Ten Northern Rhones Incl. Condrieu, Cornas and THREE Cote Rotie!

Probably the most important French wine region you don’t know very well is the Northern Rhone. This Saturday is your chance to fix that by tasting 10 terrific Northern Rhone Viogniers and Syrahs from the dynamic Yves Cuilleron.  From very grand Condrieu and Cote Rotie to friendly and ready to sip tonight regional Viognier, Marsanne and Syrah, you’ll walk away from the tasting with a new appreciation of the Northern Rhone – and new favorite wines to savor and share.

Here’s the line-up our friends Liz Van Wazer and Margaret Perry from Williams Corner Wines will be sharing with you:

Yves Cuilleron Marsanne Les Vignes d'a Cote 2023
Yves Cuilleron Viognier Les Vignes d'a Cote 2023
Yves Cuilleron Condrieu Petit Cote 2022
Yves Cuilleron Condrieu Les Chaillets 2021
Yves Cuilleron Syrah Collines Rhodaniennes Les Vignes da Cote 2023
Yves Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Labaya 2021
Yves Cuilleron Cornas La Village 2020
Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Bassenon 2020
Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Madiniere 2020
Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Bonnivieres 2020

The vineyards of the Northern Rhone are just south of Lyon and are where Syrah first emerged and where Viognier first gained fame. Its best vineyards are on super-steep slopes of crumbly, rocky, soil. And, especially in the tiny vineyards of Condrieu (Viognier) and on the craggy hill of Cote Rotie (Syrah), it’s arguably where these grapes create their greatest wines.

Yves Cuilleron makes textbook examples of Condrieu, Cote Rotie and more. But that’s not how he started. Growing up in the village of Verlieu just south of Condrieu in the northern Rhone, Yves watched his father and uncle build on his grandfather’s efforts and craft quality wine from 4 HA of vines in Condrieu and Saint Joseph.  And wanted no part of it – he planned to be an engineer.

But during his mandatory military service, he was posted to Alsace, a place every bit as passionate about its wine and food as Lyon. So in 1987 when his uncle decided to retire and the family began discussion selling their vines, he couldn’t resist. And turned out to have a gift. The success of Yves’s early vintages opened the door to acquire more vines.  By 2012 he farmed more than 50 HA. Ten years later, he oversees 100 HA in every northern Rhone appellation from Condrieu at the top to Cote Rotie at the base.  And makes excellent wines from top to bottom as well!

Neither the Condrieu or the Cote Rotie wines are “value price” – production here is both very expensive and very small.  But the wines are beautiful and we know you’ll enjoy trying them and at least be tempted to add a few to your stash at home.  There’s no fee and no RSVP required for this free tasting from noon-4pm on Saturday, April 5. Join us!