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DOMAINE GEORGES VERNAY, NORTHERN RHONE
Georges Vernay is known as the ?King of Condrieu? and was responsible for the growth and worldwide recognition of this small appellation during the 1950s.
His estate covers 16 hectares of vineyards, 3 of which are in the Côte Rotie appellation. The steep and uneven vineyards make mechanical labour impossible. The vines are manually propagated without the use of residual herbicide or insecticide.
George's youngest son Luc ran the winery after his father went into semi-retirement, but recently left to set up a flying school, while the oldest son is rehabilitating racehorses in Texas. George's daughter, Christine, returned to her roots with Paul Anselem, her Parisian husband, and has looked after the winemaking since 1997.
Grapes: 90% Syrah, 10% Viognier
Soil: Granite
Vines: Average age 25 years old Planting Density: 7000 vines per hectare
Yield: 35 HL per Hectare
Pruning: Guyot
Harvest: By hand when the grapes are fully mature and carried to the winery in small wooden boxes.
Fermentation: The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in temperature controlled vats lasting 2- 3 weeks. The wine is then matured in oak barrels for 18 months and bottled 2 years from vintage.
Taste: A very elegant wine with great finesses and a lingering finish. Produced in a limited quantity and will age well for up to 15 years from vintage.
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