Chateau Saint-Giraud Late Harvest Viognier 2021, Vignerons Ardechois, Ardeche (50cl)

Sweet but not cloying, with flavours of ripe peach and apricot.

The Vignerons Ardéchois Cave Co-opérative (also known as U.V.I.C.A – Union des Vignerons des Coteaux de l’Ardèche) has its roots in the late 1960s when the Presidents of 7 major Cave Co-opératives agreed a unified policy of modernisation, re-planting and marketing. Based in the town of Ruoms, 20 kilometres south of Aubenas this forward-thinking, modernist collective has done much to revive the fortunes of this ancient vine-area, which dates back to Roman times. Today the Vignerons Ardéchois co-operative represents some 2000 grape growers from 21 different smaller co-operatives. U.V.I.C.A is a terrific source of keenly-priced, well made single variety wines and accessible, fruit-driven blends.

Taken over in management thanks to the SCIC Ardèche Vignobles, the participatory vineyard of the Vignerons Ardéchois, the Coteau Saint-Giraud offers a magnificent terroir of 3 hectares, planted in terraces on a hill facing the Monts d’Ardèche, and culminating at 367 meters above sea level. altitude at a place called “Paradise”.