E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane

Description

E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane is made from 100% Viognier grapes from traditionally cultivated vineyards planted on steep terraced slopes. This intensely aromatic wine is Guigal’s top Condrieu cuvee.

The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the village of Ampuis. His son, Marcel, took over from his father in 1961. Under Marcel’s guidance, Guigal wines gained recognition for their exceptional quality and consistency. The winery’s philosophy emphasizes meticulous vineyard management, low yields, and a hands-on approach to winemaking, including extended ageing in oak barrels. Today it remains a family affair, with Marcel’s son, Philippe Guigal, serving as the third generation to lead the estate.

The Guigal family owns vineyards in Condrieu and in Côte-Rôtie as well as illustrious plots in many other famous appellations. The wines are produced and cellared at the 12th century Chateau d’Ampuis in the Northern Rhone. In the summer of 2003, to improve quality and control over all aspects of winemaking, Guigal opened an onsite cooperage. The cooperage at Château d’Ampuis is operated in partnership with the famous cooperage at Chagny managed by Seguin Moreau.

The 100% Viognier grapes for E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane come from five of the top terrois of the appellation grown on steep terraces. These include “Côte Chatillon” (1 hectare, shale, limestone in Condrieu), “Colombier” (1 hectare granite, sand in St Michel Sur Rhone), “Volan” (1 hectare, granite with iron oxide in St Pierre de Boeuf) and “Coteau de Chéry” (half a hectare in Condrieu). The vines have an average age of 35 years old. The clone of Viognier grown in Condrieu tends to produce lower yields of small berries compared to Viognier grown elsewhere.

The wine is vinified and matured exclusively in new oak barrels for 12 months and the wine undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation.

Annual production is 6000 bottles.

Where is Condrieu?

The small appellation of Condrieu is located in the Northern Rhône Valley of France. It lies on the right bank of the Rhône River, just south of the town of Vienne and north of the city of Valence. The region is situated about (25 miles) south of Lyon. The Condrieu Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) was officially established in 1940 and is dedicated solely to the production of white wines made from the Viognier grape.