Domaine Georges Vernay: Guide and presentation of the estate

Today, we're going to introduce you to one of our partner estates: Domain Vernay.
This is a popular Rhone Valley estate that is best known for its Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu wines. Christine Vernay, who succeeded his father and grandfather, has been running the estate for over 20 years now.  The vineyard works with great ambition and investment. It is now certified organic.

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History of Domaine Vernay

Founded in 1940, this estate is a family tradition, and today Christine Vernay is the 3rd generation to run this business. In 1937, Francis founded the estate at Condrieu and planted his first vines at Coteau de Vernon. Its first cuvée was launched in 1940 and met with great success. Georges then took over from his father. Thanks to his motivation and hard work, he saved the Condrieu appellation. He became the role model for an entire generation who would go on to make this terroir one of the most recognized in the world. In 1992, he also created the Chaillées de l'Enfer, the second vintage of Condrieu of the estate. Christine took over from her father in 1996 and created Les Terrasses de l'Empire in 1998. Then she relaunches the Maison Rouge which she vinified in 1997 and which is one of Côte-Rôtie's most famous cuvées. In the same year, she also created the Blonde du Seigneur. These two wines are now internationally recognized as some of the greatest wines of France. Condrieu for which the estate is renowned.

 

The estate today :

Today, the estate covers 24 hectares of AOC Condrieu appellations, Côte-Rôtie and St Joseph.  This estate has obtained organic viticulture certification thanks to its meticulous vinification, regular planting and careful selection of grapes. massale plants. Thanks to Christine's hard work and perseverance Vernaythe domaine was hoisted to the top of the podium. It is now recognized as one of the world's best winemakersSome of its wines have even been awarded the top rating of 100/100. The best living conditions on the estate allow grape varieties to thrive. Viognier and Syrah. Vines are planted on steeply sloping terraces. During the day, the stones store the sun's heat and release it at night. The vineyards benefit from a warm, sunny climate, thanks to both north and south winds. The vines also benefit from very good soil quality, such as "Coteau de Vernon " which is composed of gore (Arena), a decomposing granite, and the Chaillées of Hell. The vineyards of Maison Rouge are planted on granite soils to give them a more refined aspect. After a decade of managing the estate alone, Christine now works with her younger brother Luc. Vernay.

 

The best Domaine Vernay wines:

• Condrieu "Coton de Vernon":

 

In 1940, Francis created the Coton de Vernon. Despite the success à At the time, he was trying to make elegant white wine in the northern Rhône Valley. Throughout this time, the domaine has never ceased to pass on its values, always emphasizing respect for exceptional terroirs. This is a wine of great elegance that conveys a certain image of the finesse of the Viognier. This Condrieu offers aromas of yellow fruit, fresh citrus or candied fruit, exotic fruit, notes of spice and tobacco, wood, leather and a fine bitterness. Thanks to its balance, it brings a lot of freshness, vegetal notes, menthol, white flowers and also a very nice acidity.

 

• Condrieu " Chaillées de l'Enfer " : 

In 1953, Georges Vernay developed the estate and created the extraordinary cuvée Les Chaillées of Hell. The name of this cuvée recalls the ordeal the winegrowers endured in the vineyards. Thanks to his popularity, Georges à always wanted to develop the quality of Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie wines. He also did his utmost to push the wine towards quality. A wine with fruit notes (apricot, pear, white peaches...). Il combines citrus with more floral notes (white, pink, violet flowers...)more plant-based (mints, thyme..) and spices ( Ginger, saffron). It's a salty, iodized, racy wine that brings a lovely freshness.

 

• Condrieu " Terrasses de L'Empire " : 

This is a wine that brings out fruity flavors with its aromas of white peaches, apricot kernels, white almonds and a subtlety that brings out the charm of this cuvée. This is a graceful wine that exudes harmony and freshness. young. It is made from a single grape variety: Viognier. The vineyard comes from a mosaic of small plots on the steep slopes of Condrieu.  This is a very difficult vineyard to access, making mechanization impossible. Maintenance is carried out by hand and organic farming is practiced. Vinification is carried out by direct pressing of whole grapes with fermentation of the clear juices after debinding static in barrels and wooden vats temperature-controlled. Aged in wooden vats for 8 months. It can be enjoyed between 1 and 7 years.  

 

• Côte-Rôtie "Maison Rouge" : 

Founded in 1997 by Christine VernayThis is one of the Côte-Rôtie for which it is now famous. She wanted to bring finesse, elegance and harmony to this wine. It is made up of black fruits, oriental spices, smoky notes, liquorice, tin boxes, and a hint of the spice. cigarschocolate and black pepper. This cuvée has contributed to the estate's popularity as much as Vernon. It comes from old Syrah vines in the area known as "Maison-Rouge" and has great elegance. It is as much sensual, voluptuous, spicy and bewitching. Christine a The red berries give it a firmness that stands out on the finish. She always seeks to highlight the richness, finesse and silkiness of the Côte-Rôtie.

 

• Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur":

It's a Côte-Rôtie blonde with 5 % of viognier that combines power and delicacy. It has a dark color, a mineral, smoky nose with black fruit and black olive, enhanced by a floral component from the Viognier. This is a wine which, in addition to being aromatic, reveals finesse and delicacy. She is made from 95 % of Syrah and 5 % of Viognier. Harvesting is done by hand, at full maturity, in crates. She is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The vatting period is long, lasting 3 to 4 weeks. Cette Côte-Rôtie reveals its full aromatic potential on the palate, with a very long finish. She's suave, sensual and very graceful. 

 

We hope you have enjoyed this article. You can also read our other articles about our partner domains and order your Domaine Vernay wines at the best price on the website :

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