Opposite the city of Vienne, on the right bank of the Rhône, the wine-growing village of Ampuis is located in the heart of the prestigious appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Côte-Rôtie.
The vines flourish on two different terroirs, the "côte brune" and the "côte blonde". The grapes which ripen on the vertiginous slopes above the Rhône give powerful, intense and complex wines.
Two names are closely linked to the wine village: Guigal and Fleury.
It was in 1946 that Etienne Guigal founded his estate, which is currently managed by the third generation. Over time, the estate grew. The takeover of the Vidal-Fleury establishments reinforces its importance in the Côte-Rôtie appellation and the takeover of other estates allows the Guigal family to offer a fine range of wines from the Rhône valley in the Hermitage and Saint-Joseph appellations, Crozes-Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
To taste all these excellent Rhône Valley wines (by reservation), head to the tasting and sales cellar in an 18th century building.
Before giving in to the temptation of tasting, a visit to the museographic space in the basement is highly recommended.
Created with the support of the Saint-Romain-en-Gal Museum, it aims to trace the history of the Rhône Valley vineyards back to Antiquity. While there are many ancient objects from the world of viticulture, its scenography is seductive with its luminosity which highlights the amphorae, tools and oenological equipment.
The estate also manufactures its own barrels. Among all these historical objects coming largely from the family collection, there is this astonishing wall of Gallo-Roman coins patiently collected by Marcel Guigal.
An interesting, lively museum and an excellent introduction to tasting the beautiful cuvées from Maison Guigal, Château de Nalys, Maison Vidal-Fleury and Domaine de Bonserine!
Tasting
We had the pleasure of tasting three exceptional wines with Marielle Grossetete, site manager.
La Doriane 2018.- This condrieu comes from five of the appellation's most exceptional terroirs. The Viognier, aged in new oak barrels, seduces with a magnificent bouquet of fruit aromas (apricot) and toasted notes. The palate is fleshy, with a nice roundness. Pairs perfectly with foie gras or a truffle omelet.
Vignes de la Hospice.- A 100% Syrah Saint-Joseph. The vines grow over a subsoil of so called horse-toothed granite which gives the wine a particular minerality. The nose is intense, complex with predominantly black fruits with delicate accents of new wood. The attack on the palate is powerful. The tannins are present but remain elegant. To be served with roasted game, a nice piece of beef.
Château d'Ampuis 2016.- The emblematic cuvée of Guigal, made from the domain's seven exceptional terroirs. The Viognier (complantation on the blonde side) brings elegance and finesse, a little fat to the Syrah. A racy wine with aromas of black fruits and notes of undergrowth. The tannins are very solid but melted in a mouth marked by small red fruits, sour cherries.
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