2021 Château de la Gardine Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

The Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvée Tradition aoc is a blend of roussanne, clairette, grenache blanc and bourboulenc. The grapes come from the vineyards on the western side of the château. There is a lot of lime in the soil here, which ensures a nice minerality in the wine. To maintain maximum freshness, the harvest takes place early, usually before September 15 - except for the late maturing Clairette. The grapes are picked by hand and thoroughly sorted. They are then pressed and fermented 70% in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 15 to 18 degrees. The rest of the grapes ferment in oak barrels. After fermentation, the wine continues to mature in oak barrels for half a year. No malolactic fermentation takes place.

For years, the Brunel family has been making terroir-typed quality wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They make two styles of white Châteauneuf. The Cuvée des Générations Marie-Léoncie, a full-bodied, mature wine from old roussanne vines and the Cuvée Tradition, a fresh, youthful expression of Châteauneuf du Pape. A lively wine with a southern French spiciness, a fine minerality and crisp acidity.

In the glass, the wine has a light lemon yellow color. In the nose fine, lively aromas of citrus, fennel, thyme and licorice. On the palate, the Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvée Tradition is fruity and spicy at the same time, an aromatic wine with crisp acidity. All in all, a very nice wine and a perfect accompaniment to monkfish with saffron sauce. Also delicious with goat cheese or bresse chicken in cream sauce.