Château-Grillet

France · AOC (PDO) · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Primary-era bedrock: granitic sand (arène granitique) soils, identical to those of the Condrieu vineyard.
Warm, sunny mesoclimate, sheltered from northerly winds by a promontory set perpendicular to the axis of the Rhône. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Amphitheatre-like landscape of steep slopes: vines grown on narrow terraces called cheys, held in place by dry-stone retaining walls known as chaillées.
Fissured subsoil allowing the roots of Viognier to draw water and minerals from depth.
The geographical zone is restricted to two communes in the Loire département: Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône and Vérin.

Human factors

AOC status granted on 8 December 1936; Viognier, the sole variety planted, is recorded as early as 1781 in the natural history of the Dauphiné. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
The wine is bottled in the Alsace flute (a tall, slender brown bottle), a practice in continuous use since at least the decree of 3 June 1959.

Product characteristics

Golden-yellow appearance with gilded highlights; on the nose, violet, apricot, marzipan, honey, peach, and white flowers after aeration.
A great wine for cellaring, requiring several years to reach maturity: a rich, full palate, lively acidity, and aromas of apricot. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Terroir / wine link

The mesoclimate of the south-facing hillsides allows Viognier to express minerality and aromas of yellow fruits — peach, apricot — with freshness.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.