Condrieu

Just to the south of Côte Rôtie, sharing its steep slopes and viticultural history, is the white wine producing appellation of Condrieu. Condrieu wines are permitted only from Viognier grapes, and this is where that highly perfumed variety reaches its opulent, peach-and-blossom filled zenith. These full-bodied whites gained in popularity and price beginning in the 1970s, inspiring international waves of Viognier planting and oenological imitations, but Condrieu remains the standard bearer for Viognier.