All wines over $25 per bottle will be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
Debudding is carried out systematically each year, but green harvesting is only carried out when necessary. Harvesting by hand, with at least 2 passes through the vineyard. 50% of the must is fermented in 220 litre barrels and 50% is fermented in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic occurs naturally. Ageing: 6-8 months. The wine is racked once or twice depending on the nature of the vintage. The wine is blended before bottling. Fining and filtration are only carried out if necessary.
| Type | White Wine |
|---|---|
| Varietal(s) | Viognier |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone |
| Appellation | Condrieu |
| Brand | Gilles Barges |
| Vintage | 2011 |
Wines of Rhone Valley
The Rhone wine region is situation in the south of France in the Rhone Valley. The region is split into north and south with distinctively different winemaking styles. In the north, the main grape used is Syrah and is sometimes blended with white varietals. In the south however, reds are a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. You may be familiar with this sort of blend; in Australia it is labelled GSM.
Wines are produced under various Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) designations. The most prestigious of which is Chateauneuf-du-Pape. You may also have heard of other AOC names such as Gigondas, Hermitage, Lirac, St Joseph. Wines coming from these and other AOCs are all on the higher end of the market.
On the value end we have wines produced in Cotes-du-Rhone AOC. Cotes-du-Rhone often refers to wines made in the Rhone Valley that do not fall under any other AOC, often from the flatter areas around Southern Rhone. However, it also does include the fringes of well-respected northern appellations as well. In terms of volume, a majority of Rhone wine falls under the Cotes-du-Rhone AOC and it offers some of the best value in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds.
Full-bodied and flavourful white wine blends are also made in the region. These are typically a combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.