Maison Brotte Esprit Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2024 0.375L is a fresh, aromatic white Rhône wine made from Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Viognier. This half-bottle is ideal for 1 or 2 glasses as an aperitif, light lunch, or dinner with fish and seafood. For this cuvée, Brotte uses its experience from Châteauneuf du Pape, but translates it into an accessible Côtes du Rhône Blanc with apricot, citrus, white flowers, and a fresh, round taste.
This white Côtes du Rhône comes from the Rhône Valley, where Maison Brotte collaborates with established winegrowers who are well-acquainted with the regional grape varieties.
• Location / Origin: The grapes come from small wine producers in the Rhône Valley who have been working with Maison Brotte for decades. This allows Brotte to specifically select grapes that suit the fresh and aromatic style of Esprit Blanc.
• Soil: The vines grow on silty clay soils with plenty of sunshine hours. These soils help build ripe fruit and roundness, while the early harvest of Grenache Blanc supports the fresh citrus and exotic fruit notes.
• Climate & Influences: The warm, dry climate of the southern Rhône helps the grapes ripen well and keeps the vineyards healthy. By strict pruning, green harvesting, and leaf removal, the yield is limited and the grapes gain more concentration.
• Vineyard & Harvest: The grapes are harvested manually at optimal ripeness. This is important for a white Rhône blend where freshness, ripe fruit, and aromatic precision must come together.
Esprit Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2024 is made from 3 white grape varieties from the Rhône.
• Grenache Blanc – Côtes du Rhône: Grenache Blanc forms the base of the blend, giving the wine volume, ripe citrus fruit, and a round structure. Harvested early, the grape retains more freshness and aromatic tension.
• Clairette – Côtes du Rhône: Clairette brings refinement, freshness, and floral notes. This grape helps the wine feel lighter and more vibrant.
• Viognier – Côtes du Rhône: Viognier adds aromas of peach, apricot, and white flowers. This gives the blend extra fragrance and a softer, rounder opening.
The vinification aims for freshness, aroma retention, and a soft, round texture.
• Harvest & Selection: The grapes are pressed directly and gently by pneumatic press at low pressure. The must is then cold-clarified overnight at 10 °C, ensuring the juice enters fermentation pure.
• Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 16–18 °C. This low temperature helps preserve the fresh aromas of citrus, apricot, and white flowers.
• Aging: The wine ages for 6 months on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks, with regular bâtonnage. What is bâtonnage? Bâtonnage is the stirring of the fine yeast cells, which gives the wine more roundness, texture, and length.
• Malolactic Fermentation: The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. This ensures that the fresh acidity, citrus, and lively style remain clearly present.
