Wine: Vernay: Fleurs de Mai

Burgundy

Domaine Georges Vernay

Georges Vernay created the family business with 1.5 hectares of AOC Condrieu ” Coteau du Vernon ” vineyards.  Towards the end of the 40’s, Georges Vernay became one of the most ardent defenders and saviours of the Appellation, then about to disappear.

Today, the vinification is assured by his children Luc and Christine VERNAY and the estate extends over 16 hectares : 7 hectares in the appellation Condrieu, of which 3 hectares are old vines producing 2 prestigious vintages matured in barrels: the “Coteau de Vernon” and “Les Chaillées de l’Enfer”. 

Both vintages represent the quintessence of Condrieu’s Viognier vine. These exquisite incomparable white wines with their golden colour are of great nobleness, full-bodied, unctuous and persistent.  The very steep vineyard makes any mechanization impossible.  The vines are manually without the use of residual herbicide nor insecticide.

This is 100% old vine Syrah grown in the Northern Rhone, on the western slopes above the steep hills of Condrieu and, unlike the Mirbaudie, it is barrel aged. In other words a faux Côte Rotie for about half the cost. Georges Vernay decided to plant some Syrah on this site where he had formally had some peach trees. The variety of these peach trees is called Mayflower hence the name of the wine. This is the first vintage of this prestige Syrah from Vernay and we have not had the chance to taste since it landed. We tasted it from barrel only where it was very impressive. As with all of the wines there is very little so the most curious will be the winners.

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