Jean Michel Gerin “La Loye” Condrieu AOC 2020

Condrieu AOC was amongst the most famous, distinctive and excellent white wine appellations in France. It had been well famed in Paris and London’s market since 19th century. The appellation was legally established in 1940, shortly before the War ravaged France.  Due to the war, and post-war struggles, Viognier planting (Condrieu by law is made of 100% Viognier) dropped greatly between 1940s and 1960s, to a point, it almost became extinct.

Rhône wines in general started to be more in demand from the early 1970s, and stronger by early 1980s, which allowed expansion of Condrieu, and international interest of Viognier as a grape variety. Today, Condrieu AOC has a total planting of 202 hectares, of which total production is not much more than 30 000 cases a year. The appellation enjoys the fame of being a full-bodied aromatic wine. Due to its influence, Viognier grape variety planting world-wide grew by more than 100 folds in the last fifty years, reaching nearly 20 000 hectares. It’s well on the trend to become an international grape variety.

Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin was created in 1983 by the proprietor of the same name. Though some of the vines that Gerin inherited were much older. The vineyard is located right next to the town of Ampuis, at the heart of world-famous Côte-Rôtie vineyards. Nowadays, under the brand, they make several different wines from Rhône Valley, but the core products are still Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu.

All of their Viognier vines in Condrieu were planted in the year 1989, they came from two different parcels, are amongst the southern-most vineyard within the appellation of Condrieu. The wine after vinification, would spend two years ageing before release. Of the two years, one would be sur-lie, within barriques, which adds to the wine some unique textures.

2020 vintage “La Loye” is a relatively constrained Condrieu in comparison to its local peers. The wine has medium plus body, with plentiful of floral, ripe apple, rock-melon, honey and almond notes. It’s a great match with seasoned, roasted white meat dishes, or artisan aged cheese.