The white wines of southern France are much ignored. Drawing on a wide palette of grape varieties including Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Rolle (aka Vermentino), they tend to be relatively full in body with the textural richness akin to white Burgundy. Acidity levels can be low, but this is often addressed through clever blending. They are not wines for simple glugging and are best enjoyed alongside appropriate food.
The Corbières Blanc from organic producer Château de Caraguilhes, a blend of Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, delivers a textbook Marsanne nose of honeysuckle, pear and stonefruit. Just medium bodied, with a fine thread of acidity, it isn’t an easy wine to drink on its own. However, paired with a mildly spiced Chicken Tagine, the wine comes to life, acting as a harmonious partner, not overwhelmed nor overpower the dish.
This is the sort of wine that you could easily drink in a restaurant environment, served alongside a tasting menu. However, in the domestic environment, it is a wine that is all too often ignored in favour of more familiar varietals. We all could do worse than drink more wines of this ilk. It makes a wonderful alternative to Chardonnay, and can be enjoyed with a dish as simple as Roast Chicken or Pan Fried Scallops.
2010 CORBIÈRES BLANC
Producer: Château de Caraguilhes
Variety: Marsanne (80%), Grenache Blanc (20%)
Vintage: 2010
Region: Corbières - Languedoc-Roussillon, France
ABV: 14.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $24.99
Date tasted: 18 May 2012
Tasting Note:
Pale lemon yellow. Lifted aromatic nose of honeysuckle, pear, white peach, red apples, background spice. Dry, medium bodied, savoury, there’s a lovely texture to the wine, which glides over the palate, pear and stonefruit to the fore, spice adding a touch of complexity. A very fine foil for Chicken Tagine. Should develop well for up to 5 years, perhaps longer.
Score: 16/20
The Corbières Blanc from organic producer Château de Caraguilhes, a blend of Marsanne and Grenache Blanc, delivers a textbook Marsanne nose of honeysuckle, pear and stonefruit. Just medium bodied, with a fine thread of acidity, it isn’t an easy wine to drink on its own. However, paired with a mildly spiced Chicken Tagine, the wine comes to life, acting as a harmonious partner, not overwhelmed nor overpower the dish.
This is the sort of wine that you could easily drink in a restaurant environment, served alongside a tasting menu. However, in the domestic environment, it is a wine that is all too often ignored in favour of more familiar varietals. We all could do worse than drink more wines of this ilk. It makes a wonderful alternative to Chardonnay, and can be enjoyed with a dish as simple as Roast Chicken or Pan Fried Scallops.
Producer: Château de Caraguilhes
Variety: Marsanne (80%), Grenache Blanc (20%)
Vintage: 2010
Region: Corbières - Languedoc-Roussillon, France
ABV: 14.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $24.99
Date tasted: 18 May 2012
Tasting Note:
Pale lemon yellow. Lifted aromatic nose of honeysuckle, pear, white peach, red apples, background spice. Dry, medium bodied, savoury, there’s a lovely texture to the wine, which glides over the palate, pear and stonefruit to the fore, spice adding a touch of complexity. A very fine foil for Chicken Tagine. Should develop well for up to 5 years, perhaps longer.
Score: 16/20
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