Alain Voge : Ongrie 2023

Tasting characteristics and advice for Ongrie 2023 by Alain Voge

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale yellow hue with golden and straw highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals lovely aromatic complexity, with notes of white flowers, white peach and apricot. Aromas of fresh bread crumb, fresh butter and brioche mingle with floral touches of orange blossom and violet. Nuances of passion fruit, white pepper and an airy minerality characteristic of the terroir also come through.

Palate

On the palate, this white wine reveals a generous, vinous texture, with remarkable balance between richness and freshness. The structure offers fine aromatic depth, with lingering flavors of stone fruits and savory notes. The finish stands out for its length and complexity, leaving an elegant mineral impression.

Food and wine pairings

This Saint-Péray is a perfect match for sautéed river fish, roast poultry served with creamy sauces, as well as aged goat cheeses. It also pairs beautifully with prawn dishes featuring mild spices, or mushroom-based recipes.

Serving and cellaring

Ongrie 2023 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature of 11 to 12°C. It is recommended to open it 45 minutes to an hour before serving to allow its aromas to fully express themselves. This wine can be enjoyed from 2026 and will reach its peak between around 2027 and 2030, with cellaring potential through about 2033.

A characterful Saint-Péray Blanc from the Northern Rhône Valley

The estate

Domaine Alain Voge, located in the village of Cornas in Ardèche, traces its agricultural roots back to around 1900. In 1958, Alain Voge joined the family estate and chose to devote himself exclusively to viticulture, producing his first vintage in 1965. A pioneer of organic farming as early as 1978, the estate obtained full certification in 2016 and biodynamic certification in 2013. Since October 2018, Lionel Fraisse has managed the property, which spans thirteen hectares across the Cornas and Saint-Péray appellations. The estate upholds a philosophy of minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar, favoring the authentic expression of the Rhône Valley terroirs.

The vineyard

The Ongrie cuvée comes from around 1.5 hectares of Marsanne vines averaging fifty years of age, located on the historic lieu-dit of Ongrie in Saint-Péray. This terroir is characterized by very ancient soils composed of Rhône alluvium enriched with granitic colluvium from the surrounding hillsides. The notable presence of limestone and clay gives the wine its distinctive minerality and characteristic freshness. The vines are farmed under certified biodynamics, with exclusively hand harvesting allowing for rigorous selection of grapes at optimal ripeness.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage in the Northern Rhône Valley provided favorable conditions for producing high-quality white wines, enabling Marsanne vines to reach beautiful ripeness while preserving aromatic freshness.

Vinification and aging

After hand harvesting and meticulous sorting, the Ongrie 2023 grapes are pressed as whole clusters. Alcoholic fermentation takes place exclusively in 228- and 400-liter French oak barrels, with 30% new oak, thanks to the indigenous yeasts naturally present. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in barrels. The wine is then aged on fine lees for a minimum of thirteen months, with regular lees stirring to help develop complexity and texture.

Grape variety

100% Marsanne