Domaine Alain Voge

Domaine Alain Voge is one of the leading estates in Cornas. It makes structured yet approachable Cornas and complex, lees-aged St Peray. The domaine is known for its high quality wines which remain more accessibly priced than some of the more feted names in the appellation.

The domaine comprises eight hectares in Cornas, four hectares in St-Peray and one hectare in St-Joseph. It is run today by Lionel Frasse, a long-term employee of the domaine who took over in 2020 following Alain Voge’s demise. The domaine obtained full organic certification in 2016 and also uses biodynamic methods. There are many old vines, and there is a programme of massal selection in place to preserve the diversity of the vineyard.

Cornas Les Chailles is the flagship wine of the domaine. It is a blend of hand-harvested, de-stemmed fruit from several plots. Maturation is in old oak for 18 months. Cornas Vielles Vignes comes from several old vine plots which have an average age of 60 years old. The ferment includes around 20% whole bunches and the wine matures for 20 months in 10% new oak. The domaine’s top cuvee, Cornas Les Vielles Fontaines, is a single vineyard wine, made only in the best vintages. It comes from a 0.9 hectare plot of 80 year-old vines planted on granite. The wine is fermented with around a third whole bunches and matured for 24 months in barrels (of which 15-20% are new).

Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses is made largely from declassified Cornas fruit. It offers fantastic value.

Alain Voge was a pioneer of barrel fermentation and lees ageing in St Peray, creating textured, complex whites from this appellation. The domaine makes three different cuvees. One of the most interesting is St Peray Ongrie. It comes from a 1.5 ha plot of 50 year-old Marsanne vines. The limestone component in the soil here lends minerality and freshness to the wine.