Condrieu AOC, Wine appellation in Rhône, France
Condrieu AOC is a wine region on steep granite slopes along the Rhône River, where Viognier grapes grow exclusively across seven communes. The vineyards require manual work because they are laid out in terraces on the hillsides.
The vineyards existed since Roman times and became known in 18th-century Paris markets. They received their Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée designation in 1940.
The name comes from the Latin Condriacum, and it remains centered on Viognier production today. Winemakers here follow time-honored methods passed down through generations, with the steep slopes demanding specialized skills that define the local identity.
These wines show notes of peach, apricot, and violet and pair well with seafood and Asian cuisine. They develop best within about three years after harvest.
The area covers only about 160 hectares of vineyards, making it one of France's smallest appellations. This specialization in Viognier within such a compact zone creates a particular continuity in growing methods.
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