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Yves Cuilleron Viognier

2023

Awesome French Viognier.

A wonderfully, weighty white wine from the Rhône, made from old vines on terraced hillsides around, but not in, the Condrieu appellation. Yves Cuilleron is one of the region's flagship producers, having transformed his family's small property into a highly prestigious estate. Being very traditional in terms of winemaking methods, his cuvées express the true sense of terroir.

A single-plot cuvée, harvested at its peak of ripeness and hand-sorted with meticulous care; then, after pressing, fermented with native yeasts and inoculated with malolactic bacteria in barrels and large vessels, all under controlled temperature. Aged for 6-7 months on lees in barrel and cask.

Founded by his grandfather in 1920, Yves is the third generation of Cuilleron vignerons. Since taking over in 1987, he has grown the vineyard area to 75 hectares, spanning the length of the Northern Rhône. The Domaine is converting to organic certification, aiming to complete in 2025. In addition to the time spent in his vines and cellar, Yves is passionate about the research and revival of traditional, indigenous varieties.

Full of fleshy stone fruits (peach and apricot), this wine is lifted with notes of grapefruit, blood orange and white flowers. It seems to effortlessly balance roundness with delicacy and freshness; exactly what you want from a French Viognier and an incredibly well-made wine.

Details

More Information
Wine Type	White wine
Closure	Natural Cork
Alc. Vol	14%
Units	10.5
Region	Rhone
Country	France
Grape Varietal	Viognier
Food Pairings	Cold Starters, Charcuterie

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Viognier

Viognier is an aromatic white grape variety that originated in the Northern Rhône and is rapidly growing in popularity in California, Australia, and beyond. Depending on the producer and how it’s made, it will range in intensity from light with a touch of bitterness to bold and creamy. If you like Chardonnay, you’ll like the weight of Viognier and notice it’s often a little softer on acidity but oilier and more perfumed.

Typically full-bodied, and most loved for its floral aromas and stone-fruit flavours, you’ll find that some Viogniers are oak-aged to add a creamier taste with hints of vanilla.

Perhaps the finest example of Viognier can be found in Condrieu, an appellation in France’s Northern Rhône, which is dedicated to single-varietal Viognier. You’ll also find it in white blends as it will add floral notes and body to the wine.

The Rhône Valley

Located in south-eastern France, the Rhône Valley follows the Rhône River, starting in Lyon, as it winds its way down towards the Mediterranean Sea. It spans approximately 150 miles and is divided stylistically and geographically into northern and southern parts.

The Northern Rhône is a mere 40 miles long and is responsible for just 4-5% of all the wines from the region. This is the birthplace of Syrah and where many wine lovers find it reaches its height of expression – meaty, savoury, and elegant. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are also grown for bold white wines. Cru vineyards of the north include Hermitage, Cornas, Côte Rôtie and Condrieu.

As the Rhône River progresses southward, the valley widens and the climate has a more Mediterranean influence. Grenache is king in the Southern Rhône and forms the foundation of the area’s popular blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre being the most typical). You’ll also find Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache Blanc, Clairette and a host of other grape varieties grown here. Côtes du Rhône AOC is the largest appellation, accounting for two thirds of the region’s production, whereas Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous.

France

France – the home of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne – is arguably the world's most important wine-producing country. For centuries, it has produced wine in greater quantity – and many would say quality – than any other nation, and its attraction is not just volume or prestige, but also the variety of styles available.

The diversity of French wine is due, in part, to the country's wide range of climates. Champagne, its most northerly region, has one of the coolest climates, whereas Bordeaux has a maritime climate, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the various rivers that wind their way between vineyards. Both in stark contrast to the southern regions of Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, which enjoy a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters.

Terroir is also key. From the granite hills of Beaujolais to the famous chalky slopes of Chablis and the gravels of the Médoc, the sites and soils on which France's vineyards have been developed are considered of vital importance and are at the heart of the concept of terroir.