About this WINE
White Rhône Blend
With the exception of the wines from Condrieu and Château-Grillet virtually all Rhône Valley whites are made from blends.
In the north, the white wines of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, and St-Péray are produced from blends of Marsanne and Roussanne. Generally Marsanne is the dominant partner and it lends colour, body and weight to the blend, as well as richly scented fruit. Roussanne, a notoriously low yielder and pernickety to grow, produces intensely aromatic wines which contribute bouquet, delicacy and finesse to the blend.
Until about 15 years ago there was very little interest in southern Rhône whites as it was widely believed that the combination of dull non aromatic grapes and the baking summer heat meant quality wine production was nigh impossible. Since then the quality has improved markedly through the introduction of cool fermentation techniques and increased plantings of northern Rhône white grapes.
The base of many blends is still Grenache Blanc, a widely planted variety producing fresh wines with apple-like fruits, often with hints of aniseed. Ugni Blanc is still found in many blends, as is Clairette though their general lack of character and definition has led to a reduction in plantings. The future for southern Rhône whites appears to lie with Roussanne, Marsanne, and, increasingly, Viognier.
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Description
The Perrin empire now stretches as far as a winery in Paso Robles, California, but its focus remains - and always will be - the Rhône Valley. L’Oustalet Organic Blanc is a classic blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, sourced primarily from the southern part of the region, including vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. Characterful but refined, this wine is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the ancient principles of organic viticulture meet the very latest in winemaking technology. It is delicately floral on the nose, with a hint of green apple and apricot; the palate is soft and full but does not lack acidity. Every element combines to create a balanced wine of great versatility, particularly rewarding alongside those foods, such as artichoke, which tend to give sommeliers nightmares.
Will Heslop - Buying Team
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