Viognier “Le Cabanon” (2023) - Les Alexandrins

In the heart of the Rhône, among the hills of Crozes-Hermitage, lies a fascinating story linked to the Viognier "Le Cabanon" from the Les Alexandrins winery. This area, famous for its fine wines, guards a secret tied to the Viognier grape variety, which was once at risk of extinction. In the 60s, in fact, the area planted to Viognier had shrunk to just 14 hectares worldwide. It was thanks to the passion and dedication of a few visionary growers that Viognier enjoyed a rebirth, thriving once again on the hills of the Rhône.

The appellation: Vin de France

Vin de France is the broadest and most flexible category in the French wine classification, allowing producers to create wines without specific geographical restrictions and with greater freedom in the choice of grape varieties and winemaking techniques. Introduced in 2009 to replace the "Vin de Table" category, Vin de France allows producers to blend grapes from different French regions, without having to comply with the strict rules of the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) or the Indications Géographiques Protégées (IGP). This allows greater experimentation, giving rise to wines that can be modern, innovative and accessible.

What to eat with Viognier “Le Cabanon”

Who makes it: Les Alexandrins

Les Alexandrins was born of the union of three wine talents: Guillaume Sorrel, Alexandre Caso and Nicolas Jaboulet, with the aim of enhancing the winemaking heritage of the northern Rhône. Set in the heart of the most prestigious appellations, this winery combines tradition, savoir-faire and authentic expression of the terroir. Les Alexandrins stands out for its craft winemaking, which brings out the purity of the region's typical grape varieties, in particular Syrah and Marsanne.

The vine of Viognier “Le Cabanon”

Viognier

Viognier is a white grape variety of French origin, celebrated for intensely aromatic, complex wines with plenty of character. Wines made from Viognier stand out for their rich floral and ripe-fruit perfumes, together with a soft, velvety structure. The variety is prized for its ability to produce whites of real body and finesse, equally suited to drinking young or to longer ageing.

Viognier “Le Cabanon”: the Crozes-Hermitage area

Climate: Continental

Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)

Soil: Limestone / chalk

Geographical setting: Hilly

Profile of Viognier “Le Cabanon”

Primary aromas: Intense notes of yellow-fleshed fruit such as peach and apricot, accompanied by floral hints of jasmine and a touch of citrus

Secondary aromas: Nuances of white flowers

Tertiary aromas: Not predominant, given the wine’s young age

Tasting notes: On the palate the wine is fresh and lively, with a well-balanced acidity that gives this Viognier a "northern" character; it shows superb aromatic intensity balanced by a fine acidity