Viognier, then on the verge of extinction in the Condrieu appellation, in very steep areas with slopes inclined at more than 45°.

Deceased in 2017, Georges Vernay passed on the reins of the estate to his daughter, Christine, a former literature teacher, in 1996. Christine Vernay passionately and energetically strives to produce high-quality wines that authentically express this exceptional 24-hectare terroir, of which 17 hectares are very steep.

In 2020, the estate received 3 stars from the Green Guide of the Revue du Vin de France and its Organic Agriculture certification.

The vineyard

Les Terrasses de l’Empire from Domaine Georges Vernay is a wine from the Rhône Valley made from a mosaic of small plots located on the slopes of Condrieu. In this very steep wine-growing area, the vines, which are on average 35 years old, are grown organically and maintained manually.

The wine

An exceptional winemaker, Christine Vernay created Les Terrasses de l’Empire in 1998, a Condrieu wine that has become emblematic of Domaine Georges Vernay's perpetual quest for excellence.

Vinification and aging

Harvested manually at full maturity, the grapes are pressed in whole clusters. Fermentation on fine lees before aging for 10 months in truncated wooden vats and barrels.

Blend

Viognier (100%).