When it comes to the wines of France’s southern Rhône Valley, white wines very much play second fiddle to red. With their natural ripeness, sweet up-front fruit and spicy complexity, the region’s red wines are easy to like, especially for Australian palates that have been raised on ripe, fruit forward wines.
We hear relatively little of the region’s white wines. A recent visit to the region changed this particular imbiber’s view. As they lack the natural freshness of wines from Frances more northerly region’s, southern Rhône whites are not always easy to enjoy on their own. However, when placed alongside appropriate food, especially white meat dishes such as chicken and veal, they literally sing.
The wine reviewed here was far from the most interesting example tasted while in the region. However, at a very modest price, it delivers plenty of pleasure. One could imagine enjoying a glass or two alongside a simply baked snapper or chicken salad.
2012 CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC
Producer: Domaine des Gros Pata
Variety: Southern Rhône white blend (Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Bourbelenc)
Vintage: 2012
Region: Southern Rhône, France
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Plastic cork
Retail Price: 5.60 Euros
Date tasted: 10 September 2013
Tasting Note:
Pale lemon yellow. Bright nose with gentle aromatics (honeysuckle, apricot), white peach. Dry, medium bodied and savoury. Simple palate of green apple and apricot. Gentle and round. Nice easy quaffing white with a modicum of complexity.
Score: 14.5/20
We hear relatively little of the region’s white wines. A recent visit to the region changed this particular imbiber’s view. As they lack the natural freshness of wines from Frances more northerly region’s, southern Rhône whites are not always easy to enjoy on their own. However, when placed alongside appropriate food, especially white meat dishes such as chicken and veal, they literally sing.
The wine reviewed here was far from the most interesting example tasted while in the region. However, at a very modest price, it delivers plenty of pleasure. One could imagine enjoying a glass or two alongside a simply baked snapper or chicken salad.
2012 CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC
Producer: Domaine des Gros Pata
Variety: Southern Rhône white blend (Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, Bourbelenc)
Vintage: 2012
Region: Southern Rhône, France
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Plastic cork
Retail Price: 5.60 Euros
Date tasted: 10 September 2013
Tasting Note:
Pale lemon yellow. Bright nose with gentle aromatics (honeysuckle, apricot), white peach. Dry, medium bodied and savoury. Simple palate of green apple and apricot. Gentle and round. Nice easy quaffing white with a modicum of complexity.
Score: 14.5/20
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