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Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
2023 Condrieu 'Les Terrasses de l'Empire', Domaine Georges Vernay

2023 Condrieu 'Les Terrasses de l'Empire', Domaine Georges Vernay

Condrieu, Rhone Valley, France

Terrace Blossom

Fragrant, generous and beautifully poised, Les Terrasses de l’Empire captures the seductive charm of Viognier with remarkable clarity. White peach, juicy apricot and ripe pear rise from the glass, lifted by jasmine, citrus blossom and a delicate hint of wild herbs. Fresh almond and apricot kernel bring a gently savoury dimension, while subtle mineral notes give definition to the abundant fruit. There is a lovely sense of generosity here, expressed with the restraint and finesse that make Vernay’s whites so compelling.

The palate is rounded and silky, with layers of stone fruit and orange carried by refreshing acidity and a fine, saline thread. Its texture is supple and quietly luxurious, building flavour without becoming heavy. A delicate almond bitterness lends shape to the long finish, where juicy apricot and floral notes linger. Already beautifully expressive, this is a Condrieu to enjoy for its youthful perfume and harmony, with enough substance to develop further over the next few years. A special white that delivers its pleasures without demanding a long wait.

For when: A leisurely evening calls for something fragrant, generous and quietly exceptional.

Pairs with: Serve with grilled langoustines, roast chicken with tarragon cream, crab ravioli, scallops with cauliflower purée, lobster risotto or a gently spiced coconut prawn curry.

Created by Christine Vernay in 1998, Les Terrasses de l’Empire brings together Viognier from the La Caille and Sainte-Agathe lieux-dits in the heart of Condrieu. These steep, granite terraces demand painstaking cultivation, with much of the work carried out by hand. The cuvée places fruit and freshness at the centre of its personality, offering a wonderfully approachable introduction to the domaine’s celebrated interpretation of Viognier.

The 2023 release combines generous peach and apricot flavours with a particularly graceful texture. Its ripe fruit has both depth and definition, while floral lift, savoury almond and mineral freshness keep the wine balanced. It is an inviting vintage for enjoying now, showing how beautifully this cuvée can unite richness with an easy, flowing elegance.

Whats in the bottle
100% Viognier

Notable Awards
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck

£86.00 - £86.00
£86.00
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£86.00
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Domaine Georges Vernay is inseparable from the modern story of Condrieu. Francis Vernay established the family estate in the late 1930s, planting vines on the Coteau de Vernon and producing its first named cuvée in 1940. His son Georges took over in 1953 and became a tireless champion of Viognier, helping protect the appellation at a time when its demanding hillside vineyards faced abandonment.

The domaine now covers approximately 24 hectares, principally across Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph. Its steep Rhône Valley slopes provide contrasting homes for Viognier and Syrah, with granite playing an important role in the character of the whites. In Condrieu, individual parcels are cultivated and selected to reveal different combinations of perfume, texture, freshness and depth.

Christine Vernay took over in 1996, refining the family’s celebrated whites while building an equally distinguished reputation for its reds. Her daughter Emma joined her in 2020, continuing the family’s close involvement in the vineyards and cellar. The estate is certified organic and cultivates its land biodynamically, using practices such as natural grass cover and mulching to support soil health on these challenging slopes.

Made from 100% Viognier, Les Terrasses de l’Empire comes from the La Caille and Sainte-Agathe parcels on biotite granite in Condrieu. The domaine describes the vines as averaging approximately 35 years of age. The steep terrain prevents conventional mechanisation, and the grapes are harvested by hand at full ripeness into small, 20kg crates.

Whole bunches are pressed directly, followed by cold settling of the juice. Fermentation takes place on the fine lees, with indigenous yeasts, preserving the fruit’s aromatic character while developing texture and complexity.

The domaine’s published method specifies ten months of maturation in 2,000-litre wooden vats and barrels. This measured élevage supports the wine’s rounded palate while keeping its peach, apricot and floral character in focus. It is intended to be enjoyed relatively young, when its perfume and freshness are most expressive.

Alcohol: 13.5%. Certified organic. Recommended drinking window: 2026–2030.

Wine-Searcher Retailer Awards 2026/27 Gold, Overall List in Cardiff